bootlegfrank's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Loved this book! Finished with a quickness. Elsie’s dreams become your own and you end wanting to see her love, be loved and succeed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Car accident
Moderate: Medical trauma and Alcohol
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
tildamb's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
s_templeton's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
hellmiina's review against another edition
3.5
I wanted to love this story more than I did. The exploration of Elsie's character was wonderful as well as the nuanced depictions of her familial relationships. Not to mention that the prose (and poetry) was stunning. I listened to the audiobook and adored the accents <3
However, I had many issues with the third act which ended up lowering my rating a lot (mild spoilers)
1. The whole drama with Andrew was, firstly, very predictable, and secondly, low hanging fruit. He wasn't a well-rounded character at all which made this conflict uncompelling to me. Since so much of the book is about Elsie learning to see people around her from a less self-centred light, I would've liked that to extend to Andrew, but it didn't, which didn't make for a compelling read.
2. The car crash was just super annoying and unnecessary drama.
3. I don't like it when the only thing going for the endgame couple is that the other love interest turned out to be an asshole. It didn't feel like Elsie had earned Juliet, rather, Andrew just removed himself from the equation by being a reprehensible dickhead so Elsie got Juliet, rather than Elsie having proper character development and Juliet choosing her over Andrew.
I also really dislike the girlboss depiction of sex work. If sex work was so empowering, more bourgeois women and men would be doing it. There was no discussion at all about the sick act of buying sex nor the fetishization of lesbians.
However, I had many issues with the third act which ended up lowering my rating a lot (mild spoilers)
1. The whole drama with Andrew was, firstly, very predictable, and secondly, low hanging fruit. He wasn't a well-rounded character at all which made this conflict uncompelling to me. Since so much of the book is about Elsie learning to see people around her from a less self-centred light, I would've liked that to extend to Andrew, but it didn't, which didn't make for a compelling read.
2. The car crash was just super annoying and unnecessary drama.
3. I don't like it when the only thing going for the endgame couple is that the other love interest turned out to be an asshole. It didn't feel like Elsie had earned Juliet, rather, Andrew just removed himself from the equation by being a reprehensible dickhead so Elsie got Juliet, rather than Elsie having proper character development and Juliet choosing her over Andrew.
I also really dislike the girlboss depiction of sex work. If sex work was so empowering, more bourgeois women and men would be doing it. There was no discussion at all about the sick act of buying sex nor the fetishization of lesbians.
go1ds's review against another edition
3.0
this review is of the arc version
the first 2/3rds of this book had some strong characterization pertaining to the main character which i really loved. elsie's perspective felt real and fleshed out, messy and human. the last 1/3rd of the novel brought the romance to the forefront, which was one of the weakest parts of the book to me. you get told that the characters were interested in each other, but i never figured out why they liked each other in the first place? also, the end is one of the most baffling things I've read in a while. i think this needed another editing round to smooth out the last 1/3rd by taking out some plot points and also writing the relationship stronger
the first 2/3rds of this book had some strong characterization pertaining to the main character which i really loved. elsie's perspective felt real and fleshed out, messy and human. the last 1/3rd of the novel brought the romance to the forefront, which was one of the weakest parts of the book to me. you get told that the characters were interested in each other, but i never figured out why they liked each other in the first place? also, the end is one of the most baffling things I've read in a while. i think this needed another editing round to smooth out the last 1/3rd by taking out some plot points and also writing the relationship stronger
hhart828's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
arlyn's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting characters, interesting plot, I think it ended too soon without a proper resolution for me.
I love the poetry in the book, listen to the audiobook if you can, it gives the book a different feel.
I love the poetry in the book, listen to the audiobook if you can, it gives the book a different feel.
erinouye's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident
neuroak's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0