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vjlp22_reader's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Grief, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Cursing
Minor: Stalking, Vomit, and Alcohol
dinipandareads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
TL;DR: This was such a painful read to get through. It leaves you feeling a bit helpless as you get a front-row seat to Amelie losing herself to something toxic and retracing her steps to find herself again. This is such an important story and I'm so glad that it exists, especially for young readers, as Bourne does a great job exploring what it means to be in healthy and unhealthy relationships and how to care for yourself in the aftermath. This tackles dark and heavy events that can be triggering so please do check content warnings before reading.
I've had this book on my TBR for a very long time because I always knew that I would need to gear myself up emotionally to read it. From the title alone you know you're being set up for a sad-time read but I don't think I expected just how full of anguish it would be. Bourne captures the essence of teenhood perfectly through Amelie. Her turbulent emotions were so distinct and it was easy to get swept up in the extremes of all her feelings. As someone who moved many times during my schooling years, I know how hard it is to say goodbye to friends and to be the "new kid" (yet again). As a reader, you're excited for Amelie as she gets excited about making new friends and then, there he is, and once Reese enters the picture nothing will ever be the same as it was.
I don't think I have the words to describe how painfully uncomfortable and angering it was to read this book. It was so difficult to see Amelie constantly ignore red flags because of how amazing it feels to be cherished and "loved" by someone like Reese. Despite not being the targeted audience of this book, it's no less impactful or important because sadly, this is probably something a lot of people—both men, women, young, and old—may experience, have experienced or know someone who has been through it. In ways, it's terrifyingly relatable and I think that's what also makes this story more devastating. Bourne handles sensitive topics very well and writes in a way that's easy for readers of any age to grasp.
That being said, perhaps it was also this simplicity of the writing that made it difficult for me to fully connect to the story. I expected to be overwhelmed by emotions reading this and although I was moved by it and hurt for Amelie, it didn't quite connect with me in the way I thought it would. Whether my brain numbed itself the more I read or I'd built my expectations up too high over the years, I think this is more of a "me thing" and not the fault of the book. Towards the end, I found the endless crying and constant breaking down into tears to be very emotionally taxing.
Overall, I'm glad to have finally read this. I see why everyone talked about it when it came out and I appreciate how well Bourne wrote this story. I know if my younger self read this, it would've turned me into a total emotional wreck! As difficult as these topics and events are, I do think it's an important read for young readers because it's so easy to get overwhelmed and caught up in the butterflies, attention and the highs of what you think love is, only for it to blind you from someone's ugly.
I've had this book on my TBR for a very long time because I always knew that I would need to gear myself up emotionally to read it. From the title alone you know you're being set up for a sad-time read but I don't think I expected just how full of anguish it would be. Bourne captures the essence of teenhood perfectly through Amelie. Her turbulent emotions were so distinct and it was easy to get swept up in the extremes of all her feelings. As someone who moved many times during my schooling years, I know how hard it is to say goodbye to friends and to be the "new kid" (yet again). As a reader, you're excited for Amelie as she gets excited about making new friends and then, there he is, and once Reese enters the picture nothing will ever be the same as it was.
I don't think I have the words to describe how painfully uncomfortable and angering it was to read this book. It was so difficult to see Amelie constantly ignore red flags because of how amazing it feels to be cherished and "loved" by someone like Reese. Despite not being the targeted audience of this book, it's no less impactful or important because sadly, this is probably something a lot of people—both men, women, young, and old—may experience, have experienced or know someone who has been through it. In ways, it's terrifyingly relatable and I think that's what also makes this story more devastating. Bourne handles sensitive topics very well and writes in a way that's easy for readers of any age to grasp.
That being said, perhaps it was also this simplicity of the writing that made it difficult for me to fully connect to the story. I expected to be overwhelmed by emotions reading this and although I was moved by it and hurt for Amelie, it didn't quite connect with me in the way I thought it would. Whether my brain numbed itself the more I read or I'd built my expectations up too high over the years, I think this is more of a "me thing" and not the fault of the book. Towards the end, I found the endless crying and constant breaking down into tears to be very emotionally taxing.
