Reviews with content warning for Racial slurs - Such a Fun Age

this book made me furious in the most beautiful way. Not because I thought the book was "bad" by any means--I think it's excellent--but because the characters Reid created were so true to life that it was difficult to stomach a lot of the time. Emira being in a position in her life where she feels adrift and a little aimless, like she's fallen behind her peer group but doesn't have a plan or focus for how to catch up, is Very Real and I think will hit mid-twenties readers directly in the stomach (I know it did for me). I loved the chapters where we followed her closely. She didn't make "perfect" decisions and she had moments where she was petty or angry or just... young, and that was so refreshing. I loved her relationship with her friends and how clearly they all love each other, and her mutual adoration of Briar warmed my cold heart. In stark contrast were the Alix chapters and the Kelley scenes. It was so uncomfortable to watch these two people microagress a woman they both claim to love with White Savior bullshit and turn her into the rope they're playing tug of war with, and ultimately end up hurting her worst in their attempts to get at each other. And they all thought they were the moral victors of this thing! God, it was so good.

Content Warnings

megfussell's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny informative reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

hanngigi's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective 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

4.0

Content Warnings

racbuckallew's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

samcanuel's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This book was thought-provoking. I could not put it down. Reid’s characters are fantastic and really drive the theme of the novel. Emira and Briar really suck you into the story, and Alix is masterfully written as the poster child of white feminism. I would recommend this book to anyone, really, as Reid’s writing is wonderful and insightful.

Content Warnings

eliya's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

i did really like this book especially as a 26 year old nanny lmao
good read, entertaining and informative, relatable. I love how she is able to make both characters relatable even if it’s not something that is conventionally an okay thing to do, the reader is able to see the thought processes, which i did like.

the author’s explicit obsession with skinniness sucks and was a surprisingly persistent fetish throughout the book from both perspectives

the way it’s written is very honest which i really enjoyed, the highs and lows aren’t super dramatic so i don’t recommend this if you want something super juicy, but it is a good story that points out some truly shitty behaviors. that’s all it really has to be & i really like that.

Spoiler

insane that him using the n word wasn’t an immediate red flag, she could have saved herself so much grief lmao. a friend of mine who read this too pointed out that this book reads like a romantic novel but doesn’t end as one, and i love that.

Spoiler

Content Warnings

elderwoodreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

This book has a slow start but once you are in you're in! I did not want to put it down. I think the way racism is handled in this book is so interesting and important, especially as it pertains to racism in white spaces that espouse themselves as liberal. Highly recommend!!

Content Warnings

More...