Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - Such a Fun Age

An amazing tale that delves deep into ingrained racism and the many layers of privilege.
I also found profoundly impacting that we have a main character, Emira, who doesn’t ambition much and that has no idea what she wants to do with her life. It is a strange age. But, aren’t they all. No one should feel like they have to have a life plan, a perfect ambition. Not everyone needs that. I related to this a lot.
The book very much sank its teeth in me, thus I binged it in less than 5h, eager to see what would happen between Emira and her new white boyfriend and her new white boss, and what would result of their eagerness to support her, of their need to improve her life, measuring her as only a Black girl, as if they’re all the same, when Emira clearly knows what she doesn’t want, what she is, and only wants to be left alone and live a quiet normal adult life.
A great and eye opening read, that made me look inside my own privilege and preconceived ideas.

Content Warnings

rachelcotter1's review against another edition

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challenging reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.75

Content Warnings

radfordmanor's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective tense 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

4.0

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crackerjax's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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antoniav's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Content Warnings

jourdanicus's review against another edition

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challenging reflective medium-paced

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? It's complicated

5.0

Uh, wow. My tastes don't usually fall in line with the bestseller lists and celebrity book clubs, but for once, yeah, I can see why this one is on them. If genres were more niche I would file this under "interpersonal psychological thriller." Reid is a master of building tension, and of balancing the multiple perspectives of what each character knows and what the reader knows. I found this to be an extremely sharp character study with such a strong sense of nuance and a highly satisfying ending. Probably not for readers who need a rapid plot or can't stand to read unlikeable characters.

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shoohoob's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny reflective 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

4.25

This book was SO interesting to read and not at all what I was expecting. So many moments where I felt actually uncomfortable with the actions taken by each character. I think this book featured really strong commentary on race, class, and white allyship. Definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year.

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