Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Penelope in Retrograde by Brooke Abrams

2 reviews

dasofa's review

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Hilarious read. I’m not sure I’d call the romance the central focus of the book, but it was still incredibly enjoyable. It unexpectedly also made me shed a few tears. No spice. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Alcohol, and Drug use

Moderate: Death of parent and Death

Minor: Vomit

meredith_williams_'s review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted 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

I picked this book from my Prime Reading November options right before I got on a plane over Thanksgiving Break. It’s the perfect plane read. Quick, funny, and heartwarming. Plus, I’m a sucker for a themed holiday read. The main character is very Lorelei Gilmore coded; a mid-30s romance writer who doesn’t fit in with her posh upper middle class family. She goes home for the thanksgiving holiday for the first time in a decade and ends up running into her ex husband in a ride share. Of course, family drama ensues. While there is room for criticism in the way this author relies on the wealth and privilege of the main character’s family as a tool for solving several of her “problems” in the story, I thought the family relationships in this book were well written. I also liked that it explored the complicated dynamics that come with being an adult in your childhood home. The banter and comedic relief were also fun! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug use and Medical content

Minor: Sexual content