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literarypenguin's review
- 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
1.0
I may be in the minority here but even though I tried to like this book and have a good time, There were just too many factors that kept me from liking this book.
When I read the synopsis I thought I was in for a heart-pounding scandalous thriller with drama and scandal thrown in the mix unfortunately I didn't get a lot of that. All I was treated to was a not-so-bright main character hanging out with a bunch of forty-some-year-old women who liked to sleep with teenage boys. And no discussion was made of why that was wrong! Yes, I understand the age of consent is different in some places but it still gave me an icky feeling when I read it and it just came off as manipulative to me. I really kept hoping that the main character Sophie would start to gain some type of self-awareness or reflect on her bad behavior and how it is affecting those around her but she never did. She still chose to be around that group and keep her almost creepy level of obsession with the group leader. Also, Sophie was more than willing to leave a great job in Chicago for a slower-paced life in a small town but instead of being happy and relieved with this new way of life she was not happy about it and thought it was boring constantly! Yet she kept doing things like gardening or cooking so wouldn't you think someone wouldn't enjoy stuff like that or even do them if they were so bored of a life like that? The near-alcoholic levels of drinking in this book bothered me a bit too. At one point I thought was there anything else to drink in this town besides alcohol or water.
This book was not what I was expecting it to be and I was very disappointed by it. You may enjoy a book like this and if you do that is great but personally, it just wasn't for me.
Graphic: Infidelity and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Alcohol and Abortion
jillzaiser's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Alcoholism
Minor: Abortion
mynameisrebecca's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Abortion, Gun violence, Pregnancy, and Murder
christina1919'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
5.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Trafficking, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Abortion and Infidelity
librariangeorgia's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Murder, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Abortion
ashleynewman's review
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Infidelity, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Abortion, Death, and Pregnancy
jesseybean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Drug use
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Abortion
major_tom's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The first half made me think I’m reading erotic smut but without the good stuff. It’s such a weird way to write out a story, I don’t really get.
And a white woman who doesn’t believe she may be bi? Has a blog writing about Asian herbs and knowing nothing about them but that they “keep your blood pressure down”? Is the most descriptive example of teenage hormones? Please stop. A character may be unlovable, but don’t make feeling horny their whole personality, please. It’s just lazy writing.
I believe the book could have been twice as short and wouldn’t lose anything. While I did like the style, it was just so pretentiously lengthened: this space could have been used to make the community more interesting, with secrets and drama. Rather than that rich village with several bored to death housewives.
Overall, I will not recommend this book. It has some good parts, but overall it’s too long for it’s own good, as if you’re reading a film script. I wanted to like it, I was intrigued by the premise, but it’s disappointing.
Graphic: Infidelity, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Moderate: Murder, Rape, Gun violence, and Drug use
Minor: Pregnancy, Abortion, and Suicidal thoughts
kimaya05'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
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Abortion, and Pregnancy
bkjoap's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, and Rape
Minor: Abortion and Biphobia