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drizzleandhurricanebooks's review against another edition
4.0
Trigger warnings:
Just like any other Holly Bourne book I've read, this one caught me and did not let me go. I really enjoyed the focus on female friendship, the tough discussions and the way we perceive some people versus who they really are. Definitely recommending it, but don't forget to check the trigger warnings!
My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bookstagram - Bloglovin'
Spoiler
slut-shaming, sexual assault, self-harming, suicide ideation, alcohol & drugs use, divorce, depression.Just like any other Holly Bourne book I've read, this one caught me and did not let me go. I really enjoyed the focus on female friendship, the tough discussions and the way we perceive some people versus who they really are. Definitely recommending it, but don't forget to check the trigger warnings!
My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bookstagram - Bloglovin'
rxbynelena's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A stunning novel about the intense friendships girls form as teenagers, and how they’re warped by a desire for validation from men.
It has a cast of heartbreakingly believable characters, and a fast paced plot.
It perfectly captures the obsessiveness, jealousy and all encompassing love that can pull two women apart and bring them back together.
It also shows a really slow and realistic awakening to casual violence against women, in the way that teenagers often experience it.
It has a cast of heartbreakingly believable characters, and a fast paced plot.
It perfectly captures the obsessiveness, jealousy and all encompassing love that can pull two women apart and bring them back together.
It also shows a really slow and realistic awakening to casual violence against women, in the way that teenagers often experience it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Miscarriage
chantalv's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
introvertsbookclub's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
amzy789's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
annierosebel's review against another edition
5.0
This was brutal and brilliant.
I've never read fiction that so accurately portrays the way girls are taught to objectify themselves, the ways they learn to compare themselves and prioritise desirability over pretty much everything else.
This book doesn't gloss over anything. It's so incredibly raw and emotional, and it's a testament to the writing that it's still a novel you want to read.
I really like books with messy, flawed characters. And I like books where human relationships aren't neatly resolved - there's a huge grey area between a toxic friendship and a perfectly healthy one and it's complex to navigate!
When the main character narrates a novel, you get extra insight into their thoughts but you also get the whole narrative through their perspective and that's interesting to think about with this book.
It's rare for me to be equally invested in both parts of a dual timeline novel (it alternates a chapter from the main character's current adult life and her teenage life), but with this book I was.
I would be interested in how guys experience this book. I'd thoroughly recommend it if you're in a place where you have the bandwidth to think about things that have happened to you and your friends and your peers growing up and how it's affected your lives. It's almost impossible to not experience a huge amount of compassion for so many of the characters and to start making links to your own life.
I've never read fiction that so accurately portrays the way girls are taught to objectify themselves, the ways they learn to compare themselves and prioritise desirability over pretty much everything else.
This book doesn't gloss over anything. It's so incredibly raw and emotional, and it's a testament to the writing that it's still a novel you want to read.
I really like books with messy, flawed characters. And I like books where human relationships aren't neatly resolved - there's a huge grey area between a toxic friendship and a perfectly healthy one and it's complex to navigate!
When the main character narrates a novel, you get extra insight into their thoughts but you also get the whole narrative through their perspective and that's interesting to think about with this book.
It's rare for me to be equally invested in both parts of a dual timeline novel (it alternates a chapter from the main character's current adult life and her teenage life), but with this book I was.
I would be interested in how guys experience this book. I'd thoroughly recommend it if you're in a place where you have the bandwidth to think about things that have happened to you and your friends and your peers growing up and how it's affected your lives. It's almost impossible to not experience a huge amount of compassion for so many of the characters and to start making links to your own life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Mental illness and Self harm
bethanhowe's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
easyvisionary's review against another edition
5.0
Female friendships :(
Also!!!!!! The seeing your experiences differently with age!!!Especially your experiences with men!!! AHHH!!!!
Loved the twist!
Also!!!!!! The seeing your experiences differently with age!!!Especially your experiences with men!!! AHHH!!!!
Loved the twist!