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sihah's review against another edition
I really didn't like the male lead. He was so genuinely unlikable that, even though I adored the female lead, I couldn't continue reading the book.
aurora4847's review against another edition
The story wasn't what I wanted in a book right now. I also found Alex completely insufferable, and Olly kind of obnoxious.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Bullying and Homophobia
punkgremlin's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
3.25
scott_thelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I truly love Steven's work. He creates such realistic characters in every story. This book felt different than his other two books. I could feel anger, sadness, grief, fear, and so many other emotions emitting from his words. The entire story as a whole is a raw, heartbreaking tale of three siblings trying to navigate through the stages of their own grief after losing their father and in the wake of that, each other. The two narrating siblings are flawed and imperfect. They are frustrating and annoying, but these are not negative or bad things because they are hurting. They don't know how to process their sadness and anger, so at times, they can make bad decisions or blame others for their heartache because they are too scared to face the real reason for their grief. Some may look at this story as an angsty teen drama, but I don't. I see it as a masterclass in how teens might process their feelings when they don't truly don't understand where those feelings come from or what those feelings mean. Steven is a phenomenal author, and I plan to read everything he writes. I highly recommend this book!
kiki235's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Some grammar issues
lberestecki's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
thisgayreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ
“No Perfect Places” by Steven Salvatore
📕 Edition: ARC Hardcover & eBook
This delves into the complexities of family, grief, and the burden of hidden truths. Salvatore's storytelling is both heart-wrenching and beautifully crafted, making it a compelling read from start to finish.
The story revolves around twins Alex and Olly, who have already endured the hardship of their father's imprisonment, only to face further challenges when he unexpectedly passes away. The revelation of a long-held secret – a half-brother named Tyler – adds layers of complexity to their already fragile family dynamics.
Salvatore excels in portraying the characters' struggles and growth. Alex's descent into self-destructive behavior and Olly's internal conflict about revealing the truth create a tension that keeps you engaged. The character development is authentic, and their emotional journeys are relatable to anyone who has grappled with family secrets and loss.
The lakeside town setting adds a vivid backdrop to the narrative, enhancing the story's atmosphere and sense of place. As the secrets unravel, Salvatore masterfully explores themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Thank you @NetGalley, Steven Salvatore and @Bloomsburybooksus for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
anniekslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
When the mood hits, I love a melancholical summer read, and this one was really good. It's full of complex situations, messy characters, and bad choices, which made for a very emotional, intriguing read. I think this would be great as a miniseries, in the vein of The Summer I Turned Pretty but a little darker.
gonsiorc's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
fictionalmandy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- 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
2.75