k_kay's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I really wanted to like this book, the premise sounds very interesting, but I struggled with the way a number of sensitive topics were handled in the book.
It felt like the author wanted to explore the fragility of internet fame and how fickle it can be when considering cancel culture, rape culture, incels, toxic workplace, our image/ how we are perceived and who we really are, but it was too much to explore.
I liked the cultural references,
but it felt like there was a lot of telling over showing.
We’re told that Ola and Micheal are in love, but from the moment we’re introduced to them it’s hard to understand why. We keep being told how much they love each other, but there’s nothing to show us this which made it difficult to empathise with Ola when the list goes viral. The book also does not explain how they are influencers, the description given felt more like they posted a pic and that went viral once and then you never here about their influence other than we are told once more. The friendships with Ola and her friends does this better, we can see their dynamic but the author then goes in to spell it out which just takes up words and pages unnecessarily. Likewise there is a lot of description of clothes and jewellery which felt like filler.
Micheal is not a likeable character and it’s difficult to empathise with him
I also didn’t care to know the thoughts of an accused abuser and all the incel chat, it’s everywhere these days.
The book was overall very predictable, times when Ola thought she didn’t know what she was going to do, but I felt like I did 🙄
The pace is jarring as we cut between Ola and Micheal’s perspectives at the most pressing moments.
The twist also felt unwarranted, I get what the author was going for, it just really didn’t work for me.
Really consider the triggers on this one as it comes off more of an apologists or liberal take, (I don’t think that was the authors intention) probably because there was just too little said on soooo many deep topics.
It felt like the author wanted to explore the fragility of internet fame and how fickle it can be when considering cancel culture, rape culture, incels, toxic workplace, our image/ how we are perceived and who we really are, but it was too much to explore.
I liked the cultural references,
but it felt like there was a lot of telling over showing.
We’re told that Ola and Micheal are in love, but from the moment we’re introduced to them it’s hard to understand why. We keep being told how much they love each other, but there’s nothing to show us this which made it difficult to empathise with Ola when the list goes viral. The book also does not explain how they are influencers, the description given felt more like they posted a pic and that went viral once and then you never here about their influence other than we are told once more. The friendships with Ola and her friends does this better, we can see their dynamic but the author then goes in to spell it out which just takes up words and pages unnecessarily. Likewise there is a lot of description of clothes and jewellery which felt like filler.
Micheal is not a likeable character and it’s difficult to empathise with him
Spoiler
even when he is suicidal after Ola breaks up with him - it’s is a very common thing abusers do so I was over that dude in the first few pagesI also didn’t care to know the thoughts of an accused abuser and all the incel chat, it’s everywhere these days.
The book was overall very predictable, times when Ola thought she didn’t know what she was going to do, but I felt like I did 🙄
The pace is jarring as we cut between Ola and Micheal’s perspectives at the most pressing moments.
The twist also felt unwarranted, I get what the author was going for, it just really didn’t work for me.
Really consider the triggers on this one as it comes off more of an apologists or liberal take, (I don’t think that was the authors intention) probably because there was just too little said on soooo many deep topics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Self harm, Alcoholism, Misogyny, and Homophobia
lhodgson26's review
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I think this is a really important book which everyone both men and women need to read. It shows the misogynist world which we still live in and the way abusers still continue to get away with the hurt they cause to the victims. The injust world we leave in when the police evidence is hardly ever enough to get a conviction and how wealthy public figures continue to abuse their trust and use money to make the problem disappear. However, it also showcases how trial by social media in the modern age can get out of hand, when rumours with limited credibility can destroy lives such as Lewis ultimately taken his own life. It is a powerful how someone's one lie can cause destruction in both professional and personal life's. I did like Ola and Micheal and they were a good example of how you can think you know someone it can all change in an instant with one piefe ot information and make you doubt everything. I did find it infuriating that Micheal did not come clean in the beginning as the issues which unfolded with the lie were a lot worse and it was such a waste of a good wedding.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
literaryintersections's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Did I enjoy this book? I don't know. The experience was rough. The characters were hard to like. But the actual premise of the book is very interesting, especially in a post MeToo era of social media vitriol and cancellation. This book left me feeling icky which maybe that was it's goal. I would recommend it but with extreme caution because it can be hard to read.
Michael is trash. Ola is a mess. But I don't think either of them is the point. I think the point of this book is that no one is perfect. That anyone could be put on the hot seat for their choices and found guilty without any trial. That we are at the whim of social media - people behind a keyboard able to ruin lives anonymously. And that bad men can do bad things and not be pushed because that is how our society was made - it is functioning how it was always supposed to.
"Did the benefits of the internet outweigh the harm of it when the harm could be as horrendous as this?"
There was so much depth in this but I also feel like the ending didn't leave me satisfied. But idk what would've been satisfaction in this book because it is not a feel good story. It is a cautionary tale. That we never truly know the people we tie our lives to. That "boys will be boys" turns into "men will be men" which means they can hurt and harm with no consequence. And that the internet can ruin lives.
Michael is trash. Ola is a mess. But I don't think either of them is the point. I think the point of this book is that no one is perfect. That anyone could be put on the hot seat for their choices and found guilty without any trial. That we are at the whim of social media - people behind a keyboard able to ruin lives anonymously. And that bad men can do bad things and not be pushed because that is how our society was made - it is functioning how it was always supposed to.
"Did the benefits of the internet outweigh the harm of it when the harm could be as horrendous as this?"
There was so much depth in this but I also feel like the ending didn't leave me satisfied. But idk what would've been satisfaction in this book because it is not a feel good story. It is a cautionary tale. That we never truly know the people we tie our lives to. That "boys will be boys" turns into "men will be men" which means they can hurt and harm with no consequence. And that the internet can ruin lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Misogyny
Moderate: Suicide
emilyky's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Self harm, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Homophobia, and Sexism
aunticles's review
dark
reflective
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
3.75
This was a definite page-turner and very thought-provoking. Very skilfully written. Making the chapter headings a countdown to the wedding really helped keep the stakes high. I could feel Ola's sense of being on a runaway train she couldn't stop. Clever switching between the 2 main characters' pov, managing to keep both voices strong. Excellent dialogue and depiction of online discourse. Michael was far more sympathetic than I'd expected. I wanted to feel he was the villain but it was more nuanced than that. An uncomfortable read that puts the reader firmly in a moral grey area and dares them to judge. I can see lots of book club arguments coming out of this!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual violence, Car accident, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Misogyny, Alcohol, and Suicide
between_2worlds's review
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
“All men benefit from the actions of violent men. It keeps women in check. It allows men to perform the barest minimum and still feel good about themselves. The existence of violent men grants ‘good’ men awards for basic decency”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Homophobia, and Suicide
bookishpip's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Rape, and Suicide
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual violence, Car accident, and Gaslighting
katiewhocanread's review
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Misogyny, Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
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