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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Misogyny, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Toxic friendship
this story is about Emma, a recovering alcoholic, hitting her one year sobriety mark and the challenges that life presents and how she handles them while maintaining her sobriety. I actually enjoyed this more than I imagined I would, I really liked Emma and her complicated relationship with her Dad, her navigating a new relationship while sober, and her struggles with realizing that just because you’re sober doesn’t mean your life becomes perfect but instead it’s just constant work to try to be the person you want to be. I related to some of the things she said and even laughed out loud to some moments in book. I’m also just so glad I was able to read a book after a mass reading slump
This book had many elements that I enjoyed and some I did not. By about 15% in, I felt that Emma was sort of pretentious and preachy - especially as she compared her different personalities of Work Emma, Sober Emma, and Drunk Emma. I do feel that she got more relatable and down to earth as the story progressed. I thought it was interesting to read about her experiences in her AA group (which 100% feels like a cult) and how she genuinely believed in all the rules and prayers. I think if I were in her position, I'd be much more skeptical.
I really enjoyed the descriptive writing of this story including the imagery of the city - it helped make the setting in NYC feel real but also beautiful, especially when many stories in NYC have a way of romanticizing the city. This story and the writing also had good anxiety and grief representation and the author was able to make me feel like I was in Emma's shoes with her writing.
I really enjoyed the descriptive writing of this story including the imagery of the city - it helped make the setting in NYC feel real but also beautiful, especially when many stories in NYC have a way of romanticizing the city. This story and the writing also had good anxiety and grief representation and the author was able to make me feel like I was in Emma's shoes with her writing.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As a sober person, DBN seemed like it would be right up my alley and it was. I adored the story, the writing style, and the cast of characters. This book made me laugh, cry, reflect, and even cringe at moments that felt all too familiar (and I am grateful to have behind me.) I would recommend DBN to anyone who is similarly sober and navigating that lifestyle a day at a time or anyone who is looking for a book that’s reflective, warm, and comforting to read.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer, Drug abuse, Sexual content, Vomit, Toxic friendship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced