kyrstin_p1989'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Car accident, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Blood, Medical content, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Transphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, Homophobia, Abandonment, Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Toxic relationship, Biphobia, Pregnancy, Death, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Outing, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Abortion, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Sexism
annabulkowski's review
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Abortion, Alcohol, Body shaming, Cultural appropriation, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Grief, Body horror, Car accident, Cursing, Fatphobia, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Sexual harassment, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Hate crime, Suicide, Blood, Miscarriage, Police brutality, Sexism, Transphobia, Classism, Deadnaming, Gaslighting, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, and Pregnancy
michaelion's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, Outing, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Abortion, Lesbophobia, Transphobia, Pregnancy, and Self harm
Moderate: Death, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Drug use, Body shaming, Classism, Physical abuse, Hate crime, Racism, Domestic abuse, and Infertility
Minor: Car accident, Deadnaming, Suicide attempt, and Biphobia
There needs to be a tag for slurs that aren't racial.booksandabackpack's review
- 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
4.25
It explores themes of gender, sexuality, motherhood, trans identity, and ultimately, the role and influence of femininity in the lives of the three main characters. Reese is a trans woman who has longed to be a mother, Katrina is a cis woman who finds herself pregnant and unsure, and Ames, the tie that binds, is a man whose past as a trans woman leaves him reluctant to fully embrace the idea of fatherhood.
Ames is the tie that binds in that he has an affair with his boss, Katrina, and she becomes pregnant. In deciding how to proceed, he proposes a novel family dynamic and ask his ex Reese, to be a mother as well. He is offering her the thing she’s always wanted but couldn’t have on her own. Is it wacky enough to work? What follows is a story alternating between present day (after conception) and years ago, when Ames was Amy and living with Reese. Between the two timelines you learn what brought the lovers together and ultimately tore them apart.
One of the themes throughout the story was the dynamic between men and women in traditional gender roles centered around dominance to the point of violence. Reese has a drawn out relationship with a man who clearly styles himself as an alpha and his control over her - to the point of slapping her - gives her a feeling of being a petite and fragile woman. The idea was nuanced and yet struck me as clear as day because for Reese part of being a woman is feeling frail next to a big, strong man. This performance is all part of engendered expression despite the obvious flaws. Seeing femininity through the eyes of a transgender woman character opened my eyes to aspects I’d breezily ignored as being inherently feminine.
Peters’ writing is sharp and cutting, and she presents her characters as they truly are - deeply vulnerable with all their flaws and secrets on display. I look forward to more from this author! If you like books that are fast paced, character driven, and explore the intersection of human relationships and identity, then this book is for you.
Thanks to One World and Net Galley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Sexual content
Moderate: Biphobia, Miscarriage, Suicide, and Transphobia
caseythereader's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
✨MINI REVIEW✨ [ @oneworldbooks #partner ]
Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, and Violence