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firstkhao's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
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
2.75
The book is an easy reading, however I just can't get over how Daphne rapes Simon and that is portrayed as some form of empowerment. It was not necessary for the plot in anyway, the problems could be resolved in another way and, more importantly, by the way it was though about by the characters later it almost felt as if the author knew how it would be received, knew it was wrong and then decided to keep it in the book anyway. I will probably read the rest of the books because I'm chronically curious, but I do hope this sort of thing is not common in all of them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape
Moderate: Child abuse, Abandonment, and Ableism
Minor: Physical abuse and Violence
readyforit's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4⭐️1.5🌶️(open door, not very descriptive)
I enjoyed this book but I enjoyed the show a little more! The show has a diverse cast, more drama, more characters, etc. In the book we don’t get the Queen, Anthony’s storyline, the featheringtons’ storyline, or the boxing storyline. Other than that there are some minor changes. I would suggest reading it if you’re a huge fan of the show. I also listened to the audiobook and I loved the narrator. Probably won’t reread, but will rewatch the show. If the show didn’t exist, I would reread.
I enjoyed this book but I enjoyed the show a little more! The show has a diverse cast, more drama, more characters, etc. In the book we don’t get the Queen, Anthony’s storyline, the featheringtons’ storyline, or the boxing storyline. Other than that there are some minor changes. I would suggest reading it if you’re a huge fan of the show. I also listened to the audiobook and I loved the narrator. Probably won’t reread, but will rewatch the show. If the show didn’t exist, I would reread.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Misogyny
Moderate: Classism, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Infertility, and Rape
mrsjoellebell's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Rape, Abandonment, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
hannah_margaret's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Ableism
annahamburger's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Infertility, Sexual content, Vomit, and Pregnancy
Minor: Miscarriage, Alcohol, and Fatphobia
thehollyking's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Abandonment and Ableism
Minor: Death of parent
latashman's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Abandonment, and Ableism
Moderate: Vomit, Pregnancy, and Infertility
joyfulfoodie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I have really enjoyed the two tv shows based on this group, so I decided to check out the books.
Usually I am hands down “the book was better” but I feel like they are both delightful in their own way. I thought it was fascinating that Charlotte isn’t in the book at all - with the new prequel series she has almost become my favorite character so it’s interesting that (so far) she is a Shonda Rhimes creation.
The same event that was so uncomfortable in season one is featured here, so if you really struggled with that in the show it got its origins here and you won’t dodge it the second time. I won’t say it is easier here, but the mental state of all parties is better explored. Doesn’t make it permissible just gives better insight. The timeline of events after that is different, but worked well in each medium.
This was probably a 4.75 for me, but rounding up for goodreads. Read a good chunk of it at the beach and I’m almost never able to pay attention to my book consistently enough to make progress while at the beach. 😂😊😎
Usually I am hands down “the book was better” but I feel like they are both delightful in their own way. I thought it was fascinating that Charlotte isn’t in the book at all - with the new prequel series she has almost become my favorite character so it’s interesting that (so far) she is a Shonda Rhimes creation.
The same event that was so uncomfortable in season one is featured here, so if you really struggled with that in the show it got its origins here and you won’t dodge it the second time. I won’t say it is easier here, but the mental state of all parties is better explored. Doesn’t make it permissible just gives better insight. The timeline of events after that is different, but worked well in each medium.
This was probably a 4.75 for me, but rounding up for goodreads. Read a good chunk of it at the beach and I’m almost never able to pay attention to my book consistently enough to make progress while at the beach. 😂😊😎
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy, Bullying, Violence, Miscarriage, Sexism, Infertility, Abandonment, and Ableism
emolr's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Ableism, and Rape
Minor: Death of parent
ejoymiller11's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I love how the quirkiness and whimsical world reads just like the show. This book made me laugh out loud, root for the main characters, but it didn’t feel like a stereotypical romance novel.
Unpopular opinion/spoiler ahead:
the one thing I didn’t like was the narrative surrounding not wanting children. I do think this book encourages the idea that people who don’t want kids feel that way because of trauma or another unhealthy reason. Just because someone doesn’t want kids, that doesn’t mean they are broken. Also… let’s call what Daphne did what it is. Sexual assault. She manipulated Simon into doing something sexually he did not feel comfortable doing. She knew this and did it anyway. Had the gender roles been reversed, I think this part of the book would have been perceived very differently.
Unpopular opinion/spoiler ahead:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Miscarriage, Infertility, and Ableism