minimicropup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
- Set in Oxford, UK for the āBeforeā chapters. Mainly in dorms, halls, and pubs so over time I developed familiarity for certain places along with the MC. The āAfterā chapters are set in Edinburgh, Scotland.Ā
- People, places, and things are well described so donāt have to work overtime on the imaginings, but thereās still room for creativity (and no imagination smashing later in the book).
- Our āBeforeā MC is considerate, humble, loyal, forgiving, naĆÆve, self-doubtingā¦and a little ādenseā! They are in their first year at Oxford University assigned to a charming, spontaneous roommate they admire and bond with quickly.
- Our āAfterā MC has the same personality but is now cautious (bordering on avoidant) of anyone beyond their spouse, co-workers, and friend. They are expecting a child and struggling with some health issues related to the pregnancy and stress.
- Realistic touch of true crime journalism putting pressure on witnesses. Accurate portrayal of toxic friendship dynamics and how they can form.Ā
- The whole situation relied on our MC being blind to HUGE red flags near the end (girl, have you ever heard of the police?!)ā¦but that is pretty consistent with her throughout the story!Ā
- The more atmospheric (and interesting) parts are the āBeforeā chapters. The āAfterā chapters drag on and become repetitive about Hannahās pregnancy experience (dizzy, sweaty, soreā¦we get it!)Ā
- Unsupportive spouse trope is overdone in the āAfterā chapters. Hannahās husband is acting controlling, dismissive, and does that āpat-pat youāre just pregnant-hysterical, honeyā thing. I imagine this was done to create tension and suspense. It just didnāt have to be done SO often.
- After the villain reveal I felt like we were reading a totally different character in a way that broke the story (the sudden evil-grin-rubbing-hands-together-cackling energy was a total 180 and a bit OTT).Ā
- The villain may range from aha-validation to twist for you, but I enjoyed it because there was a sprinkling of small, justifiable red flags throughout the book. I would alternatively suspect and dismiss certain characters and it had me starting to feel as confused and dense as Hannah (š¤).
- Slow-paced narratives based on dialogue, thoughts, and monologue
- Dark academia vibes (death of a roommate, academics behaving badly)
- A tiny touch of āGood for Themā (villainous victim/bullying revenge)
- Light commentary on classism, access to education based on generational wealth rather than merit, familial $$ control and pressure on College students
- Whodunnits and red herrings
- Slightly ambiguous endingsā¦we get the who, where, how, for all the crimes, but why is less clearĀ
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Pregnancy
Moderate: Murder, Bullying, Death, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Drug abuse, Infidelity, and Toxic friendship
Panic attacks are described through fainting/dizziness arising from pregnancy and health conditions. For pregnancy there isSpoiler
no loss of childSpoiler
but more of a feeling than any direct actionSpoiler
involves peer dealing of prescription ADHD drugssleeson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Pregnancy, Cursing, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic friendship
mouwuol's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Child death, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Gun violence, Grief, Violence, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Classism, Genocide, Suicidal thoughts, Miscarriage, Infidelity, Murder, Blood, Sexual harassment, Medical content, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, and Death
doreyghc's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Toxic friendship, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Drug use, Blood, Bullying, Gaslighting, and Gun violence
Minor: Vomit, Cancer, Cursing, Sexual content, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Panic attacks/disorders
kimveach's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Drug use, Grief, Stalking, Alcohol, Bullying, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence
theonlybaillie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Stalking
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Murder, Rape, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Suicide, Violence, Drug use, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Sexism, Vomit, Classism, and Emotional abuse
limabean21's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Blood, Death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexism, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
ekmoore11's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Murder, Toxic friendship, Pregnancy, and Death
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, and Alcohol
Minor: Classism
squishy12's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Pregnancy