WARNING: Here there be spoilers
Thank you to Net Galley, William Morrow, and Caroline Frost for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
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The minute I read the description of Shadows of Pecan Hollow I was interested. When I read reviews comparing it to Where the Crawdads Sing and Valentine, two of my favorite 2021 reads, I was on a mission to read this book. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
The main cast of characters was almost entirely unlikable. Kit and Charlie were, however, loveable. So many times I wanted them to just communicate, but as stubborn as the two were, it’s easy to see how that wasn’t really much of a possibility. Usually I don’t go for misunderstandings as a plot point, but with a hormonal 13-year-old and good ol’ hard-headed Kit, it made sense.
One thing that bothered me was the point in which Charlie went missing. Caleb tells Kit that she can’t report the missing person for 24 hours, which is not true, and which is a myth that needs to stop being recycled. I mean, I guess it could be true in fictional Pecan Hollow, but it’s not a good thing to keep telling people, because those 24 hours could be critical in locating and/or saving the missing person in question.
Manny was a great villain. He was awful and manipulative and maniacal. I hated him from the git and I was absolutely bristling when he came sniffing around Kit and Charlie. My hackles were up, I was ready for Kit to tear him a new one.
As a mom myself, I couldn’t see how Kit could let Manny take Charlie out for even a negligible period of time. But I guess there was really no telling Manny no.
I found this book to be moving; a commentary on belonging and finding your place in the world. Shadows of Pecan Hollow captured wonderfully what it means to feel on the fringes of society, what it means to let people in and let down your guard, what it means to be vulnerable and feel.
I adored Shadows of Pecan Hollow and will highly recommend it to anyone who will listen to me.
Dates read: January 25-26, 2022
Seriously, read this one y’all.
Emjay Reads 