alisonfaith426's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Sexual content, Fatphobia, Pregnancy, Racism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Body shaming, Classism, and Cursing
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Drug use
caughtbetweenpages's review against another edition
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
this book made me furious in the most beautiful way. Not because I thought the book was "bad" by any means--I think it's excellent--but because the characters Reid created were so true to life that it was difficult to stomach a lot of the time. Emira being in a position in her life where she feels adrift and a little aimless, like she's fallen behind her peer group but doesn't have a plan or focus for how to catch up, is Very Real and I think will hit mid-twenties readers directly in the stomach (I know it did for me). I loved the chapters where we followed her closely. She didn't make "perfect" decisions and she had moments where she was petty or angry or just... young, and that was so refreshing. I loved her relationship with her friends and how clearly they all love each other, and her mutual adoration of Briar warmed my cold heart. In stark contrast were the Alix chapters and the Kelley scenes. It was so uncomfortable to watch these two people microagress a woman they both claim to love with White Savior bullshit and turn her into the rope they're playing tug of war with, and ultimately end up hurting her worst in their attempts to get at each other. And they all thought they were the moral victors of this thing! God, it was so good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Misogyny
Moderate: Misogyny and Racial slurs
megfussell's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Vomit
hanngigi's review against another edition
challenging
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Racial slurs, Stalking, and Racism
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Vomit
racbuckallew's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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: Racial slurs and Racism
samcanuel's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This book was thought-provoking. I could not put it down. Reid’s characters are fantastic and really drive the theme of the novel. Emira and Briar really suck you into the story, and Alix is masterfully written as the poster child of white feminism. I would recommend this book to anyone, really, as Reid’s writing is wonderful and insightful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Vomit, Sexual content, and Bullying
Minor: Blood, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Classism, and Colonisation
eliya's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
i did really like this book especially as a 26 year old nanny lmao
good read, entertaining and informative, relatable. I love how she is able to make both characters relatable even if it’s not something that is conventionally an okay thing to do, the reader is able to see the thought processes, which i did like.
the author’s explicit obsession with skinniness sucks and was a surprisingly persistent fetish throughout the book from both perspectives
the way it’s written is very honest which i really enjoyed, the highs and lows aren’t super dramatic so i don’t recommend this if you want something super juicy, but it is a good story that points out some truly shitty behaviors. that’s all it really has to be & i really like that.
good read, entertaining and informative, relatable. I love how she is able to make both characters relatable even if it’s not something that is conventionally an okay thing to do, the reader is able to see the thought processes, which i did like.
the author’s explicit obsession with skinniness sucks and was a surprisingly persistent fetish throughout the book from both perspectives
the way it’s written is very honest which i really enjoyed, the highs and lows aren’t super dramatic so i don’t recommend this if you want something super juicy, but it is a good story that points out some truly shitty behaviors. that’s all it really has to be & i really like that.
Spoiler
insane that him using the n word wasn’t an immediate red flag, she could have saved herself so much grief lmao. a friend of mine who read this too pointed out that this book reads like a romantic novel but doesn’t end as one, and i love that.Spoiler
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Racism
Moderate: Cursing, Fatphobia, and Eating disorder
Minor: Racial slurs
elderwoodreads's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This book has a slow start but once you are in you're in! I did not want to put it down. I think the way racism is handled in this book is so interesting and important, especially as it pertains to racism in white spaces that espouse themselves as liberal. Highly recommend!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Racism
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual content, Racial slurs, and Bullying
Minor: Body shaming, Classism, Infidelity, Vomit, Pregnancy, Animal death, and Fatphobia
shopgiri's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really liked this story but this writing style was so bland and boring which made it really drag on for me. This book could've been a lot shorter. Most of the characters were complete psychopaths or faded into the background with the exceptions of Zara, Emira, and Briar. The characters I disliked I didn't even really like to hate-read about, and the characters I liked, I did not love.
Emira is supposed to be indecisive, lost, and meek, and I got that, however, I wish that her characterization was a little stronger. I felt like she sometimes started to fade into the background or the story lost her focus as well.
I was pretty satisfied with the ending.
Overall, this book was fine. I didn't know there was a lot of hype around it at some point and I'm happy I didn't know because honestly I would've been disappointed expecting a life-changing read when it's really just okay.
Emira is supposed to be indecisive, lost, and meek, and I got that, however, I wish that her characterization was a little stronger. I felt like she sometimes started to fade into the background or the story lost her focus as well.
I was pretty satisfied with the ending.
Spoiler
I'm glad we got to see Emira's life progress and she managed to find some of her own happiness. I'm also happy that she didn't get back together with Kelley because I hate him so much.Overall, this book was fine. I didn't know there was a lot of hype around it at some point and I'm happy I didn't know because honestly I would've been disappointed expecting a life-changing read when it's really just okay.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism
basil_plant's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Compelling story regarding race and what success looks like told through the eyes of an upper class white woman and her Black babysitter. Lots of ups and downs, ending fell flat for me. Think it would be beneficial to read in a group setting and really take time to break down the elements Reid presents, especially as white readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism