Reviews

Promising Young Women by Caroline O'Donoghue

lucy_rose's review against another edition

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challenging dark hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

janemae02's review against another edition

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dark funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • 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? Yes

3.75

tabo98's review

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • 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

mcscaries's review against another edition

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4.0

Wow this book got DARK. I came in expecting some romance, and contemporary 'chick lit' vibes, but it was so much more than that. It read like a thriller, I couldn't put it down!

anna_j_h's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny informative reflective tense medium-paced
  • 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

lg_713's review against another edition

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2.0

Maybe it’s just me but I did not get the hype about this!

allykhat328's review against another edition

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4.5

Mmm... this book... gathers thoughts...lets start with the synopsis

Synopsis
"I don't know why it never occurs to me to ask for more: to be taken to dinner, or to be given a promise, or at the very least, an explanation of why things aren't working out with his wife. I know exactly what Jolly would say: I know because I've written words to mistresses before. Hundreds of them."

On the day of her 26th birthday, Jane is recently single, adrift at her job, and intrigued by why Clem - her much older, married boss - is singing to her.

Meanwhile her alter-ego, the online agony aunt Jolly Politely, has all the answers. She's provided thousands of strangers with insightful and occasionally cutting insights to contemporary life's most vexing questions.

When she and Clem kiss at a party, Jane does not follow the advice she would give to her readers as Jolly: instead she plunges head-first into an affair. One that could jeopardise her friendships, her career and even her life.

Thoughts
Where to start. Relatable, relevant, frustrating and accurate are just a few words that spring to mind about this book. So many aspects of this book I found painfully relatable. 

I listened to the audio and found myself shaking my head and sad for so many reasons like the decisions that Jane made, some revelations about Jane's past and family, the way not only the men treat her but the women treat her because of the way society pits women against each other.

This book will make you mad, sad but also at times make you laugh. The worst part is that you finish and feel like the realist shit you've ever read. 


clauratoefield's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book was less ‘frothy’ than I anticipated. At some points it’s very thriller-esque and I enjoyed the mysteries surrounding relationships, illnesses, reality/fantasy. 

thetwirlonthetrain's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

kimberleyjay's review

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dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75