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claireisagrisha's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Regan was a complex individual, as was Aldo. Regan's journey with mental health, and how it influenced her art, was truly beautiful, paralleling the way a writer creates books. There is great depth to Regan's character. Aldo is well-described, and he has a strong affection for bees. He also has an interest for math. (Personally, I'm not a fan of math.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Drug use
Moderate: Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, and Addiction
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
The main character has bipolar disorder.kimzeyk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
Beautifully written, even while I found it somewhat anxiety-inducing being inside of the characters’ heads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Drug use, and Infidelity
Minor: Addiction, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
sleepyreaderthings's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
I’m not a romance reader, but I wouldn’t categorize this as a typical romance. It was so much more than what I’ve read before in the genre, and that’s on me for not realizing that there is so much more than smut and fluffy romance. I was truly shocked at how much I loved this book and the characters of Regan and Aldo.
Jumping into the book was an adjustment with the whole narrator and scene thing that was there at the start. Not having chapters but instead sections isn’t always my favorite, but somehow I have fallen in love with the two books I’ve read that are like that (this included.) The writing is great but also confusing and pretentious. I loved it! I found myself reading and getting lost in Regan’s thoughts only to end up in Aldo’s somehow? I was confused at points but then I got it. It was meant to be that way because our minds are messy. Those of us who struggle mentally don’t have a super organized brain or thought process, and I think Olivie Blake showed that spectacularly.
I identified with both Regan and Aldo in so many ways, mostly because I’ve dealt with depression and anxiety and crazy intrusive thoughts. I know what it’s like to push people away and to wonder when they’re going to leave. Because it’s inevitable. Because I can be mean and difficult, and who can stomach that? I understand Regan not wanting to be on meds anymore, and I understand her interactions with her psychiatrist. I didn’t tell mine anything honest. Idk. This was just such a real and refreshing book in all ways. They’re both stuck inside their heads, constantly thinking and searching for something just to stay alive and find a reason. Aldo had time and then Regan. I had shows in high school and now I have books. We all find little things to help keep us alive and breathing because some of us aren’t blessed with calm minds. Some of us struggle to speak to others and fit in, and omg was it so good to see that represented here for my past self.
I was scared how this would end because I’m a pessimist. My friend argues I’m not, and in comparison to him, he’s right. But I expected a sad ending because people like Aldo and Regan aren’t always lucky enough to get one. I am glad that I was wrong.
Jumping into the book was an adjustment with the whole narrator and scene thing that was there at the start. Not having chapters but instead sections isn’t always my favorite, but somehow I have fallen in love with the two books I’ve read that are like that (this included.) The writing is great but also confusing and pretentious. I loved it! I found myself reading and getting lost in Regan’s thoughts only to end up in Aldo’s somehow? I was confused at points but then I got it. It was meant to be that way because our minds are messy. Those of us who struggle mentally don’t have a super organized brain or thought process, and I think Olivie Blake showed that spectacularly.
I identified with both Regan and Aldo in so many ways, mostly because I’ve dealt with depression and anxiety and crazy intrusive thoughts. I know what it’s like to push people away and to wonder when they’re going to leave. Because it’s inevitable. Because I can be mean and difficult, and who can stomach that? I understand Regan not wanting to be on meds anymore, and I understand her interactions with her psychiatrist. I didn’t tell mine anything honest. Idk. This was just such a real and refreshing book in all ways. They’re both stuck inside their heads, constantly thinking and searching for something just to stay alive and find a reason. Aldo had time and then Regan. I had shows in high school and now I have books. We all find little things to help keep us alive and breathing because some of us aren’t blessed with calm minds. Some of us struggle to speak to others and fit in, and omg was it so good to see that represented here for my past self.
