Scan barcode
pamshenanigans's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“You burst into my solitude, demanding to be seen. You were overwhelming. Just wild and weird and brilliant, and I never had a choice.”
An evocative romance book about two kindred spirits who bonded over their flaws but lost touch with each other for 15 years. Throughout this 15 years they’ve written about and to each other, both too scared to face the reality: the pull they have towards each other is palpable and inescapable.
I had high expectations for this book and was absolutely FLOORED by how amazing this was. The writing, the subtle but impactful plot, and the flawed yet darkly hilarious and genuine characters were meshed together to create a perfect balance in this literary romance novel.
It was so addicting and compelling to read with gritty lines that you’d think about for days on end. The writing was almost lyrical at times that didn’t require to be lyrical but it was still beautiful and made sense to the way the characters behaved. (in short: it wasn’t too cringey sweet just for the sake of keeping up the romance plot)
At the heart of the novel as well were mothers of different generations and showed how you can be doing your definition of best as a parent which doesn’t necessarily mean that that was what’s best for your child. ”Women are expected to absorb traumas both subtle and loud and move on. Shoulder the weight of the world. But when the world fucks with us, the worst thing we can do is bury it. Embracing it makes us strong enough to fuck the world right back.”
Eva and Audre’s relationship as mother-daughter was so refreshing to read. “Mother and daughter mirrored each other in the most striking of ways.”
I like how it may seem to work out in the end but it was vaguely concluded in a way that as a reader, it implies the start of something new; that their future bears challenges still along the way, but this time, they’ve fully embraced their flawed selves and just face things head on together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Chronic illness, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Death
katreena's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Self harm, Classism, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Racism, Chronic illness, Addiction, and Alcohol
shannon222's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
alexafuson's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Self harm
kateyroa's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I can’t believe she made the error about JFK and LaGuardia. But beyond that I really liked this story. The success of the two main characters seemed a little “Hollywood” but I loved their second chance and appreciated their journey. The daughter was a trip.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Self harm, Alcohol, and Drug abuse
rileejsmith's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
4.5
This book was so refreshing to read after a long book slump. The characters were so vivid and real. I absolutely loved the banter and back and forth they had throughout the book - especially when with Eva’s daughter roped in. Their story of their childhood together was heartbreaking in so many ways, but so real. The author really made you feel for these characters and what they had gone through to get to who they were now. I was devastated at the moment with Shane’s student near the end 😭. It made you so invested in them at the end and wanting their growth to find a way to be together.
Overall, this was a heartfelt and beautiful read. Lots of moments of fun and wittiness with the perfect wrapped up ending.
Also bonus points to the author for actually writing a realistic and not annoying miscommunication troupe. Bravo - it should be studied by authors everywhere.
Overall, this was a heartfelt and beautiful read. Lots of moments of fun and wittiness with the perfect wrapped up ending.
Also bonus points to the author for actually writing a realistic and not annoying miscommunication troupe. Bravo - it should be studied by authors everywhere.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, and Self harm
zoe_archambault's review against another edition
way too graphic re self harm. not enough of a fan of the plot / characters to push through
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Drug abuse, and Alcoholism
Minor: Death of parent and Blood
lilhappyhermit's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
This book elicited so many emotions from me while I read it, I was a crying mess by the end of it. Following Eva and Shane as they navigate the present, with their past still haunting them, was such a beautifully raw experience. Seeing where they were at in their lives when they first met, and how that attributed to how intense their seven days together were, and then fast-forwarding to the now and seeing the growth they have made despite their pasts was such an eye-opening experience. Because while there has been so much growth between the both of them, as individuals, they are still held back (to an extent) by their past and their experience with one another. Seeing them break down their walls, after so much time has passed, and allowing one another in was beautiful. I absolutely loved this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Self harm
Moderate: Drug use and Addiction
chrleee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual content, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, and Self harm
romie_chat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
The way I tripped and fell and became obsessed with this book in approximately 0.2 seconds. I'm in awe of Tia Williams' writing and the way she crafted this story. I cared so deeply about Eva and Shane I felt unwell. This was simply brilliant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Grief