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melodyseestrees's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, and Car accident
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Blood, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
noah_silver's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Car accident, and Alcohol
aishallnot'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoy a good coming of age story, especially when the mc is in their 20s. This i think was a decent debut but i kinda have mixed feelings.
First, i love how diverse this book with the characters. I feel like this definitely served a purpose in regards to the ethnic backgrounds of the characters as well as the queer community in london. Elsie is definitely going through it (though she can be hard to root for at times) and it was refreshing to see how she has people that she can reach to for support besides her family. She's very close with her grandmother and i loved seeing that relationship whenever she was showcased. I also liked maggie and how she was almost like an auntie to elsie and encouraged to use her gift of her writing as well as her voice (something her grandmother also strongly instilled in her) .
Speaking of which, i definitely related to elsie at times in terms of not being openly vulnerable and even wanting to become a best selling poet/writer. i loved how she has the determination to go after what she wants and expresses herself through writing instead of speaking (i definitely do that 😭).
Now, here's where some things fell short. I feel like plot wise,
The writing was fine and easy to read (not a lot jargon-y words), but i kinda wish there was more showing how the characters feel than telling. Especially with a book so written emotion heavy, i feel that we didn't get to see that until the end.
Lastly, there were some plot points and even like 1-2 characters i wish were shown more.
Again i think this is a decent debut and i don't think its a bad book. I just felt there was something missing within the story and now finishing it i can think what could have been added. I heard the author has another book so I'm intrigued to see what she will wrote next.
Graphic: Sexual content and Car accident
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Blood
bootlegfrank's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual content and Car accident
Moderate: Medical trauma and Alcohol
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
taleofabibliophile's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit and Pregnancy
ekg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Drug use, Car accident, and Alcohol
hellojay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The only thing I have an issue with is something I might’ve just made a mistake on, but it seems as though Elsie thinks someone being with a man automatically makes them straight even when they aren’t & that queer relationships do not involve kids.
Also, I wish we saw more of a development with her book & I thought the baby + her ex thing would go somewhere more but I suppose the way that was tied up could suffice, as I’m not too hurt by it.
Typically also roll my eyes at the issue at the end (no spoiler), but I was properly interested & not annoyed. Maybe should’ve been a bit longer to flesh certain things out, but I’m not too hurt with the outcome.
Graphic: Alcohol
Minor: Drug use