jen1505's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide and Domestic abuse
giulianalb99's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Sexual harassment, Cancer, Car accident, Death of parent, Racism, Terminal illness, Homophobia, Infidelity, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cultural appropriation, Death, Sexism, Biphobia, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, Grief, and Sexual content
liv_jones's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Old-Hollywood world that TJR has built seems so realistic, down to the explorations of racism, sexism, ageism, and homophobia rampant in the industry. Every character is fleshed out with their own motivations so that no one person is painted as the villain and even Evelyn’s abusers receive some (somewhat undeserved) sympathy from her. Evelyn herself is not supposed to be a good person - she’s messy and complex, with a consistent set of principles that characterise her actions throughout the novel.
However, I did find that the twist ending fell a little flat. There was so much build up to it and just not enough payoff. Perhaps if there had been more of Monique’s narration (which seemed to become less frequent as the novel progressed) or some actual foreshadowing to how Monique’s and Evelyn’s lives intersected instead of just “you’re going to find out why I chose you soon and it’s going to be super shocking and you’re going to hate me”, I think the twist would have had a greater effect. Even if the twist had been revealed earlier in the novel, as soon as it became relevant, that would have given Monique and the reader more time to process it and potentially increase its effect.
Overall, however, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Complex characters and a beautiful love story set perfectly within the context of Old Hollywood.
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Infidelity, Injury/injury detail, Misogyny, Racism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Moderate: Miscarriage, Abortion, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
kind0fdarkness's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Car accident, Domestic abuse, and Death
Moderate: Abortion, Alcoholism, Addiction, Alcohol, Infidelity, Cancer, Biphobia, Grief, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Suicide
Minor: Drug abuse, Medical content, Miscarriage, and Misogyny
maiabradley's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Biphobia, Death, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Car accident, Terminal illness, Blood, Infidelity, Abortion, Addiction, Cancer, Grief, Homophobia, and Suicide
brianareads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Car accident
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, and Suicide
Minor: Alcoholism
mysterychild13's review
- 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
Graphic: Sexual content, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Death, and Suicide
Moderate: Death of parent, Eating disorder, and Abandonment
marniegtp's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, Death, and Domestic abuse
l1iqc'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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Grief, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Car accident, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, and Homophobia
Moderate: Abortion, Drug use, Suicide, Biphobia, and Sexual content
addysongilmore's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Death, Child death, Grief, Car accident, and Cancer
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Minor: Abortion