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threeundertwopnw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Drug abuse, Hate crime, Infertility, Miscarriage, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Murder
emmapaigereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Abortion
catladyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, and Alcohol
ladygetslit's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
I wanted to rate this higher, because the writing was good, and I appreciate what Naima Coster accomplished with this book. Unfortunately, I just didn’t feel connected to the characters. Everyone in this book is some kind of asshole, and even though I can understand why, it just kept me from really feeling for them. I think if the story had focused only on Noelle and Gee, I would’ve been able to settle in more. As it is, the story follows so many different people and I didn’t have the time to feel connected to their story enough to be invested in the outcomes.
I would still recommend this book, because I think it does a good job of exploring the experience of being biracial, of being on the outside of something looking in. It just didn’t pack the emotional punch I wanted it to.
Graphic: Bullying, Infidelity, and Racism
Moderate: Addiction, Cancer, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Abortion, and Murder
mackenziem12's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racism, Terminal illness, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, and Alcohol
bookinthebath's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, and Racism
ekmook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Infertility, Miscarriage, Racism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
kikiareyoureading's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Racism
katsbooks's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
“She wanted Gee to know this music was for him, that irreverence and rage weren’t just for white boys."
“Go to your bosom; Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know.”
I must be getting old because this is one of those books that I would never been able to enjoy five years ago. It is so realistic. The characters feel raw and real. They're lovable, yet utterly fallible. I felt like I was reading a memoir; that's how realistic it was. Following that vein, it also meant that there wasn't necessarily a big reveal or climax per se. I was honestly stunned when I turned the final page because I felt like it could just keep going and going. I think the reason this book was really compelling to me is because it explores so many of the subtle nuances of racism, even when it's internalized. It wasn't portrayed as this character fault that is eventually triumphed over. I could see pieces of the Ventura girls, and especially Lacey May in so many of my own relatives. This is the type of book that could be read in a classroom. There are so many layers.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Miscarriage