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itsmeyseniab's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I was provided an ARC by Text Publishing in exchange for an honest review - all thoughts are my own.
Although I am extremely grateful to have received this ARC, I am so sad to say that I didn't enjoy this novel. At all.
This story initially caught my attention because we follow a twenty-something named Lona as she navigates what it means to be an adult and how to overcome the trials and tribulations that young adults go through as they begin to establish themselves in society. She frequently asks "What's the point?" but truth be told, as I was reading I was asking myself "What is the point of this book?" As far as plot goes - nothing of significance happened (not enough to carry a plot in my opinion anyway). As far as setting the scene of Lona feeling stagnant in her life, the lack of "exciting" plot points did just that. But man, did it make this novel a bore.
Along with the lack of plot, there was also zero character development. Lona was literally the exact same person as she was in the beginning of the novel, just with a different hairstyle. I found Lona to be unbearable to read from: she was very selfish, annoying, self-indulgent, all while trying to come off as a wallflower (but simultaneously wanting to be the center of everyone's universe). It was bizarre to say the least. Her relationships (both her platonic one with Tab and her "romantic" ones with several supporting characters) made no sense to me as well. Her entire story was very "woe is me" and incredibly difficult to get through.
Although I enjoyed the format of this novel (short chapters, themed chapter headers) the writing style got very redundant in the most literal sense (ie. the repeating of words, the overuse of colons while repeating phrases in reverse order, _____ = ______ = _______, etc.). I felt as though it was taking itself way to seriously - both the character and the writing style came off as extremely pretentious.
Although I am extremely grateful to have received this ARC, I am so sad to say that I didn't enjoy this novel. At all.
This story initially caught my attention because we follow a twenty-something named Lona as she navigates what it means to be an adult and how to overcome the trials and tribulations that young adults go through as they begin to establish themselves in society. She frequently asks "What's the point?" but truth be told, as I was reading I was asking myself "What is the point of this book?" As far as plot goes - nothing of significance happened (not enough to carry a plot in my opinion anyway). As far as setting the scene of Lona feeling stagnant in her life, the lack of "exciting" plot points did just that. But man, did it make this novel a bore.
Along with the lack of plot, there was also zero character development. Lona was literally the exact same person as she was in the beginning of the novel, just with a different hairstyle. I found Lona to be unbearable to read from: she was very selfish, annoying, self-indulgent, all while trying to come off as a wallflower (but simultaneously wanting to be the center of everyone's universe). It was bizarre to say the least. Her relationships (both her platonic one with Tab and her "romantic" ones with several supporting characters) made no sense to me as well. Her entire story was very "woe is me" and incredibly difficult to get through.
Although I enjoyed the format of this novel (short chapters, themed chapter headers) the writing style got very redundant in the most literal sense (ie. the repeating of words, the overuse of colons while repeating phrases in reverse order, _____ = ______ = _______, etc.). I felt as though it was taking itself way to seriously - both the character and the writing style came off as extremely pretentious.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
Moderate: Blood and Car accident
brief mention of a puppy farm
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