annorabrady's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
I was recommended this book as one that you'd like if you like Schitt's Creek. While it doesn't have the humor of a sitcom, it does have realistic family relationships and each member is fleshed out into their own person, as in Schitt's Creek. They also have catalysts that push them out of their comfort zone and into a place where their relationship with family and friends become healthier and more fulfilling.
There are mentions of miscarriages and abortions, as well as plots about people being outed against their will (handled well but they still exist) so precede with caution if those are triggering to you.
My biggest problem with the story was Porter's storyline.
There are mentions of miscarriages and abortions, as well as plots about people being outed against their will (handled well but they still exist) so precede with caution if those are triggering to you.
My biggest problem with the story was Porter's storyline.
Spoiler
I just feel that someone who is capable of making the life-changing decisions of going through the process of becoming pregnant through a fertility clinic so she can raise a baby alone is also someone who should be able to stop being someone else's "other woman." Especially since she was more than capable of understanding and siding with her best friend who found herself on the other side of that situation with her husband. And then to talk to her best friend about it, expecting her best friend would have any reaction except absolute anger at the betrayal?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Rape, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Deadnaming, Death, Death of parent, Outing, Miscarriage, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Dementia and Abortion
linesiunderline's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is book that will spring to mind when someone asks me for a recommendation for a family drama. This is all about family, and there is all the drama you could want. Secrets galore, past hurts, layers of love and loss, complicated feelings - all of this mixed up with a reflective and humorous tone that Emma Straub does so well. You feel like you’re getting insight into a certain realm of life experiences, and everyone is imperfect, which is of course Reality, but also very entertaining.
Emma Straub manages a lot in a relatively short novel, and the writing is a pleasure.
Highly recommended on audio. It was breezy and more-ish to listen to.
Emma Straub manages a lot in a relatively short novel, and the writing is a pleasure.
Highly recommended on audio. It was breezy and more-ish to listen to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Dementia, Grief, Homophobia, Infertility, Transphobia, and Sexual content
scarlettreadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The story seemed to be about your average (though very dysfunctional) family, and was very character driven. Each person in the book had their own fully-fleshed out backstory and it touched on a lot of different topics, from single parenting, pregnancy, sexuality, marriage, being LGBTQ+, and much much more. My favourite characters were definitely Cecelia and August/Robin, loving each of their chapters and their friendship was so wholesome and touching.
I absolutely adored Straub’s writing and I’ll definitely be picking up more of her books!
I absolutely adored Straub’s writing and I’ll definitely be picking up more of her books!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Dementia, Grief, and Infidelity
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