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kyleethecatlady's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Abandonment, and Alcohol
tswanson103's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My first read of this book, I wasn’t thst impressed. But upon reread, this book does exactly what Dessen is best known for. Ruby learns how to have healthy relationships with the people around her, and how to accept help and support.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Abandonment
kalin_grace's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Abandonment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infertility, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cursing and Drug use
katsbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
“It's a lot easier to be lost than found. It's the reason we're always searching and rarely discovered--so many locks not enough keys.”
“What is family? They were the people who claimed you."
This novel followed Dessen's regular formula pretty well. I'm finding I like to read her books in between heavier books. For example, the two books I read before were both horrors and the one I'm reading now (after I've finished) is a thriller. It's a nice change of pace to cleanse my pallete.
Generally, I like how Dessen's novels have love interests but they are not the reason for the character's growth. In this novel, however, it was this underlying theme of "saving" another person and I didn't know how to feel about it. Jamie "saved" Cora and Ruby and Nate "save" each other at different times. I feel like the intention was to touch on the idea that we need other people and it's impossible to be truly independent. That idea resonates with me but I struggle with the idea of needing someone to "fix" your problems. I feel like that line was a little blurry in this novel, especially with Nate and Ruby's plot line.
I did like the conversation around the idea of family and what it really means. I think that's something Dessen does well. All of her books have a family element to them which just makes you feel things. The relationship between Ruby and her sister pulled at my heartstrings.
Trigger warnings for child abuse, addiction and child abandonment.
“What is family? They were the people who claimed you."
This novel followed Dessen's regular formula pretty well. I'm finding I like to read her books in between heavier books. For example, the two books I read before were both horrors and the one I'm reading now (after I've finished) is a thriller. It's a nice change of pace to cleanse my pallete.
Generally, I like how Dessen's novels have love interests but they are not the reason for the character's growth. In this novel, however, it was this underlying theme of "saving" another person and I didn't know how to feel about it. Jamie "saved" Cora and Ruby and Nate "save" each other at different times. I feel like the intention was to touch on the idea that we need other people and it's impossible to be truly independent. That idea resonates with me but I struggle with the idea of needing someone to "fix" your problems. I feel like that line was a little blurry in this novel, especially with Nate and Ruby's plot line.
I did like the conversation around the idea of family and what it really means. I think that's something Dessen does well. All of her books have a family element to them which just makes you feel things. The relationship between Ruby and her sister pulled at my heartstrings.
Trigger warnings for child abuse, addiction and child abandonment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infertility, Physical abuse, Grief, and Abandonment