The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
risemini's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Mental illness, Infidelity, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Vomit, Violence, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Grief, Misogyny, War, Blood, Confinement, Death, Abandonment, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Rape
nadiaherondale's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Violence, Toxic friendship, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexism, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Infertility, Miscarriage, Body shaming, and Classism
yumaa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity, Abortion, Violence, Suicide, Sexual violence, Rape, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Blood, and Adult/minor relationship
kell_xavi's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Infidelity
Moderate: Suicide, War, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Mental illness, and Pregnancy
Minor: Cursing, Death of parent, and Adult/minor relationship
fascisma178's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Rape, and Death
karenaerts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Violence, Suicide, Sexual content, and Miscarriage
girlsownthevoid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Rape, and Suicide
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Dementia, and Miscarriage
boy_topics'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
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Infidelity, Infertility, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Violence
nothingforpomegranted'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
4.25
As Lina explores her new identity as wife, she struggles with her relationships to Stefano's family and his stores. Back and forth between the Caracci grocery store and the Cerullo shoe factory, Lina is uncomfortable with her new status, and yet she walks with head held high. Indeed, the only vulnerability we are privy to is her seeming avoidance of Elena, whose desperation not to see her is nearly as powerful as her desperation to be part of every moment of her life. Eventually, of course, Lina begins to thrive, as in all things (at least, by Elena's reporting): she charms customers while cheating them into paying more, supports her husband's family while skimming off the profits to donate to her neighbors, and flirts just enough with everyone to keep them from becoming too distant or too angry.Â
As it happens, I found this first half of the book to be somewhat dry. I am struck by the fact that even in my summary, I only described Lina's life, letting Elena fade into the background just as she nearly erases herself, and therein lies the terrible beauty of these novels. This friendship is toxic, which only becomes more evident as the book continues, the subtlety of Elena's erasure transforming into Lina's complete overpowering of her friend, just as she has found some strength, confidence and independence.Â
Elena, still thriving at school, is invited to graduate to university and spends the summer working at a bookstore, until she is cajoled by Lina to join her on a doctor's orders beach vacation to relax her body in preparation for pregnancy. Enthused by the possibility of reuniting with Nino, who Lena has figured herself to be in love with after years at school, mutually impressing each other, she agrees to join them (paid for her time by Lina).Â
This is where the story really begins, and it is beyond compelling. If the first half of the book was a struggle to get through, the second half was completely immersive, and I finished it in just a couple of hours. Part of what made it so propulsive was how entirely disgusted I was by Lina's actions and Elena's dependence on her. This book was troubling, and I still can't wait to pick up the next in the series.Â
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent