Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

Underbelly by Anna Whitehouse

7 reviews

fictionalsarah's review

challenging dark

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Death of parent

rmcatalina's review against another edition

dark sad

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Miscarriage

daydreamerjade's review

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I loved this. Admittedly, I'm biased (I have aspirations to be an influencer) but it was one of those books where I kept turning the pages, desperate to find out what happens next.
A couple of criticisms:
Firstly, the tagline on the cover ("She doesn't want your life, she wants to destroy it") is misleading. It makes it seem like this will be a thriller, but it's actually about the toxicity of social media.

Secondly, I was all set to give this 4.5 starts but I didn't think Lo's story had a very satisfactory ending. I assume she gives up being an influencer, but that was her family's only source of income and I don't think that's resolved

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood, Domestic abuse, Self harm, and Miscarriage

Minor: Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, and Death of parent

lauhiggs's review

emotional funny fast-paced

• 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

3.75

The Underbelly follows a successful Instagram motherhood “influencer” in a time where her audience is really growing. She is glued to her phone and receiving some well paid contracts. Despite her “perfect” looking lifestyle from her Instagram account, Lo (Lois) is struggling with a series of miscarriages whilst trying for baby number two. 

Dylan is a single mum living penny to penny in a small london flat with her young son. Having fled an abusive relationship she is trying to live life in the shadows, to earn enough money to look after herself and her son, whilst keeping them safe from harm. She comes across cold and defensive from the offset until you start to learn of her past. 

Dylan and Lo meet at the school gates as their children start school. Their children become the best of friends and Dylan is forced to let Lo in. 

This book covers the highs and lows of being an “influencer”. It’s a real look at cancel culture. Showing how your success can be snatched away at any moment and people who you let in can take advantage and turn on you. 

A quick read for me, won’t be one of my favourite reads of this year, but enjoyed it nevertheless. If you like Dawn O’Porter’s books I think this will be one for you. 

(Check trigger warnings)  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, Death, and Grief

orangesandanna's review

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Self harm, and Emotional abuse

gll27's review

emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage

Moderate: Self harm

tingting90's review

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense slow-paced

• 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

4.0

Really challenging, interesting book - listened to the audio book version. Difficult to listen to at some points, particularly when I could see myself in the main characters thoughts and actions. But a really interesting perspective on social media and motherhood.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Domestic abuse, and Gaslighting