booklistqueen's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
Following the success of her debut novel, Such a Fun Age, Kiley Reid returns with another look at class and race. Agatha Paul arrives at the University of Arkansas as a visiting professor. Looking to interview women for her research about weddings, Agatha meets Millie Cousins, a resident advisor. But as Agatha interviews the residents in Millie's hall, she wonders how she can use what she finds about their views on class and race to her advantage.
There's no other way to say it. Come & Get It is a hot mess. Which is highly disappointing because Kiley Reid had all the right pieces to create a masterpiece. The opening chapter hooks you with fascinating characters and an implication that the story will collide into a powerful look at race and class. Instead, the novel goes nowhere, wandering into unnecessarily complicated backstories without any discernible plot. Yet, when a major event does finally happen at the 80% mark, the story just fizzles out, leaving you completely unsatisfied.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from G. P. Putnam's Sons through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
hopetamistic's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
carammcdermott's review against another edition
3.0
I’m really struggling to figure out my thoughts on this one. A bit too long, more characters than were really needed, quite a lot of meandering, some fairly redundant side plots, but some moments of merit that gave me pause and compelled me to keep going.
paperbackdietitian's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
caseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Animal death, Drug use, Vomit, Blood, Classism, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Sexual content
busyblackbookworm's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thursday_nxt's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nathansnook's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.0
Major thanks to NetGalley and Putnam's Sons for an ARC of this book in exchange for my thoughts:
*DNF @ 60%
girlll what the heck even is this???
i'll be honest, i had a fun time with Such a Fun Age, and though Reid plays with the usual class/race issues that i so loved in her debut novel, this ones falls short. like 100 to 0. real fast. real quick. in a huge cast of characters, there is no one to care for because there is so little care for any of them. these characters still feel like they're trapped in the first or second draft. the whole book has chess moves, but there are no chess pieces. there are motivations, but no why's to the motivations. this needs a few more rewrites to get where it needs to be.
if anything, i think this would've been better executed if done in the ttfn/ttyl series by Lauren Myracle. i think it would cut out the unnecessary scenes and set up as the dialogue truly drives the story.
homegirl go back to the drawing board with this one!!!
*DNF @ 60%
girlll what the heck even is this???
i'll be honest, i had a fun time with Such a Fun Age, and though Reid plays with the usual class/race issues that i so loved in her debut novel, this ones falls short. like 100 to 0. real fast. real quick. in a huge cast of characters, there is no one to care for because there is so little care for any of them. these characters still feel like they're trapped in the first or second draft. the whole book has chess moves, but there are no chess pieces. there are motivations, but no why's to the motivations. this needs a few more rewrites to get where it needs to be.
if anything, i think this would've been better executed if done in the ttfn/ttyl series by Lauren Myracle. i think it would cut out the unnecessary scenes and set up as the dialogue truly drives the story.
homegirl go back to the drawing board with this one!!!
booksbybrady's review against another edition
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25