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tori_09's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
vinch1784's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
readwithharry's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I. FUCKING. LOVED. THIS.
As someone who has lived with/currently has to deal with C-PTSD and severe complex OCD, this book was written exquisitely. I think this should be mandatory reading for anyone who is trying to support someone in this situation; and mandatory reading for people in these kinds of situations so that you can realise you’re not alone.
This book helped me realise that someone had written my thoughts, emotions, and experiences onto paper, and helped with my understanding of myself and how I now handle anxiety. This is fan-fucking-tastic writing
This book helped me realise that someone had written my thoughts, emotions, and experiences onto paper, and helped with my understanding of myself and how I now handle anxiety. This is fan-fucking-tastic writing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
zenaxina's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book a couple years ago when my OCD started getting really severe. It was so validating reading about a character that faced the same struggles that I did. Samantha even has some of the same obsessions and compulsions that I did at the time.
emldavis001's review against another edition
4.0
I'm going to be honest. When I started reading this book I started to relate to it.In fact related to this book so much that at some points in it I thought that I was Sam. There were even some points in in that I just wanted to put away this book because it was just to hard to read, but I manged to power through it. This book was good. So good in fact that it sent chills down my spine at certain spots. I definitely recommend this book and I know I will be reading it again.
reading_112's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Terminal illness, Bullying, Death of parent, Grief, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Eating disorder
ashction's review against another edition
5.0
Wow... I'm absolutely stunned by how fantastic this book was! I was pretty intrigued by it last year; it received so much buzz on BookTube and though I definitely shouldn't have judged a book by it's cover, it totally drew me in. This book was a phenomenal contemporary (realistic? I'm not too sure on the differences, if any?) YA novel and I highly recommend it!
I was really pleased to find out this book had to deal with poetry, and I was even more pleased reading it and seeing simple poetry. I think I often forget that poetry is incredibly individual and not always mad elaborate, and though I know the characters in the story didn't actually write these poems, there was such a uniqueness in each person's style that I truly believed it was real. This novel was extremely poignant and put OCD in a new light (though, admitted by both myself and the protag/author, Sam's OCD was much more mild than some cases, so it's important not to romanticize or belittle OCD just because of how it was portrayed), and it also attacked self-esteem issues that are relatable to everyone regardless of mental or physical disorders.
I think the most thrilling thing about this novel is the surprise twist, which I absolutely GUARANTEE you will not see coming! I was blown away by the entire thing, which hasn't happened in a while with a good YA contemporary/realistic novel, so props to Stone! I don't think I'd ever buy this book now that I've read it once; the surprise is a one-time thing, but I highly recommend picking it up and reading it. Maybe someday I'll own it if I find it discounted, because it truly was fantastic and I could easily see myself picking it up again someday. If you're even remotely interested, I highly suggest you pick this one up - I don't think you'll be disappointed.
I was really pleased to find out this book had to deal with poetry, and I was even more pleased reading it and seeing simple poetry. I think I often forget that poetry is incredibly individual and not always mad elaborate, and though I know the characters in the story didn't actually write these poems, there was such a uniqueness in each person's style that I truly believed it was real. This novel was extremely poignant and put OCD in a new light (though, admitted by both myself and the protag/author, Sam's OCD was much more mild than some cases, so it's important not to romanticize or belittle OCD just because of how it was portrayed), and it also attacked self-esteem issues that are relatable to everyone regardless of mental or physical disorders.
I think the most thrilling thing about this novel is the surprise twist, which I absolutely GUARANTEE you will not see coming! I was blown away by the entire thing, which hasn't happened in a while with a good YA contemporary/realistic novel, so props to Stone! I don't think I'd ever buy this book now that I've read it once; the surprise is a one-time thing, but I highly recommend picking it up and reading it. Maybe someday I'll own it if I find it discounted, because it truly was fantastic and I could easily see myself picking it up again someday. If you're even remotely interested, I highly suggest you pick this one up - I don't think you'll be disappointed.
savy_sol's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.5
yourbaeaddid's review against another edition
inspiring
medium-paced
- 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
this book is so good! could not put it down!