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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: Child abuse, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Classism, Infidelity, Sexual content, Pedophilia, Mental illness, Drug use, Cursing, Violence, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, Car accident, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, Grief, and Rape
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: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Rape, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Addiction, Death of parent, Classism, and Pedophilia
Minor: Cursing, Drug use, Sexual content, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Alcohol, and Car accident
meganashlee27's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Classism, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Toxic relationship
librasgroove'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, Rape, Sexual violence, and Pedophilia
Minor: Death of parent
minker's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Sexual violence
acdevs4'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
3.5
Moderate: Sexual violence, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Rape
jennastopreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Incest, Emotional abuse, Rape, Car accident, Adult/minor relationship, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Alcoholism and Death of parent
marpaige'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
3.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
ktdakotareads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
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: Sexual violence, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, and Rape
Moderate: Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Incest
Minor: Death of parent, Drug use, and Sexual harassment