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tdesy20'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
born_reading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
belleslibrary1012's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I will also say I never truly understood the need for trigger warnings because don't you know what you're reading already? Why is it necessary? This book drastically and forever changed that for me, given it did not have one and absolutely should. The author does a tremendous job don't get me wrong, but she purposefully buries the lead and heads the reader off to expect what they see in front of them as the focal point and that is just not true. The true crime in this crime story is not the one written in the back cover blurb, but instead lies just above the words, pulling you in and then just when you start to believe it, takes it away making you think you're reading into things. This was sad and tragic and beautiful and terrifying in so many ways. Though it is not a book I can revisit again, it is one that was very well written.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Classism
pollyhall's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Drug use, Incest, Infidelity, Rape, Grief, Death of parent, and Deportation
saramoser's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
meeklovestoread'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? It's complicated
3.5
I do see what the author was going for by having Billy's case coincide with Cassie's own internal issues, however, I think the author should've just stuck to one topic because I feel like it all becomes a bit convoluted as the book goes on. Although the case is centered on Billy and his actions I still don't feel like Billy's character was flushed out enough for us (the reader) to make the assertion of his guilt or innocent. All we had was Cassie's biased depiction of who Billy was and not much from him directly. And based on their interactions, Billy seems to contradict the perception that Cassie has in her head (maybe that was the point, I'm not sure). I also feel like the true facts of the case and Billy's relationship with Diana were also unclear, especially toward the end. I'm still not sure what really happened.
Similar to Billy, many of the characters are so unlikeable which isn't a determining factor for me in terms of classifying a good book; however, not only were the characters unlikeable but they were also flat. There still wasn't much depth to them which is jarring considering the pacing of this book is so slow you'd think it would give time to flesh out the characters. In the end, I felt no sympathy toward anyone (minus Cassie).
I do appreciate Cassie's internal conflicts. I found them to be quite a realistic approach to how someone in her situation would approach and view things.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Addiction, Pedophilia, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Sexual content, Car accident, and Alcohol
deagaric's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
On top of that, Cassie heavily sexualizes her own brothers to the point that I do not understand why those parts were included. She describes how "sun beams off her brother's chest, making him look like a Greek God", and how she leans her head on her other brothers chest in bed while he's only "wearing boxers." What kind of bizarre sibling closeness is this. She even sexualizes a physical, scary fight she had with her younger brother.
As you all know from the abstract, one her brothers has been accused of a brutal rape incident, and is now on trial. Cassie, naturally, does everything she can to help her brothers case. Along the way, she does everything wrong, which drove me mad with frustration. "Do not talk to any media , reporters, or investigators without a lawyer present." Easy enough. Nope, Cassie does a 3 hour private interview on her own in her apartment. "Dress demure for court--" Cassie rips off her sweater and unbuttons her shit in court "because let them look." Then is shocked when her family is angry with her.
All of that being said, Cassie's aggravating personality almost makes sense given her toxic upbringing. She was raised in an adopted family full of infuriating people. Her dad is a millionaire who is blatantly ignorant and makes racist and classist comments, her older brother is jerk with a bad temper and zero ambition, her younger brother has ambition but also has a bad temper and is, most importantly, an accused rapist. So I'll cut Cassie some slack.
Either way, the book picks up by the final third. In Part III, we finally get to the court case itself and all of these flaws are brought to light. Minor character growth happens, resolutions arise, and things wrap up. It actually started having many twists and turns (some of them deeply disturbing) and becomes more of an engaging read. Solid 3/5 for me.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Incest, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug use, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
kcbatts's review against another edition
- 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
2.25
Graphic: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Stalking
Minor: Infidelity
lex_mags's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment