sleeson's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book has A LOT of swearing and graphic descriptions. Not for YA. I wanted to love this but couldn’t. The author truly hits the nail on the head for the women in of her books. She is spot on when she describes what some women go through when having a relationship with men. However, it was hard for me to feel as much empathy as I wanted for this character. It could be because I listened to the audiobook and the narrator caused that reaction. But this was not one of my favorites.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
booksandcat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I didn't particularly like this book. I like what Holly Bourne was trying to do, I think, but I think this story got lost along the way. I also find myself skimming her writing but somehow it keeps me reading, so she gets 2.5 for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence
bibs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
I've been thinking about this book after I came across someone saying that they didn't know who was the target audience for various reasons.
It did trigger my trauma and I didn't even notice. I think this may be not for you if you've gone through something similar and haven't processed it yet (although this is supposedly on how she healed?????).
I hated the depiction of Gretel, it felt very reverse pick-me. It didn't relly feel like the criticism of men's idea of women that it was trying to be for me personally. April felt a bit self-centered; I understand she was feeling insecure because of Gretel's "coolness" but the hate felt excessive.
Besides, I think the book should have some warnings about its main theme (sexual trauma). I learned about it from an interview so I was aware but I don't know about picking this up at the shop, you'd probably not have a clue.
The synopsis is pretty bad at describing the content and I felt that April needed to grow more as person because the way she treated Josh and the resolution felt undeserved.
Overall, it still had a positive outcome for me, I started volunteering at a Center against Domestic Violence, so I fewel like it was worth it, personally. And my original review still applies.
-- 1st review --
(TW) I enjoyed this book quite a bit and I finished it so fast. I think the end was a bit underdeveloped, I was expecting way more before they reached a resolution. Overall it was a really good read, and it pushed me to search for ways to help people in regard to abuse and rape in my home country.
I think in the beginning I was worried about and not enjoying the generalizations being made, but I understand being a young adult myself with mostly positive encounters both with men and relationships, that other people can have really horrifying experiences in those matters and cope with them differently.
I think this is a very important topic to discuss and that was treated with delicacy in this book. I think it lacks diversity but I understand the world depicted may be based on the author's perspective.
The characters felt very real to me especially Josh and April. Although April is somewhat over the top I can understand her actions.
It did trigger my trauma and I didn't even notice. I think this may be not for you if you've gone through something similar and haven't processed it yet (although this is supposedly on how she healed?????).
I hated the depiction of Gretel, it felt very reverse pick-me. It didn't relly feel like the criticism of men's idea of women that it was trying to be for me personally. April felt a bit self-centered; I understand she was feeling insecure because of Gretel's "coolness" but the hate felt excessive.
Besides, I think the book should have some warnings about its main theme (sexual trauma). I learned about it from an interview so I was aware but I don't know about picking this up at the shop, you'd probably not have a clue.
The synopsis is pretty bad at describing the content and I felt that April needed to grow more as person because the way she treated Josh and the resolution felt undeserved.
Overall, it still had a positive outcome for me, I started volunteering at a Center against Domestic Violence, so I fewel like it was worth it, personally. And my original review still applies.
-- 1st review --
(TW) I enjoyed this book quite a bit and I finished it so fast. I think the end was a bit underdeveloped, I was expecting way more before they reached a resolution. Overall it was a really good read, and it pushed me to search for ways to help people in regard to abuse and rape in my home country.
I think in the beginning I was worried about and not enjoying the generalizations being made, but I understand being a young adult myself with mostly positive encounters both with men and relationships, that other people can have really horrifying experiences in those matters and cope with them differently.
I think this is a very important topic to discuss and that was treated with delicacy in this book. I think it lacks diversity but I understand the world depicted may be based on the author's perspective.
The characters felt very real to me especially Josh and April. Although April is somewhat over the top I can understand her actions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Sexual violence
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