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shaylees's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
This book felt unfocused, and like it couldn’t decide whether it wanted to spoonfeed and spell out all the most basic ideas of white western feminism or force you to read between the lines to have any understanding of what’s actually meant by the words on the page. Rose was really loveable, and I would have loved to see more of them, or at least have their story wrapped up in some way? , the settings for parties and sex scenes were very engaging and immersive, and the premise has a lot of promise. However, this book needed a few more rounds of editing, a lot more fleshing out, and maybe a sensitivity reader or some more research on the queer nightlife scene. That said, I am definitely interested in seeing what this author does in the future with a bit more experience!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Outing, and Alcohol
scottiesandbooks's review against another edition
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
“It’s coordinated mysogyny wrapped in a dazzling bow, using us as its mouthpiece to trick us all into thinking it’s validating”
This book is internalised homophobia and stereotyping wrapped in a dazzling bow, using us as its mouthpiece to trick us all into thinking it’s validating.
Ok *cracks knuckles*
This author has tried to do something pretty wonderful; use their voice to promote feminism, queerness, bisexuality and show us that social media is detrimental to our health and well-being… and that the world is still controlled by men.
What the author has succeeded to do is write a book of two halves. The second half succeeds in the message….. but you have to get through a very problematic, May HARMFUL first half to get the message. And by then it’s lost.
This is not the queer affirming book it claims to be. This is a book doused in queer stereotypes and harmful language. As a bisexual woman I found it littered with biphobia and severe problems around identity, femininity, masculinity and many issues catered towards our non binary siblings too.
This not only hurts queer people who pick it up, making them feel invalidated and ridiculed… it also confirms that all the stereotypes about us in the queer community are correct…… it doesn’t help cis het people understand us at all. It lets them know that it’s ok to poke fun at the queer community. That it’s ok to use the word “fag” in a jokey way, that it’s ok to ask “so who’s the gay one?” (I.E. the man) in a same sex relationship.
I understand that some books include the above references to prove a point. To show that these words, phrases and stereotypes are wrong. This book has not done that. And for that I will never forgive it.
This could have been something special. Instead I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. Ever.
This book is internalised homophobia and stereotyping wrapped in a dazzling bow, using us as its mouthpiece to trick us all into thinking it’s validating.
Ok *cracks knuckles*
This author has tried to do something pretty wonderful; use their voice to promote feminism, queerness, bisexuality and show us that social media is detrimental to our health and well-being… and that the world is still controlled by men.
What the author has succeeded to do is write a book of two halves. The second half succeeds in the message….. but you have to get through a very problematic, May HARMFUL first half to get the message. And by then it’s lost.
This is not the queer affirming book it claims to be. This is a book doused in queer stereotypes and harmful language. As a bisexual woman I found it littered with biphobia and severe problems around identity, femininity, masculinity and many issues catered towards our non binary siblings too.
This not only hurts queer people who pick it up, making them feel invalidated and ridiculed… it also confirms that all the stereotypes about us in the queer community are correct…… it doesn’t help cis het people understand us at all. It lets them know that it’s ok to poke fun at the queer community. That it’s ok to use the word “fag” in a jokey way, that it’s ok to ask “so who’s the gay one?” (I.E. the man) in a same sex relationship.
I understand that some books include the above references to prove a point. To show that these words, phrases and stereotypes are wrong. This book has not done that. And for that I will never forgive it.
This could have been something special. Instead I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. Ever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Hate crime, Homophobia, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Violence, and Lesbophobia
ritacastro's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
Minor: Mental illness, Rape, Sexual violence, and Stalking
mollyimogen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This book tried to do far too much and in doing so mostly failed to do any of the things well. The effects of social media on a new burgeoning influencer was done well, however it felt very autobiographical which was quite jarring as I could really see the author in Eartha. I think the handling of mental illness and suggestions of mental illness was done poorly as was the handling of the non-binary best friend. Regardless I did whizz through it but the ending was a massive anticlimax and sadly I would not recommend this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Gaslighting
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