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sareidle's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed Taylor's writing and how she described the delicate balance of being in a relationship and the challenging aftermath once it ends. The book's point about how social media tricks us into thinking we understand people and warps our perspective is interesting and thought-provoking. However, I think this point is muddled by the drama surrounding Ana's work environment and strained relationship with her parents. There's definitely something that could be gleaned from the appearance vs. reality of her job, but Taylor does not fully develop this analysis. Lastly, the violence towards women that is shown but never confronted was distressing to me. Ana is sexually assaulted on her first date with a man she met via Tinder and never tells anyone what happened to her. This is supposed to help lead into the main relationship of the book, but I think it would have been more effective to have Ana meet someone whose real-life persona is entirely different than their dating profile. Additionally, Ana experiences a frightening stalker situation and witnesses a woman who is drugged and presumably raped - both scenarios allow the perpetrator to get away. In summary, while the book could use some finesse and editing, it shows real promise and I'm excited to read Amy Taylor's future work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, Grief, and Stalking
Minor: Drug use and Car accident
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