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kathburke's review against another edition
4.5
From social media and influencer culture to religious guilt and climate anxiety, Willis covers just about every hot-button topic that makes the world feel bleak. I’m usually not a fan of book with unlikeable protagonists, but Amber and Kevin feel so very real, and give a really insightful look into the different ways people deal (or fail to deal) with existential and intrapersonal conflict.
Graphic: Miscarriage, Cancer, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Mental illness, Police brutality, and Death of parent
maddie_can_read's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
For me, what took the rating down was that it dragged a bit between the 30%-60% mark. And more importantly, the cover, title, and genre label of science fiction sets up the reader for certain expectations
Loved the Canadianisms. So cool to read about Thunder Bay! Wished Lakehead University was mentioned haha.
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Abandonment
Minor: Body horror, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug use, Cancer, Cursing, Death, and Vomit
alannashelfhelp's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Infidelity, Mental illness, Child death, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Fatphobia, and Suicide attempt
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
kastygian's review against another edition
- 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
The story is told in two POVs, Kevin’s first person account, and the other following Amber in third person. Rooted in the 20-teens through 2020s, the story is an all encompassing critique of modern society. Influencer culture, evil billionaires, and the overwhelming dread and doom about future society and sustainability that is the hallmark of left-leaning zillenials.
The book is funny, real and honest, sad, and sweet at times. It very easy to get into and easy to get lost in and devour half the book in one sitting. I do think the book could’ve been a little shorter, but I enjoyed my time spent with Kevin and Amber.
Moderate: Miscarriage, Death of parent, Cancer, and Death
Minor: Sexual assault
emmagee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Infidelity, Drug use, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Grief
Moderate: Pregnancy, Sexual content, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Miscarriage
Minor: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Abandonment
larcadip's review
3.0
Moderate: Death, Cancer, Death of parent, Miscarriage, and Sexual assault
sarahholliday's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Amber and Kevin are both likable and unlikable in their own unique ways—you desperately want to root for them even as you want to take them by the shoulders and shake them. But that's also what makes the story compelling. Neither is entirely right or wrong in the way they see the world, or how they approach life's challenges.
If you go into this book expecting the space & sci-fi elements to take center-stage, you're going to be disappointed. But I sort of enjoyed how much Willis made them the background for the real human drama to play against. Of course, in our day and age of privatized wealth, extreme privilege, and obsession with social media, the next major space development won't have the same noble aura of NASA's previous advancements. It will be farcical and half-baked and driven by dreams of profit. And because of that it will fade into the background of our lives with the other examples of wealthy behavior that impact all our wellbeing even as they have nothing to do with our day-to-day lives.
I really enjoyed Girlfriend on Mars and am looking forward to reading more from Willis. This would make a perfect beach read for someone looking for a story at the intersection of fluff and thought-provoking.
Graphic: Terminal illness, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Death, Body shaming, Cursing, Death of parent, Drug use, Miscarriage, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Ableism, Eating disorder, Addiction, and Fatphobia
daniellekat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
Graphic: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Self harm and Terminal illness
Minor: Pregnancy and Police brutality
heyitssones's review
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Infertility, and Death of parent
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Cancer, Fatphobia, Sexual harassment, and Pregnancy