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hobbit_at_heart'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
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Miscarriage, Suicide, Blood, Abortion, and Pregnancy
emily_zylstra02'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
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Self harm, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Classism
imskylow'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Terminal illness, Violence, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Infidelity and Outing
juliannalilly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Car accident, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Addiction, Body shaming, Suicide, Medical trauma, and Abortion
shaylee_n_20's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Suicide, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Medical trauma
c_e_w'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
4.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Miscarriage, and Abortion
gronan13'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? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Homophobia, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Abortion
thatswhatshanread'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
It’s quite shocking that it took me so long to read this, though I suspect a lot of it had to do with the fact that I had such high hopes and had heard so much unadulterated praise. Ever the pessimist, I was afraid it would disappoint me.
I’m VERY GLAD to report, that it did not disappoint me at all, and actually was much more than I hoped for. An incredible epic of a story-within-a-story, a biographical account of a fictional starlet with many marriages and headlines, but only one true love kept secret for most of her life.
I love TJR’s writing, her layered and complicated story building eclipsed only by the bold and complex characters she creates. Evelyn isn’t supposed to be someone you just love, but she is someone you absolutely root for, despite all her flaws. Because there’s Celia, the truth behind it all. (And Harry, whom I adored so much.)
One of the best novels I’ve ever read that accurately tackles the duality of humanity and fame, with a central focus on the LGBTQ+ community. Phenomenal.
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Abortion, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
chloelj27's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
There was as many different challenges and scenarios bought into the book and all of which I’d me reflecting. You tend to forget how different things were 60 years ago and so this book provides that reminder as well as showing how these issues still show their faces in todays world too.
The love, happiness and highs of this book was beautiful to read but the pain, heartbreak and loss of it really pulled at the heartstrings. I think there were some parts where I felt the story slowed and wasn’t all that necessary, while there were other parts I wanted a bit more focus on. However, even with just those brief scenes where I wanted more, they still made a hell of an impact!
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Medical trauma, Car accident, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Terminal illness, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Suicide, Abortion, and Suicide attempt
fleur____'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Car accident, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Racism, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail