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kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
- 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: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Infertility, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Classism
storyreader45'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Pregnancy
Race is discussed heavily in this book. Black lives matter and Blue Lives matter is heavily discussed.greenlivingaudioworm'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
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Grief, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Infertility, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
cdoubet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Body horror, Drug use, Infertility, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
chrisandbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
The conclusions of Riley’s, Jen’s, and Tamara’s storylines really emphasize that “curated” feeling. Honestly, the endings wrapped up too seamlessly given the circumstances. And the book just didn’t feel authentic.
Graphic: Police brutality
Moderate: Death and Violence
colls's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
There are several things I didn't like so much; the characters, the lack of any real resolution.
I think there are several good points made in this book about white privilege and the institutional racism present in our society. The center of the story is a tragedy, and yet I sense that the book wanted the center of the story to be the friendship between these two women. With competing priorities, I think it failed to live up to either.
Rating "Liked it" because I did generally like it and appreciated the point it was attempting to make. The writing was well done and the pacing was good.
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, and Violence
briana7's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infertility, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, and Pregnancy
martachbc'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was drawn in by the timely concept of this book when it came out last year (and I love Jo Piazza’s books) - although now, doesn’t it feel beyond ”timely”? Aside from the fact that IRL I’d be pretty critical of Riley’s decision to cover the story in spite of being directly connected to it, I appreciated how this book didn’t shy away from exploring the uncomfortable, gritty and devastating nuances of its subject matter.
The writing overall was excellent. But some elements of the friendship rang a little hollow to me - exacerbated by Jen having just a few redeeming qualities - and other elements of the story (Riley’s brother Shaun’s own experience in the criminal justice system, and her interracial relationship) could have been fleshed out more earlier.
I would describe this as entry-level to the exploration of social justice - I am always happy to support books that get more people reading about important topics. But I’ll note, it was fairly easy for me, a white woman, to find some comfort with the outcome of this book, though no one was let off the hook. While things tie up somewhat neatly, the readers exist in a world where that’s not always the case - and we know that’s likely to be true for Jen and Riley eventually, even if we don’t see it.
This would be a great book club read because there’s a lot to discuss. I find I enjoy books more when they really give me something to chew on - and this certainly did. I guess in some ways I still am thinking on it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Graphic: Police brutality
Moderate: Bullying, Infertility, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Miscarriage and Grief
desertmountainreads's review
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Infertility, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Medical trauma, Murder, and Pregnancy