The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
eyrechrysalis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Gaslighting, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Incest, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Bullying, Domestic abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Child death
favvn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
But oh. The revenge plot. So absolutely unhinged. Cathy, you sadistic maladjusted freak. Please get therapy now that you've had revenge 🩷 And the ending chapter with Cathy describing a quiet and content life with Chris and her two sons from a previous marriage and affair, only to end it with her wondering when two twin size beds "long enough for two small boys to grow into men" appeared in the attic and buying a picnic basket like the one the grandmother used? Chilling. The cycle continues, even without the lure of wealth and a sprawling mansion.
Also, this being a VC Andrews book there's probably more content warnings that I'm forgetting. Just consider the melodrama of classic flicks like A Summer Place or Peyton Place but toss in social taboos beyond premarital sex or infidelity and you get this book.
And as another aside since the content warnings don't include "racial stereotypes" as an option, my idiot niave self had hoped the inclusion of a black woman wouldn't have gone into the Magical Negro Trope and The Mammy Stereotype but. Henny is there to be a plot device caricature. The only black character in this series so far.Â
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, and Suicide
ellilo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I do have to say, some of the time jumps felt really weird, like some events were so detailed and then we jumped to three years later in just two sentences. That was quite weird to adapt to, as well as some of the events just felt odd, like
I felt like i was reading a wattpad book, just too many shocking and sad events squeezed into the book.Â
Still, i think the writing was really good, even though i’m not a fan of the ending and always wished i could go into this book and shake cathy and tell her to stop acting out, i kind of liked the book in a weird way. Definitely made me think and sometimes my jaw hit the floor, it was quite graphic sometimes. So i guess i would recommed it, if you wanna know what happens to Cathy and the others, but i wouldn’t read it again.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Incest, Sexual violence, Rape, Death, Violence, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Grief, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Abortion
violetturtledove'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
It focuses mostly on Cathy's relationship drama and there is a LOT of that, since apparently everyone finds her irresistible from the age of 15... I found the examples of 'romantic' relationships here way more troubling than any of the stuff in the first book! It's only really in the very end of the book that we get any of the darkness of the first book though.
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Death, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, Incest, Emotional abuse, Rape, and Sexual content
dontforgetthelights's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Moderate: Alcohol, Body shaming, Child death, Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Death, Bullying, Car accident, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Medical content, Miscarriage, Murder, Domestic abuse, Grief, Incest, Infertility, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Forced institutionalization