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astrangewind's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Despite liking the plot, I liked neither Monique nor Evelyn. I think Evelyn isn't meant to be a likable character; she herself even claims she's a bad person to Monique's face. That's the whole point of the book. She's beautiful, and cruel, and generous, and loving. All of these things at once. However, Monique was probably meant to be likable, but I found her mostly annoying, and her own story much less compelling than Evelyn's.
I am happy that this book is queer, and I'm happy that it's not just about being queer during puberty, as a lot of books with queer characters are. It's about being queer in Hollywood in the late 20th century, dodging the media and dealing with the AIDS crisis. That said, it bugs me that the only characters who treat Evelyn with any kind of respect are queer.
Moderate: Grief, Toxic friendship, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Pedophilia
Minor: Drug use, Car accident, and Suicide
badbadwolf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Miscarriage, Outing, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Homophobia, Suicide, Abortion, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Cancer, Drug use, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Sexual content
seastheday's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Now, I loved Evelyn. Her story was just constant heartbreak. It’s hard to reflect on the fact that she only truly WANTED two of the seven husbands. It was hard to watch her struggle with her sexuality vs society and it’s scrutiny. It’s amazing that she went through everything to just have a job she loved AND a partner she loved. But it was so hard to maintain that love and happiness. I’m so happy she got to live and love in Spain.
I also loved Harry & was devastated by how he passed. I cried abou the funeral. And it was tough to like Celia. But Monique I could absolutely have done without.
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Sexual assault, Lesbophobia, Terminal illness, and Pedophilia
Minor: Cancer, Alcoholism, Abortion, and Addiction
janka05's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Chronic illness, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, and Biphobia
Minor: Death of parent, Pedophilia, Cancer, Suicide, Abortion, Addiction, and Child abuse
jess_18's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Car accident, Suicide, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Domestic abuse, Cancer, and Death
Moderate: Child death, Drug use, Addiction, and Alcoholism
Minor: Biphobia, Pregnancy, Abortion, Body shaming, and Pedophilia
garcjuli0220's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Pedophilia, Domestic abuse, and Homophobia
**SPOILER**aureolyn's review
4.0
“For Lilah, Smash the Patriarchy, sweetheart.”
So I found it hard to get into this one at first because Monique was so unlikeable. But Evelyn Hugo, when she showed up and told her story, that was it. I was hooked. She was every bit as enchanting and charming as how I imagined the people saw her.
Graphic: Death and Car accident
Moderate: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Pedophilia, and Grief
i_write_on_occasion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Biphobia, Domestic abuse, and Homophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Car accident, Infidelity, and Chronic illness
Minor: Pedophilia, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Incest, Death of parent, Abortion, and Pregnancy
pluie_de_printemps's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Alcohol, Car accident, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abortion, Terminal illness, Suicide, Cancer, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, and Grief
gottheblues'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
1.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, Domestic abuse, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Terminal illness, Child abuse, Outing, Death, Racism, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Addiction, Biphobia, Cancer, and Car accident