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sonja123's review against another edition
2.5
I genuinely hate the old lovers-to-lovers trope, which unfortunately I forgot before reading this. I never root for the couple you're supposed to root for!!! Did not enjoy it.
pess's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
3.5
karleeghost's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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? No
3.0
oliviawhitton's review against another edition
4.0
This book was great. I understand people’s exhaustion with the homophobia depicted in the book, but regardless of what we like to tell ourselves in 2021, this type of intense, cruel homophobia exists in our society and it feels good to see characters who experience that get a happy ending. The plot was great and I really loved the main characters. Almost every peripheral character was fleshed out and had discernible character traits. Would I prefer that two queer women could be in a relationship without scrutiny? Yes. Is that the truth of our society? No. There are WLW stories out there that don’t contain the bigotry and homophobia present in this book, but this book had a clear narrative that was built upon those biases.
jesikasbookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
If you're looking for a great sapphic romance, honestly, this isn't it. Every single woman in this novel that is romantically/sexually interested in other women was either cheating, lying or forcibly closeted and filled with pent up shame about their life choices for the full book. One of them manages all three. It's ridiculous - this isn't a sapphic romance, it's a series of women who hate themselves making each other miserable.
Nor is this women's fiction, which I think was closer to the intention. The book brings up so, so many big and important themes - homophobia, prejudice in small towns, alcoholism, coming out, lost friendships, bad marriages, PTSD, casual racism, strained familial relationships. I'm pretty sure that's not them all. It does nothing with them. No one learns anything, nothing is changed by the end, there is no important exploration of any of these issues in the microcosm of small town life that could have been powerful.
Nor is this women's fiction, which I think was closer to the intention. The book brings up so, so many big and important themes - homophobia, prejudice in small towns, alcoholism, coming out, lost friendships, bad marriages, PTSD, casual racism, strained familial relationships. I'm pretty sure that's not them all. It does nothing with them. No one learns anything, nothing is changed by the end, there is no important exploration of any of these issues in the microcosm of small town life that could have been powerful.
elizea's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
3.25
heckle6's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
4.0
abigaiillamb's review against another edition
3.0
Didn't really enjoy either of the main characters. Meh. The writing style was nice but.... I think I feel about this book how people felt about Happiest Season?
charnyreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Bullying, Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Outing, Abandonment, Alcohol, and War
sarahhannah's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5