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readinginspace3's review against another edition
4.0
This book left me with a lot of complicated feelings. What I will remember about this book is how it did not shy away from the uncomfortable, disgusting, and nuanced moments that make up a life and that define relationships.
lizziejohnson8's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
2.75
zedohee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
odd.
college years and immediately after are tightly written and fascinating, everything else is perplexingly ridiculous.
the author’s writing style crisp, elegant, and fun. i really loved the vibrant indulgence and the frank, desperate humanity of her characters. but the second half of the book is nuts & not in a fun way. feels like multiple books in one and none of them are really worth it tbh. lots of half baked ideas that might’ve worked for a 20 episode 8 season prime time drama that had time to dig into every character’s neurosis and scars, but for a short novel, strains credulity and interest. basically she did the most and lost me.
i really did love her writing and character work though. given that i care for the plot, im definitely going to read her next book.
college years and immediately after are tightly written and fascinating, everything else is perplexingly ridiculous.
the author’s writing style crisp, elegant, and fun. i really loved the vibrant indulgence and the frank, desperate humanity of her characters. but the second half of the book is nuts & not in a fun way. feels like multiple books in one and none of them are really worth it tbh. lots of half baked ideas that might’ve worked for a 20 episode 8 season prime time drama that had time to dig into every character’s neurosis and scars, but for a short novel, strains credulity and interest. basically she did the most and lost me.
i really did love her writing and character work though. given that i care for the plot, im definitely going to read her next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Minor: Incest and Rape
kirstenrose22's review against another edition
3.0
I couldn’t put this down, but in the end, it was a bit unsatisfying. Their friendships and interactions were good and interesting - but each of their big “mistakes” felt so weirdly contrived that they just didn’t seem to fit right. Especially in the last section, where the “mistake” was too weird - and yes, they all reacted with appropriate disgust - but their solutions were so far-fetched as to be completely unrealistic and unworkable. Also, there was no satisfying conclusion, it just sort of stopped - always a pet peeve of mine.
sydinreallife's review
4.0
Not entirely sure how I stumbled across this one, but I'm glad I read it. This book is reminiscent of Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies since it shows both the good and bad of a group of college roommates and lifelong friends. It explores complex emotions and deals with difficult subject matter. I love a book that challenges me, and what better way to start my reading habit up again than with a book like this.
This book is for anyone who has struggled with friendship. Anyone who has dealt with hardship. And especially for anyone who needs reminding that we all deal with pain. That we all make the wrong choices sometimes. And that those choices don't have to define us. That, no matter what, there will always be those people in our lives who are there to hold us when we need it most. Beautiful book. I'll be thinking on this one for awhile.
This book is for anyone who has struggled with friendship. Anyone who has dealt with hardship. And especially for anyone who needs reminding that we all deal with pain. That we all make the wrong choices sometimes. And that those choices don't have to define us. That, no matter what, there will always be those people in our lives who are there to hold us when we need it most. Beautiful book. I'll be thinking on this one for awhile.
bpederson715's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
howiliv's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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? Yes
3.0
zoesmerelda's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.75
For the most part I really liked the writing style but there were a few parts with some run on sentences that I had to re read a few times to make sense of. It’s written in 3rd person and switches perspective between 4 characters sometimes randomly like in the middle of a page which I wouldn’t expect to like but I did.