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absolute_bookery's review
- 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: Alcohol, Child abuse, Murder, Death, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
‘You can't force understanding.’
A bit little life-y
Was caught v off guard
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Murder, and Alcoholism
jessica365'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Self harm
millypainter's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Self harm
bookish_wanderer's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Homophobia
beajeffie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Self harm, Murder, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Homophobia
millieg24's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Death of parent, and Self harm
nicoleisalwaysreading'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
2.25
I loved Mr. Cheyna and Betty’s perspective. Solo as a character fell flat for me- his unwillingness to hear his mother’s story was incredibly frustrating, and it didn’t seem to make sense with the way he had been raised by her. The years of distance between Solo and both is mother and Cheyna were devastating. Solo’s story felt hopelessly sad for a good while, and as the book progressed, I was worried there would not be any sort of healing for him.
The big plot twist felt so cruel :/ I think it needed to happen with the way the story was moving but the way it did….WOW. Incredibly hard to read. The ending was also sad, but with a final move that to me, indicated a shared journey of healing.
Graphic: Self harm, Hate crime, Murder, Blood, Death of parent, Violence, Sexual content, Homophobia, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Deportation
pixiefran'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
4.0
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Gore, Domestic abuse, and Homophobia
lucyatoz'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? It's complicated
4.0
The story of Betty Ramdin, her son Solo and their lodger Mr Chetan, is one big hot mess of a story about different forms of love. The unbounding love that is between a Mother and Son, following the death of Husband and Father, who was an abusive alcoholic, and Solo's flight from Trinidad to live with his Uncle and his family in New York. The platonic love that grows between Betty and Mr Chetan, contrasted with his hot, passionate loving of men. The second father relationship of respect and affection between Solo and Mr Chetan, which helps them both as they try to understand their places in two very different societies.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Blood, and Grief