etakloknok's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
eedunn18's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
tifflovesbooks80's review
3.0
This novel, told in multiple viewpoints, gives insight into the lives of multiple students at an all girls school where a former student is accusing a teacher of a rape that happened two decades previously. Through these different viewpoints, we are granted access into the minds of young women from various backgrounds and how they handle the pressures of trying to fit in at this school while simultaneously trying to unravel the mysterious circumstances that happened to someone their age 20 years previously.
I really enjoyed the Atwater school setting and the brief glimpses into the way that administration was handling the public relations of this incident. This book also touches on eating disorders, LGBTQ+ issues, and the pressure put on teens today through social media and everyday life.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this book in exchange for an honest review.
My only criticism is that I wished there was more of a wrap up at the end to close up some of the stories started in each narrator’s chapter. I would have liked a “where are they now” scene since I was very invested in a few of the narrators. I feel that some of the impact of the book got lost with so many narrators and too many lose ties that remained at the end.
I really enjoyed the Atwater school setting and the brief glimpses into the way that administration was handling the public relations of this incident. This book also touches on eating disorders, LGBTQ+ issues, and the pressure put on teens today through social media and everyday life.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this book in exchange for an honest review.
My only criticism is that I wished there was more of a wrap up at the end to close up some of the stories started in each narrator’s chapter. I would have liked a “where are they now” scene since I was very invested in a few of the narrators. I feel that some of the impact of the book got lost with so many narrators and too many lose ties that remained at the end.
tomhill's review
3.0
3.5--While not without its flaws, this is very well done, and especially strong for a debut novel. I really like the fact that the mystery presented at the start is really a red herring in and of itself. This is a novel about the different experiences of different teenage girls at the same school. The experiences are varied, but Layden is subtle. This is not a twisty, over the top thriller, it is a thoughtful examination of regular lives. Some of the characters were quite memorable, but others blended together in my mind. I think there were probably too many, and I would have preferred to spend more time with some of the most intriguing ones.
greergreer's review against another edition
1.0
Auggg... where did the story go that was teased in the first chapter? It pops up sporadically in the book in between the detailed descriptions of pimples, hair and daily campus life.
ariannakae's review
3.0
This book was a very interesting novel capturing the lives of various girls attending a Northeastern boarding school. It is confusing and hard to follow, but the overall narrative is beautiful. It follows themes of finding freedom, individuality, maturing, and friendship. It comments on the complex struggle of school politics and commenting on sexual assault. I enjoyed the book overall, but it was a slow read at the end. I would recommend this book
abby23's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
“I want to be proud of this place, but I’m also afraid it’s all I’ll ever be.”
I loved this book because I don’t care about the plot. It captures the girlhood of girls’ school better than anything I’ve ever encountered, and it made me cry.
I loved this book because I don’t care about the plot. It captures the girlhood of girls’ school better than anything I’ve ever encountered, and it made me cry.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Eating disorder, Racism, and Mental illness
alifromkc1907's review
4.0
Gut Instinct Rating: 3
Characters: 5
Believability: 5
Uniqueness: 3
Writing Style: 3.5
Excitement Factor: 4
Story Line: 5
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Audiobook Narration: 4
Overall: 4.25
Characters: 5
Believability: 5
Uniqueness: 3
Writing Style: 3.5
Excitement Factor: 4
Story Line: 5
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Audiobook Narration: 4
Overall: 4.25