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babsi_222's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I couldn’t connect with the characters at all. Caddy was annoying and so stupid I would be SO different if i was in her situation, and I‘m younger than her… Her parents- god! Her feeling left out in the beginning was relatable tho :( she kinda does it to herself sometimes tbh
I never like Suzanne, i know what foul and bad things will happen from the very beginning! She was also so selfish but in the end she realized that and I’m happy the way it ended. (Her not going back bc Caddy tried to persuade her- which was a shit thing to do)
Rosie was sometimes relatable sometimes not. Sometimes a bad friend who was mean idk.
The book deals with alot of heavy trauma stuff.
Graphic: Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Bullying, Mental illness, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Violence, Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship
sadiegenene25'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
3.5
The problems (there aren't many)
Although Caddy was a nice character, I never connected with her. I didn't understand her the way I could with Suzanne. Yes, she was meant to be uninteresting, but she crossed the line into blank piece of paper. Also, I hated Rosie. I never liked her. She was mean to both of her friends but never took any responsibility or apologized. She expected them to bend and apologize to her, and she just seemed like a brat. And, of course, Sarah, who complained incessantly to Caddy's mom about Suzanne. Calling her difficult and acting like taking an abused child out of her toxic family was such a terrible burden to bear, oh woe is me, my niece used to get beaten by her father but never mind that because I have to deal with her. What an absolute jerk Sarah was.
The good things
Suzanne. Lovely, broken Suzanne. She was amazing. She was wild and reckless and broken and trouble, and although I can't relate to her situation in any way, something about her drew me in. She was hurting, and I think that's something everyone can relate to.
The way the author gets to the heart of the story, without worrying about people being offended by the sensitive topic, was phenomenal.
This book didn't. Push. A. Romance. I was worried that she would use a boyfriend to "fix" Suzanne's situation, like other books do, like romance solves all your problems and deep-seated traumas.
The characters felt so achingly real. I certainly didn't like all of them, but they felt so authentic.
The WRITING. Sara Barnard needs more recognition for her writing style, because it makes me want to fall down and grovel at her feet.
3/5 stars for a character I just couldn't connect with, and for Rosie being the best friend that's an absolute jerk to her "friends" and never getting called out on it.
Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Child abuse
ccassidy98'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Mental illness
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
lucys_library's review
5.0
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship