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christineponkey's review against another edition
4.0
(3.5)
Okay, I'm just going to say that I enjoyed reading this book. And it was easy to finish.
I just... felt... like...
THAT WAS NOT AN ENDING. I NEED TO KNOW MORE.
Also, I love the stereotyping (no, not really) but the characters really lacked depth. Sure, it was meant to be a good representation of what people in the real world actually think but not all guys think about sex and not all cheerleaders think about how good their boobs look and ugh
I don't have enough energy to rant so I will give into any argument. Sorry for my lame as opinion bye
Okay, I'm just going to say that I enjoyed reading this book. And it was easy to finish.
I just... felt... like...
THAT WAS NOT AN ENDING. I NEED TO KNOW MORE.
Also, I love the stereotyping (no, not really) but the characters really lacked depth. Sure, it was meant to be a good representation of what people in the real world actually think but not all guys think about sex and not all cheerleaders think about how good their boobs look and ugh
I don't have enough energy to rant so I will give into any argument. Sorry for my lame as opinion bye
dilchh's review against another edition
3.0
I knew from the very beginning that this was going to be a very quick and easy read for me, what with the small number of page and the light theme. Now, don't get me wrong. I didn't say the theme of the book was light (for some people this might have hit a homerun for them), what I'm saying is that I normally gobbled up a YA book pretty quickly, because the language is light and sometimes you don't have to take a breather because it felt exhausting reading it.
Now onto the book, I had a sense of disgust when I picked this book, because it felt like a typical American teenagers' life; parties, popular slash mean girls, football jock, slut shaming, etc. You also are presented with these very obnoxious, conceited, shallow, vain, sex-crazed characters and I almost gave up entirely. But then, halfway through the book, this gets interesting. Why, you asked? Because the characters evolve. It just doesn't stay the same way as when you were first introduced to them; I'm not saying that they turned into a saint or an evil or anything, but you can see that just like in normal human being, time changes you for better or for worse. And I have to give it to the author for managing to bring that much changes in a book that is less than 500 pages. The ending was also nice, although it felt a little bit rushed.
Now onto the book, I had a sense of disgust when I picked this book, because it felt like a typical American teenagers' life; parties, popular slash mean girls, football jock, slut shaming, etc. You also are presented with these very obnoxious, conceited, shallow, vain, sex-crazed characters and I almost gave up entirely. But then, halfway through the book, this gets interesting. Why, you asked? Because the characters evolve. It just doesn't stay the same way as when you were first introduced to them; I'm not saying that they turned into a saint or an evil or anything, but you can see that just like in normal human being, time changes you for better or for worse. And I have to give it to the author for managing to bring that much changes in a book that is less than 500 pages. The ending was also nice, although it felt a little bit rushed.
chelseatm's review against another edition
3.0
This book had such a promising start to start a dialogue about real life in high school and the effects of gossip. However, this potential was never realized. The conclusion was short, ill-conceived, and seemed like an avoiding ending to everything the plot had built up. What was the point? Really?
Truthfully, I think it's still worth it for students to read but I think a more honest discussion is required rather than a romantic story line sprung from no where.
Truthfully, I think it's still worth it for students to read but I think a more honest discussion is required rather than a romantic story line sprung from no where.
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Refreshing to read a YA book that fits a multiple-narrated story into so few pages comfortably. In my e-version it was only 130 pages but could have been bulked out to double the length.
I liked the brief feel to the story. It's reminiscent of Thirteen Reasons Why, which I also loved. A rumour spreads that Alice slept with two boys at the same party, and then caused the death of them (the small town's star quarterback) a few weeks later. The story picks up at this point, told by Kelsie, Alice's (former) best friend, hiding secrets about her own last; Kurt, the school loner/genius in love with Alice; popular girl Elaine, on-off girlfriend of the dead Brandon; and Josh, Brandon's best friend, who was with him when he died.
Each has secrets, each shares their perspective of Alice's story and gradually lets us see the truth about what happened and how honesty and blame can make or break a person.
I really enjoyed the slow unravelling of the plot, seeing it all fit together. I thought it was very well put-together. It's not a new story, there's nothing new here but it's a good teenage tale that holds the interest.
Review of a Netgalley advance copy.
I liked the brief feel to the story. It's reminiscent of Thirteen Reasons Why, which I also loved. A rumour spreads that Alice slept with two boys at the same party, and then caused the death of them (the small town's star quarterback) a few weeks later. The story picks up at this point, told by Kelsie, Alice's (former) best friend, hiding secrets about her own last; Kurt, the school loner/genius in love with Alice; popular girl Elaine, on-off girlfriend of the dead Brandon; and Josh, Brandon's best friend, who was with him when he died.
Each has secrets, each shares their perspective of Alice's story and gradually lets us see the truth about what happened and how honesty and blame can make or break a person.
I really enjoyed the slow unravelling of the plot, seeing it all fit together. I thought it was very well put-together. It's not a new story, there's nothing new here but it's a good teenage tale that holds the interest.
Review of a Netgalley advance copy.
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was a short, quick read told from multiple points of view. It can be a little painful to read at times. The bullying of Alice is a bit extreme. But it felt true to life, and even though most of the characters will stereotypical, it didn't feel forced or anything.
Most of the characters were not likable at all, but there were a couple that you were able to root for at least. I liked that the plot was told from the POV of a few different characters because it kept things fresh and kept the story moving. I think this would be a good read for teens.
Most of the characters were not likable at all, but there were a couple that you were able to root for at least. I liked that the plot was told from the POV of a few different characters because it kept things fresh and kept the story moving. I think this would be a good read for teens.
lastpaige111's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent example of a novel where stuff is withheld and that makes it all the better ... You want to know the truth, but it really doesn't matter. A couple of the chapters are lyrical--had to laugh because one of the most moving involves a "cheese sandwich," which writers consider the boring stuff you cut out in revision. Totally not boring. Love this cheese sandwich.
marieintheraw's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure if it's that this is rumor mill story that is easy to relate to or the multiple perspectives but it was done beautifully.
kpesch's review against another edition
5.0
I read this one for Banned Book Week. I can see why parents might think they should ban this book, they're wrong of course, banning books is not the answer. Instead, read this with your child and talk about it. The author does a great job will how high school kids can interact with one another, and how rumors can spread and easily get out of control.
There's also a part where a grieving parent spreads a rumor that starts to ruin a girl's life all because of the guilt she's trying to alleviate. I'll say that was the most frustrating part of the story for me, because it wasn't believable. This part it's about how Alice killed Brandon because she was sexting him, the book came out in 2014 so the cops definitely would have been able to check Brandon's phone after the accident and see if it had anything to do with the accident, but nothing was done and rumors continued.
You can get more of the thoughts here on our Pod.
There's also a part where a grieving parent spreads a rumor that starts to ruin a girl's life all because of the guilt she's trying to alleviate. I'll say that was the most frustrating part of the story for me, because it wasn't believable. This part it's about how Alice killed Brandon because she was sexting him, the book came out in 2014 so the cops definitely would have been able to check Brandon's phone after the accident and see if it had anything to do with the accident, but nothing was done and rumors continued.
You can get more of the thoughts here on our Pod.
itstayla27's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident, Eating disorder, Abortion, Bullying, and Death
_bookdrag0n's review against another edition
4.0
IS THAT REALLY HOW IT JUST ENDS??
I need to know what happens now :/
This is the first book I've read that had more than two POVs, and honestly I really liked it. I liked that each character was so different.
I liked how real the book was.
I just don't like how abruptly the book ends.
I need to know what happens now :/
This is the first book I've read that had more than two POVs, and honestly I really liked it. I liked that each character was so different.
I liked how real the book was.
I just don't like how abruptly the book ends.