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thebookwhale's review against another edition
5.0
I am in tears. what the fuck.
Please don't go into this expecting a romance book. It's not. It's traumatic and horrible and terrifying and beautiful and wonderful and amazing, and I am so grateful the Cover caught my attention.
This book has so so many ups and downs and everything and I couldn't get it out of my head when I wasn't reading it. The story is pretty horrible actually, but the writing is itself is really really good. It's 3rd person pov, which is not what I prefer but Emma Noyes executed it wonderfully. I really think that I know Ginny and Adrian, and how they feel, especially since their feelings and thoughts are presented as facts, because of 3rd person pov. This made me really feel with the characters, which is something I love.
Another thing. I don't know yet whether it's good or bad. Emma doesn't talk around things. She states them as they are. She describes bulimia, anorexia, the feeling of being undesirable and complete indifference as they are. Because the writing feels so real, you can 100% relate to Adrian and Ginny, because everyone has felt like that before, and Emma Noyes gives words to describe the feelings we all feel sometimes.
Also I feel really close to Emma Noyes now. I don't know why. But I cried reading the author's note. The author's note. And the acknowledgments too. The story felt so so personal, so authentic, that I just want to meet Emma and talk to her. It's strange, really. But in a positive way.
Now, a little more about the content. I think that the romance is written really well. It makes sense why they can't get together at first, even though the endless back and forth between them kinda got on my nerves a little. But the thoughts when they realize they're in love? It's just magical. Adrian kinda pissed me off sometimes with his indecisiveness, but he had his reasons and it also felt kind of like that's the point. You don't always know immediately when you're in love, and you're scared too, so you push people away. (I don't know if that's true for everyone, maybe I just need therapy).
With Ginny too, I like her character and the way she's written. What I didn't like:
Why is she always emphasizing that girls are "too much drama" for her? This is so pick me. Just say that you only have guy friends, period. Why do you have to add the part about girls? Don't bring other women down. I mean you could say that she has this attitude because of how she grew up and her relationship with her sister, but I still have a weird feeling about it. It's not cool. I think that Emma Noyes missed a chance to address internalized misogyny and the pick-me behavior which stems from it. Ginny could have had a wonderful character arc, but that was not done, and it makes me a little mad that this chance was not used.
Also, her relationship with Finch? what the fuck? You know he has a girlfriend. And still, you hope for him to confess his love to you? What. Of course, Finch is to blame as well, because he confessed his love after his proposal (???), but I still think it is morally wrong of Ginny to consider him as a romantic partner while he is in a relationship.
Anyway. Emotional rollercoaster, don't read while being heartbroken or having an eating disorder. (We never now if Ginny fully recovers btw which I really would've needed for my sanity)
5 stars absolutely deserved
Please don't go into this expecting a romance book. It's not. It's traumatic and horrible and terrifying and beautiful and wonderful and amazing, and I am so grateful the Cover caught my attention.
This book has so so many ups and downs and everything and I couldn't get it out of my head when I wasn't reading it. The story is pretty horrible actually, but the writing is itself is really really good. It's 3rd person pov, which is not what I prefer but Emma Noyes executed it wonderfully. I really think that I know Ginny and Adrian, and how they feel, especially since their feelings and thoughts are presented as facts, because of 3rd person pov. This made me really feel with the characters, which is something I love.
Another thing. I don't know yet whether it's good or bad. Emma doesn't talk around things. She states them as they are. She describes bulimia, anorexia, the feeling of being undesirable and complete indifference as they are. Because the writing feels so real, you can 100% relate to Adrian and Ginny, because everyone has felt like that before, and Emma Noyes gives words to describe the feelings we all feel sometimes.
Also I feel really close to Emma Noyes now. I don't know why. But I cried reading the author's note. The author's note. And the acknowledgments too. The story felt so so personal, so authentic, that I just want to meet Emma and talk to her. It's strange, really. But in a positive way.
