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holliesatchell's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Medical content, Car accident, Abortion, and Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit
goddaniiit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm also a sucker for the found family troupe. So, seeing Nora and Wes banter all throughout was very enjoyable to read about. As I also like some angst sprinkled along, the aftermath of their break-up was handled really well especially with how great of a middle-man Wes played during Truth for Truth between Nora and Iris. Speaking of Iris, Her chaotic energy truly brings me life.
As curious as I am for a sequel (since the resolution made it seem like that was a possibility and I would love to see more of Lee if I'm being honest), I also wouldn't mind if it just stayed as a standalone. It works either way - as the reader sees how far Nora has grown as a character when comes to a conclusion about her identity and how her trauma doesn't define who she is.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Abortion, and Pregnancy
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Abortion
kate_mare'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
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Grief, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
krhe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Trata varios temas complicados, y sí bien algunos fueron un poco yikes, uno de los temas más jodidos se trató desde el respeto y la suficiente distancia como para no volverse catalizador traumático. Que teniendo en cuenta el historial, está bien no ser gráficos.
Tiene un ritmo como raruno, y algo me olía sobre cómo iba a desarrollarse el argumento desde bastante pronto. Y acerté con el último twist de los capítulos finales.
El final me ha dejado un poco ñeh tho.
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
lucytoo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Vomit
_rae6021'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? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, and Gaslighting
galexy_brain'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? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Biphobia, Death, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
oblivisal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
TW: Mental illness, murder, abuse, sexual abuse + assault
etc.
I heard good things about this from boston reads over on youtube. Granted they hadn’t finished the book yet but had definitely sold me on it.
Nora; Rebecca, Samantha, Katie, Haley and Ashley.
Nora has had the life that anyone would love to read, to learn and to gossip about, but would never want to live for themselves. Her entire life was five different roller coasters that didn’t come down until the sixth mile mark.
Nora is gay (bisexual), strong, and furious but she is most importantly, herself. Throughout the entire book Nora struggles with who she is, what her identity is and if she’ll ever find who she is destined to be.
Although there are many other things to mention about this book like her mother, Abby, her stepdad Raymond, her girlfriend Iris, her sister Lee and her-ex boyfriend turned best friend Wes, it doesn’t truly need to be mentioned. Why? Because this is a book about a girl that did not have a normal life, a childhood or even an identity. It is about abuse (i.e. physical, mental + sexual abuse) mental illness, conning, murder, mystery and everything that can come with the life of being a con-artist. Of being raises by one and as one.
!!TW!!: I definitely recommend this book but just be wary of all the trigger warnings. Make sure to do your research beforehand. There is no on page sexual abuse, assault or molestation but it can still be triggering.
Is this really just a three in a half star read? I haven’t written a review like this in awhile so that’s gotta say something about the book.
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Abortion, and Murder
olivialandryxo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Nora was a complex yet realistic and relatable protagonist. I loved her, Iris, and Wesley. Their friendship was amazing, as was Nora and Iris’ romance. Also, major props to Iris for being so resilient and clever while on her period, because I could never. These two are the most badass girls I’ve seen outside of a fantasy book, hands down. The fact that they’re dating makes it even better. *chefs kiss*
The story features two timelines: one in present day where the three teens end up hostages in an armed bank robbery, and one exploring Nora’s past as she grew up frequently moving and helping her mother with various cons. The former takes place over about twelve hours, with a few chapters at the end of the book detailing what occurred in the following weeks. Both were intriguing, and they were managed well, balanced perfectly. Neither one ever seemed to overpower the other.
I don’t read many thrillers, but Sharpe’s are among the best I’ve read and this one is undoubtedly my favorite. I’ll definitely be reading more from her in the future, and trying other authors as well. My interest in the genre has certainly been renewed.
Representation:
- bisexual protagonist
- sapphic love interest with endometriosis
- sapphic romance (f/f)
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Chronic illness, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Car accident and Abortion