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kami_arick's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thechapterhouse's review against another edition
5.0
This. Book. Is. Amazing!!
Hands-down one of my favorite reads of 2023. Fans of Rachel Hauck's "The Best Summer of Our Lives" will also enjoy this one (as will basically everyone else, lol, but yanno)--also L.M. Montgomery/_Anne of Green Gables_ (both books and Kevin Sullivan's movie series) fans. So many events in _Ladies of the Lake_ made me channel the Anne movies, in the best way--like Captain America's "I understood that reference" line on repeat!
Twists and turns kept me guessing to the very end; it was truly amazing how many events could still happen even during the denouement, some making me want to start over and re-read with that new info in mind.
I've been ruminating lately on the things we do for those we love (and how some things are easier for me to do, let alone accept, than others)--and this had so many amazing examples of that. War and related events wreak all sorts of havoc in every sense, some more visibly than others--and yet, it can be so hard to extend grace to ourselves, or accept what we're so quick to extend to others. Many of the book's lessons/examples in that vein will stay with me for some time to come. A wonderful, powerful read.
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Hands-down one of my favorite reads of 2023. Fans of Rachel Hauck's "The Best Summer of Our Lives" will also enjoy this one (as will basically everyone else, lol, but yanno)--also L.M. Montgomery/_Anne of Green Gables_ (both books and Kevin Sullivan's movie series) fans. So many events in _Ladies of the Lake_ made me channel the Anne movies, in the best way--like Captain America's "I understood that reference" line on repeat!
Twists and turns kept me guessing to the very end; it was truly amazing how many events could still happen even during the denouement, some making me want to start over and re-read with that new info in mind.
I've been ruminating lately on the things we do for those we love (and how some things are easier for me to do, let alone accept, than others)--and this had so many amazing examples of that. War and related events wreak all sorts of havoc in every sense, some more visibly than others--and yet, it can be so hard to extend grace to ourselves, or accept what we're so quick to extend to others. Many of the book's lessons/examples in that vein will stay with me for some time to come. A wonderful, powerful read.
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
kathyscottage's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This is a wonderful story of lifeline friends. Loved it!
laurapoulosky's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I enjoyed the setting (boarding school for girls/young women through high school in pre WWI-era and beyond) and seeing how the relationships between the various characters developed. I got a little tired of hearing the main characters proclaim themselves "The Ladies of the Lake" over and over, but maybe this would be less annoying in print than it was on the audiobook. I was also very irritated by Dot's behavior, although I believe we readers were meant to be incensed by it.
austin7's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
lisaann23's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
melmo2610's review against another edition
5.0
This story packs a wallop! It’s an absorbing and entertaining story with a lot of emotional moments and it kept me invested from start to finish. It’s not a light read by any means but it’s extremely well written and one I had trouble putting down.
readingwitherin's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
My Rating 3.5 stars
(Listened to a finished audiobook copy)
Ladies of the Lake follows several different characters from the time they are in school, till they have become old women. Our main characters are Adelaide and Do1900s earlyrothy, who are very different people but become the best of friends for a period of time. The Ladies of the Lake was formed when four friends met at a boarding school, and supported and were there for one another in a way no one else was during the most important formative years. Adelaide and Dorothy continued to work at the boarding school after graduating and they met two young men who up until WWI started seemed like it was going to end perfectly. But with the start of WWI, rules changing, and people's opinions towards the men they love heritage things get tense at times, and tragedy strikes one of our main characters causing them to not see one another for a long time.
Overall I did enjoy this book, but I did struggle with it at times due to some of the choices the characters were making. Adelaide while I understand why she did what she did in order to protect someone she loved, also made it so other people who loved her thought that she was dead causing them a lot of heartache as well. As for Dorothy I really struggled with her character and went back and forth between liking her or not liking her and at times just plain being exasperated with her because of the choices she was making. The setting behind the time a little before WWI started and going through the start of the great depression was interesting and I enjoyed seeing a different time period in historical fiction for a change.
I think if you like saga's and seeing characters go through different stages of life then this book is for you.
The audio narrator was good. However, at times I did struggle to tell if Adelaide or Dorothy was talking because of how every few chapters we switched pov's.
(Listened to a finished audiobook copy)
Ladies of the Lake follows several different characters from the time they are in school, till they have become old women. Our main characters are Adelaide and Do1900s earlyrothy, who are very different people but become the best of friends for a period of time. The Ladies of the Lake was formed when four friends met at a boarding school, and supported and were there for one another in a way no one else was during the most important formative years. Adelaide and Dorothy continued to work at the boarding school after graduating and they met two young men who up until WWI started seemed like it was going to end perfectly. But with the start of WWI, rules changing, and people's opinions towards the men they love heritage things get tense at times, and tragedy strikes one of our main characters causing them to not see one another for a long time.
Overall I did enjoy this book, but I did struggle with it at times due to some of the choices the characters were making. Adelaide while I understand why she did what she did in order to protect someone she loved, also made it so other people who loved her thought that she was dead causing them a lot of heartache as well. As for Dorothy I really struggled with her character and went back and forth between liking her or not liking her and at times just plain being exasperated with her because of the choices she was making. The setting behind the time a little before WWI started and going through the start of the great depression was interesting and I enjoyed seeing a different time period in historical fiction for a change.
I think if you like saga's and seeing characters go through different stages of life then this book is for you.
The audio narrator was good. However, at times I did struggle to tell if Adelaide or Dorothy was talking because of how every few chapters we switched pov's.
mercyandgrace04's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
positivewoman2013's review against another edition
Friendships between women, the good, the bad, and the ugly! Just when you think you understand you don't!