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raisingself's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0
This book is an angsty and slightly heartbreaking love story told in the past and present over 20 years in England. It touches on a lot of tough subjects so trigger warning for:
- Parent loss
- Mental illness/Mood disorder
- S. Assault
- Child abuse
- Depictions of class and inequality
- Violence
- Infertility
All of the things are in this book but oddly it was not triggering. It was a slow burn storytelling of young people I'll equipped for life finding and loving each other. It is not a traditional romance novel, in that it feels too realistic. The main characters too flawed. The realities of life too difficult.
This a book that people will with like or hate. It slightly reminds me of a better version of Normal People by Sally Rooney, which I disliked but this for all of its intensity, sadness and slow inwinding, I did enjoy. The book ends with a dash of tender hoepfulness, which I appreciate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual violence, Mental illness, Alcohol, Child abuse, Abandonment, Classism, Bullying, Addiction, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Terminal illness, Rape, Pregnancy, and Murder
Minor: Drug use, Toxic friendship, Pedophilia, Infidelity, Self harm, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Infertility
rootedreader's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I honestly didn't enjoy reading this book very much, If it wasn't an ARC I wouldn't have finished it. It wasn't until I was 60% done that I wanted to keep reading. Issues I had include poor character development, glamorizing toxic behavior in relationships (though the characters seem to realize this later), clunky writing, switching from past to present quickly and between the two main characters was at times disorienting, and the supporting characters (friends and significant others) were one dimension/didn’t add much.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Emotional abuse
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