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mouwuol's review
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Violence, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Cursing, Classism, Child death, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Hate crime, Grief, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Addiction, Blood, Alcohol, Bullying, Sexism, and Death
lancy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Bullying, Adult/minor relationship, Eating disorder, Drug abuse, Stalking, Blood, Body shaming, Animal death, Hate crime, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, Rape, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Car accident, Cursing, Death, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Addiction, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts
elderlyemo's review
- 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 was one of the titles by the author that I knew relatively nothing about, but after reading and loving Birthday Girl around this time last year, I thought I'd give it a go and I wasn't disappointed.
I loved that this was the first Penelope Douglas book that I had read that was two age appropriate people with great chemistry and a history, caught in a web of miscommunication and the flip of the weird kid with the lip ring taunting the cheerleader instead of the other way around was refreshing and made the seventeen year old version of me very excited.
But I think, that was the problem. As a thirty something person now I just found the characters grating at times. The lyrics were awful, as were the stereotypes however inverted and the twist at the end was lukewarm at best. Misha dragged the charade on too long and sometimes I felt like Ryen wasn't quite as lovable as the book maybe wanted me to think she was. There were also a lot of side characters in this story that I didn't really care for, but there were some interesting themes and subplots as a result.
The spice in this book was *10/10* and the characters genuinely had such great chemistry there were some moments where I completely forgot I was reading a book and yeah, if I am being honest - I really wanted them to end up together.
Overall, a pretty decent read. Same rating as Birthday Girl, and I'd probably reread it in the future.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Homophobia, Drug abuse, and Sexual harassment
maria_schnecki's review
2.5
I liked the premise - pen pals that are not sure their friendship would survive the switch from just communicating by letters to meeting in person. There was potential there. I also liked the idea of having a not super likeable mc that has a great personality development. However, that was just not it.
Why all the bullying? Why? I get it, insecurities are tough and lead to ugly behaviour in some people, but... that does not excuse what this story is portraying. Also, our male mc
so yeah, yikes. Do not read if you get upset by bullying, aggressive behaviour, fighting ( both physical and verbal), sexual harassment and yeah like lots of bullying
Graphic: Death, Bullying, Death of parent, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Grief, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Violence
kokopeach's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ Extras ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚
- Would there still be a plot without the spice? Yes
Cliffhanger? No
Graphic: Bullying and Sexual assault
anabug444's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Death, and Sexual assault
karensareadsatnight'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
3.5
Moderate: Death, Grief, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Bullying, and Sexual content
madeleineelr'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
1.0
ALSO THE EPILOGUE IS SO CRINGE!!!
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault and Death
annabananadel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
“Alone, Empty, Fraud, Shame, Fear. Close your eyes. There is nothing to see out here.”
Would just wanna say that the plot twist at the end is a good one. Something I had not expected but mostly because I was focused on the sexual tension between Ryen and Misha.
I think I like this story more than Birthday Girl but it might be also me not fully focused when I was listening to that book. I was more focused with this story and to be honest, I love the friends to enemies to lovers theme of this story. They were best friends first but then later on became enemies once they've actually met one another (granted that one of them does not know who the other person is). It's such a tragic to actually meet someone on the first chapter and just getting your heart broken after she was announced dead after the next few chapters (and no, this ain't a spoiler because it's literally on the first three chapters). I would have loved to meet Annie. But I guess, in order for the story to progress, it had to happen. I would have been devastated as well if I lost someone that close to me.
I can also understand where Ryen is coming from - with how she's the "popular cheerleader" girl but when she really is a different person. I would also be as surprised as Misha when he found out that the girl he's been writing letters with for the past seven years is an entirely different person. I'm really glad Misha was there to straighten Ryen out but the only downside was that he took too long to confess who he really was. It's hard to tell someone the truth the longer you lie.
Overall, a great read if you'd like the teenage sexual drive since they really do be doing it intensely given their age. Penelope really writes amazing sexual scenes, to be honest. I'm here for it.
Graphic: Death, Abandonment, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual assault
Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use
jcapati's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Bullying