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charlottereadsthings's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Pretending by Holly Bourne sees a woman called April who struggles to trust men after very bad experiences with them. The reader sees several instances where potential partners view her differently when she aska fir accomodations or starts to open up about past situations. This leads April to imafine a version of herself, known as Gretal, who is the polar opposite of herself: sexy, damage free, says and does whatever men want to make them think they have all the power. She takes this to a whole new level when she makes a dating profile inder the name Gretal and manages to secure a date with an unsuspecting man called Joshua. Only things start to go well
Too well.
In the usual way, Holly Bourne expertly crafts an engaging narrative with important socia commentary. Showing through April's job as a charity worker just how widespread sexual violence is in daily life. She tacklea diatresaing topics with care and the way everything was interwoven just had me unable to do anything else but read this book, waiting for the moment where eventually Joshua would learn the truth.
I will be thinkung about this book for a long time.
Too well.
In the usual way, Holly Bourne expertly crafts an engaging narrative with important socia commentary. Showing through April's job as a charity worker just how widespread sexual violence is in daily life. She tacklea diatresaing topics with care and the way everything was interwoven just had me unable to do anything else but read this book, waiting for the moment where eventually Joshua would learn the truth.
I will be thinkung about this book for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
foreveralicexox's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-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
I went into this book thinking it would be a good romance to enjoy but nothing mind-blowingly special, and I came out of it hugely surprised and with a new favourite. In just the first few chapters I was crying from the honesty, accuracy and delicacy this book captures sexual assault and sexual experiences for women. The character development and elements of both the main and side characters felt so real and relatable, that element of feeling like there is something wrong with you and you are going crazy and hiding parts of yourself that you think will scare men off I really resonated with, as well as the feelings of blaming yourself for not being able to please everyone or not being able to have what you perceive as a normal sex life. I just think this book would be so enlightening to so many women through its themes of sexual assault and I don't think I can explain how much this book means to me but I would definitely urge others to read it, so long as they look into and are aware of the trigger warning to do with rape and sexual assault.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
crossyc's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This books need a trigger warning, as the lack of one seems a little irresponsible given the subject matter and just how detailed it is about life after sexual assault, abuse and rape.
I wanted to enjoy this, if enjoy is the right word, but I couldn’t accept the character’s thinking.
I wanted to enjoy this, if enjoy is the right word, but I couldn’t accept the character’s thinking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
larasfavbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
freyshka's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
charlie_emgwy's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
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
5.0
I read pretending by Holly Bourne in the summer, when I didn’t realise how much I really needed to read this book. I had just gotten out of a relationship similar to the main character (only I hadn’t realised it) and this just captured my feelings so well, it was the wake up call I didn’t expect to receive. Despite the massive praise for this book I do not see it splattered all over bookstagram or booktok.
I will preface this with Holly Bourne is one of my favourite writers so I’m not sure if I went in a bit biased, but this book captured my heart and soul and feelings into one book so I need to shout it’s praises.
April has had a horrible experience the men and as result has decided to change herself into “the perfect women” only to lure in a man and turn the tables onto him. This book is heartbreaking portrayal of dating in the modern age. There were times I was on April’s side there were times I was hoping she would stop and tell the truth. I stayed up to 3am to finish this book I was crying throughout. I really encourage anyone and everyone to pick up this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 for me I haven’t stopped thinking about this book since the summer.
I will preface this with Holly Bourne is one of my favourite writers so I’m not sure if I went in a bit biased, but this book captured my heart and soul and feelings into one book so I need to shout it’s praises.
April has had a horrible experience the men and as result has decided to change herself into “the perfect women” only to lure in a man and turn the tables onto him. This book is heartbreaking portrayal of dating in the modern age. There were times I was on April’s side there were times I was hoping she would stop and tell the truth. I stayed up to 3am to finish this book I was crying throughout. I really encourage anyone and everyone to pick up this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 for me I haven’t stopped thinking about this book since the summer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
emziesreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
3.0
You ever read a book and think how if women weren't conditioned to value marriage as the pinnacle of female achievement then this book wouldn't exist?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
bella_b_4's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
emcguire96's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
4.5
I devoured this book in a day. I loved April and her flaws - it made her human and I loved how she morphed into Gretel in front of my eyes. It was a 5* read until the final couple of chapters. I felt that there was a lot to tie up and it felt like an easy way out kind of ending from the author. Other than that, I loved it! Going to have a look at more Holly Bourne and get reading! Fans of Marian Keyes and Taylor Jenkins Reid’s more romance focused novels will love this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
eva_lucchino's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts