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nahanarts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
2.75
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
bearybooky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Miscarriage, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
mnasadoo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
redheadorganist'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Racism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Infertility
oceanwriter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
When her stepmother dies, Sallie Kincaid is finally called home after being sent away at the age of eight. She’s thrilled by this second chance to reclaim her place in her family and redeem herself as a big sister to her half-brother, Eddie. It doesn’t take long for her to realize that she might be in over her head. Nevertheless, she refuses to back down from a challenge. She isn’t afraid to do whatever it takes to prove herself worthy of her father’s affection.
The longer Sallie is home, she realizes that her father is far different from the man she remembers. What’s more is that she doesn’t know much about her own past, especially surrounding her mother’s death. When Duke remarries, even more secrets rise to the surface.
I ate up the in-depth timeline in which the story is told. Most of the events of the book happen in real-time which made it hard to pause reading. It’s also extremely character driven which I love. It’s overall an emotional and dark story in its way. All that said, there was a lot of information and characters to digest. Honestly, I’d say too many, especially when it comes to Sallie’s complicated family tree. I’m still not positive about all of the relationships. Still, I was thoroughly engrossed from start to finish. Sometimes that’s difficult for me to find.
Graphic: Child death, Suicide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Infertility, and Infidelity
Minor: Cursing, Misogyny, and Murder
suzydunk'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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Death of parent, and Abandonment
kimveach'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
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
mels_reading_log'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
4.0
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexism, Terminal illness, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: War
noble_editorial's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Sallie had great potential as the MC, and her father was quite interesting, but the cast of characters grew too unwieldy as the story progressed and diluted my interest in all of them, never mind the confusion of keeping track of them all. The chemistry between the characters didn't feel very authentic, either.
I found the pacing was off, with a time jump that pulled me out of the story near the beginning, and a lack of tension throughout. The action never felt particularly high-stakes, and the events leading to exposed secrets and family drama required too much of a suspension of disbelief for me to remain invested in Sallie's story.
I think the premise of this book had fantastic potential, but the execution just didn't work for me. I prefer this author's narrative nonfiction. Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
lindsayerin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child death, Death, Hate crime, Infidelity, Racism, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Cancer, Misogyny, and Sexism