Scan barcode
haley_mil_reads's review
Graphic: Incest and Toxic relationship
applesodaperson's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
My first criticism is that I don't really think that Dawn's perspective was very necessary. It didn't bring much to the story that we don't already get from Emily's perspective. Because they have very similar lives and personalities. But Emily is just more interesting, and the book focuses more on her because it is ultimately about her astrology Instagram account. So I think this should have been just about Emily, and Dawn should have just been a side character, not an entire perspective.
I did kind of appreciate the representation of dysfunctional LGBTQ+ people and relationships. Not all LGBTQ+ representation has to be perfect and fluffy, with perfect people. There are lesbians that are just as much of a mess as some dysfunctional straight people. It is good to have representation of all kinds, even where the characters are hot messes with dead end jobs and toxic relationships. I would be interested to know if the author herself is a lesbian though.
Another thing that I didn't like was the pop culture references. They were done in a way that really dates the book. Like even the references to the movie Parasite are feeling outdated already. And this will just get worse with time. It really takes the reader out of the book and shows exactly when the book was written. Another thing that contributes to this is the lingo used. This book uses the word "cheugy" which also already feels outdated, and will be so cringe even 5 years in the future.
The last criticism I have of this book is just that it isn't the most well written book. But despite all of that, I did have a somewhat fun time reading it, but definitely don't go into it thinking it is a literary masterpiece though.
Read from the Provo library.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Incest
Moderate: Homophobia and Sexual content
arog513's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Incest
Moderate: Drug use
makayla_m812's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Incest
ouroboros_00's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
Moderate: Incest
apoppyinthewind's review
- 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
Still, it wouldn’t be on the top of my recommendation pile.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Stalking, and Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia, Incest, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
hretzkin's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Incest
tkhz's review
- 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
Both of our narrators are deeply flawed people and the book explores how they see the same people and events in wildly different ways. However, while it's okay to have imperfect characters, I found myself pretty annoyed with both of them because of their delusional tendencies. It felt like both characters spent the entire story lying, daydreaming, manipulating people, and not really doing anything while facing no consequences or really changing as people.
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Incest, and Alcohol
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual harassment
etbliss's review against another edition
4.25
Moderate: Incest
Minor: Lesbophobia