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agnesgailx's review
1.0
Ugh. I am almost ashamed giving this book a 1 star rating when almost everyone else is gushing about it.
I just need to get this off my chest first - Grace is the worst protagonist I've ever read about. It's like the author tried so hard to create this person so full of character and spunk, but failed miserably. She is extremely self-absorbed, shallow and immature. I had already decided when I started reading the book that I would not like her at all. But I continued reading, thinking I would warm up to her. A few chapters later, I still hated her. Even until the end.
So what made me continue reading this book? All the raving reviews of course. Especially the supposedly jaw-dropping ending. Which, by the way, I figured out about halfway through the book. But I said to myself, this can't possibly be it. It's too obvious! There must be something else. So imagine my disappointment when I finally got to the ending. That really was it. Too predictable.
Another thing I hated about this book was how repetitive the plot was. Sal and Grace argue, they make up, they go out, Grace keeps pushing Sal about the same things - meeting new guys, going out and having fun, revealing what really happened during Easter, looking good - and then Sal telling her off. Then Grace meets Nat, and she adds two more things to the list - forcing Sal to hang out with them, and talking to Sal about how absolutely amazing her new boyfriend is. Seriously? Grow up, Grace. She was extremely whiney. I've never been this annoyed at a character before. She was very unrealistic.
And then comes more arguing and making up. I wish the author had put a little more effort into the storyline instead of just playing things over and over.
When I decided to read this book, I really thought I'd be one of the many people here raving about it. I'm usually really easy to please when it comes to books (just look at how generous my ratings are), but this was a complete flop.
I just need to get this off my chest first - Grace is the worst protagonist I've ever read about. It's like the author tried so hard to create this person so full of character and spunk, but failed miserably. She is extremely self-absorbed, shallow and immature. I had already decided when I started reading the book that I would not like her at all. But I continued reading, thinking I would warm up to her. A few chapters later, I still hated her. Even until the end.
So what made me continue reading this book? All the raving reviews of course. Especially the supposedly jaw-dropping ending. Which, by the way, I figured out about halfway through the book. But I said to myself, this can't possibly be it. It's too obvious! There must be something else. So imagine my disappointment when I finally got to the ending. That really was it. Too predictable.
Another thing I hated about this book was how repetitive the plot was. Sal and Grace argue, they make up, they go out, Grace keeps pushing Sal about the same things - meeting new guys, going out and having fun, revealing what really happened during Easter, looking good - and then Sal telling her off. Then Grace meets Nat, and she adds two more things to the list - forcing Sal to hang out with them, and talking to Sal about how absolutely amazing her new boyfriend is. Seriously? Grow up, Grace. She was extremely whiney. I've never been this annoyed at a character before. She was very unrealistic.
And then comes more arguing and making up. I wish the author had put a little more effort into the storyline instead of just playing things over and over.
When I decided to read this book, I really thought I'd be one of the many people here raving about it. I'm usually really easy to please when it comes to books (just look at how generous my ratings are), but this was a complete flop.
dunder_mifflin's review
5.0
This is a reread, I've read this book quite a few times now, every year or two I seem to come back to it and read it again. Every time I read it I understand it more.
BUT GRACE HAS BPD! Now I'm diagnosed, I recognised it right away, but after having gone for years with these symptoms and no diagnosis it explains why I related to Grace so much but couldn't really understand why other than 'she self harms too'.
I first read it when I was 13, maybe? And I'd started self harming by this point, which is why I picked the book up in the first place. The second time I read it would have been a few years later, and by the third time I'd had sex and definitely understood how she feels about Nat - obsessed, in love, or both? I understood that obsession and need to be loved.
Reading it now, she strikes me as having Borderline Personality Disorder. I'm gonna put the symptoms and how she fits each one/if she does (tho it contains spoilers). Bear in mind only 5 symptoms are needed to diagnose someone:
2. Unstable relationships. - Grace & Nat's relationship was up and down a lot, very messed up, and she fell in love with him after a few days? A week? I can't remember, but it was very BPD with the sudden obsession/love thing. Grace & Sal's friendship is very messy; they fight a lot and have many ups and downs. Grace & her mum have a very unstable relationship. I could not name one stable relationship in her life.
3. Unclear or unstable self-image. - She goes from thinking she's the shit (which she is imho I love her to bits) to hating herself and thinking she doesn't deserve Nat because she's so shitty etc etc. Talks about how smart she is acing all her exams then hates herself a few pages later. I could go on.
4. Impulsive, self-destructive behaviors. - She sleeps around a lot, and from the description of her first time it doesn't sound as though a condom was used. She drinks a lot, usually when upset or if something is worrying her.
5. Self-harm. - Grace cuts, we see this happen a lot, especially after an argument.
6. Extreme emotional swings. - Grace seems to get into a lot of arguments that come from nothing, often because of her reading into things too much, or feeling like she deserves to know something and not being given that knowledge. One moment she can be happy with Nat or Sal and the next they've had a fight and left and she's hurting herself. One day she's doing alright, fixing things with Nat and feeling positive about their future. 2 days later she tries to kill herself.
7. Chronic feelings of emptiness. - Not sure exactly with this one. Might be there, might not: it's not something I paid much attention to anyhow.
8. Explosive anger. - She slapped Sal after she said something hurtful (although tbh if someone had said what Sal said to me I'd have done the same, bUT then again I have BPD soooo..... this just backs up my point even more??) She gets angry a lot, at herself too, hence the self harming.
9. Feeling suspicious or out of touch with reality. - She does get suspicious a lot (although tbh with everything that was happening behind her back can she be blamed?) and she often catches herself doing it and is like "why am I thinking this??". Also when in a coma she constructs a different reality for herself where she's been kidnapped - not sure if that's a common thing with coma patients/just a way to tell the story but I figured I'd put it here anyway.
SO BASICALLY TL;DR/YOU DIDN'T WANT SPOILERS I love this book so much because I relate to Grace since we have the same personality disorder don't fight me on this Grace has BPD 100% confirmed.
BUT GRACE HAS BPD! Now I'm diagnosed, I recognised it right away, but after having gone for years with these symptoms and no diagnosis it explains why I related to Grace so much but couldn't really understand why other than 'she self harms too'.
I first read it when I was 13, maybe? And I'd started self harming by this point, which is why I picked the book up in the first place. The second time I read it would have been a few years later, and by the third time I'd had sex and definitely understood how she feels about Nat - obsessed, in love, or both? I understood that obsession and need to be loved.
Reading it now, she strikes me as having Borderline Personality Disorder. I'm gonna put the symptoms and how she fits each one/if she does (tho it contains spoilers). Bear in mind only 5 symptoms are needed to diagnose someone:
Spoiler
1. Fear of abandonment. - Grace ends up begging Nat not to leave her, telling him she doesn't know what she'd do without him, literally sitting by her phone waiting for him to text after they've had a fight, worried that he won't, or worried that he won't show up when they've arranged to meet. She constantly frets about losing him and it's just. Yeah.2. Unstable relationships. - Grace & Nat's relationship was up and down a lot, very messed up, and she fell in love with him after a few days? A week? I can't remember, but it was very BPD with the sudden obsession/love thing. Grace & Sal's friendship is very messy; they fight a lot and have many ups and downs. Grace & her mum have a very unstable relationship. I could not name one stable relationship in her life.
3. Unclear or unstable self-image. - She goes from thinking she's the shit (which she is imho I love her to bits) to hating herself and thinking she doesn't deserve Nat because she's so shitty etc etc. Talks about how smart she is acing all her exams then hates herself a few pages later. I could go on.
4. Impulsive, self-destructive behaviors. - She sleeps around a lot, and from the description of her first time it doesn't sound as though a condom was used. She drinks a lot, usually when upset or if something is worrying her.
5. Self-harm. - Grace cuts, we see this happen a lot, especially after an argument.
6. Extreme emotional swings. - Grace seems to get into a lot of arguments that come from nothing, often because of her reading into things too much, or feeling like she deserves to know something and not being given that knowledge. One moment she can be happy with Nat or Sal and the next they've had a fight and left and she's hurting herself. One day she's doing alright, fixing things with Nat and feeling positive about their future. 2 days later she tries to kill herself.
7. Chronic feelings of emptiness. - Not sure exactly with this one. Might be there, might not: it's not something I paid much attention to anyhow.
8. Explosive anger. - She slapped Sal after she said something hurtful (although tbh if someone had said what Sal said to me I'd have done the same, bUT then again I have BPD soooo..... this just backs up my point even more??) She gets angry a lot, at herself too, hence the self harming.
9. Feeling suspicious or out of touch with reality. - She does get suspicious a lot (although tbh with everything that was happening behind her back can she be blamed?) and she often catches herself doing it and is like "why am I thinking this??". Also when in a coma she constructs a different reality for herself where she's been kidnapped - not sure if that's a common thing with coma patients/just a way to tell the story but I figured I'd put it here anyway.
SO BASICALLY TL;DR/YOU DIDN'T WANT SPOILERS I love this book so much because I relate to Grace since we have the same personality disorder don't fight me on this Grace has BPD 100% confirmed.
usnebojemesa's review
5.0
Ah. You know I hate these kind of endings. Just tears and sobbing and a huge need to destroy.
Stupid Nate. I had a fucking bad feeling since the first read about him. Him on station next to Sal's house, kicking Simon's butt, almost fucking Sal.
And Grace got shattered. I cried even more. Hate that.
Stupid Nate. I had a fucking bad feeling since the first read about him. Him on station next to Sal's house, kicking Simon's butt, almost fucking Sal.
And Grace got shattered. I cried even more. Hate that.
curiousnico's review
3.0
I just have to say that i hate to be the one to review this book and not have loved it. really though, i didn't. it was fair enough; but it wasn't good, wasn't great or amazing. it just faired well enough for me. Usually if i get into a book, i can finish it in four to five hours, but this one took me a week. I couldn't get into it. it didn't pull me in, in fact it just bored me at times. so much so that i'd have to read a little bit and then put it aside. i didn't find grace relatable; in a least bit. i actually found her rather annoying. I like the main character in a book to be relatable but mostly to come off as if it were a real person telling their story; but i didn't get that. i didn't feel like she was a real person at all.
the concept, was interesting in a way. at least what i took from it. it was like she was working through everything while in a coma; and thats what the room represented. Ethan was a side of her that was trying to help her work through the issues while she herself was the bit of her that just didn't want to deal. interesting enough. the concept itself is probably what saved my review from being less stars, where the rest of it made it flop.
the concept, was interesting in a way. at least what i took from it. it was like she was working through everything while in a coma; and thats what the room represented. Ethan was a side of her that was trying to help her work through the issues while she herself was the bit of her that just didn't want to deal. interesting enough. the concept itself is probably what saved my review from being less stars, where the rest of it made it flop.
codymorris's review
3.0
ok, so this book put me through so many emotions. first off there is a lot if sex, alcohol, self harm, teenage pregnancy / abortion and of course Suicide.
so the narator grace is a confused teenager who doesn't know how to control her feelings, sound familar ? probably. however it does have a intresting sort line. so grace attempts suicide but ends up getting abducted, in a wierd way and held hostage by a weird dream like guy called ethan. grace then starts to write yer tangelled life out on paper, the book is extremly well written and thought out and I love the ending and how it all ties up together , it is a lovely and heart warming yet devastating read. your emotions will be like a rollercoster but trust me it is worth it.
however I did not like certain parts of grace's personality and she was a bit winey. read this book, it may not be the best book in the world but it is worth it.
so the narator grace is a confused teenager who doesn't know how to control her feelings, sound familar ? probably. however it does have a intresting sort line. so grace attempts suicide but ends up getting abducted, in a wierd way and held hostage by a weird dream like guy called ethan. grace then starts to write yer tangelled life out on paper, the book is extremly well written and thought out and I love the ending and how it all ties up together , it is a lovely and heart warming yet devastating read. your emotions will be like a rollercoster but trust me it is worth it.
however I did not like certain parts of grace's personality and she was a bit winey. read this book, it may not be the best book in the world but it is worth it.
dscflor's review
3.0
I gave this book a three star rating because, although I did get slightly hooked, the main character (narrator) is not very likable and the story slightly predictable. To me, Grace was a self-centered girl, extremely selfish, superficial and annoying. Just because things do not go her way, she gets pissed and dramatic. I am not going to start writing spoilers, but man! lets just say Grace needs a bitch-slap. I understand why she feels like Sal is being unfair when she is being mysterious, specially since Grace tells her her "dark secrets", but seriously, just because her friend asks to let it be, she makes a whole effing drama. And that is just one part of it.
I have to admit, Grace did go through hard ships, and I do not hold that against her (specially because later I wanted to bitch slap Sal too haha).
It was an interesting read.
I have to admit, Grace did go through hard ships, and I do not hold that against her (specially because later I wanted to bitch slap Sal too haha).
It was an interesting read.
sienna727's review
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25