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ellie_gonzalez's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Sexual assault and Eating disorder
bluelightbeam's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
I knew from the beginning that I wouldn’t love this book, but the overall experience was still enjoyable. The MC being a quirky, not-like-other-girls archetype was predictable and a bit annoying at times, though I could excuse it since there are many people like her in real life. But this paired with the fact that her love interest is the popular golden boy and her “enemies” are cheerleaders made me feel like the story was very unoriginal. While many sad things happen and we see characters feel strong emotions, I never got the impression that they experienced growth or maturation until maybe the last 10 chapters or so. And the ending is so…I’m not even sure how to describe it.
I think if the author wanted to include a pregnancy AND a suicide attempt, she should have made them more spaced out. Otherwise, one would have sufficed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Alcohol
Minor: Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Suicide attempt, and Sexual assault
rose_patricia's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Sexual assault
tspess11's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
well paced until the end when the author tried to fit 3 new plot points into 5 pages🤨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Death, and Car accident
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault
emmabrooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, and Eating disorder
phoebebebbebe's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Death
Moderate: Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual assault
brenna2themax's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
Nowlin very much captured the voice of a girl in high school, more so than any other YA book I've read yet. At times I wasn't super crazy about it, getting caught up in the thoughts, concerns, and daily life of a 14-17 year old girl (been there, done that). Still, as much as I cringed at the familiarity of high school concerns and relationships, I was still drawn into the story. The book begins at the end of the story, with the death of a major character (hence the title of the book), but at the end I found myself still hoping that somehow he would survive.
I wish the sex from the female perspective was a little more positive. A lot of talk about girl's losing their virginity being painful and just getting ghrough it as though it's not possible for people with vaginas to enjoy their first time having sex. It does not, in fact, have to be painful; but when we perpetuate this myth that it must be it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy for many young people with vaginas (particularly with cis-male partners).
I wish the sex from the female perspective was a little more positive. A lot of talk about girl's losing their virginity being painful and just getting ghrough it as though it's not possible for people with vaginas to enjoy their first time having sex. It does not, in fact, have to be painful; but when we perpetuate this myth that it must be it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy for many young people with vaginas (particularly with cis-male partners).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual assault
aaadyyaa's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i need a minute.
ok.
“I think,” I say, “I think we’re supposed to experience as much beauty as we can.”
“Isn’t that the same as happiness too?” Jaime says. I shake my head. The grass pulls at my hair.
“No, because sometimes sad things are beautiful,” I say. “Like when someone dies.”
well, this was painful. and so so sad. but beautiful -- in the way sad things can sometimes be.
I went into this book expecting a mystery of sorts. but what I got was a beautiful, tragic, *star-crossed* romance. and I'm definitely not mad at it.
I don't have much to say to be honest, whatever I say might just be an understatement. I loved everything about it. it was all so well thought out. the writing was absolutely exquisite. the characters were so fleshed out. they had their flaws, and they had their strengths. and I loved them so.
and of course the plot was perfect.
I am heart broken. and I am sad. yet I am amazed.
ok.
“I think,” I say, “I think we’re supposed to experience as much beauty as we can.”
“Isn’t that the same as happiness too?” Jaime says. I shake my head. The grass pulls at my hair.
“No, because sometimes sad things are beautiful,” I say. “Like when someone dies.”
well, this was painful. and so so sad. but beautiful -- in the way sad things can sometimes be.
I went into this book expecting a mystery of sorts. but what I got was a beautiful, tragic, *star-crossed* romance. and I'm definitely not mad at it.
I don't have much to say to be honest, whatever I say might just be an understatement. I loved everything about it. it was all so well thought out. the writing was absolutely exquisite. the characters were so fleshed out. they had their flaws, and they had their strengths. and I loved them so.
and of course the plot was perfect.
I am heart broken. and I am sad. yet I am amazed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcohol, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Mental illness, and Sexual assault
diaries_of_a_realist's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Find me jumping up in down as silently as possible at 1:00 am in my slippers and pjs while washing the dishes in outrage while I listened. Or curled in a tight ball sobbing and dry heaving from the physical and emotional pain this book caused me. Tears running down my face as I write this. Needless to say it was good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual assault
cepbreed's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book has made me question so much about my own life. ’m scared and doubtful and absolutely in love with this book. Nowlin has done exactly what a good book should and has invaded every crevice of my brain. I relate so much to Finny; the drunk calls, seemingly happy “popular” life, confusion and fear. I think I need to be brave, but after all this time what can I do to make us friends again?
Songs:
Songs:
- You Get Me So High - The Neighborhood
- It Was Love - LANY
- All My Friends - WRENN
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Car accident, Death, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Mental illness, Grief, and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault