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jessiehg'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
- the time cuts exploring a similar theme across generations are so close to being too obvious and trite, but there’s enough complexity and difference that they work well
- the characters verge on 1 dimensional, but they’re also not overwritten which I’m grateful for
- Elle’s motivations and the deep rippling effects of her childhood on her choices are very well done, as is the reasoning (absolution) behind the affair finally occurring
- the end will bother some, but I think it was the only option
- I saw most things coming, but you could take that as well constricted and neat rather than obvious
There’s something here about starting in a simplistic idea of lifelong longing finally acted upon, and then simultaneously strengthening the reader’s belief in that “cosmic connection” and (through an unreliable narrator) revealing flags of the flawed, bad (but not in the way they think they are!) people who would in reality not ride off into the sunset but likely hurt each other like all partners do. Jonas is a dick to his wife, Elle is obviously coping with her mistakes and explores those things (eg lying, distance to husband).
Once I hit about halfway I found it difficult to put down. I was deeply affected. But I didn’t LOVE it.
This may be better on screen than on paper - what verges on flat in the book could be fleshed out with great acting.
It helped me to keep reminding myself that this is my parent’s generation, and in a lot of ways her reactions are very well written for that.
Starting this book in the affair and love triangle is indicative of the target audience. The average airport/rom com reader wants empty longing and sex as a hook to then become invested in the real story. Personally, the real story is what it took for me to give any amount of shits about the affair. An understandable and commercially wise choice, but not to my liking.
Graphic: Miscarriage, Vomit, Incest, Child abuse, Death, Sexual content, Cancer, Child death, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
Minor: Terminal illness and Animal cruelty
kristinj1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Pedophilia, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, and Rape
Minor: Miscarriage, Blood, Death of parent, Drug use, Abandonment, Child abuse, Death, Animal cruelty, and Cancer
knockingonheavansbookstore's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Animal cruelty, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death and Animal death
bryn_cavin's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child death, Animal death, Incest, and Terminal illness
brett311'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Rape, and Infidelity
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Death and Cancer
shannon_rae's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Pedophilia, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, and Rape
serenereadssally'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
Graphic: Pedophilia, Terminal illness, Child abuse, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Child death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault
joey1914's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Grief, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Rape, Pregnancy, Pedophilia, Infertility, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Cursing, Death, and Adult/minor relationship
lall80's review against another edition
Graphic: Pedophilia and Animal cruelty
thefancybookworm's review against another edition
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, and Sexual assault