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drnaynay'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
4.5
Graphic: Drug use, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Addiction, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Fatphobia, Abortion, and Sexism
marlene_suntie_helton's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
I did not rate it higher as this type of realism genre is not my go-to genre. I prefer more plot-driven novel. However, I can recognise and appreciate the comfort and elements of this type of genre provide. It is a great story overall.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Cursing, Death of parent, Death, Pregnancy, Abortion, Fatphobia, and Adult/minor relationship
effy's review against another edition
3.25
I think because I have just watched the TV show and basically seen a polished version of the story where characters have more agency and the fatphobia (the way Teddy is discussed in the book is so gross!) has been removed, it was hard to enjoy this book as much as the first time that I read it. It is definitely a compelling story with lots of twists and turns but the flaws were a bit more obvious now.
Favourite quotes:
Men often think they deserve a sticker for treating women like people.
When you're in a situation like that, when you have a man looming over you, it's as if every decision you made to lead to that moment - alone with a man you don't trust - flashes before your eyes. Something tells me men don't do the same thing. When they are standing there, threatening a woman, I doubt they count every wrong step they made to become the asshole they are. But they should.
Graphic: Cancer, Fatphobia, Drug abuse, Child abuse, Abortion, Alcoholism, Death, Infidelity, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
theotheleo's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Drug use, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, and Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Death, Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Sexism
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Death, Child abuse, Medical content, Blood, Fatphobia, Abortion, and Pedophilia
roxie_a_thunder's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Drug abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Fatphobia, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Eating disorder, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Mental illness, and Sexism
halaucination's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Addiction
Moderate: Pregnancy, Abortion, Grief, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Death of parent, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, War, and Fatphobia
thereaderfriend'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Second review, 2022: 4.75/5 ☆ character driven, stronger character development, still have a complicated adoration/love for these characters but are much more likable and relatable, not diverse, and yes the flaws are a main focus. I even noticed more flaws this time around 😅 this book has held true since the first time I read it. I loved it then and love it even more now! Definitely still one of my favorite books. I found so much that I related to now and from my past (like I did first time around but more so). Definitely a reflective and emotional story. This is one of those books where I don't care for the loveable nature of characters and character development bc these characters are just so raw and fleshed out. Do wish that they were my diverse though. But, I'm dying to reread it and watch the TV adaptation on Amazon Prime Video!
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Alcohol, Abortion, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Grief, Blood, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Misogyny, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Chronic illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence