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christinasteaparty's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexism, Self harm, and Death
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Rape
ashleyann's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Medical trauma, Medical content, and Rape
Minor: Car accident and Death
thepagesofmrsd's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
2 years ago, successful lawyer Will Trainor was involved in an accident that caused him to become quadriplegic, and reliant on the care of others in order to survive. Having once been active, adventurous and independent, this isn't the life he chose and he is sick of it. Enter: Louisa Clark. After losing her job in a cafe, she is hired by Will's mum to be his carer, and hopefully show him all the good that life still has to offer.
.
There were a lot of good things about this novel. I found the subject matter to be engaging and poignant, with the storyline holding my attention. Alongside themes of relationships and wealth/class, Moyes manages to address more difficult topics such as assisted suicide/euthanasia in a way that is sensitive and accessible, whilst still maintaining some humour and light-hearted elements.
.
I also felt that it went some way in highlighting issues surrounding attitudes to disability and accessibility. However, on reflection (and after reading other reviews), I think that the disability representation here could be a lot better. I liked the character of Will a lot and would have appreciated hearing more from his point of view, especially as we do get to hear from others (I found his mum's chapter, for example, to be particularly emotive, and I loved Nathan). Sadly, it seems that his character is mainly here as a tool for Louisa's own character development, and I'm saddened that he doesn't have more of a voice in the novel.
.
This leads me on to what I think my main issue with this one was: Louisa. I could not gel with her at all - not ideal when she is the main narrator! She was immature, whiny, and selfish. Whilst I appreciate the development to her character as she gets to know Will better, I can't shake the sense that this was at Will's expense and that everything sort of revolved around her.
.
Overall, this was an engaging enough story. There were some humorous and heart-warming scenes, and I felt it dealt with the controversial topic of euthanasia with honesty, but some elements just didn't sit right with me.
.
There were a lot of good things about this novel. I found the subject matter to be engaging and poignant, with the storyline holding my attention. Alongside themes of relationships and wealth/class, Moyes manages to address more difficult topics such as assisted suicide/euthanasia in a way that is sensitive and accessible, whilst still maintaining some humour and light-hearted elements.
.
I also felt that it went some way in highlighting issues surrounding attitudes to disability and accessibility. However, on reflection (and after reading other reviews), I think that the disability representation here could be a lot better. I liked the character of Will a lot and would have appreciated hearing more from his point of view, especially as we do get to hear from others (I found his mum's chapter, for example, to be particularly emotive, and I loved Nathan). Sadly, it seems that his character is mainly here as a tool for Louisa's own character development, and I'm saddened that he doesn't have more of a voice in the novel.
.
This leads me on to what I think my main issue with this one was: Louisa. I could not gel with her at all - not ideal when she is the main narrator! She was immature, whiny, and selfish. Whilst I appreciate the development to her character as she gets to know Will better, I can't shake the sense that this was at Will's expense and that everything sort of revolved around her.
.
Overall, this was an engaging enough story. There were some humorous and heart-warming scenes, and I felt it dealt with the controversial topic of euthanasia with honesty, but some elements just didn't sit right with me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Ableism
lennie_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Medical content, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Death and Suicide attempt
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
stormblessedt's review against another edition
4.25
The back cover synopsis doesn't do it justice.
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism
avocet's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Self harm, and Suicide
sammymilfort's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Suicide
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