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thatgirlkev's review against another edition
challenging
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
Minor: Transphobia, Vomit, and Gaslighting
bethsbookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
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
2.5
Oooooooh, my. I'm so sad that I didn't love this book, after loving Capes' debut novel Careless SO BLOOOODY MUCH. But this just felt like it had second novel syndrome. It was rushed and lacked depth and the premise was more interesting than the actual novel (plus it was misleading).
The premise is that Lucy finds out that she was adopted when she's in her 20s and how she deals with it. But we don't really get much of that story. Instead, the book is more about how she breaks down a version of herself that she has built for everyone in her life, including herself; it's about her weird and complicated relationships with her roommates; it's about her work; it's really about how BORING she is. This book isn't really about adoption, family, identity, secrets, lies or any of the chaos that I felt we were promised.
This book is the same three chapters on repeat: Lucy on the cusp of a mental breakdown, Lucy trying to figure out her roommates, Lucy occasionally talking to her family.
I got quite bored, but I was determined to finish it, but really, I wouldn't recommend this or think about it much again. However, I'll still read Capes' next novel as I do love Careless and the fact that Capes advocates for people in the foster care system.
The premise is that Lucy finds out that she was adopted when she's in her 20s and how she deals with it. But we don't really get much of that story. Instead, the book is more about how she breaks down a version of herself that she has built for everyone in her life, including herself; it's about her weird and complicated relationships with her roommates; it's about her work; it's really about how BORING she is. This book isn't really about adoption, family, identity, secrets, lies or any of the chaos that I felt we were promised.
This book is the same three chapters on repeat: Lucy on the cusp of a mental breakdown, Lucy trying to figure out her roommates, Lucy occasionally talking to her family.
I got quite bored, but I was determined to finish it, but really, I wouldn't recommend this or think about it much again. However, I'll still read Capes' next novel as I do love Careless and the fact that Capes advocates for people in the foster care system.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
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