destined_333's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death, Addiction, Infertility, and Alcoholism
kyliieamberr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Misogyny, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Death, Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Drug use, and Abandonment
ellelockley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Drug use, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Death, and Infidelity
Moderate: Vomit, Sexual content, Car accident, and Pregnancy
Minor: Gun violence
maggievanningen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
athena10257's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abortion, Car accident, and Miscarriage
evie_24's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Abandonment, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Gaslighting, Abortion, Sexual harassment, Death, and Infertility
rubicon101's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, Death of parent, Grief, Alcoholism, Death, and Alcohol
Moderate: Mental illness, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, and Drug use
Minor: Abortion, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage
jenna_s_9's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really enjoy Taylor Jenkins Reid, her novels always have a way of punching me in the heart. This one more pointedly.
This felt fast paced, I loved how the dual timelines played out and how the story came together in the second half. As readers we are offered so much insight to the characters and how they affect the people around them. It felt entirely immersive.
Her characters are unlikable in some ways but entirely human, Nina being the most compelling character for me. Maybe because I see some of what she is in myself, that feeling of having to accept but never allowing herself to be.
Nobody is perfect. But once again, TJR captures what we all want from people so eloquently, we want them to try. Try.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Death, Drug abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Miscarriage and Abortion
daniesreads'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? Yes
5.0
This book follows the children of famous singer, Mick Riva, as they navigate the party of the year. I didn't fully know what to expect when I decided to read this book, but it exceeded my expectations in many ways. I fell in love with the characters, the writing style, the setting... It was a wonderful read, and I'm so glad I decided to pick it up.
The Riva kids stole my heart. I'll admit that I really didn't expect to resonate with these kids so much, but there were so many little moments where I saw parts of myself in these characters, and I really appreciated that. Characterization is one of those things that can make or break a novel for me, and in this case, it really sold it.
Spoiler
I really enjoyed how, much like June, the reader is given the chance to really fall for Mick and his charming ways, only to realize how much of a scumbag he is. I appreciated this character development.Of all the characters, I really, truly had a soft spot for Nina. I adored Jay, Hud, and Kit, but there was something about Nina's story that resonated with me. As someone who has dealt with
Spoiler
an alcoholic parent, seeing Nina have to step into that role to care for her siblings while simultaneously dealing with her mother's addiction stuck with me. It's an all too familiar feeling, and I appreciated characterization that Nina had because of it.This is my first TJR book, and it definitely won't be my last. I enjoyed this read and all the feelings it brought me.
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, and Death of parent
bookedwithbrie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Grief, Infidelity, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Violence