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amanda_reads13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I love how sex/body positive this book is and how it brings to light many of the issues facing those in the sex industry. I love the idea behind Shameless and how it focuses on turning an industry that panders to the male gaze on its head. Shameless focuses on women's pleasure and gives space to women in an industry where their needs are generally cast aside.
Clara is prim and proper and values order and organization. Think stereotypically uptight woman. She has a plan for her life, but things don't always go as planned. She pictures of future where she is married to Everett. But Everett is a selfish asshole who strings her along. He never had the same feelings for her. Then her life is thrown into a loop when she moves in with Josh and he opens her eyes to things in her life that are missing. She is able to be herswlf around Josh and doesn't feel like she has to be perfect around him. It takes her a while, but she is able to allow herself to step outside her family's expectations and go for what she truly wants.
Josh is goofy, funny, and incredibly sexy. He is instantly attracted to Clara, but hides his feelings from her. He has a history of being looked down upon because of his job. Though he is not embarrassed by his job, he feels that people around him are. This is one of the reasons why he's completely cut off connection with his parents. He doesn't believe that he will ever be able to find a meaningful relationship built on love because of his job, especially not with Clara. He thinks he isn't good enough for her.
What Clara and Josh have is written as an instalove situation, but really plays out more as lust. Yes, they've gotten to know each other well over the months that they are living together, but it doesn't come across as love. It comes across more as a relationship in the process of being built. Plus the amount of miscommunication in this book drive me bonkers.
I think Naomi and Jill are the most interesting characters in this book. Naomi is a badass woman working in an industry structured to take advantage of her, but she is fighting back and working to take what she deserves. Jill has brought "shame" upon her family and has been banished. She moves to LA and creates an incredible life for herself. She is strong and supportive of her niece.
Tropes: instalove, unrequited love
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Car accident
cdt96's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Sexual content, Alcohol, Car accident, Cursing, and Medical content
thebookpaiges's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Car accident, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Cursing, Sexism, and Misogyny
hannibanani29's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Medical content, Cursing, Misogyny, and Car accident
Minor: Sexual harassment and Body shaming
lujisa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content
things100's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Misogyny, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual harassment
elspethmigliore's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
definitely reread material ✅
Graphic: Car accident and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Body shaming
magpie7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Car accident
leahlovesloslibros's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
What I really appreciated in this book was actually the slight feminist vibe and the business part of the story. I really enjoyed Clara coming into her own and developing personal growth as she spent more time in LA; while she definitely had a lot of "privilege issues," she also had to deal with the discomfort of living with someone who definitely did not fit into her meticulously well-planned life. Josh, a famous porn star, turns her world upside down, and when contract negotiations end up going south for him, he finds himself looking to make some changes is his career.
Clara and Josh come together to take down a giant, corrupt porn corporation; for me, that was the most interesting part of the story. I really appreciated that they were advocating for workers' rights. Of course when you have roommates who also work together and have sexual tension, there are going to be complications, especially when working in adult entertainment. Clara's character development fell short, in my opinion; she always kind of seemed to have a "privileged white girl" mentality and although she said she wanted to put something out for women, her actions did not match her words. She was constantly more concerned with her image than with the business itself. Josh seemed to really come into his own, working on a project he was actually interested in and not having to succumb to the pressures of big business in adult entertainment.
Overall, I think Clara's character development could have been stronger, and I didn't love the relationship between her and Josh. If you're looking for a light, easy read, this is a suitable choice for you.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Misogyny
Minor: Car accident
Additional TW/CW: frequent discussions of porn/porn industry, privilege/classismgirlonbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
“Every body is different, but none of them are wrong.”
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Car accident and Misogyny