Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

The Split by Laura Kay

3 reviews

kimseokjinschild's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

💫 The book resonated with me, in terms of adulthood struggles, the process of breakups.

💫I loved that I could sense characters emotions, and this wasn't just an love story but a book which focuses on friendship.

📈 Sometimes I lost interest..especially when talking about the marathon process. 

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elerireads's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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? No

4.0

Right people, this here is the comfort reading you need in your lives. Small-scale, wholesome, simple plot, very likeable characters and some nice character development. Entertaining melodramatics à la Bridget Jones but with a much gentler body image vibe. I also really liked the way Jeremy's mental health was handled (I have major beef with the whole 'then they got therapy and all their problems were solved' narrative that seems to happen a lot). Also running!

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lennie_reads's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • 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

4.5

I ADORED Ally. She was imperfect and slightly delusional but she was also so strong, body positive and hilarious. 

I loved that she was from Sheffield and that most of the book is set there, I'm from Lincolnshire which isn't quite the same as Yorkshire but as our neighbours we share a lot of things like slang and attitudes. Ally even mentions Cleethorpes at one point (where I grew up) so it felt very relatable to me. 

I appreciated the realistic aspect of coping with depression & a harsh lifestyle change; how you might not shower for days, might not get out of bed, might just eat junk food constantly (I've been there).

Ally's rekindled friendship with Jeremy was a wonderful aspect of the book and I loved how they supported each other through their break ups and bolstered each other to complete the marathon even though they were woefully under prepared. 

Ally finding her passion and very much landing on her feet was great, if maybe a little unrealistic at the end of the book but I loved that she found some great friends who supported her and believed in her enough to help her follow her dreams. 

I really wasn't sure if this was going to be a romance or not and as much as I love a romance, I appreciated how this story went and the mistakes Ally made along the way. This is more a story of self discovery and acceptance and I was here for it! 

Ally's relationship with her Dad was wonderful and I think the book handled their grief well. I also loved how supportive he was of her being gay. 

I would definitely recommend this book if you need a pick me up.

CW: alcohol, depression, infidelity, death of a parent, cancer

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