3.44 AVERAGE

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

this was a tricky one to rate. as someone who has had similar struggles and feelings it was a horrible read that is quite triggering at points, which i guess makes it well written? 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Very human. 
challenging dark emotional slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Hmm. I don’t know how to describe this really. It was relatable (mental health-wise) and certain parts and sentences were very spot on - and not just from a relatability pov but from a construction pov, if that makes sense. This story was structured very succinctly and truthfully and sometimes very stunningly so and with such care.
I like that it leaned into the confusion and heaviness and the unbearable of depression (or mental health struggles in general).
It felt like two realities in one and at once, and intentionally so. Ofc there’s the masking and then everything (or the nothingness) going on on the inside. I like that we see the beginnings of the unraveling/despair, how the depression overwhelms and has a life of its own. How nothing is linear, how it matters who we surround ourselves with and what that says about us, and how vulnerable we allow ourselves to be - not just in front of others but with ourselves most of all. At least as a start. But yeah, I’m not in a position to be preachy about this at all. I’m just saying that I felt it did a good job in the chaos and uncomfortable and confrontational. Even when it was subtle or only happening in Iris’ inner monologue 
I’m still not sure how I feel about George taking her back. Just bc his mother went through sth similar? I guess it makes it believable but there are things I think might be a bit convenient. Eg. Patrick sleeping with Sara so Iris can sort of let go of her guilt but I feel like she has to sit with this heartbreak she caused for him. Even though they weren’t good together and I agree with her that they might just not have been compatible. Buuut I don’t think Patrick was as bad a person as he was made out to be. And I feel like she got away with a lot. She made bad decisions but also lacked support from anyone other than George (and that was a little too romance-book for me bc he very much seemed too good to be true, let’s be honest).
emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

really enjoyed this book, it was an intense and sad read, explored some really difficult topics!! complex and morally ambiguous main character, the author explored their grapple with their inner life and the world around them in such a detailed way. even though it's not what I expected after some reviews comparing it to Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar (one of my favourite books of all time) and I personally didn't think they come close to one another I would still recommend!! :)
dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
dark emotional sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Unlikeable main character, very little plot and unrealistic overview of someone's lofe