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matildasaarinen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide
lalinamarie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
There are five star books and then there are books that change you brain chemistry. No pun intended, this book joins that very rare list of mine.
The beautiful and clever writing of Bonnie Garmus had me hooked to this heartbreaking but inspiring story. I love the characters and how much this story made me feel.
And my very favorite thing about this book: six-thirty and his POV.
This book deserves all the hype it gets and more.
The beautiful and clever writing of Bonnie Garmus had me hooked to this heartbreaking but inspiring story. I love the characters and how much this story made me feel.
And my very favorite thing about this book: six-thirty and his POV.
This book deserves all the hype it gets and more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Death, Death of parent, and Suicide
gothamballer39's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It took me a while to get into this book; not because it was uninteresting or poorly written, but because I was so incredibly angry at the almost ceaseless misogyny that the main character just kept facing.
I'm so glad I stuck it out, though, because it paid off heavily in the end.
I cried so much for Elizabeth as well as every woman who has been told she "isn't smart enough" or the other myriad ways to say "less than".
The shifting perspectives (especially Six-Thirty's) made for a well-fleshed out and nuanced build up of the story and I really appreciated the blunt characterizations and descriptions.
I can see why this book has been hyped up so much.
It was well worth the read.
I'm so glad I stuck it out, though, because it paid off heavily in the end.
I cried so much for Elizabeth as well as every woman who has been told she "isn't smart enough" or the other myriad ways to say "less than".
The shifting perspectives (especially Six-Thirty's) made for a well-fleshed out and nuanced build up of the story and I really appreciated the blunt characterizations and descriptions.
I can see why this book has been hyped up so much.
It was well worth the read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicide and Sexual violence
emily_demps's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Sexual assault
patch22's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Suicide, Sexual violence, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Child abuse and Child death
vatodd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
I enjoyed it. I think the plot was a bit over complicated. It felt like the story was often more about Calvin than Elizabeth and I think that was a disservice. The Calvin parents mystery/reveal felt unnecessary and shoehorned because maybe the editors didn't think people would be interested in Elizabeth alone and I think that was wrong. I think focusing too much on Calvin and his struggles overshadowed Elizabeth and the theme of women being undervalued
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Pedophilia
annierosebel's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book!
The pacing was great and it really succeeded in the balance of day-to-day life and plot-driving moments.
Elizabeth is such a great character - she seems neurodivergent-coded to me and I love her. Six thirty, BEST boy.
I also love the idea of women supporting women and how complex that can be - there isn't always a simple answer.
I am quite happy to suspend belief for a story as long as it isn't ridiculous, so things that other people say are 'soap opera esque' don't bother me too much. I also kept forgetting it wasn't set in modern day in a super conservative area, which, yikes.
I don't disagree that Elizabeth has a load of privilege being white, straight, and 'pretty', but I think this book already covered a lot and the subtle mentions of this were pretty than risking awkward, heavy-handed, bad content.
The pacing was great and it really succeeded in the balance of day-to-day life and plot-driving moments.
Elizabeth is such a great character - she seems neurodivergent-coded to me and I love her. Six thirty, BEST boy.
I also love the idea of women supporting women and how complex that can be - there isn't always a simple answer.
I am quite happy to suspend belief for a story as long as it isn't ridiculous, so things that other people say are 'soap opera esque' don't bother me too much. I also kept forgetting it wasn't set in modern day in a super conservative area, which, yikes.
I don't disagree that Elizabeth has a load of privilege being white, straight, and 'pretty', but I think this book already covered a lot and the subtle mentions of this were pretty than risking awkward, heavy-handed, bad content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Homophobia, Domestic abuse, and Suicide
2shadowsdeep's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexism
Moderate: Suicide and Sexual harassment
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Vomit, and Gaslighting
alamaranaa's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I picked this book up at the library and could not put it down. I read it in four hours. I cried, I laugh, I got angry, and swelled with happiness reading this story. It's so incredibly good and perhaps my new favorite book even. Wow!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicide and Domestic abuse
tinygoldfox's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An amazing read. Fast paced, hilarious and so incredibly relatable even in today's society!
Please read this book!
Please read this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Domestic abuse