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gabrielastbr'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
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Death of parent
atamano's review
- 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
2.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Body shaming, Misogyny, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Violence, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
eligru's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Stalking, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
rkulcsar's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
leahfoko's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
But I also felt that it was really hard to read because a lot of the content was really intense and slightly triggering. And my big issue is that given the description of the book and the cover, I had NO idea about any of this going into it. I think it’s really important, but it’s also really important to be upfront about the kind of content that is going to be in this book, so that if you’re not in the right headspace to read this then you don’t get surprised by it. This is not a rom-com by any means. Cal and Harriet add some levity and a sweet relationship to the story, but they are not the main focus. I really respect what this book does, but definitely be aware going into it that this could be hard for some people to read.
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Eating disorder and Violence
helloiloveyellow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming and Panic attacks/disorders
kaydeedickins's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Fatphobia and Death of parent
alba_marie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
The romance part is tacked on at the end, a footnote in a story otherwise about Harriet's woes. In fact, that's what I'd call this book. Harriet's Woes.
Really, it's woman's fiction – not a genre a typically like or read, despite being a woman who likes fiction.
It's mostly about Harriet and her relationship issues involving numerous romantic partners as well as friends. I did not enjoy being in Harriet's life, and found it exhausting. She is meant to be a realistic, complex, modern woman (I think) but really she just came off as slightly selfish and a bit annoying, the architect of her own misadventures (even if she's not supposed to be). I didn't always agree with her supposedly feminist ways. I didn't think some of her treatment to Jon, her then boyfriend, was very good (she does admit that later on). He did some dumb things, but the way she treated him was pretty crap.
I really didn't get why she was so mad at her friend for dating her ex. Who cares! This is a plot-line I never got. Once you break up with someone, it's over. That means they are free to do what they like, sleep with whom they like. What, if you can't have him, no one can? How selfish is that? And then Harriet just assumes her ex is doing it to "get at her." That is so selfish!
Then there's the whole toxic relationship curveball in the last third. It wasn't what I expected at all. It was an interesting dissection of an emotionally abusive relationship but it wasn't the kind of book I wanted or expected...
I never got much chemistry between Harriet and Cal. I never really liked her long-time friends Lorna and Roxie. Her newer friends, Marianne and Nina, were much more likeable and interesting, despite their flash appearance.
Anyway, this sort of book might work for some but it wasn't what I wanted and don't think I'll return to the author. It's just not my genre.
TW: 1st person POV of a toxic, emotionally abusive relationship
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Death of parent
kt_timms's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Body shaming and Eating disorder
Minor: Fatphobia and Death of parent
katrinaward's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming, Infidelity, Sexism, and Death of parent