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danaaliyalevinson's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
So, I admittedly went into this one not realizing it's YA, which is not my genre. That said, considering this as a YA book, I think it's an important read about teenage addiction and its impact on families that many teenagers are going to feel seen in.
I was also heartened by its brave ending that refused to give easy answers, and even further heartened by the author's note explaining her own addiction and sobriety journey, which is most certainly a big part of why, for me, as someone who also has a history of addiction and several years sober at this point, the narrative felt so honest.
Sometimes it did feel like that YA thing where an adult author is imagining what kids these days are like and it's not quite right.
But overall, a good read and I think an important YA entry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Sexual content, Grief, Car accident, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
mayahall56's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was a very impotent insight into the reality of addiction, especially through the lives of surrounding loved ones. this book really made the reader experience the feelings that come along with recovery, and the stellar writing by kathleen glasgow only helped the books purpose. The reason for its four star rating was to me this book was lacking a strong plot. this may be a personal thing becuase this book is a little diffrent from what i normally reach for, but since there was no strong question or event I was anticipating, i found myself getting bored often, and it took a little bit longer to read than normal. overall i did enjoy this book, and the writing style had me feeling concern and all of the other emotions for the characters, but I probably won’t be picking this up again. make sure to check TW before giving this a try!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Car accident
bella_cavicchi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
In classic Glasgow fashion, this was deeply moving, 'quiet' in the sense that its themes weigh heavy and the drama lies in all that is not said. A sobering reminder, too, of how this country fails anyone struggling with addiction. I think it would be interesting to read in tandem with Heather Demetrios' LITTLE UNIVERSES. Recommend, for sure.
(Also it shout-outs theatre teachers and that is always a WIN in my book!!!)
(Also it shout-outs theatre teachers and that is always a WIN in my book!!!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Bullying, Sexism, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Abandonment, and Alcohol
manon_misheck's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- 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
If you've read Girl in Pieces or How to Make Friends with the Dark, you know the depth and emotion of Kathleen Glasgow's stories. Kathleen has the distinct ability to wrap each word in emotion and care. This story is not only a beautiful and heartbreaking portrayal of loving someone who is struggling with addiction, but it also depicts the isolation and loneliness of being a teenager in the world, the struggle to be heard, seen, and understood by adults. Emory is a brilliant narrator, and the cast of characters is so well-developed throughout the story. I am absolutely in awe of Kathleen Glasgow's writing.
*
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House for the e-ARC!
*
CW: addiction and recovery, car accident (graphic) resulting in the death of a minor, drug use, bullying, abandonment
*
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House for the e-ARC!
*
CW: addiction and recovery, car accident (graphic) resulting in the death of a minor, drug use, bullying, abandonment
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, and Car accident
Moderate: Bullying and Abandonment