indydc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Stalking, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Body shaming, Infidelity, and Medical content
bessadams's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Vomit, Mental illness, Dementia, Cancer, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Lesbophobia, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Bullying, Hate crime, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
kayleejanes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Lesbophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
daniellekat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Medical content, Cancer, Bullying, Sexual harassment, and Body shaming
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
ageismdogsyarnandbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Stalking, and Hate crime
isabell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
brittany_jean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, and Cancer
Minor: Cursing, Suicide attempt, Dementia, Bullying, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Hate crime
what_heather_loves's review against another edition
4.0
Present day London and formidable, middle-aged, 'magazine therapist' (agony aunt) Iona travels by train for work. Despite her years of experience, eccentric Iona she is bullied at work by younger colleagues for being 'a dinosaur', so she decides to enlist the help of regular train passengers (whom she has given funny names, like 'Smart-but-sexist-Surbiton') after one of them has a near death experience in their carriage one day. With nothing in common but their commute, they begin to get to know one another. Meeting nurse Sanjay, PR advisor Emmie, school pupil Martha, banker Piers and solicitor David opens each of their eyes to their assumptions about one another. All of them are struggling with imposter syndrome and all of them turn to inspiring Iona for help. Will she turn to them when she needs help too?
As with The Authenticity Project, this is a wonderfully uplifting novel about the power of friendship and community when times are tough. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each of the characters through their perspectives (although I was concerned Iona's wife Bea didn't have her own narrative). All of the main characters are well drawn, with their own lives and Iona, in particular will stay with me #WhatWouldIonaDo This is a warm, funny and poignant tale that makes for a great read.
"'When I'm feeling unsure about anything,' said Martha, 'I just ask myself, what would Iona do?' 'Me too,' said David. 'Who'd have thought I'd end up basing my life choices on an eccentric lesbian? But it seems to work.'"
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Gaslighting
Minor: Lesbophobia and Suicide attempt