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megelizabeth's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
"...the person she looked up to as God for so many years is just a man. He is just her father."
This is a brilliant book in many ways. It deftly and movingly explores mental health and burnout, parental and societal expectations, friendship and love, and the experience of being in your twenties not knowing what you should do with your life. I really liked Grace's character and a lot of the side characters are fabulous too. There's more romance than I was expecting, but that wasn't a bad thing as I loved seeing Grace and Yuki connect and come together. It's also very unapologetically queer and we always love to see that!
The main thing I didn't like - or which I at least which had been properly explored - was the ethically questionable relationship between two characters. The writing style is also a bit pretentious and is overly saccharine at times, and it's very millennial (but it is literally mentioned on the blurb that the author writes for millennials and so I suppose I can't really complain about that!). As I've said, I did really appreciate this book overall and did find it to have a lot of great things to say, and despite the writing style grating on me at times, I'm still interested to see if Morgan Rogers comes out with anything else in the future.
This is a brilliant book in many ways. It deftly and movingly explores mental health and burnout, parental and societal expectations, friendship and love, and the experience of being in your twenties not knowing what you should do with your life. I really liked Grace's character and a lot of the side characters are fabulous too. There's more romance than I was expecting, but that wasn't a bad thing as I loved seeing Grace and Yuki connect and come together. It's also very unapologetically queer and we always love to see that!
The main thing I didn't like - or which I at least which had been properly explored - was the ethically questionable relationship between two characters. The writing style is also a bit pretentious and is overly saccharine at times, and it's very millennial (but it is literally mentioned on the blurb that the author writes for millennials and so I suppose I can't really complain about that!). As I've said, I did really appreciate this book overall and did find it to have a lot of great things to say, and despite the writing style grating on me at times, I'm still interested to see if Morgan Rogers comes out with anything else in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, and Alcohol
Minor: Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Misogyny, Homophobia, and Drug use
beebeewin's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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 is sapphic love story and a story of finding yourself, that is moving, funny, cute, and poignant. While I can't identify with everything Grace is going through, I can deeply relate to her emotional and mental journey in this book. Being the "perfect" child is impossible and Morgan Rogers captures how painful it is to learn that for yourself. Grace is a well written character, who's flaws are relatable and raw. Rogers writes stunning inner monologues, something you can really appreciate in this novel. I was drawn in by Grace and her friends who are so full-bodied and alive; I stayed for the simmering romance that was incredibly cute. The ending felt so true to the rest of the novel and all loose ends were tied up, if not full resolved. I appreciate how nothing is glossed over or mysteriously resolved, but instead we are left with an ending that feels true to life. It is messy, imperfect, and beautiful. My only critique is Grace's friends got much more attention and care than Yuki's friends, and I want to know Yuki's friends. This is the kind of novel where I almost want a sequel from Yuki's perspective. For the fullness in character for everyone else, it made Yuki's friends seem like props instead of full-fledged characters. I recommend this to anyone wanting a little romance mixed with mental health journey.
My favorite quote (apologies for any errors, I transcribed it from the audiobook ;]) "Here's the thing about the tar, the sludge, the inky black poison. Once it starts its ascent out of your body, there is nothing you can do to stop it. It tastes like volcano ash and fire, and you must taste it and gag on it, and ultimately you must spit it out. There comes a time when you cannot swallow it down any longer. Everything that is buried will be unburied. Everything that is pushed down will find its way out. It's the way of the universe." Did this quote hit me like a ton of bricks? Why, yes it does.
My favorite quote (apologies for any errors, I transcribed it from the audiobook ;]) "Here's the thing about the tar, the sludge, the inky black poison. Once it starts its ascent out of your body, there is nothing you can do to stop it. It tastes like volcano ash and fire, and you must taste it and gag on it, and ultimately you must spit it out. There comes a time when you cannot swallow it down any longer. Everything that is buried will be unburied. Everything that is pushed down will find its way out. It's the way of the universe." Did this quote hit me like a ton of bricks? Why, yes it does.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Misogyny
chasingpages1's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Racism, Abandonment, Sexism, Mental illness, Alcohol, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Death of parent, Drug use, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Blood, Cursing, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness
readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition
hopeful
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Child abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Racism
Minor: Death of parent, Misogyny, War, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, Drug use, and Vomit
riozul's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Racism, Mental illness, and Self harm
Minor: Addiction and Misogyny
mickraine's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Self harm, Racism, Abandonment, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Classism
alouette's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
"I love you so much it hurts."
the pretty, flowery prose occasionally confused me- but it was fitting for a book packed with so many emotions. you can see grace's perspectives change through the book and the biases of her point of view be unbuilt by her experiences. the pacing was a bit frustrating because i wanted to see much more of her time in New York, but i can never fault a book when it focuses on leaving someone to love them better and taking care of/talking about one's mental health. on that note...
i really warmed up to all the characters, who are very strong and realistic, and was super proud of grace. when a character i relate to realizes their happiness and health is important? hell yeah! and even if the romance was quite cheesy, that didn't lessen its impact.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, Misogyny, Alcohol, Self harm, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content
matheo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism, Grief, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Racism, Lesbophobia, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Drug use, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Misogyny, Sexual content, and War
jenmcreads's review
emotional
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
4.5
I loved this book. I will say, I am glad I was forewarned that this is not a rom-com. I think it was somewhat marketed that way, and the initial premise of waking up married to a stranger in Vegas sounds like the start of a rom-com. There is romance in this book, but more than anything it is a book about burnout and mental health, barriers in academia (for Black women specifically in the case of the protagonist), and defining your own life goals rather than allowing them to be set by outside pressure and prestige.
Grace is a well-written protagonist, and I found I continued to root for her even at times she was lashing out or allowing herself to implode or making what might be seen as questionable decisions. The tensions she felt within herself were clear throughout - should she placate her overbearing and ambitious father, or should she live a life she can enjoy? Does she want to push for prestige and success in her chosen field, or does she want to prioritize happiness? How much of life should be eaten up by work and achievement? I think these struggles are extremely relatable, particularly as the millennial generation grapples with the economic fallout of the pandemic. Morgan Rogers wrote these struggles with understanding and sensitivity, and did not shy away from the occasional darkness of mental health struggles.
I loved Yuki, Grace's wife as well. In particular, Yuki's presence brought the metaphors around monsters and lonely creatures which I thought were woven in beautifully to the text. The found family in this book, both Yuki's roommates and Grace's friends in Portland were beautifully supportive and flawed humans.
This book is sticking with me, having finished it a little while ago. It touched and moved me and I will look forward to reading more by Morgan Rogers.
Grace is a well-written protagonist, and I found I continued to root for her even at times she was lashing out or allowing herself to implode or making what might be seen as questionable decisions. The tensions she felt within herself were clear throughout - should she placate her overbearing and ambitious father, or should she live a life she can enjoy? Does she want to push for prestige and success in her chosen field, or does she want to prioritize happiness? How much of life should be eaten up by work and achievement? I think these struggles are extremely relatable, particularly as the millennial generation grapples with the economic fallout of the pandemic. Morgan Rogers wrote these struggles with understanding and sensitivity, and did not shy away from the occasional darkness of mental health struggles.
I loved Yuki, Grace's wife as well. In particular, Yuki's presence brought the metaphors around monsters and lonely creatures which I thought were woven in beautifully to the text. The found family in this book, both Yuki's roommates and Grace's friends in Portland were beautifully supportive and flawed humans.
This book is sticking with me, having finished it a little while ago. It touched and moved me and I will look forward to reading more by Morgan Rogers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Racism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Self harm, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol
leanne_miron's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Self harm
Moderate: Mental illness, Misogyny, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Death of parent and Terminal illness