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helixhedera's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Spoilers below! Long review.
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Green Dot does an excellent job at portraying what it's like to lose yourself in an unhealthy and imbalanced relationship that never should have happened. In the beginning of the book, Hera's life feels like simply going through the motions of each day, waiting for something worth mentioning to happen – up until she meets Arthur. From there, it's an up-and-down rollercoaster of a secret affair, and we follow as Hera slowly loses herself in the process.
You may find yourself relating to Hera if you've ever been in a similar relationship – one in which you are going all in, and your partner is suppressing you, whether on purpose or not. The type of relationship where you find yourself unhealthily attached, even addicted to the person you're with, while to them, you are a second thought. The problem becomes greater when you believe that you are not, in fact, a second thought, but a priority. This is what happened to our main character.
We are also shown, in a beautifully tragic way, how this sort of relationship can consume you and take your life away from you. To me, the most heartbreaking scenes were the ones in which Hera neglected everything she'd ever known – her lonely dad, her dog, her friends – just for a chance to meet with Arthur, only to be discarded shortly afterward yet again; and it was even more heartbreaking that she was aware of how horrible it was getting and that she was delusional, yet she could not stop. The part that broke me the most was when Jude died, and instead of mourning with her dad, Hera chose to wait for Arthur yet again. It felt like she simply did not have a semblance of a real life anymore.
I'd also like to comment on this: the author showed the power imbalance between Hera and Arthur well, in my opinion. I particularly liked a line near the end of the book, during the New Years' scene, in which Arthur was sat on the couch, and Hera on the floor in front of him. After everything that had happened in the story thus far, this detail showed subtly, yet also quite obviously, the power that Arthur held over Hera throughout the story.
Even though Hera was hurting, I adored the ending of this book. I think it would've been entirely distasteful if they had ended up together, after everything; or if Hera had taken him back at the beach. I loved the symbolism of the ending scene, as Arthur slowly shrunk away, Hera finally letting go of the person who'd been destroying her personhood and mental wellbeing for so long, even if she still loved him. I was happy that she moved back in with her dad, too.
I also loved the fact that Hera was undebatably flawed, and she was aware of this. Not once did I get the impression that she was oblivious to how harmful their actions were. She was aware of her own role in all this and didn't downplay it, even expressing pain for Kate at times. Hera felt incredibly human throughout the story, with ups, downs and rock bottoms, just like everybody else.
As an ending note, I am so in love with the writing style of the author. I've highlighted so many quotes and paragraphs; Madeleine Gray has an artistic way with words. The pacing felt just right and Gray hit all the right beats in the story. I enjoyed the humour as well and the occasional fourth-wall-breaking.
All in all, Green Dot is an all too familiar story well told.
.
.
.
.
.
.
You may find yourself relating to Hera if you've ever been in a similar relationship – one in which you are going all in, and your partner is suppressing you, whether on purpose or not. The type of relationship where you find yourself unhealthily attached, even addicted to the person you're with, while to them, you are a second thought. The problem becomes greater when you believe that you are not, in fact, a second thought, but a priority. This is what happened to our main character.
We are also shown, in a beautifully tragic way, how this sort of relationship can consume you and take your life away from you. To me, the most heartbreaking scenes were the ones in which Hera neglected everything she'd ever known – her lonely dad, her dog, her friends – just for a chance to meet with Arthur, only to be discarded shortly afterward yet again; and it was even more heartbreaking that she was aware of how horrible it was getting and that she was delusional, yet she could not stop. The part that broke me the most was when Jude died, and instead of mourning with her dad, Hera chose to wait for Arthur yet again. It felt like she simply did not have a semblance of a real life anymore.
I'd also like to comment on this: the author showed the power imbalance between Hera and Arthur well, in my opinion. I particularly liked a line near the end of the book, during the New Years' scene, in which Arthur was sat on the couch, and Hera on the floor in front of him. After everything that had happened in the story thus far, this detail showed subtly, yet also quite obviously, the power that Arthur held over Hera throughout the story.
Even though Hera was hurting, I adored the ending of this book. I think it would've been entirely distasteful if they had ended up together, after everything; or if Hera had taken him back at the beach. I loved the symbolism of the ending scene, as Arthur slowly shrunk away, Hera finally letting go of the person who'd been destroying her personhood and mental wellbeing for so long, even if she still loved him. I was happy that she moved back in with her dad, too.
I also loved the fact that Hera was undebatably flawed, and she was aware of this. Not once did I get the impression that she was oblivious to how harmful their actions were. She was aware of her own role in all this and didn't downplay it, even expressing pain for Kate at times. Hera felt incredibly human throughout the story, with ups, downs and rock bottoms, just like everybody else.
As an ending note, I am so in love with the writing style of the author. I've highlighted so many quotes and paragraphs; Madeleine Gray has an artistic way with words. The pacing felt just right and Gray hit all the right beats in the story. I enjoyed the humour as well and the occasional fourth-wall-breaking.
All in all, Green Dot is an all too familiar story well told.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, Abandonment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Animal death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Pregnancy
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
simoneg's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Minor: Child abuse
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
nialiversuch's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Cursing and Pregnancy
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