A review by foreveralicexox
Pretending by Holly Bourne

challenging emotional informative reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I went into this book thinking it would be a good romance to enjoy but nothing mind-blowingly special, and I came out of it hugely surprised and with a new favourite. In just the first few chapters I was crying from the honesty, accuracy and delicacy this book captures sexual assault and sexual experiences for women. The character development and elements of both the main and side characters felt so real and relatable, that element of feeling like there is something wrong with you and you are going crazy and hiding parts of yourself that you think will scare men off I really resonated with, as well as the feelings of blaming yourself for not being able to please everyone or not being able to have what you perceive as a normal sex life. I just think this book would be so enlightening to so many women through its themes of sexual assault and I don't think I can explain how much this book means to me but I would definitely urge others to read it, so long as they look into and are aware of the trigger warning to do with rape and sexual assault.
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