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rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
2.25
I picked up Green Dot thanks to Gillian Anderson’s recommendation (and let’s be real, I’ll read just about anything she suggests). Anderson described it as “laugh-out-loud funny and achingly sad,” a somewhat apr description that could apply to the bisexual chaos of Hera, the 24-year-old protagonist who finds herself entangled with Arthur, a married man and her boss. As someone who had just finished The Z Word, I was in the mood for another story featuring a complex bisexual character—especially during Bisexual Visibility Day. So, with Green Dot available at the library, I dove in.
Hera is a hot mess who falls deeply into an all-consuming obsession with Arthur, who strings her along with promises of a future together while remaining firmly married. Watching her alienate her friends and family just to be on call for him 24/7 was frustrating and, honestly, sad. There’s a moment when Hera chooses to seek comfort in Arthur instead of going to her father, who genuinely needs her, and it’s heartbreak on top of heartbreak.
I didn’t quite get the “laugh-out-loud” moments Anderson mentioned—Green Dot felt more like watching someone make one bad decision after another, but I did find myself caring about Hera. Her mental health and well-being kept me invested even when the story became predictable. The ending? You can see it coming, but there’s something about the final image that sticks with you. It leaves you thinking long after you close the book.
Overall, I’m torn between two and three stars. While I didn’t love Green Dot, it has a way of lingering with you—and maybe that’s the point.
Hera is a hot mess who falls deeply into an all-consuming obsession with Arthur, who strings her along with promises of a future together while remaining firmly married. Watching her alienate her friends and family just to be on call for him 24/7 was frustrating and, honestly, sad. There’s a moment when Hera chooses to seek comfort in Arthur instead of going to her father, who genuinely needs her, and it’s heartbreak on top of heartbreak.
I didn’t quite get the “laugh-out-loud” moments Anderson mentioned—Green Dot felt more like watching someone make one bad decision after another, but I did find myself caring about Hera. Her mental health and well-being kept me invested even when the story became predictable. The ending? You can see it coming, but there’s something about the final image that sticks with you. It leaves you thinking long after you close the book.
Overall, I’m torn between two and three stars. While I didn’t love Green Dot, it has a way of lingering with you—and maybe that’s the point.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Infidelity, and Gaslighting
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
withlivjones's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.25
This book has a very slow start, but I’m very glad I stuck with it. I love the dry, casual narration style, there’s something very Fleabag-esque about it. All the characters are very well-written, particularly Hera, who is a very fun protagonist to read about, and Hera’s dad, who is trying his best and is just so precious. The ending is absolutely fantastic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Infidelity, and Grief
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Pandemic/Epidemic
ashlesschaps7's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Animal death, Biphobia, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
nicolaparty's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Pregnancy and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Drug use and Homophobia
beate251's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
You will hear every naive thought a mistress has and every stupid lie a cheating husband has in his repertoire. It's a tale as old as time, superbly told in this debut novel. I stayed up until late at night to finish this.
It is textbook "Oh, you have a wife." "Yes, but I love you." "Please leave your wife." "Of course I will, darling, but right now is not a good time." - And now she is pregnant and I can't hurt her. I'm a good person!" "When are you going to leave your wife?" "When the baby is here and she is done breastfeeding." "Please leave your wife. You promised." "I will, by the end of the year." "Actually, I can't do it." "You have to, you promised!" "She hasn't taken it well. She asked me to stay. I can't leave her." Etc. it's always interesting how the man can't break their wife's heart but think nothing of breaking their mistresses heart, who is apparently the one they love. Don't trust liers and cheaters, they will never change.
It is textbook "Oh, you have a wife." "Yes, but I love you." "Please leave your wife." "Of course I will, darling, but right now is not a good time." - And now she is pregnant and I can't hurt her. I'm a good person!" "When are you going to leave your wife?" "When the baby is here and she is done breastfeeding." "Please leave your wife. You promised." "I will, by the end of the year." "Actually, I can't do it." "You have to, you promised!" "She hasn't taken it well. She asked me to stay. I can't leave her." Etc. it's always interesting how the man can't break their wife's heart but think nothing of breaking their mistresses heart, who is apparently the one they love. Don't trust liers and cheaters, they will never change.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual content and Pandemic/Epidemic
baielleebooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Hera as the central character dazzles with hilarity, tenderness and goes above and beyond in delivering an exploration into the human heart when it is locked in embattlement between its deepest desires and embodied circumstances.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal death and Pandemic/Epidemic
bellsdixon's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Cursing, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Minor: Animal death and Drug use
mybestfriendisabook's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
4.25
wowie what a ride. it started lagging in the middle bc of the understood back and forth and repetition but the timeline and events is very representative of the relationship. it legit started to feel dark and tense towards the end, i started feeling nervous and couldn’t put it down.
infidelity, obsession, holding on for the hope of it all, coming of age. felt like a satirical take on hooking up with a married man. felt frustrated for Hera multiple times like girllll
infidelity, obsession, holding on for the hope of it all, coming of age. felt like a satirical take on hooking up with a married man. felt frustrated for Hera multiple times like girllll
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Alcohol
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic
bookishnanna's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic
tfarfan's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content and Pandemic/Epidemic