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caitlinwoodington's review
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I would have DNFed this had it not been a book club pick for a book club I have not attended before (had I attended before I would have DNFed). First of all I do not enjoy books that are described as one thing, but are actually about something else. This is described as a love story. However, the majority of the book is the back stories of the main characters plus their parents. And the portion where the main characters are together just sounds like some people who have been randomly hookup up now forced together by COVID. The book reads like vignettes and honestly feels really disjoined.
My biggest issue with the book is how sexually explicit it is. I read a lot of open door romances with no issues, but this felt uncomfortable, bordering on forcing voyeurism. It was gratuitous and unnecessary.
I also felt the way disabilities are portrayed and rape were handled poorly.
I thought I was getting a love story about two people from different religious backgrounds. But this is not it.
My biggest issue with the book is how sexually explicit it is. I read a lot of open door romances with no issues, but this felt uncomfortable, bordering on forcing voyeurism. It was gratuitous and unnecessary.
I also felt the way disabilities are portrayed and rape were handled poorly.
I thought I was getting a love story about two people from different religious backgrounds. But this is not it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Ableism, Cursing, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Infidelity and Racism
allfawkesgiven's review
reflective
slow-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
4.0
I loved Fly and I loved Stela, and I loved all the different voices we hear to know them. This is essentially a novel of linked short stories, so each chapter has a little bit of a different feel. But the images and heart are connective tissue that hold it together and made it such a beautiful, song-like experience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
krys_kilz's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I picked up this book because the premise really piqued my interest. Unfortunately, I don't feel the story itself really delivered. I couldn't connect with the characters and oftentimes felt myself disinterested in the narrative. I even considered not finishing the book.
I think Yanique is a beautiful writer, but her flat characters really sunk this story for me.
I think Yanique is a beautiful writer, but her flat characters really sunk this story for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Sexual assault
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
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