Now, a little more about the content. I think that the romance is written really well. It makes sense why they can't get together at first, even though the endless back and forth between them kinda got on my nerves a little. But the thoughts when they realize they're in love? It's just magical. Adrian kinda pissed me off sometimes with his indecisiveness, but he had his reasons and it also felt kind of like that's the point. You don't always know immediately when you're in love, and you're scared too, so you push people away. (I don't know if that's true for everyone, maybe I just need therapy).
With Ginny too, I like her character and the way she's written. What I didn't like:
Why is she always emphasizing that girls are "too much drama" for her? This is so pick me. Just say that you only have guy friends, period. Why do you have to add the part about girls? Don't bring other women down. I mean you could say that she has this attitude because of how she grew up and her relationship with her sister, but I still have a weird feeling about it. It's not cool. I think that Emma Noyes missed a chance to address internalized misogyny and the pick-me behavior which stems from it. Ginny could have had a wonderful character arc, but that was not done, and it makes me a little mad that this chance was not used.
Also, her relationship with Finch? what the fuck? You know he has a girlfriend. And still, you hope for him to confess his love to you? What. Of course, Finch is to blame as well, because he confessed his love after his proposal (???), but I still think it is morally wrong of Ginny to consider him as a romantic partner while he is in a relationship.
Anyway. Emotional rollercoaster, don't read while being heartbroken or having an eating disorder. (We never now if Ginny fully recovers btw which I really would've needed for my sanity)
5 stars absolutely deserved
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Sexual content and Death of parent
sarahmcg's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was incredible. At times difficult to read (listen to, I read this via audiobook), the trigger/content warnings should be seriously considered. There is extensive detail and plot revolving around anorexia and bulimia, as the main character Ginny struggles with one and then the other.
You are in Ginny’s head as she struggles with her anxiety, and finds that disordered eating quiets her mind (or rather, occupies her mind with anorexia/bulimia so there is no room to think of anything else) and gives her something she is able to control and have power over. But this book does not glamorize eating disorders - it is graphic, gritty, and at times, turned my stomach. You desperately want Ginny to tell someone, to reach out for help, to seek out recovery.
The author herself has spoken about how she struggled with eating disorders and went through recovery (is in recovery? I’m not sure if there is an end to recovery or if it’s an ongoing process). You can tell she put her heart and soul in Ginny, not only her ED but also the fact that she went to Harvard and wanted to become a writer. I give her a lot of credit for putting her story out there, and I hope the writing journey was healing for her.
This book is not only about a girl with eating disorders though. It is about friendships in your 20s, trying to find your place in the world after college, complicated and messy relationships, and what it means to love and be loved. I really enjoyed the story, even when it was difficult to read at times. I also appreciated Adrian’s character, seeing his character growth, and learning about Budapest (which I now want to visit!) and his family. I’d recommend this one as long as you consider the TW/CWs!
You are in Ginny’s head as she struggles with her anxiety, and finds that disordered eating quiets her mind (or rather, occupies her mind with anorexia/bulimia so there is no room to think of anything else) and gives her something she is able to control and have power over. But this book does not glamorize eating disorders - it is graphic, gritty, and at times, turned my stomach. You desperately want Ginny to tell someone, to reach out for help, to seek out recovery.
The author herself has spoken about how she struggled with eating disorders and went through recovery (is in recovery? I’m not sure if there is an end to recovery or if it’s an ongoing process). You can tell she put her heart and soul in Ginny, not only her ED but also the fact that she went to Harvard and wanted to become a writer. I give her a lot of credit for putting her story out there, and I hope the writing journey was healing for her.
This book is not only about a girl with eating disorders though. It is about friendships in your 20s, trying to find your place in the world after college, complicated and messy relationships, and what it means to love and be loved. I really enjoyed the story, even when it was difficult to read at times. I also appreciated Adrian’s character, seeing his character growth, and learning about Budapest (which I now want to visit!) and his family. I’d recommend this one as long as you consider the TW/CWs!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Vomit
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
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