nafisa_tabassum'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? Yes
5.0
This is an intensely relatable book and made me cry. Cath is not like me at all, but she goes through coming-of-age stages that are timeless. The way her family is written is especially heartbreaking - there comes a stage in life where familiar relationships change and Cath portrays how hard it can be to adjust to that. Her relationship with her father is loving, but painful in a way that personally related to me and opened up old wounds.
The romance is a distracting and delightful highlight. The main guy is golden retriever, and I have never been able to resist fictional golden retriever men.
Lastly, Cat grows with her love for media and being a true geek - by her own definition, someone who would choose fiction and fantasy over reality any day - and doesn't force her or Wren to grow out of it. Instead, their loved ones participate in their interests. The novel takes fanfic as seriously as it should be, and shows the genuine art, love and dedication that goes into it. It understands girl geeks, which was refreshing.
I think this is my favourite Rowell book. I'll come back to it.
Graphic: Abandonment, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Alcoholism, and Addiction
Minor: Forced institutionalization
perth_is's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Alcohol, Mental illness, Alcoholism, and Cursing
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Vomit, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
abcangelcake's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
OH! And don’t get me started on Cath… Wren…
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Alcohol, and Vomit
Minor: Drug use, Ableism, Eating disorder, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Incest, and Medical content
peachg3m's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Abandonment and Toxic friendship
Minor: Forced institutionalization
hila_ad's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol and Forced institutionalization