marieeveparentroy'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
3.5
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, Violence, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, Cancer, and Death
mrmarshall591'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
4.0
There was one prevalent issue that has my rating at a 4 star and it is something that I noticed originally from another review when I was earlier in the book- but it would have become apparent on my own. Over 15 years ago Natalie’s siblings Lynn and Jake were sentenced to jail time as a result of illicit drug use which resulted in the death of their close friend. Natalie had been the person who called the cops both out of anger but also since Lynn really did hurt herself. The friend took his own life after realizing the cops were called.
Below this point has some minor spoilers.
Natalie is blamed for ALL of it. Even her mom does not talk to her for those 15 years, and her mom’s death is what leads to the premise of the book as she wants to bring the three siblings back together. Those sympathetic to her mention it having been an “honest mistake”. Everything is about forgiving Natalie, not addressing that even though she “rat” them out that she did not set them up for anything- they were adults who honestly had Natalie in a dangerous situation. Lynn and Jake later react incredulously when Natalie did not call the cops during a time when it was absolutely critical to, due to all of that trauma of last time she called.
While that did bother me, I really enjoyed the combination of drama, romance, nerdiness and a bit of mystery. It was a great read.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Stalking, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Excrement, Addiction, Blood, Grief, and Vomit
Minor: Confinement and Terminal illness
jg34's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Spoiler
the fact that still after 15 years Jake and Lynn don’t take responsibilities for their own actions is mind boggling. I get them being mad while they are young and maybe even though out their sentence but to hold a grudge for that long??? Like the fact that they were actively engaging in illegal activities is definitely not at all the reason they were sent to prison? I guess it gets complicated with Carlos and I understand some guilt around that but everyone is at fault for that, not just Natalie. How would she know that he would do what he did. And she didn’t even really call the cops because of the drugs she called because her sister was hurt and her brother was too lit to do anything to help. They never in 15 years considered how scary that was for Natalie? Or the fact that she was basically still a child???????? That would be so traumatizing to see your siblings doing heroin and then all the aftermath on top of it! Idk it doesn’t track for me even the mom basically exiling her. Natalie took way too much shit for one “mistake” if you can even call it one.Graphic: Blood, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
booksngrannies's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Blood, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
dev921'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
3.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, Physical abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Cancer, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, and Vomit
lizziaha's review against another edition
2.5
Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Vomit
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Drug use, Death, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gaslighting and Confinement