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antukin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Oh this was an adventure to read.
I first read it when I was 18, I think. And I remember feeling in love with it. It was funny and vibrant, despite the snarkiness of the main character's personality. Or maybe that's why it felt vibrant. I remember being silly, having a thing for Veterinarians (though fortunately the only vet I know are old and married) and finding being pulled out of a Toyota window by a hug to be romantic, or even offering your sleeve to wipe a man's runny nose.
Anyway, despite this book being a favorite, I'm rereading this for the first time after 11 years. And the same vibrant feeling has rushed back. Just that, this time, I have a better understanding of the scenarios that are playing out.
It was a rollercoaster of emotions. I find myself giddy and swooning Tom. He might be nothing special but he does charming things that are indeed very charming if you fancy him enough. Ehem. Also, this might be me, being biased as I fancy Tom, but he is funny. I'm always laughing, giggling, kicking my feet up in the air, whenever he's on.The way he handled Marcus' comment about him being a vet and having eaten at this posh restaurant before him was funny. And that ketchup trick! Outsanding. Helen can be a headache, though I give her credit for it because she's going through the loss of her father and she did have a tiny character development towards the end.
Speaking of which. I love how this book tackled grief. It's... realistic. This book is about how Helen handled her father's death and the events that came after it. It's not a legacy written for her father, or who her father is. Hence why his father is a mere distant memory, because that's what he is to Helen. They weren't close, but like most parents, he has always been there, putting things in order and you don't pay too much attention to how important they are until they're gone and you're left with a lot of things to do and not knowing how to do them. She felt lost when her father died. And Helen never knew how to deal with her feelings, so she deals with it the only way she knows how.By shoving it at the back of her closet like those shoes she'd buy on impulse
By chapter 34, I find myself starting to question Helen, and even getting frustrated at her. She has done questionable things before this chapter but I guess my patience for her is starting to run dry. I do love her friends though, and it's so easy to slip yourself in Helen's shoes and feel her exasperation and frustration towards her friends at first, but mid-way of the story, I do start appreciating them. I don't appreciate Marcus and Michelle though but it's understandable to me why Helen bears with them.
I had to put this book down after some exhausting chapters, (like i think every chapter after 34) because of how the events were unfolding.
And when Luke and Tom came to Tina's rescue? OH GOOD HEAVENS that scene just made Tom look so hawt stap.
But oh, that ending. I love that ending. It's so human, yet so stupid. But I think that's what makes it human and beautiful.
I first read it when I was 18, I think. And I remember feeling in love with it. It was funny and vibrant, despite the snarkiness of the main character's personality. Or maybe that's why it felt vibrant. I remember being silly, having a thing for Veterinarians (though fortunately the only vet I know are old and married) and finding being pulled out of a Toyota window by a hug to be romantic, or even offering your sleeve to wipe a man's runny nose.
Anyway, despite this book being a favorite, I'm rereading this for the first time after 11 years. And the same vibrant feeling has rushed back. Just that, this time, I have a better understanding of the scenarios that are playing out.
It was a rollercoaster of emotions. I find myself giddy and swooning Tom. He might be nothing special but he does charming things that are indeed very charming if you fancy him enough. Ehem. Also, this might be me, being biased as I fancy Tom, but he is funny. I'm always laughing, giggling, kicking my feet up in the air, whenever he's on.
Speaking of which. I love how this book tackled grief. It's... realistic. This book is about how Helen handled her father's death and the events that came after it. It's not a legacy written for her father, or who her father is. Hence why his father is a mere distant memory, because that's what he is to Helen. They weren't close, but like most parents, he has always been there, putting things in order and you don't pay too much attention to how important they are until they're gone and you're left with a lot of things to do and not knowing how to do them. She felt lost when her father died. And Helen never knew how to deal with her feelings, so she deals with it the only way she knows how.
By chapter 34, I find myself starting to question Helen, and even getting frustrated at her. She has done questionable things before this chapter but I guess my patience for her is starting to run dry. I do love her friends though, and it's so easy to slip yourself in Helen's shoes and feel her exasperation and frustration towards her friends at first, but mid-way of the story, I do start appreciating them. I don't appreciate Marcus and Michelle though but it's understandable to me why Helen bears with them.
I had to put this book down after some exhausting chapters, (like i think every chapter after 34) because of how the events were unfolding.
And when Luke and Tom came to Tina's rescue? OH GOOD HEAVENS that scene just made Tom look so hawt stap.
But oh, that ending. I love that ending. It's so human, yet so stupid. But I think that's what makes it human and beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual content
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