Overall, I'm glad to have finally read this. I see why everyone talked about it when it came out and I appreciate how well Bourne wrote this story. I know if my younger self read this, it would've turned me into a total emotional wreck! As difficult as these topics and events are, I do think it's an important read for young readers because it's so easy to get overwhelmed and caught up in the butterflies, attention and the highs of what you think love is, only for it to blind you from someone's ugly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Rape, and Sexual assault
babygotbeef's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Gaslighting, Rape, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
pau_line's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wo soll ich anfangen?!
Das Buch zeigt den rückblick der protagonistin auf eine seeehr problematische&toxische Beziehung udn es gab sooo viele momente, an denen ich vor lauter wandelnden red flags gänsehaut hatte, sdas mädchen anschreien wollte, zu rennen oder das buch wegschmeißen wollte...aber da das die absicht des buchs war, well done an die autorin.
Leider bin ich mit Amelie lange nicht so wirklich warm geworden, weil der Anfang vom Buch ein wenig schleppend war. Gegen Mitte-Ende war es allerdings viel besser zu lesen udn ich war mehr gecatched von allem.
Ich mochte die Perspektive sehr, gerade dass gezeigt wurde, wie schwer es sogar im Nachhinein sein kann, sich von dieser toxischen Person zu lösen und wie viel von sich selbst das zerstören kann, wie viel Kraft es braucht, zu heilen.
Dazu ergänzend die Ausschnittr aus der Vergangenheit, wie sie damals Situationen wahrgenommen hat usw, war sehr interessant.
Ich mochte auch den Schreibstil eigentlich sehr gerne.
Wie gesagt, bin ich mit Amelie nicht sooo warm geworden. Ich hab zwar sehr mit ihr mitgefühlt und es ist sicherlich gewollt, dass man ihre Handlungen aus der Außenperspektive nicht so ganz nachvollziehen kann, aber ich glaube, dass sie auch noch jünger ist (16-17) muss man da einfach bedenken.
1 Punkt, der sehr komisch war:
- WAS IST DAS MIT ALFIE GEWESEN?! (info: alfie ist amrlies exfreund, den sie zu beginn des buchs immer noch so sehr liebt und sie machen nur schluss, weil amrlie umzieht), gefühlt hat sie ihn nach einem Gespräch mit Reese (=die wandelnde Red Flag) vergessen, das fand ich einfach suoer unreasonable, WEIL JA, später war sie sehr reese addicted, aber bevor sie ihn so kennengelernt hat, hätte sie ja schon auf abstand gehen können...aber nur meine meinung, wollte ich nur loswerden
ABER es wurde wirklich so gut dargestellt (grade, wenn man vielleicht noch nicht so aufgeklärt ist über toxische beziehungen u.ä.), wie schnell man in sowas gefangen sein kann, wie manipulativ solche Menschen sind und wie viel ein einziger Mensch bei einem zerstören kann...
FAZIT: ich mochte es sehr gerne, nachdem ich so die ersten paar seiten überwunden hatte, aber kann mir vorstsellen, dass es für jüngere leser*innen( 14-16/17) eher geeignet ist
Das Buch zeigt den rückblick der protagonistin auf eine seeehr problematische&toxische Beziehung udn es gab sooo viele momente, an denen ich vor lauter wandelnden red flags gänsehaut hatte, sdas mädchen anschreien wollte, zu rennen oder das buch wegschmeißen wollte...aber da das die absicht des buchs war, well done an die autorin.
Leider bin ich mit Amelie lange nicht so wirklich warm geworden, weil der Anfang vom Buch ein wenig schleppend war. Gegen Mitte-Ende war es allerdings viel besser zu lesen udn ich war mehr gecatched von allem.
Ich mochte die Perspektive sehr, gerade dass gezeigt wurde, wie schwer es sogar im Nachhinein sein kann, sich von dieser toxischen Person zu lösen und wie viel von sich selbst das zerstören kann, wie viel Kraft es braucht, zu heilen.
Dazu ergänzend die Ausschnittr aus der Vergangenheit, wie sie damals Situationen wahrgenommen hat usw, war sehr interessant.
Ich mochte auch den Schreibstil eigentlich sehr gerne.
Wie gesagt, bin ich mit Amelie nicht sooo warm geworden. Ich hab zwar sehr mit ihr mitgefühlt und es ist sicherlich gewollt, dass man ihre Handlungen aus der Außenperspektive nicht so ganz nachvollziehen kann, aber ich glaube, dass sie auch noch jünger ist (16-17) muss man da einfach bedenken.
