Reviews with content warning for Chronic illness - We Are the Brennans

For the most part I enjoyed this book, but I was really disappointed to see the victim blaming against Sunday about when she was attacked. It wasn’t addressed and corrected the way it needed to be. There was always the caveat of she drank too much or she went willing to her attacker’s room; of course, none of that matters because she is allowed to say no to sex at any point, regardless of her actions up to that point. That’s how consent works.
It is just very disappointing to still see the outdated mentality that somehow her actions excuse her attacker. It really ruined the book for me.

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ewarde's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful medium-paced

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? It's complicated

4.5

When I first finished the book, I found the ending disappointing, but after a few hours of letting it sit on my brain and reflecting on it... it was actually the perfect ending.

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alimoo511's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Okay so I loved this. Every part of this book was five stars...except the ending...and I will tell you why the ending killed EVERYTHING ELSE

So Kale leaves his stupid wife and is scared about Luke not thinking he loves him and that the Brennans might hate him

Sunday is figuring herself out and is healing WE LOVE A QUEEN

And Mickey killed the bastard Bill.

It ends with Kale and Sunday talking and getting closer, and finding out the Dad used their autistic brother as an accessory for murder and that's it. We don't know how Sunday and Kale are going to recover their relationship IF they are going to recover their relationship.

We don't know HOW the pub is going to stay afloat AND we don't know how they're going to keep their Father and Shane out of jail.

Nothing important got resolved. It feels like I was given half a book and I NEED the other half more than everything.

But seriously everything else was AMAZING the family dynamics? PHENOMENAL the plot? UNMATCHED the characters? I WANNA BE THIS FAMILY

KALE IS A FUCKING SWEETHEART AND BABY I AM ROOTING FOR YOU

This family isn't without its faults but that makes them realistic and lovable. I just wish the ending wasn't the ending.

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happiestwhenreading's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I absolutely loved everything about this book - a strong contender for my final Top 10 List at the end of the year!

Five years ago, the Brennan's are left hanging in confusion as the only daughter, Sunday, packs her bags and leaves for California with no explanation. She leaves behind her fiancé and familial responsiblities. When the phone rings one night, Denny heads to California to retrieve his sister after she has a drunk driving accident. Her return to New York sets the family ablaze and the long buried secrets begin to bubble to the surface. It's complicated and dramatic and the writing is outstanding. I loved the characters and all of their messiness. I loved the pacing and how the secrets brought all the pain and confusion of the past five years to full circle and, ultimately, the whole disaster had a totally satisfying ending for me.

The blurb mentions Ask Again, Yes vibes and I agree. I'd also add The Most Fun We Ever Had and Olympus, Texas.

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soobooksalot's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

We Are The Brennans has been all over Bookstagram, with a lot of hype. And now I know it's all for good reason!
Thank you to Celadon Books for my gifted copy and Alex @alexatthelake for the group read opportunity!
The Brennans are known for their tight-knit, hard-working family's Irish pub, and they're adding another New York location. When sister Sunday leaves the family for Los Angeles five years prior under unexplained circumstances, brothers Jackie, Denny and Shane can't imagine what will bring her back home. And when she does return, events of the past can't stay hidden for long.
This family drama is layered with secrets and reveals, in a fantastically readable writing style. Debut author Tracey Lange's writing is absolutely absorbing and I can't believe this is her first novel.
Chapters are presented from nearly every character's point of view, an interesting style choice that kept the action moving.
As someone whose main genre is thrillers, I was pleasantly surprised that I couldn't put this book down - I read half in one day alone.

Content Warnings

rin_dawg's review against another edition

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emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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