frankieclc's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Medical content, Grief, Child death, Terminal illness, and Cancer
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Sexual harassment
lotties_booked'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Violence, Drug abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, and Terminal illness
Minor: Sexual harassment and Gun violence
roemfr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Cancer, Violence, Death, Cursing, Grief, Murder, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Child death, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
aquaria127's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Medical content, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Blood, Cancer, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, and Violence
ashleighvdk'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
3.5
Graphic: Drug use, Cancer, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Medical content
Minor: Murder, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, and Gaslighting
bookswithgeorgia'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Terminal illness, Alcoholism, Grief, Gun violence, Domestic abuse, Child death, Cancer, and Drug use
kazzhiggs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Murder, Alcoholism, Cancer, Sexual harassment, Child death, Domestic abuse, and Drug abuse
serendipitysbooks'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
4.5
Their story unfolds in two alternating timelines, one from Finn’s perspective and one from Joe’s. The prose is understated and almost stark, yet brilliantly and evocatively captures each brother’s struggles and emotions.
I really thought this was going to be a 5 star read for me. But it just fell short. Towards the end there was one pivotal scene and, despite rereading it three times, I’m still unclear exactly what happened. Reading other reviews indicates I’m not the only reader who struggled with this.
Regardless, I’d still highly recommend this book for its memorable characters who you’ll root for, a heartwarming example of brotherly love, and an unflinching yet not sensational depiction of place. This was a fantastic debut and I’ll be keen to read whatever Fíona Scarlett writes next.
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Cancer, and Gun violence
travelseatsreads'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? It's complicated
5.0
This heartbreakingly beautiful and tender story is told with alternating chapters from each of the boys perspectives. This was so affective as it allows the reader to see the varied themes (poverty, crime, domestic violence, cancer & grief) through each of the boys eyes.
The writing is tender yet captivating. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down and had to finish it in one sitting. Fiona beautifully portrays the unbreakable bond between Joe and Finn and just how besotted they are with each other.
I also really enjoyed the female characters within this book, each one appeared to be trying to cope with the hand they had been dealt and made often hard choices to try to better themselves and those around them.
This is a gorgeous story, brimming with equal amounts of love and sorrow that will stay with me for a long time to come.
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
raemie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, and Domestic abuse