The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
kayleestout'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: Pedophilia, Murder, Stalking, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Sexual violence, and Kidnapping
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"Bright Young Women" follows two women, who have never met, but who are bonded by their determination to uncover the truth. Pamela is the president of the top sorority at Florida State University. She is bright, driven, and on track to become a very successful lawyer after she graduates Florida State and enters law school. Tragically, in January 1978, she is awoken from her sleep at the sorority house to discover that several of her sisters were brutally murdered. Around the same time, in Seattle, Tina is finally making peace with her life. She meets an interesting woman named Ruth, who captures her attention. Unfortunately, Ruth disappears one day, and Tina is determined to seek the justice for Ruth in spite of Ruth's family's insistence to sweep it under the rug.
I was entirely captivated by this story, and I did not want to put it down. Though quirky, Pamela is such a strong character, and reading about her pragmatic approach to this horrible event was strangely calming. I was rooting for her, and I wanted to see her seek the feminist justice she deserved. Her ease of detachment from what was happening near her was impressive.
My heart broke for Ruth at every turn. She had such a rough life with her mother's constant criticism, and just when she was finally gaining some happiness, it was cruelly taken from her. I wanted more for her.
I loved how the story ultimately came together and I really enjoyed how the characters became connected. It is interesting to think about how people we have never met, are connected to our stories. I also think it is fascinating that the author used a real-life crime as inspiration for this story.
I have not stopped thinking about this story since I finished it, and I highly recommend it!
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Grief, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Mental illness, Violence, Sexism, Body horror, Rape, Stalking, Lesbophobia, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault
danielcrogers's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Abortion, Rape, Sexual harassment, Violence, Kidnapping, Terminal illness, Gun violence, Lesbophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Blood, Murder, Outing, Physical abuse, Stalking, Torture, Death, Gaslighting, and Homophobia
la_lune's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Death, Rape, Stalking, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Gun violence
yourstrulytay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was an amazing portrayal of a case that has all too often been centred on the perpetrator, who has been made out to be some handsome, brilliant mastermind, instead of the small, pathetic man who held conflated ideas of his own importance. This story is about the women whose lives he stole, specifically, but also all women who have had to dim themselves to make the men around them feel brighter, and those who have been vilified and punished for daring to outshine.
This book was viscerally satisfying to read, and I will recommend it will my whole entire being to anyone and everyone.
Moderate: Violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Outing, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Infidelity, Grief, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Mental illness, Lesbophobia, Kidnapping, Homophobia, Rape, Murder, and Misogyny
Minor: Incest and Eating disorder
imstephtacular's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexism, Blood, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual violence, Mental illness, Body shaming, Death of parent, Rape, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Classism, Cursing, Sexual content, Dementia, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Fatphobia, Sexual harassment, and Alcohol
Minor: War, Vomit, Pandemic/Epidemic, Gun violence, Racism, Kidnapping, Incest, Religious bigotry, Stalking, and Physical abuse
lexigoyette's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Death, Murder, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Blood, Grief, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Gore, and Stalking
Minor: Toxic relationship and Eating disorder
carissa230'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
4.25
In this retelling the sorority leader Pamela survives the killings. She is an eyewitness and is determined to make everything work out for her sorority sisters, herself, and the victims. She joins forces with Tina, a journalist, to help investigate the killings.Â
In an alternate timeline we have Ruth. Ruth's father has recently passed away and she meets Tina in grief counseling. The timeline tells of the love that Ruth and Tina build. Ruth's family was not accepting of her lifestyle and treated her very poorly.Â
In the current timeline we know that something happened to Ruth and Tina wants answers. Tina is determined to find out what happened to her love and see justice.Â
The book is definitely more historical literary fiction than mystery/thriller. If you didn't know the Ted Bundy case it may be a little more mysterious or thrilling.Â
Graphic: Stalking, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia
sarahsbookss's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Dementia, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Violence, Child abuse, Murder, Outing, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Death, Body horror, Death of parent, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Medical content, and Stalking
rachaelthegiraffe'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, Rape, and Murder
Minor: Vomit, Stalking, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Gore, and Kidnapping