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tiamaria3'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
4.75
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug use and Gun violence
em_gauts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, Murder, and Toxic friendship
elima's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Death, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic friendship
theotheleo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Medical content, and Stalking
rad_reads_123's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Death, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
madelinequinne'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
5.0
Really enjoyed this, kind of reminded me of if we were villains.
I would have NEVER guessed Hugh was April’s killer until those last few chapters, i was so sure it was going to be Will the whole time up until then, and I love a plot twist so automatically loved this book
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
minimicropup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
- Set in Oxford, UK for the “Before” chapters. Mainly in dorms, halls, and pubs so over time I developed familiarity for certain places along with the MC. The “After” chapters are set in Edinburgh, Scotland.
- People, places, and things are well described so don’t have to work overtime on the imaginings, but there’s still room for creativity (and no imagination smashing later in the book).
- Our “Before” MC is considerate, humble, loyal, forgiving, naïve, self-doubting…and a little “dense”! They are in their first year at Oxford University assigned to a charming, spontaneous roommate they admire and bond with quickly.
- Our “After” MC has the same personality but is now cautious (bordering on avoidant) of anyone beyond their spouse, co-workers, and friend. They are expecting a child and struggling with some health issues related to the pregnancy and stress.
- Realistic touch of true crime journalism putting pressure on witnesses. Accurate portrayal of toxic friendship dynamics and how they can form.
- The whole situation relied on our MC being blind to HUGE red flags near the end (girl, have you ever heard of the police?!)…but that is pretty consistent with her throughout the story!
- The more atmospheric (and interesting) parts are the “Before” chapters. The “After” chapters drag on and become repetitive about Hannah’s pregnancy experience (dizzy, sweaty, sore…we get it!)
- Unsupportive spouse trope is overdone in the “After” chapters. Hannah’s husband is acting controlling, dismissive, and does that “pat-pat you’re just pregnant-hysterical, honey” thing. I imagine this was done to create tension and suspense. It just didn’t have to be done SO often.
- After the villain reveal I felt like we were reading a totally different character in a way that broke the story (the sudden evil-grin-rubbing-hands-together-cackling energy was a total 180 and a bit OTT).
- The villain may range from aha-validation to twist for you, but I enjoyed it because there was a sprinkling of small, justifiable red flags throughout the book. I would alternatively suspect and dismiss certain characters and it had me starting to feel as confused and dense as Hannah (🤭).
- Slow-paced narratives based on dialogue, thoughts, and monologue
- Dark academia vibes (death of a roommate, academics behaving badly)
- A tiny touch of “Good for Them” (villainous victim/bullying revenge)
- Light commentary on classism, access to education based on generational wealth rather than merit, familial $$ control and pressure on College students
- Whodunnits and red herrings
- Slightly ambiguous endings…we get the who, where, how, for all the crimes, but why is less clear
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Pregnancy
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Drug abuse, Infidelity, and Toxic friendship
Panic attacks are described through fainting/dizziness arising from pregnancy and health conditions. For pregnancy there issleeson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
doreyghc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Blood, Medical content, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicide, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
kimveach's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail