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beebeewin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Something about this book doesn't quite sit right with me. I was trying to describe to my partner my frustration with this book and I think honestly it is all the characters inability to communicate with each other openly and honestly. Maybe Jane is an unreliable narrator, but from her perspective no one in this town talks about their feelings or thoughts. Instead, like our narrator they all seem to let life blow by them without having meaningful discussion about anything. Due to that the ending felt so unearned. In the last two pages Jane literally just figures out that Jimmy deserves her love, not pity or ownership, but love. It just feels so half hearted from a character who still struggles to trust her husband and talk openly to him or anyone else. It could be I just don't like her character but honestly I think it is the whole premise of the story and the way the plot is advanced with no growth or change to the characters. I don't think I would actually recommend this book to anyone unless they want to get some fun call outs to Michigan.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment