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cker82's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Grief, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Death
annorabrady's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I also appreciate that the story takes place over the course of years rather than days or weeks. So the relationships had time to grow and react appropriately.
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Grief, and Toxic relationship
theonlybaillie's review
- 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
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death and Mental illness
Minor: Physical abuse, Alcohol, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Toxic friendship
inkdrinkers's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Honestly, I finished this book and had to put my phone down and cry a little bit. Evvie Drake Starts Over might be one of my favorite books I've ever read. It might have just soared past books that I swore couldn't be overtaken this year. It might just be at the top of my favorites.
I went into this book totally blind and I think that was the best case scenario. I was expecting something entirely different from the plot and an entirely different type of story. Instead, what I got was a story grounded in the confusion of adulthood, the palpable pain of grief and the guilt that comes with it, and an ending that was so satisfying that I'm not sure a better one could have been written. I laughed out loud multiple times, either because scenes were genuinely funny or moments caught me off guard, but I also had to pause and take a deep breath more than once because I could feel the pinprick of tears in the back of my eyes.
Let's talk about our main characters for a second, because I loved Evvie (like Chevy) so much. Her entire character is so wonderful and flawed, but has an earnest quality that makes her feel human. She doesn't make the best choices, but it's not in a frustrating way, it's a human way - and it makes you realize, if you were in the exact position, you might do the same. Don't even get me started on Dean - I was head over heels the moment he appeared on the page and his entire arc floored me. He's such a wonderfully multifaceted character and obscenely romantic. (TWO ROOMS??? PHYSICAL TOUCH AS A LOVE LANGUAGE!!!) There were so many nuanced and wonderful moments about masculinity, grief for when things don't work out, and finally acceptance that life moves on, whether you want it to or not.
The setting of Maine was absolutely perfect, too. I felt the warmth of the small town, the coziness of the familiar - but also the cloying quality of everyone knowing everyone and the way small towns make ghosts out of everyone, living or otherwise. I won't even lie, I almost bought a copy after I finished the first chapter because there was a little twinge in my heart that told me this was a book for me, in this moment. And I was right. My hardback copy is on it's way to me as I type this.
Five immaculate stars to this book. I'd recommend it to anyone and everyone, but specifically for the people pleasers, the fixers, the "I'm sorry" before you process if you even need to apologize-rs, and the people who need to be reminded it's never, ever too late to start over.
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Gaslighting
Minor: Car accident
meredithamadee's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
maddie79's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Car accident, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
antjeliest's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Misogyny, and Mental illness
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, and Panic attacks/disorders