taylorsevalia's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Toxic relationship, and Cursing
Moderate: Hate crime, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Fatphobia, Racial slurs, and Body shaming
uppercasenoises's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really enjoyed the perspectives of both characters and liked the story overall. Something felt lacking for me plot wise, but I haven't been able to put my finger on it. Definitely would recommend this book to anyone looking to gain perspective on the experience of being a Black young women, specifically working as a . Also deals with a romance, although it is not the primary focus. Dual POV, limited third person.
Spoiler
nanny
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Alcohol, Classism, Gaslighting, and Hate crime
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Police brutality, and Sexism
Handles complex views on race, gender, romance, and employment.Spoiler
No happy ending with regard to the romance.nebuchadnezzar03's review
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking, Classism, Racism, and Hate crime
imogenreads77's review
Boring, slow-paced, predictable
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism
bookswithgeorgia's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Fatphobia, and Hate crime
hannahbailey's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really enjoyed the plot, characters and setting. It was a really thought-provoking and nuanced read. I loved the focus on this one moment in all the characters' lives that changed things forever - but in other ways changed nothing at all. It was an interesting look into how we perceive events and interact with others, and how white people can change or influence the narrative with their own bias, prejudice and systemic power.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, Hate crime, and Gaslighting
laurenjbb's review
funny
informative
inspiring
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Drug use, Alcoholism, Racial slurs, Hate crime, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Racism
floraforlora's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Racism, Hate crime, and Racial slurs
bree_klass's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
good stuff content-wise, but the writing style wasn’t my fav which brings it down a bit for me.
Ried puts white privilege on blast with this book (as they should). the biggest takeaway for me, that I haven’t seen in other novels centred around race, was how white people always find a way to centre themselves in situations that aren’t even about them.
Ried puts white privilege on blast with this book (as they should). the biggest takeaway for me, that I haven’t seen in other novels centred around race, was how white people always find a way to centre themselves in situations that aren’t even about them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Racism
Moderate: Hate crime
Minor: Racial slurs
slimepuppy's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I almost DNF'd this book twice, but I decided to finish it just so I could give it a 1 star rating.
God, what a drag.
Awful dialogue, boring prose, flat characters and the absence of anything that could resemble a plot for half of the book. Other than the market incident, nothing major happens till past the halfway mark of the book, at yet another boring scene that doesn't really convey any of the tension it was supposed to.
Not a single character was interesting or sympathetic - and I love books with awful characters, don't get me wrong. But they have to be charming, or interesting or at least deliver something of substance. Emira and Alix were both annoying, whiny and flat, and the supporting cast was not any better.
I'm just so relieved I'm done with this book, and I'm never touching another Kiley Reid book again.
God, what a drag.
Awful dialogue, boring prose, flat characters and the absence of anything that could resemble a plot for half of the book. Other than the market incident, nothing major happens till past the halfway mark of the book, at yet another boring scene that doesn't really convey any of the tension it was supposed to.
Not a single character was interesting or sympathetic - and I love books with awful characters, don't get me wrong. But they have to be charming, or interesting or at least deliver something of substance. Emira and Alix were both annoying, whiny and flat, and the supporting cast was not any better.
Spoiler
One moment really bothered me - Emira realizing that she loved child caring while helping Briar, only to end up working at an office. I get that it's realistic etc etc, but this book was such a downer, I really hoped that she would at least get that slimmer of positivity. Nope, dreary, passionless job it is.I'm just so relieved I'm done with this book, and I'm never touching another Kiley Reid book again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Hate crime, and Racism
Moderate: Toxic friendship