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nzmerchant's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Lucy is by no means a perfect character - and that’s exactly what I love about her. She’s been written in such a raw, flawed human that you can’t help but relate to her and forgive her for all her shortcomings (because we are all flawed beings) Contrary to most of the other reviews, I feel it ended completely and perfectly. There are minor moments of growth within Lucy and towards the end, her interaction with Danny is so humbling and shows that you don’t become a completely different person overnight. I love how the author perfectly encapsulates that frustrated restlessness of being stuck in place while thinking you’re special, the desire for immediate affection. Very beautifully written. I’ve missed reading contemporary fiction!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual violence
stellaaa1102's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
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
4.5
marmijournals's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I am thrilled by the writing of this author yet taken aback by the middle to ending as i didnt expect her to be entrenched in a toxicy relationship and am a bit troubled by how it ended? or confused? But i am so so so so excited to read more, very curious to see future writing!!!! i want more!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
amyrhoda's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
goblinbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
You could tell that this book had a lot of good ideas in it, but it never really went anywhere.
basicquirkythang102's review against another edition
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
In some ways this book felt so real and raw. It had a lot to say but also the character didnt grow as much as she thought she did - which I’m not used to reading. It was done purposefully because I think change is hard and that isn’t shown a lot. If I related more to the characters issues and life experience it would have been more of a significant read to me. At the end the story it felt not complete- but it’s not a romance, a perfect found my person and now I’m happy and we have nothing left to say. Also I went into the book wanting some erotic fun, but instead got a lot of emotional baggage. But it was the same experience for the character lol
hotfunnycoolgirl's review against another edition
4.5
break in between reading this book propbaly messed up the flow for me but really good.
the whole do you like the book - it’s good but i’m not sure i like it scene when she was in the bookstore was true for me through most of this as well - being uncomfortable (which is obviously the point) not a read before bed book, but really good.
loved the last few chapters, glad she didn’t get with danny, her and her mum near the end, and obviously everything about nora
katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
Amusing contemporary erotic/work/friendship story that doesn't feel finished.
I liked it, yes. But I was also frustrated at the end at how the main character DIDN'T grow in the way the story seemed to set out for her.
This is rather 'sexy' in the sense of Lucy having multiple sexual encounters, seeking out domineering men. It's also a story about her friendship with another woman, a history of her family and why she 'is how she is', and there's a subplot about her attempting to push her career as a writer by researching a retro magazine and its authors.
I read this as an audiobook, which suited the genre, narration style and protagonist, talking to us in letters sent to her recent bedroom partner (married of course). Lucy likes being punished, likes pleasing - or does she? We do get to see her childhood, her parents, her adolescence and college experiences. I didn't feel it really explained everything though, though it did bring us a relatable relationship with her best friend from college, with whom she now has a quite needy bond.
We watch Lucy hook up with less-than-palatable men, though she seems either happy or refuses to accept faults.
The storyline about magazine contributors and models from decades ago felt like it might go somewhere, but in the end felt rather unconnected, unfinished and didn't seem to give Lucy impetus to change, strive or help anyone. It could have the been the plot in itself.
I finished listening with a bit of a frown, I remember, not happy with how the author chooses to leave Lucy. Yes, some lessons were learned about being an adult, but there was something underlying everything that she just didn't seem to have been allowed to grasp. But was this the point? I may have to think about that.
Titillating if you like pain/women being domineered (not really my thing), it does at least encapsulate the confused and hectic lives of contemporary women.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.
Amusing contemporary erotic/work/friendship story that doesn't feel finished.
I liked it, yes. But I was also frustrated at the end at how the main character DIDN'T grow in the way the story seemed to set out for her.
This is rather 'sexy' in the sense of Lucy having multiple sexual encounters, seeking out domineering men. It's also a story about her friendship with another woman, a history of her family and why she 'is how she is', and there's a subplot about her attempting to push her career as a writer by researching a retro magazine and its authors.
I read this as an audiobook, which suited the genre, narration style and protagonist, talking to us in letters sent to her recent bedroom partner (married of course). Lucy likes being punished, likes pleasing - or does she? We do get to see her childhood, her parents, her adolescence and college experiences. I didn't feel it really explained everything though, though it did bring us a relatable relationship with her best friend from college, with whom she now has a quite needy bond.
We watch Lucy hook up with less-than-palatable men, though she seems either happy or refuses to accept faults.
The storyline about magazine contributors and models from decades ago felt like it might go somewhere, but in the end felt rather unconnected, unfinished and didn't seem to give Lucy impetus to change, strive or help anyone. It could have the been the plot in itself.
I finished listening with a bit of a frown, I remember, not happy with how the author chooses to leave Lucy. Yes, some lessons were learned about being an adult, but there was something underlying everything that she just didn't seem to have been allowed to grasp. But was this the point? I may have to think about that.
Titillating if you like pain/women being domineered (not really my thing), it does at least encapsulate the confused and hectic lives of contemporary women.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.
claudiakarmina's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
shrootreads's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0