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iforgotilivedhere'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Anyway, this was pretty good.
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
nad_books623's review against another edition
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
booksjessreads'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? It's complicated
4.0
I thought Plett told her stories so vividly and the imagery used to convey thoughts, feelings and behaviours was so striking, graphic and raw. Plett does not hold back on anything - so do bear in mind that there is graphic love/sex, transphobia etc. so do check out the content warnings. In places, I also thought the audio did some of the stories incredible justice - listening to these made it even more immersive. There is absolutely no doubt that Plett is a really talented writer and writes very evocatively.
I think the thing that most let me down was the format with which I listened. Despite the audio working really well in places, I felt really disjointed between all the stories at times and I only really followed what happened with Absolution and the first story or two. Towards the end, I definitely lost the flow of the book and felt a print book would have afforded more clarity to me, personally. I think I would like to re-read this in a different format to see if my thoughts are still the same.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Transphobia
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
booksthatburn's review
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Some of the stories convey the shifting weirdness of existing in a body that changes in ways which other people aren’t expecting, and the range of reactions to that reality. People living lives that are shaped by this thing that they have in common, told in a manner that allows for meandering meandering and blurriness around the edges. This is an absorbing and fascinating collection, and I highly recommend it.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Rape, Suicide, Vomit, Death of parent, and War
"Hazel and Christopher" - Moderate CW for grief, sexual content, alcohol, alcoholism, homophobia, transphobia, lesbophobia, violence. Minor CW for vomit, suicide, parental death, death. "Absolution" - Moderate CW for cursing, sexual content, sexual assault, homophobia, transphobia, alcohol, vomit, drug use. "Perfect Places" - Graphic CW for sexual content. Moderate CW for dysmorphia, dysphoria, transphobia. Minor CW for vomit. “Couldn’t Hear You Talk Anymore” - Moderate CW for transphobia, misgendering, alcohol, eating disorder, self harm, suicide attempt. “Rose City, City of Roses” - Moderate CW for grief, sexual content, pandemic, death. “Enough Trouble” - Graphic CW for sexual content, alcohol, alcoholism. Minor CW for transphobia, war, rape.jayisreading's review against another edition
4.5
I was particularly taken to the short story, “Obsolution,” which was actually broken up into parts and told between other stories, following the protagonist’s arduous journey towards discovering herself. It was a complicated story, too, that didn’t shy away from complicated topics and how this particularly impacts trans women, ranging from gender dysphoria to toxic relationships (platonic and romantic).
Something that needs to be highlighted is that this collection is very heavy on sex content, though it’s not smut. I read all these scenes more like Plett wanting the readers (especially cis readers) to get over the discomfort of trans women having sex and that it’s as much a part of their lives as it is for others. It’s not an educational moment; it’s more a coming-to-terms moment.
Much to think about in this collection, but it’s definitely an impactful one.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Addiction, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
Minor: Death and Drug use
ynotlime's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Homophobia, Suicide, and Lesbophobia
bibliophage_teamage's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
pizzasprite's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Vomit, Religious bigotry, and Toxic friendship
spookieboogie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What I love most about Casey Plett is that she writes her books, her trans characters, their trans experiences for trans readers. Her work has never read as watered down to be palatable to cis readers but has remained accessible enough to them.
When I first read A Safe Girl to Love, I hadn’t quite figured out my gender situation. I won’t say it helped me do that, but I can say it helped me feel comfortable being messy. Trans women (note: I’m not a trans woman, just a trans person) rarely get the chance to be seen as messy and flawed but respected, so stories like hers that highlight realistic trans experiences are so wonderful to see.
These short stories are emotional and I loved every single last one of them. At the end of the first story I thought to myself, wow this is going to be great. At the end of the second, this one is going to be my favorite. But as it went on, each new story became a favorite. The gem of the collection is Obsolution, which is told in pieces through the entire collection.
The audiobook is read by the author herself. I freaking love that. She did a fantastic job reading and voicing the characters. The conversations flowed so smoothly that I felt some of these women were my friends.
This was just such a fantastic experience. I highly recommend reading this book, but if you like audiobooks please listen to this one! The stories are engaging and digestible in pieces or in a binge like me.
Thanks so much to NetGalley, Bespeak Audio and Casey Plett! I received a free copy of the audiobook to review.
Content Warnings: ADBL & age play, alcohol abuse/addiction, drug abuse, explicit sex, homophobia/lesbophobia, rape, transphobia
Graphic: Alcoholism, Rape, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Violence
boy_topics'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
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Lesbophobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria