Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne

12 reviews

jesscurrie's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny informative inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

“…there’s no man faster and stronger than a man angry at a girl”
Such an incredible book, rlly rlly makes you think. I loved the switch between the juxtaposing perspectives of Belle and Joni, and I loved both their characters too. They both had their good and their bad and challenged that in each other which was so fun to see. The way the ‘fictional’ world reflects ours so clearly does rlly help to open your eyes so I’d definitely say this is worth the read. Can’t wait to try some of her other books

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

There are a lot of heavy issues surrounding how women are treated, with a common theme of bullying and sexual harassment but there is no detailed descriptions of rape

cl83's review against another edition

challenging 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

molly_au's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring reflective sad tense 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

5.0

One of the best book written, I believe. It gives a strong reflection of today's society without making it too obvious and "nonfiction-y". I need a second book!!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Classism

pernillelsk's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Medical trauma

alexisaflop's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I love holly Bourne and I always care so much about her characters. I enjoyed this book and the development of the characters but I wish the ending was a little longer. I want to see Joni and belles reaction past their sort of primal reaction at the end. I love the closure Joni got but don't love how belle didn't get that same closure (I would love to see the decisions they both make in light of the events at the end of the book as I think that would show how much they have developed). 
I enjoyed how Bourne touched on some intersectionality and I think I would love this book more if it had a sequel.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

leah08855's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Medical content, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

megan_j's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Spoilers throughout 
This was sub par.  I can appreciate the message, but it’s very surface level. It does make you take a look at yourself though, and the content and media you consume, and the reality of that content. We can all look at the kardashians and think about how amazing they look but the reality is much different. I would definitely recommend it to younger girls but I feel like I need something a bit more in depth for my age atm. The characters were definitely well rounded and lovable though and I really found myself rooting for them throughout and was disappointed that they didn’t get what they were hoping for in the end. Didn’t do quite enough to push it to 4 for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

on_my_bookshelf's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, and Eating disorder

rosiebethreads'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I really think this book would have benefited from a glossary, I’m an adult reader and sometimes was a bit confused by the word swapping. If the aim here is to introduce teens to the patriarchal society we live in I do think we should use those words - empower through language! 

I also found some of the swaps counterproductive - calling p*rn “smut” for example I feel moralises romance that includes sex on page often coequally known by romance readers as, smut. I also am not completely on bored with the cause-and-effect message created of porn = teenagers to abuse one another it’s a bit video games make people violent. 

Moreover, I would have loved to have seen a girl who sat somewhere in between a pretty and an objectionable - what happens when only some things are negotiated? 

However saying all that - you could be so pretty is a page turner, the characters are engaging and I loved the friendship between Joni and belle and the mother daughter relationships. I also really loved its focus on education and how it is not a safe space for all girls.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Body shaming and Bullying

Minor: Domestic abuse

lonely_leafairy's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

One of the best books I have ever read. An amazing read, which many claim are dystopian, but it really is what is happening on some women’s day-to-day life. It made me angry, I’ll never cover my blemishes the same way again. I’ll never judge people without thinking twice now. It ruled me up, made me angry, but it caused emotion. That’s what I want from a book. And for anyone who is wondering, there is a hint of WLW romance, though they just kind of brush me off (another reason why this isn’t a five star book)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Sexism, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Violence

This is quite an intense book. Something else I didn’t see listed above was porn, though they call it smut in the movie. It’s moderate to graphic, and might gross some people out, so I wouldn’t say this is for the easily impressionable.