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bree_of_the_woods's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child death, Racism, Sexual content, Car accident, and Abortion
eldenreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I put off reading this book for so long, and MAN do I regret that. This book was so deep, had so many levels, covered so many HARD THINGS, but it still felt like a slice of life novel somehow. The plot line with the McCullough’s and Bebe was absolutely heart-wrenching, and the END! Ugh. Please read this book. Don’t be like me and put it off.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Racism, Abortion, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child death
alexklinect's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is character driven with a lot of long back stories and convoluted suburban drama. I think I would’ve liked it more if there had been more suspense, but I knew what was going to happen before it happened, which made the story a bit boring. I appreciated the themes of maternal love, plans vs passions, and race relations. But the book felt more like telling instead of showing, which wasn’t as engaging as it could have been.
Content: a few concerns to be aware of, but none explicit or graphic.
Content: a few concerns to be aware of, but none explicit or graphic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Child death, Cursing, Drug use, Racism, Abortion, and Alcohol
belleslibrary1012's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I was super excited to read this book with my bookclub because it had been so widely read and recommended both in print and through the TV show. However, I was surprised when I almost gave up on it entirely; glad I pushed through. The beginning is tough and I had a hard time not only figuring out who everyone was, but honestly even caring. It doesn't grab you immediately; the writing lulls you in and holds you there until you are thrust forward at the right time. Once the first little push happens, the story, characters, plot, all of it convenes down a Rollercoaster style path until you're literally breathless, finding ways to flip the pages, to read faster, to know more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Racism, Xenophobia, Grief, and Abortion
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Kidnapping and Fire/Fire injury
amandamz's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I came to this book after reading Everything I Never Told You about a year and a half prior and still not being able to stop thinking about how perfect it was. Unfortunately, this book did not live up to that one for me.
I didn't really care about any of the characters in this book, and they all were extremely frustrating. It's unfair, but it is really hard for me not to compare this book to EINTY because I found that to be a pretty perfect book. If they weren't by the same author, or if I had read this one first, I wonder if I would feel differently? Either way, this book for me, was only ok.
I didn't really care about any of the characters in this book, and they all were extremely frustrating. It's unfair, but it is really hard for me not to compare this book to EINTY because I found that to be a pretty perfect book. If they weren't by the same author, or if I had read this one first, I wonder if I would feel differently? Either way, this book for me, was only ok.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Kidnapping, and Abortion
Minor: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
amandabuchner16's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Abortion
marissaumble's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Abortion
katy_bee's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I have really enjoyed reading this book. The characters were interesting and well drawn and the plot threw up ethical questions of what makes someone a parent, interracial adoption, privilege & class, our right to judge others and finding the right place in the world. At times it seemed Mia was a little too perfect in guessing what teenagers want and need but she's an interesting character. All the other characters are as well and the family dynamics were well drawn
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Infertility, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
leof55's review
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Sexual content and Abortion
schlady's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
A well written and thought provoking story that explores topics of privilege, race, family, and motherhood. The setting was strikingly accurate even in its littlest details, myself having grown up around the same real places in the Cleveland area. The various characters and their stories are interesting & compelling while still easy to keep track of, written in a seemingly effortless way while taking a few unexpected turns. The ending wrapped up a tad too quickly for me, but overall another great book by Ng that I just couldn't put down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Infertility, Racism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Grief, Abortion, and Classism
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Medical content, and Fire/Fire injury