waverlyrose's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
I almost didn't finish because there were some MAJOR eating disorder triggers, but I'm glad that I pushed through because it was well worth the uncomfortable moments. (I skipped through the eating disorder bits for my own mental health.)
This book has so many twists and turns that I genuinely did not see coming. I don't know if I was just off my game because of the triggers, if I was in a weird funk, or if she is genuinely that good of a writer.
This book has so many twists and turns that I genuinely did not see coming. I don't know if I was just off my game because of the triggers, if I was in a weird funk, or if she is genuinely that good of a writer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
mleach07's review against another edition
4.0
Never Have I Ever had a rough start for me.... pause for dramatic effect.... But wow I'm glad I stuck it out. The book starts out at a book club of all things, hosted by Amy. The new neighbor Roux drops in and quickly takes over the neighborhood book club. She gets them to play a game of never have I ever with slightly different rules. We quickly find out that Amy isn't having any of it though. It seems our dear Amy has some pretty dark secrets she'd like to keep quiet about.
Ok, so the reason it started off rough for me is because of that beginning. OMG our prog has a dark secret and this mysterious woman seems to maybe know something about it. I've never read this story already a million times. I was honestly worried we'd have to go through the whole story not knowing what that secret was, which always drives me crazy, because the secret turns out pretty tame for the amount of trouble it's caused. Never Have I Ever gives up the ghost pretty quickly though, and while I couldn't fully understand why it was so important to not let this secret out it quickly fell to the back of my mind as I was entrapped by Amy and Roux's little games with each other. This was later squashed by the thrill of trying to find out Roux's secrets.
All in all I was very pleased with Never have I ever. The reveals weren't too over the top, and the character's were well written. I'll be checking out more of Jackson's books for sure.
Ok, so the reason it started off rough for me is because of that beginning. OMG our prog has a dark secret and this mysterious woman seems to maybe know something about it. I've never read this story already a million times. I was honestly worried we'd have to go through the whole story not knowing what that secret was, which always drives me crazy, because the secret turns out pretty tame for the amount of trouble it's caused. Never Have I Ever gives up the ghost pretty quickly though, and while I couldn't fully understand why it was so important to not let this secret out it quickly fell to the back of my mind as I was entrapped by Amy and Roux's little games with each other. This was later squashed by the thrill of trying to find out Roux's secrets.
All in all I was very pleased with Never have I ever. The reveals weren't too over the top, and the character's were well written. I'll be checking out more of Jackson's books for sure.
shamrockshelf's review against another edition
1.0
DNF.
I got half way through and I couldn't finish it.
I didn't like it at all:
- I thought there would be a game through out the book, but it was only in first few pages. First chapter was so strong, but the rest of the book not so much. It could have been a lot more interesting if the story would go only in that one night where moms are playing Never have I ever game. ( Really, I hoped that it would be that kind of story when I decided to pick this one up)
- A lot of descriptions and less dialogue, wasn't interesting at all.
- I didn't care at all about Amy's life and background story.
Thank you for the experience and I hope there will be a lot more people who will enjoy this book a lot more than me!
I got half way through and I couldn't finish it.
I didn't like it at all:
- I thought there would be a game through out the book, but it was only in first few pages. First chapter was so strong, but the rest of the book not so much. It could have been a lot more interesting if the story would go only in that one night where moms are playing Never have I ever game. ( Really, I hoped that it would be that kind of story when I decided to pick this one up)
- A lot of descriptions and less dialogue, wasn't interesting at all.
- I didn't care at all about Amy's life and background story.
Thank you for the experience and I hope there will be a lot more people who will enjoy this book a lot more than me!
laurelinwonder's review against another edition
5.0
My first book by Jackson and certainly not the last, this was full of surprises and I could not stop until the end.
readingsloth33's review against another edition
4.0
Good plot and captivating characters this book was a fantastic read.
jade_fowl95's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? No
5.0
shelbycundiff's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
3.25
Quick paced book with consistently interesting plot. I found the ending to be a bit heavy handed though and would’ve considered a different twist. Additionally it irks me that the main characters happy ending still includes keeping a massive secret from her husband…. Eek
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Sexual violence and Child abuse