coleerexx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Minor: Bullying, Rape, Trafficking, and Body shaming
hmogie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Domestic abuse, and Bullying
Moderate: Eating disorder
jtlars7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Moderate: Bullying and Domestic abuse
Minor: Body shaming and Sexual assault
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
The little police interview sections that are interspersed throughout are brilliantly done; they manage to add humour and a simmering sense of tension at the same time. They show the damage that can be done from judging the little we see of other people's lives. I found them less funny and more frustrating as we got to the conclusion; the humour was still there but I was also just angry with the way so much was purposely misconstrued to suit people's own narratives.
I found the searing honesty about motherhood so relatable. The way Madeline, Celeste and Jane all struggled with different doubts and uncertainties about how they might fail their kids, all while envying each other in different ways, rang so true. Their emotions were laid completely bare for the reader even while they were keeping them from each other.
I'd watched the series a few years ago so knew what to expect at the end, but I was absolutely riveted about how we got there (and I appreciated some of the slight differences). From about half way through it became a "just one more chapter" book, until I'd finished it in a day. The build up delivers and I thought it was really clever.
Ultimately, this is a great story of resilience, survival and friendship and I was surprised how much I loved it.
Graphic: Death of parent and Bullying
Moderate: Infidelity and Rape
deebee223'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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Murder, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
nataliem_98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It was also an interesting look at bullying, school politics, domestic violence and friendship! Some deep themes for an overall lighthearted book!
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Death of parent, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Sexual assault
slayalicious's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Infertility, Infidelity, Murder, Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Violence
alexmall029's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Grief, Rape, Abandonment, Murder, Sexual assault, Death, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Physical abuse
atamano's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Classism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Infidelity
anewton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Bullying, and Sexual violence