kiirsttyb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Murder, Sexual violence, Violence, Bullying, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Rape, Death, Domestic abuse, and Infertility
knunderb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, and Death
Minor: Car accident and Fatphobia
coleerexx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Minor: Bullying, Rape, Trafficking, and Body shaming
kimfabienne's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Rape
emfield's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Murder
hmogie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Domestic abuse, and Bullying
Moderate: Eating disorder
claireswale's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Rape
Moderate: Child abuse
voldycat'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
Graphic: Sexual violence and Rape
Moderate: Mental illness, Eating disorder, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia
Minor: Abandonment
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The little police interview sections that are interspersed throughout are brilliantly done; they manage to add humour and a simmering sense of tension at the same time. They show the damage that can be done from judging the little we see of other people's lives. I found them less funny and more frustrating as we got to the conclusion; the humour was still there but I was also just angry with the way so much was purposely misconstrued to suit people's own narratives.
I found the searing honesty about motherhood so relatable. The way Madeline, Celeste and Jane all struggled with different doubts and uncertainties about how they might fail their kids, all while envying each other in different ways, rang so true. Their emotions were laid completely bare for the reader even while they were keeping them from each other.
I'd watched the series a few years ago so knew what to expect at the end, but I was absolutely riveted about how we got there (and I appreciated some of the slight differences). From about half way through it became a "just one more chapter" book, until I'd finished it in a day. The build up delivers and I thought it was really clever.
Ultimately, this is a great story of resilience, survival and friendship and I was surprised how much I loved it.
Graphic: Death of parent and Bullying
Moderate: Infidelity and Rape
nataliem_98'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? Yes
3.75
It was also an interesting look at bullying, school politics, domestic violence and friendship! Some deep themes for an overall lighthearted book!
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Death of parent, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Sexual assault