jayknowsit'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: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Violence, Alcoholism, Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Grief, Injury/injury detail, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Drug abuse, Drug use, War, Blood, and Cancer
saricostanzo's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
mlleelora'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Grief, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Death of parent, Rape, Suicide, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Suicide attempt
missrains's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Minor: Drug abuse, Alcohol, Suicide attempt, Rape, War, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Alcoholism, Abandonment, and Sexual violence
molly_rose'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual assault, Blood, War, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Sexual violence, Cancer, Alcohol, and Rape
books_and_fairy_lights'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? It's complicated
4.5
Addie wants to live. She wants to live and to love and to be seen. To be remembered. Henry is afraid of time passing, of having no control over it. Decisions overwhelm him and so he stands still - but that also overwhelms him and life just feels too much.
I could relate to both, on different levels. I think something this book does really well is that it speaks to our hopes and fears, the very human experience of feeling the passing of time and wondering if one really makes enough or the right thing out of it, as you never know when you'll run out of minutes.
Although some of the story was quite predictable, it still unfolded quite nicely, and wrapped up in an ending that made sense. It was really nice to see the story unfold as it does, past mixed with present. I loved discovering New York (are any of those experiences real?). I loved to read about a girl who marvels at the beauty of the world, heart full of excitement as she experiences something new - as there is always new things to experience. If anything, I suppose this book tries to tell you that there is always something worth living for (and that no matter what it is, it is enough).
The writing was good, I want to say kind of common or at least it fit my expectation for a contemporary bestseller - good but not exceptional, predictably pleasing and sometimes a little too obviously so.
I'll get passed the streaks of toxicity sometimes romanticized (especially between Addie and Luc) because tbh what reader (at least of this kind of book), while disapproving of it, also doesn't sigh in pleasure at the idea of being wanted. Well, it's just a thought I guess.
I also did quite enjoy the half discrete representation of different queernesses, especially bisexuality (way too often overlooked for gays/lesbians) (one could argue it is in the end a relationship between a cis man and a cis woman, but both of them are effortlessly (or obviously?) presented as queer/fluid in their sexuality) - anyway, without trying to overanalyze it, it was quite pleasant to read and to see.
Overall a good read, once again a book that ended up in my hands in a time in my life that feels quite right for it. And definitely a good way to start the year.
Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual violence
Minor: Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Death
madscanread's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Toxic relationship
Minor: Misogyny, Alcohol, Sexism, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual violence
avie_j's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny and Gaslighting
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, War, and Sexism
nila's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Violence and Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual violence and War
maybelles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Sexual violence