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sadhamster's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexism and Vomit
ashleigheu's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
If the book was 2 povs (Karina and Louisa) only I would have enjoyed it more, but I still loved how all 4 wove together. Some chapters were less interesting than others but I continued to eat it up. A very easy fun read
notmckinzie's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
This was cuuuuuute! A great ensemble cast of characters in which each one is uniquely interesting and adds something important to the overall landscape of the novel. Could be trite at times and I found the prose a bit safe, but the scope of the ideas here was genuinely thought-provoking and inspiring for me. Want to read more novels set during Occupy *and* in the art world! Couldn’t get enough of it!
emmarose86's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.25
lavrendy's review against another edition
2.0
I had originally found this book while looking for contemporary Costa Rican authors but sadly it only had a brief mention of San Jose and the rest was about pretentious art school kids on the East Coast.
Maybe it’s because I regret not going to a more prestigious university but I am not a fan of campus novels. The art industry storylines didn’t help and the two male POVS felt unnecessary. I can see The Secret History and Bunny fans digging this one but I couldn’t handle either of those either so maybe academic fiction just isn’t my genre.
I will say though! The writing was interesting and if this author wrote a piece inspired by her childhood in Costa Rica I would definitely read it :)
Maybe it’s because I regret not going to a more prestigious university but I am not a fan of campus novels. The art industry storylines didn’t help and the two male POVS felt unnecessary. I can see The Secret History and Bunny fans digging this one but I couldn’t handle either of those either so maybe academic fiction just isn’t my genre.
I will say though! The writing was interesting and if this author wrote a piece inspired by her childhood in Costa Rica I would definitely read it :)
enzopilarta's review against another edition
hopeful
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
3.5
Give me a multi-POV story set in the academe and I will eat it up. Writing could have used a few sucker punches, and the characters could have jumped out the page more richly, but overall, I enjoyed this. Good reminder that life may be a shitshow, but in the end, we'll always make it out okay.
granolagrandma's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- 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
2.0
One out of the four main characters (PRESTON) was annoying to the point where I had to force myself to get through his chapters. Which that was probably the point but I just felt pissed off while reading the book so it wasn’t a pleasant experience.
hasb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0