I was scared how this would end because I’m a pessimist. My friend argues I’m not, and in comparison to him, he’s right. But I expected a sad ending because people like Aldo and Regan aren’t always lucky enough to get one. I am glad that I was wrong.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Addiction, and Drug use
belle13's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-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
3.5
I originally rated this four stars because the author’s note made me love it a little more but after thinking about it for a few days I’ve decided it’s definitely a three and a half star for me. I don’t think it’ll really stick with me and although I think the author has talent I’m not tempted to pick up another of hers any time soon.
There were points where this was unbearably pretentious but I also think that is sort of the point. I think I’m meant to find the writing and the characters a little pretentious. Aldo was a much more likeable character than Regan and I thought he reminded me a little of Spencer Reid from Criminal minds which was fun. Regan on the other hand was so unlikeable but I also think Regan really disliked herself too and once again, I kind of think that’s the whole point. It was very much a realistic portrayal of someone with bipolar disorder and the complexities that surround having a diagnosis like that which I think the author wrote exceedingly well.
I listened to this on audio and I will say, I think that really affected how much I enjoyed it. I couldn’t connect with the characters as much and didn’t enjoy the narration so I would be interested to see if my opinion changed if I was to read it with my eyeballs.
I would recommend it if you’re looking for a complex romance that will make you think a little more deeply and you like characters who make you want to pick them apart and study their behaviour and emotions.
There were points where this was unbearably pretentious but I also think that is sort of the point. I think I’m meant to find the writing and the characters a little pretentious. Aldo was a much more likeable character than Regan and I thought he reminded me a little of Spencer Reid from Criminal minds which was fun. Regan on the other hand was so unlikeable but I also think Regan really disliked herself too and once again, I kind of think that’s the whole point. It was very much a realistic portrayal of someone with bipolar disorder and the complexities that surround having a diagnosis like that which I think the author wrote exceedingly well.
I listened to this on audio and I will say, I think that really affected how much I enjoyed it. I couldn’t connect with the characters as much and didn’t enjoy the narration so I would be interested to see if my opinion changed if I was to read it with my eyeballs.
I would recommend it if you’re looking for a complex romance that will make you think a little more deeply and you like characters who make you want to pick them apart and study their behaviour and emotions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Suicide
Minor: Drug abuse and Addiction
cnannery19's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Addiction, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Gaslighting
stephaccola's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness and Addiction
nineinchnails's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
this wasn’t as pretentious as i was expecting. it felt more like blake just used a few big words and flowery prose and it scared off a certain demographic but that’s just me! i really, really loved this. i don’t think it’s perfect but it came really close and scratched a very specific itch for me. it reminds me of normal people (one of my all-time favourite novels) a little but there wasn’t as much depth from aldo as there was with connell so i left this feeling slightly disappointed. the writing style is a little inconsistent but it could be intentional and it does work well for these characters + this story.
this story probably won’t work for people who can’t stand a “no plot just vibes” situation but i was loving it!! even if it is SLIGHTLY pretentious, i would rather a book tries too hard than doesn’t try at all. also i loved all the math stuff despite hating math most of my life. it feels like the phenomenon where someone u care about is obsessed with something super boring but it makes them happy so u love hearing them talk about it. i will definitely reread this when i get the chance because i don’t think i was in the mindset to enjoy it to the fullest this time
this story probably won’t work for people who can’t stand a “no plot just vibes” situation but i was loving it!! even if it is SLIGHTLY pretentious, i would rather a book tries too hard than doesn’t try at all. also i loved all the math stuff despite hating math most of my life. it feels like the phenomenon where someone u care about is obsessed with something super boring but it makes them happy so u love hearing them talk about it. i will definitely reread this when i get the chance because i don’t think i was in the mindset to enjoy it to the fullest this time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug use, Infidelity, Addiction, Suicide attempt, and Drug abuse
Bipolar disorderrandiymkje's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide attempt
Minor: Addiction and Suicidal thoughts
ghost_rider's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Toxic relationship
chaos_and_chapters's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Drug abuse, Medical content, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Eating disorder
Minor: Car accident and Addiction