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A review by melissaslibraryy
Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
This was such a heartbreaking, gut wrenching read and I feel as though words cannot express how deeply I care for this book. The way Charlie had the opportunity to be better once she got out of the facility she was placed in after her suicide attempt yet chose the path she knew would ruin her and set her back to that terrible mental state. Having to be put through the horrid events she’s experienced from such a young age bc of her environment, was hard to read about bc we know she deserves better yet she doesn’t feel she’s worthy of getting it.
The beginning of her end was her upbringing with her parents who had many problems of their own and bringing her into their world, just seemed to make it worse. The catalyst of it all was definitely what she was put through by her best friend Elise. Sure she was her only friend but that didn’t necessarily mean she was a good influence in Charlie’s life especially after she started getting mixed up in substances, bad boyfriends and bringing those issues to Charlie.
I’ve teared up and cried and straight up paused the audiobook several times bc of the contents in the book. Whether it was from genuine disbelief in the bad decisions Charlie continued to make, the shit other characters put her through (both in the past and present) or from knowing that the story can only end one of two ways 1. She relapses & cuts herself to death or 2. She finds the strength to get the proper support she needs in order to create the life she wants and deserves for herself bc she’s still a kid with a bright future ahead. I’m happy it ended the way it did, with Charlie getting closure from Riley at the concert and her on the way to achieve her dreams of becoming an artist as she starts a letter to Elise. It was the official end to that era of her life so she can truly gain the happiness she needs after a lifetime of misery.
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Car accident