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leiaamy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting
starrylight's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Chronic illness, Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
bookishdragonshoard's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
anastasia_kar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I'm irked by the notion that she became what he thought of her and that she was his, did 't exist on her own. Why? Why couldn't she be her own person? I don't find it especially romantic.
There were beautiful moments of writing and true tension. Maybe it requires a second read but the conflict didn't feel believable. I liked the idea of toying with two worlds, art and maths, that don't seem very similar and how both of them eased the other one into their respective fields.
Minor: Addiction
chasinggrace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
witcheep's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The audiobook's narration is a little unorthodox: it matches the characters mind in a creative and very depictive way. The book's narration is in the third person, sometimes coupled with explicitly named external narrator's sidenotes with different narrator's voices. The female main character Reagan has mental illness which's treatment includes therapy and medication; the latter she wants to forgo. The male main character Aldo struggles with interpersonal relationships and often finds himself drifting off to his own thoughts. Both of them have gone through very dark times, and they share them with each other.
These chaotically organized minds of the characters are reflected with the narration, and this has nuances with chapters focalized by different characters. Regan is very impulsive and thrives in chaos; the chapters in her pov are told with a rushed pace, sometimes multiple voices speaking at the same time. Her chapters revolve around Regan's feelings of the events around her and those are what dictate her interactions with the world. Aldo is very organized and relies on patterns and stability. His pov chapters are more calmly paced, and the subjects are dissected with rationality. He is open to listening to other people as well.
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Infidelity, Grief, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Drug abuse, Suicide, and Violence
claireisagrisha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Drug use, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
The main character has bipolar disorder.kimzeyk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
sleepyreaderthings's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Jumping into the book was an adjustment with the whole narrator and scene thing that was there at the start. Not having chapters but instead sections isn’t always my favorite, but somehow I have fallen in love with the two books I’ve read that are like that (this included.) The writing is great but also confusing and pretentious. I loved it! I found myself reading and getting lost in Regan’s thoughts only to end up in Aldo’s somehow? I was confused at points but then I got it. It was meant to be that way because our minds are messy. Those of us who struggle mentally don’t have a super organized brain or thought process, and I think Olivie Blake showed that spectacularly.
I identified with both Regan and Aldo in so many ways, mostly because I’ve dealt with depression and anxiety and crazy intrusive thoughts. I know what it’s like to push people away and to wonder when they’re going to leave. Because it’s inevitable. Because I can be mean and difficult, and who can stomach that? I understand Regan not wanting to be on meds anymore, and I understand her interactions with her psychiatrist. I didn’t tell mine anything honest. Idk. This was just such a real and refreshing book in all ways. They’re both stuck inside their heads, constantly thinking and searching for something just to stay alive and find a reason. Aldo had time and then Regan. I had shows in high school and now I have books. We all find little things to help keep us alive and breathing because some of us aren’t blessed with calm minds. Some of us struggle to speak to others and fit in, and omg was it so good to see that represented here for my past self.
I was scared how this would end because I’m a pessimist. My friend argues I’m not, and in comparison to him, he’s right. But I expected a sad ending because people like Aldo and Regan aren’t always lucky enough to get one. I am glad that I was wrong.
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
belle13's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
There were points where this was unbearably pretentious but I also think that is sort of the point. I think I’m meant to find the writing and the characters a little pretentious. Aldo was a much more likeable character than Regan and I thought he reminded me a little of Spencer Reid from Criminal minds which was fun. Regan on the other hand was so unlikeable but I also think Regan really disliked herself too and once again, I kind of think that’s the whole point. It was very much a realistic portrayal of someone with bipolar disorder and the complexities that surround having a diagnosis like that which I think the author wrote exceedingly well.
I listened to this on audio and I will say, I think that really affected how much I enjoyed it. I couldn’t connect with the characters as much and didn’t enjoy the narration so I would be interested to see if my opinion changed if I was to read it with my eyeballs.
I would recommend it if you’re looking for a complex romance that will make you think a little more deeply and you like characters who make you want to pick them apart and study their behaviour and emotions.
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt
Minor: Addiction and Drug abuse