The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
lit_with_lauren's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage and Terminal illness
Moderate: Death and Abortion
bookbunny's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Infidelity, Death of parent, Abortion, and Terminal illness
darkmattersoybean's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- 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
Spoiler text for my whole review just to be safe.
Not spoiler version: This was a good book on the battles of being a childfree person in a society that thinks people with uteruses have to have children to be worth something. I’m definitely considering buying a physical copy for my bookshelf. I just didn’t agree with some plot choices.
Also, it was extremely hard to follow the lives despite them being numbered, but I didn’t particularly care as I just tried to get the gist of the life and not bother with the exact details.
Major spoiler review:
I really thought this was going to be a five star book for me. I really wanted it to be as someone who is very childfree themselves. I could see myself in a lot of the iterations of Rose. My heart ached through the entire book for her because I understood the pain.
BUT the ending ruined it for me. I understand the author was trying to make a point about motherhood. I respect that. People who chose to be mothers or parents are messy and complicated but do it out of love. But that sort of ending made me feel left behind. Like once again my experience was being invalidated. Because all roads led to Addie and motherhood, and the only one that didn’t, Rose died because of pregnancy complications.Â
I wish there had been a Life 10. Just a brief glimpse of a life without an Addie. Just to make the point that people can live full and fulfilling lives without being a parent. Heck, I would’ve taken a Luke and Cheryl Addie that Rose mentored but that wasn’t her child. I just wanted one life where Rose lived a completely childfree life (with or without Thomas) and got a Noble or something for her research. (I realise we got a glimpse of that with her aunt Frankie, but I didn’t connect with Frankie like I did Rose.)
I really had hope for this book and I still really enjoyed it and will probably buy a physical copy. I just don’t agree with how every iteration led to the same result in one way or another.
Sorry if my review offends anyone. I just have a lot of feelings about this. Thanks for reading.
Not spoiler version: This was a good book on the battles of being a childfree person in a society that thinks people with uteruses have to have children to be worth something. I’m definitely considering buying a physical copy for my bookshelf. I just didn’t agree with some plot choices.
Also, it was extremely hard to follow the lives despite them being numbered, but I didn’t particularly care as I just tried to get the gist of the life and not bother with the exact details.
Major spoiler review:
I really thought this was going to be a five star book for me. I really wanted it to be as someone who is very childfree themselves. I could see myself in a lot of the iterations of Rose. My heart ached through the entire book for her because I understood the pain.
BUT the ending ruined it for me. I understand the author was trying to make a point about motherhood. I respect that. People who chose to be mothers or parents are messy and complicated but do it out of love. But that sort of ending made me feel left behind. Like once again my experience was being invalidated. Because all roads led to Addie and motherhood, and the only one that didn’t, Rose died because of pregnancy complications.Â
I wish there had been a Life 10. Just a brief glimpse of a life without an Addie. Just to make the point that people can live full and fulfilling lives without being a parent. Heck, I would’ve taken a Luke and Cheryl Addie that Rose mentored but that wasn’t her child. I just wanted one life where Rose lived a completely childfree life (with or without Thomas) and got a Noble or something for her research. (I realise we got a glimpse of that with her aunt Frankie, but I didn’t connect with Frankie like I did Rose.)
I really had hope for this book and I still really enjoyed it and will probably buy a physical copy. I just don’t agree with how every iteration led to the same result in one way or another.
Sorry if my review offends anyone. I just have a lot of feelings about this. Thanks for reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
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