1 Punkt, der sehr komisch war:
- WAS IST DAS MIT ALFIE GEWESEN?! (info: alfie ist amrlies exfreund, den sie zu beginn des buchs immer noch so sehr liebt und sie machen nur schluss, weil amrlie umzieht), gefühlt hat sie ihn nach einem Gespräch mit Reese (=die wandelnde Red Flag) vergessen, das fand ich einfach suoer unreasonable, WEIL JA, später war sie sehr reese addicted, aber bevor sie ihn so kennengelernt hat, hätte sie ja schon auf abstand gehen können...aber nur meine meinung, wollte ich nur loswerden
ABER es wurde wirklich so gut dargestellt (grade, wenn man vielleicht noch nicht so aufgeklärt ist über toxische beziehungen u.ä.), wie schnell man in sowas gefangen sein kann, wie manipulativ solche Menschen sind und wie viel ein einziger Mensch bei einem zerstören kann...
FAZIT: ich mochte es sehr gerne, nachdem ich so die ersten paar seiten überwunden hatte, aber kann mir vorstsellen, dass es für jüngere leser*innen( 14-16/17) eher geeignet ist
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Self harm, Sexual content, Rape, and Toxic relationship
laurataylor's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Alcohol, Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
dramagirl2003's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was excellently written, even though it was talking about such a traumatic subject.
I probably wouldn't recommend reading this until you're in your late teens. It's one of those books where you also need to be in a good place mentally, and personally, I don't think I could have coped with the dark subject matter in this book until I was at least 17-18yrs old.
This book really gave me a good glimpse into how trauma bonds are formed in abusive relationships, and if I didn't already, I certainly now have a better idea of the signs to look out for.
I cried along with Amelie as Reese sucked her even further into his web of lies and abuse. I hated how Reese silently manipulated her into destroying all her other relationships, including her besties from back home. It broke my heart when Amelie told Alfie about Reese.
Even more so when she later told Alfie that Reese had raped her that same night!
I probably wouldn't recommend reading this until you're in your late teens. It's one of those books where you also need to be in a good place mentally, and personally, I don't think I could have coped with the dark subject matter in this book until I was at least 17-18yrs old.
This book really gave me a good glimpse into how trauma bonds are formed in abusive relationships, and if I didn't already, I certainly now have a better idea of the signs to look out for.
I cried along with Amelie as Reese sucked her even further into his web of lies and abuse. I hated how Reese silently manipulated her into destroying all her other relationships, including her besties from back home. It broke my heart when Amelie told Alfie about Reese.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, and Cursing
Minor: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Vomit, Blood, Body shaming, Infidelity, and Rape
leonormsousa's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
TRIGGER WARNINGS
REPRESENTATION
REVIEW
Have you ever heard about stories of domestic violence or violence in relationships and thought “how did it get to this point? how did the victim not put a stop to the abuse?”? If you did, then I would definitely recommend The Places I’ve Cried in Public. It can give you the answer you’re looking for, as it is not a cute YA romance as it may seem, but a strong and hard story of abuse.
Honestly, this book has everything you might want in a (YA) book. The characters are very well built and feel real. The plot keeps you engaged and draws you in so well, that it feels like you’re inside Amelie’s skin so much that you almost fall a bit in love with Reese. And sometimes you’re yelling “please don’t do that” but at the same time you can understand everything she does. The book is also very well written, with the intercalation of present Amelie and past Amelie being *chef’s kiss * .
But maybe what I like the most about this book is that it’s not just a good book. It’s a book that has an important message and that’s targeted at an audience that NEEDS to read this message. It’s a book that matters! And books that matter always grab my little heart.
There’s not much more to say, except “go read this book”! Even if you don’t like YA, I think you might enjoy this as it is so far from your typical YA book. I myself was already expecting to be disappointed since my expectations for this were quite high but I was pleasantly surprised: I was not expecting such a strong book.
Lastly, I would like to offer another recommendation to the ones of you who want to read further on this topic. I’ve read “Into the Darkest Corner” by Elizabeth Haynes a few years ago and it’s still to this day, one of the books that I think about from time to time. It’s an adult book even heavier that “The Places I’ve Cried in Public”, as it tells with more detail not only emotional abuse but especially physical abuse, and also the consequences that being in an abusive relationship can have on years to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual assault, and Panic attacks/disorders
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