Scan barcode
ameliasbooks'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Smooth writing and quite believable dialogues. I also liked that the main focus lies on friendships and not on romantic relationships.
Some of the incidents that drive the story are happening a bit too conveniently, but overall a good debut novel that touches on important topics.
Graphic: Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Medical content, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Classism
Moderate: Outing
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
kimveach's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Outing, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Death, Abortion, and Death of parent
eliseelk'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
5.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Homophobia, Outing, and Classism
Minor: Body shaming and Suicide
kjm19'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
5.0
The characters are interesting, quirky, and flawed. The way Caroline describes them is evocative and playful. She brings a level of nostalgia to their world - even though I cannot relate - it feels like I was there. The relationships are deep and convincing, every twist and turn in their lives is surprising yet believable at the same time. The flow of the narrative entwining the past with the present isn’t distracting, you are just totally immersed with her wordplay and descriptions.
The plot is all things political and societal, yet the same time totally personal. The effortless weaving of the wider context of their world with their personal lives paints such a vivid and convincing depiction of their young lives and the good and bad decisions that they make in their specific circumstances. The ending is also satisfying. Everything works!
It is clever and enchanting. I look forward to reading more of her work.
Graphic: Drug use, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Vomit, Abortion, Death of parent, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
ninaszewczyk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Outing
Minor: Biphobia, Body shaming, Homophobia, Infertility, Terminal illness, and Abortion
jkamler'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
4.25
Graphic: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Moderate: Suicide, Blood, Outing, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Drug use, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism