The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
cdoubet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Graphic: Bullying, Body shaming, Classism, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Body horror, Cursing, Racism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Racial slurs
Minor: Self harm, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Antisemitism, and Car accident
destynee'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? No
4.0
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Cursing
macliffe's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.0
Graphic: Racism, Cursing, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Pregnancy
voldycat'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
4.5
Graphic: Classism and Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual content, Racial slurs, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicide, Sexual violence, Rape, Drug use, Pregnancy, Racism, and Kidnapping
theuncannydani's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Xenophobia, Domestic abuse, Car accident, Colonisation, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Racism, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Classism, and Bullying
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Incest, Violence, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Drug use, Infidelity, Alcoholism, Car accident, Cursing, Sexual violence, Medical content, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Stalking
Minor: Stalking, Grief, Fatphobia, and Drug abuse
atamano's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Classism, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Racism, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content
pastellymoon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, and Bullying
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs and Homophobia
elsea_readingelsea'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? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Sexism, Racism, Emotional abuse, and Ableism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
esme_t's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
Graphic: Bullying and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Racism
Minor: Animal cruelty and Racial slurs
avasbookmark's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I did enjoy this book for its glamorous exploration of the lives of the Chinese upper-class through the eyes of a newcomer, its vivid descriptions of food and decor, and sense of humor.
What I did not love was that none of the characters had much depth. I had a hard time understanding Rachel and Nick as they are both fairly one-dimensional and their relationship does not seem to be built on a solid foundation of trust. Although this was purposeful at first, I don’t think the relationship developed much and the character development itself was lacking, too.
I think the real meat of the story got lost under dazzling descriptions and the constant introduction of new secondary and tertiary characters.
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Racism