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jlcreads's review
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use
thebooseller'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Wilder is great at developing clever characters with problems, personalities, and quirks. She's a good character-driven storyteller. Both books were spicy, but quite light on that front, and the romance and tension were good.
I just really struggle with Wilder's pacing and plot arcs. It seems to be a pattern, as this was an issue (for my husband and me, at least, when we buddy read it) in WTOWY. She has these fun, layered characters and spends literally 90% of the book putting them in relatively low-stakes situations. And them bam, the last 10% of the book focuses on the meat of their conflict, diluting the impact and, frankly, doing a disservice to the issue.
In this case,
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Death
beanith's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The main critique I saw from others is that the story was much heavier than they anticipated (
While a bit dramatic (although, it is Hollywood) I appreciated the exploration of the darker, sadder topics.
Grey: I pictured Vanessa Kirby (because of the cover). Grey is smart, funny and easy to empathize with. A hard worker who evolves from a nervous cw soap actress into a self-assured starlet.
Ethan: Pedro Pascal or Michiel Huisman (also because of the cover). He’s such a mess! And I love a mess! At one point I wrote in my notes "Ethan is down bad like no man has ever been down bad before". He’s like a more palatable Ben Affleck (also part of a Ben and Matt-esque duo).
Nora: Christy Turlington, but then learned that Nora is at least half Thai. I’m surprised how much I loved her! She’s a source of wisdom and stability for Grey. It is a little co-dependent perhaps, but it’s nice to have an older woman who has literally been there before.
I also really liked Grey’s relationship with her best friend Kamilah. Many romance authors have tried in recent years to include more female friendships in their works, to some mixed results. This felt more on par with Emily Henry (compliment) because they showed up for each other and didn’t have petty drama!
How to Fake it in Hollywood (Taylor’s Version)
1. Blank Space
2. Down Bad
3. "Slut!"
4. I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)
5. Anti-Hero
6. Do It With A Broken Heart
7. Style
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Grief
girlreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Grief
taliabasma's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Grief, and Alcohol
chireadsandchill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Car accident
kyeruhh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Drug use
kingsnail's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Car accident
katetv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Death
caltree's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism