Scan barcode
imds's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Antisemitism
jackbifrost's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Chronic illness, Infidelity, Mental illness, Medical content, Dementia, and Classism
Moderate: Death, Rape, Terminal illness, Abortion, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Death of parent and War
skudiklier's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Overall I liked this book. I knew absolutely nothing about it going in--not the premise, not the genre, nothing. I picked it solely based on the cover. Throughout the first half of it I just felt a sort of rising tension, as I waited for the shoe to drop. This book was well-written and while the ending devastated me, I don't think it should have been changed.
This book makes me want to read more by this author, because I really liked how well it showed tiny social things that feel hard to capture/explain but can make a real impact on how a situation feels or a relationship progresses. Small things that Jean worries over momentarily, that just felt really well-done.
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Sexual assault, and Abortion
Moderate: Infidelity, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Antisemitism, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Cancer, Incest, and Lesbophobia
teaselkie'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Rape, Medical trauma, and Abortion
Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Dementia, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
esw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
As for the plot, it's okay. Predictable in areas, but it shines best on Chamber's depiction of the titular Small Pleasures. While the characters may not be incredibly complex in areas, it makes up for it by them being genuinely sweet. It's a novel dealing in the sweetness of intimacy and learning to love.
Now for the ending.
Minor: Cancer, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Rape, Abortion, and Death of parent
christinereichard's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I know a lot of people hated the ending, but I think it only drives the message home.
I would've restructured it though. I wouldn't have mentioned the train crash at the beginning of the book, and instead placed it right after the final chapter. That way, the "enjoy what you have while you can" message would still be there (sorry), but the date would be re-emphasized to show readers that Jean's article was pushed off the paper's front page. Double whammy.
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Chronic illness, Rape, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia
hollieadaw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Rape, Terminal illness, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer
kirstyplumb's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
Moderate: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, and Abortion
Minor: Cancer, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Homophobia, Infertility, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Dementia, and Death of parent