Reviews tagging 'Pregnancy'

Bolo Negro by Charmaine Wilkerson

117 reviews

heyitsroozu's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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margthephysicsbard's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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nadiaherondale's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Such a beautiful tale of family, love and friendship, the narrative was enchanting and the premise very interesting. I had been putting off reading this book for no other reason that I didn't feel in the mood, and I'm very glad that I finally decided to go for it because I know this is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time 5/5
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melba1975's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Black Cake is a fantastic book. The complex and interconnected lives of the MCs give the book depth and interest that I found quite engaging. The bits of historical and/or scientific information sprinkled throughout this intriguing story made the read that much more enjoyable. By the end of the book, I felt close to all of the MCs. I rejoiced at their triumphs and lamented at their sorrows. Overall this was a book I am happy to have read and will gladly recommend to others. 
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julialandis727's review against another edition

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emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

About the “shifting concepts of home and family, about longing, loss, and second chances,” as the author writes in her note at the end of the book, but held too many main character voices to fully track all their stories. Eleanore sharing her secret life story with Byron and Benny was an emotional story that could’ve been expanded on to take up the full novel. There were so many spin offs from that plot that seemed more like filler episodes in a sitcom, detracting from the main story, rather than adding layers to the main characters…
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thee_book_connoisseur_'s review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

We can't choose what we inherit. But can we choose who we become?" This central question echoes through Charmaine Wilkerson’s stunning debut novel, Black Cake, a deeply layered story of family, identity, and the weight of secrets.
Eleanor Bennett’s passing leaves her children, Byron and Benny, with more than just grief—she leaves them a black cake and a voice recording that unravels their family's hidden past. As they listen, they learn of a young swimmer who fled her Caribbean home under the shadow of murder, a revelation that fractures their understanding of their lineage and forces them to reconsider everything they thought they knew. As Eleanor’s secrets come to light, Byron and Benny must navigate their own strained relationship and decide whether their mother’s final request will reunite or divide them.
Wilkerson’s prose is both lyrical and immersive, pulling readers into a multigenerational narrative that weaves together themes of migration, race, love, and resilience. Black Cake is more than just a story about family—it is a powerful exploration of how history, culture, and hidden truths shape who we become. Richly evocative and emotionally resonant, this novel is a must-read for anyone who appreciates stories that linger long after the last page is turned.
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katy_heath's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This story is beautifully told across three generations.
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sundayfever's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is a slow burn - at first I wasn't convinced, but by the end I was hooked. It's remarkably well paced, which feels rare these days. The reveals of the characters history are slow but build together in such a magical way. By the end I couldn't help being invested in their story. It's well researched and very intentionally written. 
This is a wonderful story about people of Jamaican, Chinese, British and American heritage who defy odds and expectations to create new lives for themselves. 
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thatgyal's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional informative sad tense
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Took me forever to read but I think that’s bc it kinda hit me emotionally and I had to take breaks. I did in fact cry reading this book.
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daniellestarredpages's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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