sydneyhalliwell's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia
allieblank's review against another edition
5.0
This is for sure a controversial book, and wouldn’t be for everyone. It’s complex, sad, upsetting, and often makes you uncomfortable. That being said, it’s a very riveting book from the start. The characters are written with such depth, that stay with you.
I was often confused and conflicted with the relationship of Wavy and Kellen. It puts yourself as a reader in a dilemma of how you feel, and I think that speaks to the author’s amazing writing.
The author’s note at the end of the story put into perspective that made sense to me.
“I’m asking readers to suspend their everyday perceptions of morality and sympathize with flawed characters.
How Kellen ends up is also linked to his childhood. As much as we would like his feelings to be paternal, they’re not. Paternal for people like Wavy and Kellen is nothing good. Things like poverty, addiction, and abuse lead a lot of people to make decisions that look immoral from the outside, but that make a kind of sense when you’re in that situation.”
You are rooting for two people that you wouldn’t normally, but based on their lives and childhoods and how they come together, you can’t help but want them to be happy together.
I was often confused and conflicted with the relationship of Wavy and Kellen. It puts yourself as a reader in a dilemma of how you feel, and I think that speaks to the author’s amazing writing.
The author’s note at the end of the story put into perspective that made sense to me.
“I’m asking readers to suspend their everyday perceptions of morality and sympathize with flawed characters.
How Kellen ends up is also linked to his childhood. As much as we would like his feelings to be paternal, they’re not. Paternal for people like Wavy and Kellen is nothing good. Things like poverty, addiction, and abuse lead a lot of people to make decisions that look immoral from the outside, but that make a kind of sense when you’re in that situation.”
You are rooting for two people that you wouldn’t normally, but based on their lives and childhoods and how they come together, you can’t help but want them to be happy together.
crabbypatti63's review
4.5
Best book I’ve read in a long, long time. I dreamt about these characters and that’s the highest compliment I can give a book.
olaleks75's review against another edition
1.0
This. Book. Is. What’s. Wrong. With. This. World!!
It was written ok but THE STORY LINE!!?? It is purely normalizing/ excusing pedophilia! We need to stop sexualizing children. And for all those people saying this book is edgy and raw, you wouldn’t think that if it was your daughter that was the centre of this story. Enough said!
It was written ok but THE STORY LINE!!?? It is purely normalizing/ excusing pedophilia! We need to stop sexualizing children. And for all those people saying this book is edgy and raw, you wouldn’t think that if it was your daughter that was the centre of this story. Enough said!
weekendsfullybooked's review against another edition
4.0
“When I reached her, she was a star, pulling me into her orbit.”
Summary
Daughter of a meth dealer, Wavy knows not to trust people, not even her parents. At age eight, she struggles to raise her little brother as the only “adult” around. One night everything changes when she witnesses one of her father's thugs, Kellen, a tattooed ex-con with a heart of gold, wreck his motorcycle. What follows is a powerful and shocking love story between two unlikely people that asks tough questions. (Borrowed from Goodreads.com)
Why did I pick up this book?
My book club collectively chose to read this book because it was a Book of the Month - Book of the Year winner. You can see all previous Finalists and Winners (reader-voted) here: https://www.bookofthemonth.com/all-books/boty-finalists
What did I enjoy about it?
Easy-to-read dialogue, short chapters, and storytelling from multiple perspectives helped me fly through this book in only a few days. I couldn't put it down. It also spanned the adolescence of the main character, showing the development of characters and relationships. I love a book that gives me pause, makes me question what I believe, and keeps me thinking about it months after, all of which this book did!
What did I not enjoy about it?
There is a relationship that develops between a minor and an adult, which can cause discomfort to readers. This relationship was tough for me to grapple with, as it told a good story but brought up this idea of romanticizing illegal and abusive relationships. This relationship and its difficulties was the only reason I didn't give this book a 10.
Summary
Daughter of a meth dealer, Wavy knows not to trust people, not even her parents. At age eight, she struggles to raise her little brother as the only “adult” around. One night everything changes when she witnesses one of her father's thugs, Kellen, a tattooed ex-con with a heart of gold, wreck his motorcycle. What follows is a powerful and shocking love story between two unlikely people that asks tough questions. (Borrowed from Goodreads.com)
Why did I pick up this book?
My book club collectively chose to read this book because it was a Book of the Month - Book of the Year winner. You can see all previous Finalists and Winners (reader-voted) here: https://www.bookofthemonth.com/all-books/boty-finalists
What did I enjoy about it?
Easy-to-read dialogue, short chapters, and storytelling from multiple perspectives helped me fly through this book in only a few days. I couldn't put it down. It also spanned the adolescence of the main character, showing the development of characters and relationships. I love a book that gives me pause, makes me question what I believe, and keeps me thinking about it months after, all of which this book did!
What did I not enjoy about it?
There is a relationship that develops between a minor and an adult, which can cause discomfort to readers. This relationship was tough for me to grapple with, as it told a good story but brought up this idea of romanticizing illegal and abusive relationships. This relationship and its difficulties was the only reason I didn't give this book a 10.
lyleb's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
2.75
schnacks's review against another edition
4.0
As the title suggests, not an easy story, but certainly a great story. As Wavy’s life unraveled through multiple perspectives, I burned through the pages, looking for justice, redemption, and love - all the while expecting none of the above. Despite a cast of such completely unlikable characters, I found myself not only understanding, but empathizing with many of them. Firmly recommended.
stevie1216's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was the most unexpected thing I could’ve read when I picked up the book I had no idea what I was getting into and boy Oh boy did it make me uncomfy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Murder, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Addiction, Child abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Drug abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Drug use
karlyloar's review against another edition
5.0
So. I started by listening to this one because it is included on Audible. I also had the book on my bookshelf. Within the first 10% of the book, listening wasn’t fast enough. I feel awful and guilty for loving this book. I do. The topic was seriously HARD to read and parts of this book made me so super uncomfortable. But it was just beautifully written, completely engrossing, and I couldn’t put it down. And I can’t stop thinking about it. I definitely recommend the author’s notes at the end and thinking through the book club questions. Gosh. What a beautiful / hard story. Definitely ugly and wonderful things. ❤️
EDIT: Updated to five stars! I’ve thought so much about this book. It’s just so unique and different from anything else. Will be one of my favorites of this year.
EDIT: Updated to five stars! I’ve thought so much about this book. It’s just so unique and different from anything else. Will be one of my favorites of this year.
barbie16's review against another edition
3.0
There's a lot of love for this book and I get it. It's extremely compelling and well written. And yet because of the subject matter I just can't get 100% on board with the way the story unfolded. Life is not perfect and this book is that and far far messier. However I do take some issue with the plot and how the characters grew. This is a tough book to read and very powerful but did not give me the emotional gratification at the end that I think I was meant to have. It does however make me aware that unfortunately I'm sure stories like this are happening everyday and I DOUBT they end the way this one did. Maybe that's the real issue I have with it. Regardless I think this author is fantastic and would definitely read more of her.