dfram's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Spoiler
the ending of the second and the third book being the same is really tugging at my heart stringsMinor: Violence
meganpbell'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Minor: Violence, Death of parent, and Grief
natalie_j'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Minor: Alcohol, Violence, Death of parent, and Sexual content
rebecathebookworm'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Gaslighting, and Grief
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Violence
_bobatea_'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
4.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, and Alcohol
Moderate: Violence, Sexism, Misogyny, Grief, Death of parent, Cursing, and Abandonment
Minor: Pregnancy, Eating disorder, Vomit, Blood, and Classism
madanxiety's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.75
Spoiler
Idk, I've never been in love so maybe I just can't get it, but I don't get why the characters put themselves in this situation. Even though Belly obviously loves Jeremiah bc they were basically family, I don't get how she could go from being obsessed with his brother for years to being with him. I guess the point in this book is that she was kind of immature and irresponsible. But yeah, it just seems so irresponsible to me that she would even get with Jeremiah. Like I've said throughout the whole series, she's so selfish, and she always gets what she wants. It just doesn't seem right. For once, I was kind of rooting against the protagonist.And as for Jeremiah cheating... I guess it makes sense. Like Belly said, he was insecure and felt inferior to his brother - and that was reasonable! What with his dad's favoritism and Belly's affection for him. The cheating was self-sabotage - maybe even self-protection. God, these characters had so many chances to save themselves a lot of hurt and they just didn't 😂. My guess is the moral of the story, or at least one interpretation, is that love is always worth the hurt - that they weren't wrong to pursue a love that was bound to fail. I'm not sold on this idea at all, but I understand that some feel this way. The books has a Romeo & Juliet quality to it - everyone thinks they're so young and naive (because they are) and they kill themselves trying to be together anyway. I could never believe Belly when she'd say stuff like "oh, we might just be getting married to prove something to ourselves, but no I think we really love each other." It just always came off like she was trying to convince herself. And it was so obviously not going to work out between them so it just made her look stupid.
On the other hand, it was so ridiculous that Belly and Conrad got married just a few years later. 21 is still crazy young to get married imo, and it was so rushed I was just like huh? Too much whiplash.
I think Han has a way with words, but the more the series went on, the less I liked it / the characters. And though it seems to end with a tight resolution, I'm still left wondering what took Conrad so goddamn long. The excuse that he was supposed to take care of his brother by way of letting him marry Belly was also just too ridiculous. What I like about the show is the edition of the boat guy character (I forget his name, but the one who talks Conrad through a panic attack and fucks Belly's mom lol). I'll be interested to see if/how his addition changes anything with Conrad. I'd imagine a mentor like that could sway him to confront Belly sooner. If only Conrad had talked to the old Cousins mafia guy much earlier 😂.
My favorite part of the book is the addition of Conrad's perspective. I think this is a skillful writer-move on Han's part and recognize the precision she uses with these additional voices in the second and third books. And on top of that, it was just sorely needed. Like his whole personality was being stoic and impossible to read; it was about time we got in his head lol! Anyway, I think this is the same reason I like the changes made in the show - how we see more from other characters who did not have a voice in the novels.
Graphic: Violence and Infidelity
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Alcohol, and Grief
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, and Cancer
Minor: Sexual content and Cursing
_sia_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Minor: Violence
elspethmigliore's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.0
❌ i honestly cannot imagine myself rereading this book ever i’ll be surprised if i do.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Blood and Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent
elizareign's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Violence