yliana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Spoiler
I think the way that Jo's grooming was so well written. I was screaming at her to see the red flags from the very beginning but as I read her reasons for interacting with guy, I could understand where she was coming from. I think it's really important to understand a person's reasons for being blind to red flags, it makes it a lot easier to start to figure out the ways that we can help people who are going through things like this. she was hurting so badly and unfortunately he was the only one there that she felt she could rely on in a way. he also very easily used jo's shared interests to manipulate her and for those of us on the outside, it's really easy to say that she's just being a dumb teenager. we can obviously see that she's not an idiot. it's beyond easy for people to be manipulated when they are in pain. if more people see that, victims would most likely feel better about telling their stories instead of hiding them out of shame. it was so hard seeing jolene going through that and I really loved how shelly stood by her side instead of leaving her to deal with it alone. yeah, I just think that it was very well written and with so much empathy and understanding too.Adam also dealt with so much, the poor thing T-T
god, everyone in this book was just so emotionally broken but their growth and friendship was *chef's kiss*
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Death
Minor: Car accident
anniereads221's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Car accident, Child abuse, Violence, Vomit, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Grief, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Death
xoxlululuxox'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? It's complicated
4.0
If you want to sob and feel the angst this book is exactly what you want.
Adam is dealing with his parents separating, and Jolene the emotional abuse both her separated parents put her through. As they meet the two teens slowly form a bond and become each other's safe spaces.
I found this book wonderfully written, with each and every emotion you can expect to feel delivered like a blow to the stomach each time something occurs. Both main characters truly make you feel their emotions along with them, and as the story unfolds.
Both Adam and Jolene are beautiful characters. Adam is the sweetest boy and Jolene a tough/mean girl with a heart that just needs a little healing. They are both so different and yet so realistic, it's fantastic.
I truly enjoyed, and cried throughout, this book.
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Death, Child death, Grief, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Physical abuse, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
kathleen_01's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Alcoholism, and Abandonment
Minor: Physical abuse
daniellew03cd3's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death