karin_goodreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Hoover's books have always been easy to read for me - time kind of flies by and they're fairly simple. The plot on the other hand is... wild.
First of all, Ryle's entire existence makes me want to erase him from my memories. Why didn't he lose everything? I know I'm just observing the story that's being told, but come on! He had it too easy.
Even Allysa and Marshall got tainted by the shadow he left. It's a weird situations all over.
Spoiler
Why doesn't mother Kincaid know what the fuck his son has done? I'm frustrated. Not sure how any one of them continued to have a fairly good relationship with an abuser, but oh well.I may not be perfect, but I don't deserve to fear for my life every time I make a mistake.
Atlas' and Lily's love story was fine. I feel like they have a trauma bond rather than being so unbelievably in love. Every other second there had to be a mention how Lily saved Atlas, which is fine, but that kind of muddles the waters for understanding where else the love is growing from.
Spoiler
The wedding vow in the end was strange, that didn't feel totally on character, I'm frowning even now thinking about it. The letter's ending where Atlas asked Lily to move in got me, I did not expect that!At some parts I forgot Lily even existed, because I was so into Atlas' family's story. To be honest, I liked Atlas' story on it's own the most. I would genuinely like some Atlas and Josh only content.
Spoiler
OH YEAH, Josh, the little brother who came out of fucking nowhere?? I mean the behaviour suits the mom's character, but this felt way too sudden and random, more for a shock effect.FYI, I need everyone to know that Atlas' 12-year-old therapist Theo was the star of this book! He had my heart with those quips. Not sure what his purpose was, but I would like to keep him, yes & thank you!
I can draw a seedling with two tiny branches. Yours and mine. We’ll be on our own brand-new, tiny family tree—one that starts with us.
(That part was so satisfying.)
Now, the ending was just way too easy. How is every "villain" suddenly having a change of character (
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Abandonment, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Blood, Bullying, and Injury/Injury detail
becca_w_'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
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Classism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Bullying, Cursing, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Minor: Vomit, Gore, and Rape
_alyssar_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
dev921'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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Abandonment, Alcohol, Child abuse, and Cursing
laurataylor'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
3.25
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
v1l25'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Violence, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Abandonment, Misogyny, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Blood, and Alcohol
redheadorganist'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? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Minor: Blood and Alcohol
emstryke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Blood
crystal83087's review against another edition
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Confinement, Medical content, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Cursing, Blood, and Emotional abuse
roo_coniam'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? No
3.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Drug use, Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Alcohol, Vomit, Violence, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Suicide, Sexual violence, Rape, Medical trauma, Drug abuse, and Sexual harassment