Scan barcode
bree317'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: Cursing, Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Transphobia, Blood, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Toxic relationship, Violence, Abortion, and Toxic friendship
krisloveskihei's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Child death and Homophobia
doodlebeanz's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
The book is a slam dunk. It is such an interesting story and it was so deep on so many levels, but I need my books fast paced and with way more murder 😭 This book dealt with murder, but not in the way I would want. This was just simply domestic fiction, courthouse fiction if that’s even a thing, or simply just small town fiction, where someone happens to die. I did love the small town setting, my fiance is from New Hampshire and I’m from Boston so it all felt very close to home for me. I loved the characters as well - I thought they were so well written and so fleshed out, they felt like real people. The thought that lily is dead literally give me chills, she was so young and wise beyond her years and dealt with so much in her short number of years on the earth. Asher, his mom, and lawyer were well written as well, but besides Olivia (Asher’s mother), they were quite one dimensional.
My few gripes with the story were the way Asher and Lily were written and the somewhat lazy writing surrounding the murder itself and who may have done it. Starting with the murder and the trial,
Secondly, Asher and Lily spoke like they were in their 30s, not just 18 years of age. It was so annoying. I remember what it was like to be a teenager, and I did not have that much wherewithal or intelligence inner dialogue to be that mature and rounded out. For Lily, it made a bit more sense considering the shit she had endured in her life
Also, I do not suggest this book on audiobook. I did not enjoy the audio book narrators, and I think based on the writing, this book isn’t meant to be listened to. There are some flashbacks throughout chapters and it’s hard to know when you’re in a flashback since they aren’t announced. It was also nonlinear for Lily’s chapters but in order for Olivia’s which was also confusing to keep up with audio, but probably would’ve been easier to keep up with if I was just simply reading.
All in all, the book was great. It was very well written, and I have no gripes with the author. She just isn’t the author for me, but I am glad I read this book. It was moving and intense and made me think about what it means to be a woman and what it’s like for others out there who wish they were born comfortable in their skin and gender identity the way I am. Everyone should read this book! Just expect small town/family fiction.
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
yalipopcultureads'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? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Suicide attempt
jadiedaffodil'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
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Self harm, Transphobia, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Abortion, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Medical content, Outing, and Alcohol
brandimoriarty10's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Minor: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Abortion
moxiereads's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
madrwins's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
•
TW: Transphobia, DV, SA, Child Abuse, Parental Neglect
•
This is a book that angered me so much. I wanted to scream so often for Lily. Lily who was so incredible, Lily who deserved the world and more. I know she’s fictional but in so many ways, Lily is not fictional. I feel like I don’t have the words as a cis woman but I feel I learned so much from reading this book. Having Lily’s chapters be written by a trans woman and hearing from Jennifer Finney Boylan at the end of the book was so touching. Asher was beautifully written as well. He is a complex and sensitive boy. A boy who was learning too. This book will stick with me for a very, very long time.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault
blumerlamotte'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
lindsayerin's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Abandonment
Moderate: Self harm, Medical content, and Suicide attempt