Scan barcode
madelinedalton's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I think the author wanted this novel’s “thesis statement” to be: “Even high-achieving, strong, kind women make themselves small for men without realizing it, and that is a tragedy.” Unfortunately, it fails to deliver on this front because almost all of the chapters are centered around the shitty men in their lives rather than the other positive qualities they supposedly possess. If the book had given more reasons to like Joy, Annie, and Celine—and had shown them to the reader rather than telling us they’re there (such as being told Joy is amazing at her job but never seeing her at work)—I would have loved it. I would have been so infuriated by the way these men treated them. But instead, I found myself emotionally detached. Their stunted communication skills and life problems also seemed unrealistic for women in their early 30s.
I also felt like the hatred of their bodies was a bit too graphic and distressing given that there was little resolution on that topic. Joy has a full blown eating disorder, but the book just ended with “sometimes I eat ice cream now!” instead of her getting proper treatment.
ANYWAY, as a mid-20s woman, I want to read stories about women who are trying their best and have some admirable qualities but still struggle, not walking disasters who have gone three decades never once questioning their realities.
I also felt like the hatred of their bodies was a bit too graphic and distressing given that there was little resolution on that topic. Joy has a full blown eating disorder, but the book just ended with “sometimes I eat ice cream now!” instead of her getting proper treatment.
ANYWAY, as a mid-20s woman, I want to read stories about women who are trying their best and have some admirable qualities but still struggle, not walking disasters who have gone three decades never once questioning their realities.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Sexual assault
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Sexual content
ashleigheu's review against another edition
medium-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
2.0
It was really difficult to finish this book. It was like reading the thoughts of a man trying to understand women. All they think about is how fat they look and are so intimidated by man’s ability to overpower them. The amount of times the word “rape” was used unnecessarily was uncomfortable. The last 3 sections the women finally “grow” to understand they don't need men the way they thought they did. It was underwhelming to say the least.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Rape, Body shaming, and Sexual assault
alyssadiaz's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
mollieweitzman's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! Great audiobook except the voice actors randomly switch mid chapter??? That was kind of strange. Like it’s unnecessary to have a “cast” if it’s not going to be a different voice for each character it just frequently switch back to the main narrator. This book is cringey but it’s supposed to be. Perfect for anyone dating in their twenties. I didn’t like all of the “hot takes” the characters seem to have but that just made it feel more like real people ?? Some parts HIT HARD and you’re screaming at the characters the whole time to DUMP HIM even though you know you’d make the same terrible mistakes in real life
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape
seasonofreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Death of parent, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Misogyny
sophia2203's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Body shaming
mjvanhusen's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual assault
Minor: Child abuse
literaryrambles's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Eating disorder
seelicole's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Refreshingly honest, at times uncomfortably relatable, and also gave way to some moments of self reflection. It’s a story about love but it’s not a romance novel. It seems like this book falls into a category of coming of age novels that I’ve recently come across of people navigating their late 20s and early 30s. Entering a new phase of adulthood I suppose.
I didn’t go into this book with any expectations and ended up really enjoying it. Little disclaimer: The characters definitely read as cishet white women. Not in a bad way, I just put that out there for my fellow poc and for members of the lgbt community who might be looking to read characters that they can see themselves in a bit more. I do think this book is relatable in some way for anyone who has had to navigate the patriarchy as a woman in some way, or for those who have witnessed the toll such a thing can take on the women in their lives.
I didn’t go into this book with any expectations and ended up really enjoying it. Little disclaimer: The characters definitely read as cishet white women. Not in a bad way, I just put that out there for my fellow poc and for members of the lgbt community who might be looking to read characters that they can see themselves in a bit more. I do think this book is relatable in some way for anyone who has had to navigate the patriarchy as a woman in some way, or for those who have witnessed the toll such a thing can take on the women in their lives.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Misogyny
Minor: Body shaming, Sexism, Sexual assault, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, and Child death
More...