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lemelyjerry'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
4.25
I tried, and failed, to read/listen to this book 3 times, but am very happy I finished it on my fourth attempt.
The subject matter is really difficult and Vanessa as a character is sometimes hard herself but the way the author engages with how we all internally rationalize and add meaning to events in our lives is very impactful. It delicately addresses how grooming relationships can be terrible and confusing and filled with need and longing and shame. It also did such a good job of presenting how complex Vanessa's internal world and how she understood herself both in the past and in the present.
Many scenes are very hard to get through and the spots where Vanessa describes her disgust at Stane I viscerally felt that. I found the parallel storylines really emphasized the thought patterns of Vanessa and expressed how she viewed her life through the lense of what Strane told her and how that seeped into some of her deepest believed truths and then when these truths begin to shift in the modern day storyline you can see how that takes time. There are also some beautiful aspects to the language of the book.
Graphic: Gaslighting, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Classism, Bullying, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm
ayladdy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Rape, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, Self harm, Stalking, Suicide, Infidelity, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, and Suicide attempt
summerlyn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content, Child abuse, Violence, Suicide, Stalking, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal death and Bullying
peachyykenn'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
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Addiction, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Drug use, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Medical content, Cancer, and Bullying
nikayawyatt's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Bullying, Sexual violence, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Vomit
ireminkitaplar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Death, Gaslighting, and Pedophilia
laurathebookhermit'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
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Self harm, Suicide, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Grief, Bullying, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
abrdoodle's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Suicide
Minor: Blood, Bullying, Mental illness, and Vomit
moanareads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Suicide, Vomit, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Stalking
kcullinan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Sexual violence