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pghtaylorsversion's review
- 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: Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy
sh_m22's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Child death
fd62442's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Miscarriage, and Self harm
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Injury/Injury detail
unfiltered_fiction's review against another edition
- 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
1.5
I've seen a lot of reviews comparing this book to Eleanor Oliphant I'd Completely Fine, but I would absolutely disagree. Eleanor Oliphant is a story which allows the reader to really and thoroughly work through the main character's trauma and the obstacles she encounters alongside her; despite some heartbreaking lows, there is an overall sense of hope. This book almost completely lacks that for me, as two of the three main narratives end in different kinds of tragedy.
There is also a depiction of a woman with ASD, exacerbated by postpartum depression/PTSD after a miscarriage. This could have been a really nuanced and incisive opportunity for representing a neurodiverse character who has gone through a common but deeply traumatic life event; instead, the plot twist in her arc is demeaning and reductive
I was also incredibly infuriated by the prologue/opening scene, which shows a snapshot of the three main characters and their respective secondary characters, all well and relatively happy. This lulls the reader into a false sense of security, indicating that you will get a hopeful and uplifting conclusion, but as I've outlined above, you really don't. I do not have a problem with books that show life's problems sometimes cannot be easily, wholly resolved. There is plenty of room in the market for heavier books which look at the sadder parts of reality. But it is so incredibly irresponsible and infuriating to see a book which is completely presented through its marketing and its opening moments as a hopeful, uplifting read, but that will have many of its readers walking away feeling deeply upset, even actively distressed by how some of the themes are handled.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Suicide attempt
alexiswiththefreckles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Overall, a story that tackles loss with brutal honesty and reminds us that our canine friends are always there to remind us to be human.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Grief
Moderate: Homophobia and Miscarriage