cupcates's review against another edition
3.0
I had high expectations for this book, and I have to admit I'm bummed they weren't entirely met.
It had everything I wanted, but the execution definitely could have been better. All the characters felt almost entirely one-dimensional and definitely not as morally gray as the book wanted us to think they were. Bette was horrible, without anything to balance her negative parts; Gigi was too good, too perfect, too everything, and June was the most well-rounded out of the three, but she still fell short from her actual potential.
It had everything I wanted, but the execution definitely could have been better. All the characters felt almost entirely one-dimensional and definitely not as morally gray as the book wanted us to think they were. Bette was horrible, without anything to balance her negative parts; Gigi was too good, too perfect, too everything, and June was the most well-rounded out of the three, but she still fell short from her actual potential.
picsnbooks18's review against another edition
5.0
Oooooo The drama!!! The ending. Need to read book 2.
ainsleyhanes's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
marissareids's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
allbookedupwithrosie's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Eating disorder, Body shaming, Car accident, and Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment and Adult/minor relationship
mayuscv's review against another edition
I'm no longer in the mood for teenage drama, less drama queens
aspen_suxs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
annelouise's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
vespurr's review against another edition
3.0
When I went to read this the second time, I was a bit surprised I had only rated it three stars. I recalled liking this book quite a bit, and didn't know why I would be interested in the sequel if I found it to be mediocre. Reading through it twice now, however, I recall why I only gave it three stars.
This book is primarily about mean girls doing terrible things to each other - a trope which I am always a big fan of. I can't help it, I'm a sucker for these stories. And overall I enjoyed the plot quite a bit. However, I personally struggled with the descriptions of June's eating disorder and the way these 100 lb girls think they are overweight and feel they are eating too much. While the book tries to shed light on why this is a problem and does not glorify these issues, it is difficult for someone like me (who has always struggled with being overweight) to read this kind of thing and not feel extremely uncomfortable.
Additionally, I was very put off by the character of Henri. While the girls were all terrible to each other in ways that mean girls are, Henri's behavior came off as sexual harassment. I struggled to put him in the same category as the others. The way he intimidates Bette is in a different category from the behaviors of everyone else and it troubled me a bit that the book didn't seem to see the difference.
Overall I enjoyed this book a lot, but I am going to leave the 3 star rating, as the parts that bothered me felt significant.
This book is primarily about mean girls doing terrible things to each other - a trope which I am always a big fan of. I can't help it, I'm a sucker for these stories. And overall I enjoyed the plot quite a bit. However, I personally struggled with the descriptions of June's eating disorder and the way these 100 lb girls think they are overweight and feel they are eating too much. While the book tries to shed light on why this is a problem and does not glorify these issues, it is difficult for someone like me (who has always struggled with being overweight) to read this kind of thing and not feel extremely uncomfortable.
Additionally, I was very put off by the character of Henri. While the girls were all terrible to each other in ways that mean girls are, Henri's behavior came off as sexual harassment. I struggled to put him in the same category as the others. The way he intimidates Bette is in a different category from the behaviors of everyone else and it troubled me a bit that the book didn't seem to see the difference.
Overall I enjoyed this book a lot, but I am going to leave the 3 star rating, as the parts that bothered me felt significant.