kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Medical content, Drug abuse, Addiction, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Rape, Toxic relationship, Cancer, Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, and Terminal illness
mkzach's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Addiction, Death of parent, Death, Terminal illness, and Rape
Minor: Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Grief, and Infertility
lizsbookreviews21's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Teenage years are weird and difficult, I can’t imagine what it was like for Tilly. She had so many traumatic events happen to her before she turned 18. I loved her drive and how she just wanted to make a name for herself and be loved by everyone, since her mother couldn’t (which is so sad, but so relatable for so MANY people). The one thing I hated about Tilly was that she was so arrogant and blinded by her own drive.
The climax of this book felt like it was always going to come sooner , rather than so late in the novel. Every time that they drifted apart, because of life and how life changed for them both so differently, I felt like that was going to be the breaking point that broke their friendship up. But the actual event was JAW DROPPING. I’ll be the first to admit, I hated Tilly after the event, but god the way that she made up with Katie after ykw was so sweet and made me bawl.
I recommend this to any and everyone. I have friends who don’t read whatsoever and they love this book. This is definitely a wonderful read.
Graphic: Abandonment and Death
Moderate: Cancer, Addiction, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Sexual content
Minor: Rape, Toxic relationship, and War
maddie_1999's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Addiction, Drug abuse, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gaslighting, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Rape, Terminal illness, and Toxic friendship
Minor: War
markedwithanm'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
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Death, Grief, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, and Addiction
Minor: Infertility and Toxic relationship
lairofbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, and Terminal illness
jennastopreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My heart feels so heavy as I finished this novel. I purchased this book years ago and it sat on my dresser for probably a year. I never picked it up. Eventually, I donated it to Goodwill and forgot all about its existence. But then I read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, and I knew I needed more of her writing in my life. Naturally, I gravitated back to Firefly Lane, the book I never started so many years ago.
In hindsight, I am happy that I didn't read the book when I originally bought it in my late teens. It means so much more to me now in my mid 20's as a mother and a friend. I feel like I relate on so many levels to Kate's character - the good girl, the rule follower, the one who seems to always have bad things happen to her despite every effort to live life as wholesomely as possible.
TullyandKate's story is turbulent and action packed, and the characters are really brought to life with their witty dialogue and jokes they make between each other. I found myself wishing I could be a fly on the wall during their conversations so I could see how best friends of so many years act around one another. Their chemistry seemed so natural and strong, the kind of best friends everyone hopes they can have at some point in their lives.
By the end of the novel, I loved Kate and hated Tully. Kate was the strong mother that was dealing with real life scenarios - as a stay at home mom, I feel her feelings on so many levels. Tully, while originally bright, funny, and kind, turned out to be nothing short of a backstabber by the end. While she did eventually come back around, I found myself wanting to scream at Kate, "What are you thinking? She was so awful to you!"
But this is what a good book does. It evokes emotions you didn't know you could feel, it makes you think about things that may scare you. Firefly Lane did all of those things and more. Definitely recommend.
Graphic: Cancer, Rape, Miscarriage, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Cursing, and Death
Minor: Eating disorder