I rated this book three stars because there were some parts I found enjoyable despite it's problematic nature, one of which is Jeff's witty nature and I also liked the narrating style of the book

SPOILERS

My biggest issue with this book is that it some scenes follows what I call the p*rn plotline, where an act that shouldn't be okay is given a thumbs up because the character is suddenly interested in the pervy act committed against them and they participate in furthering it. The first incident of this is where Rancin or racinc (I don't remember his name) basically assaults sleeping Jeff who has never made any sexual advances towards him, and that scene gets written in an okay way because "Jeff sort of enjoyed it" and also joined in the act
Naivety, confusion, coercion and consent are mixed together in the shower scene to an extent that you're not really sure if the act was consensual or one party (Jeff) was subtely coerced into participation but the most aggravating part is where ran-whatever-his-name-is almost r*pes Jeff while he was asleep. I felt like if there wasn't an interruption that scene would have been written as something less sinister instead of the fucked up activity it was. The annoying part was that is just got brushed off.

Another issue I had with the book was that the connection Jeff had with Martha just got dumped, at first it seemed like something beautiful was going to come out of it but nope it just got abandoned. The only other significant mention of her is relating to her trauma

Finally not to be insensitive or trying to come off as invalidating someone's experience but Jeff's reason for attempting su*c*de seemed silly . He didn't have a history of mental illness, severe bullying or any sort of intense struggle or challenge so it seemed weird that that a moment and it's little aftermath just pushed him over the edge and led him to attempt to kill himself. Tbh it seemed like a major embarrassment rather than a negatively life changing experience.

Content Warnings

kredeprnz's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The way this book handled the MC's sexuality, and used it as a plot device was absolutely awful. The way it handled Sexual Assault and Rape was atrocious as well.

Content Warnings