jourdanicus's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
sydapel's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The majority of my experience with this book was frustrating, and if you decide to pick it up, I think it will be that way for you too. It's the kind of book that fails the Bechdel test so acutely and often feels like nothing is actually changing, but the last few chapters are such a cathartic experience it makes it all worth it. The strength of the book is how it shows how women can twists themselves into many knots for men, without expectation or thought as to why, while judging ourselves and each other with a much harsher lens. It's very difficult to read about these three women constantly tossing their personhood aside for the mediocre men in their life, and it's easy to think that you would never do the same. But by the end, you really can't help but see a bit of yourself or your friends in each of them. This is great for fans of Queenie and Dolly Alderton, though I will point out that it's very white feminist centered (at least in my reading all the characters are white, with no commentary on intersectionality).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death and Mental illness
seasonofreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Death of parent, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Misogyny
seelicole's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Refreshingly honest, at times uncomfortably relatable, and also gave way to some moments of self reflection. It’s a story about love but it’s not a romance novel. It seems like this book falls into a category of coming of age novels that I’ve recently come across of people navigating their late 20s and early 30s. Entering a new phase of adulthood I suppose.
I didn’t go into this book with any expectations and ended up really enjoying it. Little disclaimer: The characters definitely read as cishet white women. Not in a bad way, I just put that out there for my fellow poc and for members of the lgbt community who might be looking to read characters that they can see themselves in a bit more. I do think this book is relatable in some way for anyone who has had to navigate the patriarchy as a woman in some way, or for those who have witnessed the toll such a thing can take on the women in their lives.
I didn’t go into this book with any expectations and ended up really enjoying it. Little disclaimer: The characters definitely read as cishet white women. Not in a bad way, I just put that out there for my fellow poc and for members of the lgbt community who might be looking to read characters that they can see themselves in a bit more. I do think this book is relatable in some way for anyone who has had to navigate the patriarchy as a woman in some way, or for those who have witnessed the toll such a thing can take on the women in their lives.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Misogyny
Minor: Body shaming, Sexism, Sexual assault, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, and Child death
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