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elianacox's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I debated whether giving this 2 or 3 stars. I gave it 2 for Cassie's character. I liked Grover and the love interest plot line, it is what almost made me pick 3, but Cassie is just intolerable.
I understand why Cassie acted the way she did, but I feel as though the author tries to justify it, when it isn't acceptable. You can have a terrible life and be completely and utterly depressed, but that doesn't give you the right to be an absolute bitch. Zander just accepts it, when it isn't healthy. For a book about mental health, it is extremely ignorant to disregard boundaries (which Cassie constantly pushes and breaks).
I also don't know how accurate Bek's character was to people with his disability. Which is unsettling as I don't want to base my perception of that mental illness with that character's actions alone.
The biggest issue for me was not addressing the need for boundaries and how bad trauma bonds can be. Cassie is a very toxic character and it is not right to justify her toxicity with her past. There was never a time where her being an asshole to people was okay and the book just brushes it off.
I understand why Cassie acted the way she did, but I feel as though the author tries to justify it, when it isn't acceptable. You can have a terrible life and be completely and utterly depressed, but that doesn't give you the right to be an absolute bitch. Zander just accepts it, when it isn't healthy. For a book about mental health, it is extremely ignorant to disregard boundaries (which Cassie constantly pushes and breaks).
I also don't know how accurate Bek's character was to people with his disability. Which is unsettling as I don't want to base my perception of that mental illness with that character's actions alone.
The biggest issue for me was not addressing the need for boundaries and how bad trauma bonds can be. Cassie is a very toxic character and it is not right to justify her toxicity with her past. There was never a time where her being an asshole to people was okay and the book just brushes it off.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Fatphobia, Suicide attempt, and Eating disorder
Minor: Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Suicide, and Domestic abuse
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