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hannahbailey's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
<b>TW: mental illness, toxic relationships, domestic abuse, suicidal thoughts, miscarriage, alcoholism, emotional abuse, grief </b>
Absolutely sped through this. Had I owned a copy on kindle, I would be sharing probably hundreds of highlights right now.
Written so effortlessly, with a style of prose that is just a pleasure to read despite the heavy themes. Actually, it's probably this writing style that makes the themes so digestible. Really enjoyed the lack of 'perfect' characters and the unreliable narration. Found the narrative we tell ourselves about how we're perceived by others when suffering with mental illness to be very relatable. This portrayal of mental illness, teen-to-adulthood and managing relationships is not only relatable but quite soothing to see published into the mainstream. The narrative voice was very compelling as was the jumping to different parts of the timeline.
Took me 3 days to finish which is a record this year as everything else I pick up in 2024 has taken me much longer to get through!
Absolutely sped through this. Had I owned a copy on kindle, I would be sharing probably hundreds of highlights right now.
Written so effortlessly, with a style of prose that is just a pleasure to read despite the heavy themes. Actually, it's probably this writing style that makes the themes so digestible. Really enjoyed the lack of 'perfect' characters and the unreliable narration. Found the narrative we tell ourselves about how we're perceived by others when suffering with mental illness to be very relatable. This portrayal of mental illness, teen-to-adulthood and managing relationships is not only relatable but quite soothing to see published into the mainstream. The narrative voice was very compelling as was the jumping to different parts of the timeline.
Took me 3 days to finish which is a record this year as everything else I pick up in 2024 has taken me much longer to get through!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Violence, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Miscarriage
racheljiyoungshin'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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Alcohol, Mental illness, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Miscarriage, Alcoholism, Grief, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
megh_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcoholism and Miscarriage
rakkaussipsi's review against another edition
emotional
sad
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse
s_salako's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a weird one to try to sum up in a review. I appreciated the commentary on mental health and how it affects many/all areas of life - how we view ourselves, others, and how it can sometimes make or break relationships and the things that are most important. I do think that Martha’s condition was somewhat extreme, as was Patrick’s passivity. If he truly loved her that much and knew something was wrong, I believe he would’ve taken more action to help her get better. Ingrid was lovely, and the theme of Martha healing her relationship with her mom was quite beautiful and realistic. Overall, not a bad book, but not a fantastic one. I’ve read better books portraying mental health in all its quirks and irritation. I’m also learning I’m not a huge fan of the “journal entry” style of novels - just something to note.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Domestic abuse
bail33's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Would rate this more than five. No book has ever made me feel this way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcoholism
cdoughnut's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Mental illness, and Domestic abuse
katy_bee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.0
I started this book a couple of times and dropped it very early on. As I stated to get through it further, I considered dropping it again.
The main character was clearly in pain, but also hard work and I guess that's the theme of the book. I can't say I enjoyed it, because at times it was very sad- but it was compelling and I appreciate the ending
The main character was clearly in pain, but also hard work and I guess that's the theme of the book. I can't say I enjoyed it, because at times it was very sad- but it was compelling and I appreciate the ending
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
m_corsano's review
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
I adored this book. The writing style is so intimate and precise that is almost read like someone’s (my own?) diary. It is the most accurate and sympathetic depiction of living with mental illness or having someone in your life with mental illness I’ve ever come across. This is a book I will think about for a long time. It changed me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Medical content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, and Miscarriage
aileen_macalister's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I have a love hate relationship with this book. I was captivated by the story of Martha and her relationships but there were style choices that kept taking me out of it.
Mosan writes a complex and altogether frustrating character that makes you read on just in the hope that some good will come of it.
She says this book is about more than mental health and I can see that point of view. At it's core though the story would not unfold without the mental health struggles and the mental health struggles would not happen without the story.
I was not expecting this to be as much about motherhood as it was. Without giving too much away, I found it's description of motherhood and the conflicting thoughts women in today's society, especially those who struggle with mental health, have on the subject raw and beautiful.
I wish I could have scored it a 4/5 but I could not get past the style choices which is very much a personal preference but it really distracted me from the book's core themes and message. So 3.5/5 is where I have settled.
Mosan writes a complex and altogether frustrating character that makes you read on just in the hope that some good will come of it.
She says this book is about more than mental health and I can see that point of view. At it's core though the story would not unfold without the mental health struggles and the mental health struggles would not happen without the story.
I was not expecting this to be as much about motherhood as it was. Without giving too much away, I found it's description of motherhood and the conflicting thoughts women in today's society, especially those who struggle with mental health, have on the subject raw and beautiful.
I wish I could have scored it a 4/5 but I could not get past the style choices which is very much a personal preference but it really distracted me from the book's core themes and message. So 3.5/5 is where I have settled.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Domestic abuse, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Abortion
Minor: Death and Death of parent