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alexbrown's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Rape
nikmahie's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
It was an easy and fun read that made me laugh and cry. I couldn’t lay it down, even though most of the story was pretty predictable. I felt engaged and really wanted to know how Amelie would end up at the end.
Graphic: Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Sexual assault, Rape, and Emotional abuse
vjlp22_reader's review
- 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
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
lazza's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
dinipandareads's review
- 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
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.
Graphic: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Rape, and Sexual assault
annabelreadsandwrites's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Grief, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Bullying, Gaslighting, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Vomit, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Cursing, Rape, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Fatphobia, Toxic friendship, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Medical content, Gore, and Body shaming
iris_parsons's review
- 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
4.0
The quote I had to write down was:
“I know my levels of misery are not appropriate to the length of our relationship, but try telling my feelings that”
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
fearlesspkjimin's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is such a beautifully written book, truly truly beautiful. I don't have many words to describe it besides being one of my favourite books this year.
Everyone should read it and no one should experience any of this.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault
carole_cookie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
lucebyers's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
It’s written in such a way that you understand the pain of the main character and your empathy grows as you learn more of her story.
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Sexual assault