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katrinblomquist's review against another edition
5.0
Such an eyeopening, brutally honest, well crafted novel. Recommended reading.
tarynlannister's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
shannondc's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
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
4.5
The queer parts of the book are really beautiful complex and affecting. The bewildered white woman whom I assume the publisher inserted was an unnecessary cartoon character who didn’t add anything. Wish it was allowed to be a queer book.
sanjami's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Three stars feels high for this book. But parts of it were compelling, especially the flashbacks to Amy's journey towards transitioning. Those chapters felt more like a character study and were probably the only reason I finished reading.
I wish Ames was the only main character and the baby arc didn't exist. One of my friends described the plot as "very Bushwick" and I have to agree. The premise was just ridiculously unrealistic. And I hated Reese so much. Her only personality trait is wallowing in her own misery, surrounding herself with equally pathetic downwardly mobile friends. I don't care if you WANT to be a mother when your understanding of family is so poor that your only hobby is homewrecking. Idk. The entirety of Reese's character felt weird and lowkey self-inserty, in the sense that it was a way for the author to shoehorn her trans Hot Takes into the narrative.
And holy shit, was the writing pretentious. Just Iowa writer's workshop MFA word vomit about the plight of the white girl. Ugh.
I wish Ames was the only main character and the baby arc didn't exist. One of my friends described the plot as "very Bushwick" and I have to agree. The premise was just ridiculously unrealistic. And I hated Reese so much. Her only personality trait is wallowing in her own misery, surrounding herself with equally pathetic downwardly mobile friends. I don't care if you WANT to be a mother when your understanding of family is so poor that your only hobby is homewrecking. Idk. The entirety of Reese's character felt weird and lowkey self-inserty, in the sense that it was a way for the author to shoehorn her trans Hot Takes into the narrative.
And holy shit, was the writing pretentious. Just Iowa writer's workshop MFA word vomit about the plight of the white girl. Ugh.
nonoemi's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most heart rending and beautiful books I’ve ever read. I felt turned inside out. I couldn’t bear to keep reading for how it made me feel but I couldn’t stop until it was over.
skylit's review against another edition
4.0
(Audiobook) smooth listening. Interesting plot concept with the idea of solving the sex and the city problem white women encounter in their 30s. The book does tackle gender and racial topics often through brief conversation or passionate rants of one of the main characters.
portiarsmith's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ilovejaydyn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0