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mbedrosian's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Blood, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Excrement
coffee_kindle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Poppy Greer is getting married, so why wouldn't you invite your 4 old school friends to your hen party on a private island in the Bahamas, first class, all expenses paid, even if you haven't spoken to the them in 10 years.
Although the 4 friends: Tanya; Annabel; Esther; and Chloe, have drifted apart as they have gotten older, there are secrets which bond them for life and the invitation to Poppy's hen party has them too curious and intrigued to turn down the offer.
When they meet Poppy on the island they are all shocked by her transformation since school and the confidence she now has. As the hen party unfolds the party games start to reveal some hidden secrets, turning their paradise holiday into a nightmare.
There are so many twists within this fast paced book, that it had me hooked throughout. It's wonderfully catty and smart, with characters that you can't help but hate. It was a hard book to put down, it really did grip me, with the clever use of story telling and every time I thought I had it sussed, a long came another twist, it is an action packed book, with plenty of suspense.
TW: Bullying is a theme throughout this book, with some Domestic Violence and abuse..
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
amanda_mh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Biphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
daydaybookbay's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
The flashbacks are told through Poppy's diary entries. This was effective and gives the reader a more personal feeling, but I don't really buy into it. As a preteen or teenager, there's no way she's writing like this. Too many quotes, too many details. I would imagine this more as a transcript from a therapy meeting.
There are so many secrets hidden and exposed. With how messy it gets, it might be helpful to write down who is whispering what to who. Then, when the truth comes out, you know where we are. I almost went back just to make sure there wasn't some extra loose end hanging around
The driving force for this novel: DRAMA! Really, the suspense isn't in play. You know the twists. It's the little pieces of exposed drama. It's the wonder of what they did to still be stuck on it a decade later. You're pulled in because you want the inside scoop.
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Biphobia, Body shaming, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Blood, and Stalking
amanda_reads89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Self harm, Blood, and Stalking
Minor: Domestic abuse, Violence, and Lesbophobia
tragicmoose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Child death, Cursing, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, and Vomit
enzopudge's review
- 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
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
brandilovesbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Over the course of 4 days on a private island, the girls learn that maybe Poppy, the bride, hasn't forgotten what they did. They also learn that their friendships are riddled with secrets. Then someone is dead.
Most of the book is told in the present with Annabelle, Chloe, Ester, and Tanya alternating first person narratives. Occasionally, Poppy tells what happened 10 years ago with her diary entries. Each time you read more about how these girls tormented Poppy in the past, you feel more for her. The other characters are truly oblivious to the hurt they caused her.
The prologue is brilliant. You think you know the outcome of the book going into chapter one. But what seems obvious in the prologue becomes very muddied as the story goes on.
She Started It definitely has twists and turns. I had the biggest one figured out early in the book, though.
The ending is ridiculous. So many unanswered questions!
I recommend this book for anyone who wants to read about bullies getting their comeuppance years later and for anyone who enjoys watching female friends turn on each other.
Content warnings- bullying, drinking, drugs, self harm, murder, blood, suicide.
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Addiction, Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
ivirtue's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Self harm, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Biphobia, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Suicide, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Vomit
beckyremillard's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Self harm, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Domestic abuse and Drug abuse