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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
A decent book with some good plot twists. The ending fell a little flat.
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Mass/school shootings
3.5⭐️ the first portion of the book was slow but it picked up. I picked this book because people said it was one of the most disturbing books they had read. It didn’t give a reason why so I went into the book knowing nothing.
2.5-3 stars. Since I kept hearing this compared to Gone Girl, I thought I would add it to my to-read pile. My husband actually brought it for me so I decided to read it. I found myself not caring about Ani as a character. She complained about others a lot and was very materialistic. However, you don't always have to like the main character in a book. But it helps if the rest of the characters or the story really engage you. This one didn't do that for me. I was underwhelmed. I think I just wanted something more. Even the "twist" that was supposed to come didn't live up to the hype for me.
This book has been out so long but when I saw there was a Netflix film coming out I figured it was time to read it. At first I thought wow this is a lot like You by Carolyn Kepnes but with a female Joe and not a serial killer. That edgy voice, much like a Chuck Palahniuk yet mixed with a Devil Wears Prada/Gossip Girl style.
I really enjoyed this book. It was pretty dark and I came into it unaware of what Ani's dark past really was, which could very well be triggering in multiple ways just a warning.
I do admire the characters flawed thinking, the way it was written. Her survival strategies and then finally finding herself, and a chance for true happiness, hopefully.
I really enjoyed this book. It was pretty dark and I came into it unaware of what Ani's dark past really was, which could very well be triggering in multiple ways just a warning.
I do admire the characters flawed thinking, the way it was written. Her survival strategies and then finally finding herself, and a chance for true happiness, hopefully.
Ani definitely starts off as an incredibly rude and unlikable character, but the more I read, the more I came to understand why she behaves the way she does. Her issues all seem superficial, but once you discover the trauma she has endured, her fixation on projecting a certain image makes a lot more sense. By no means is this a perfect book, but I did enjoy the read. I do think her mother impacted her self worth and how Ani sees her role in what happened at the party at Dean’s. Furthermore, her hyper-fixation on her body isn’t uncommon, especially in a family that cares a ton about their image (or at least her mom does). In that sense, Ani is relatable. She demonstrates some growth, finally leaving Luke. I just wish we were able to see the fall out of Dean admitting to the rape being recorded.
Halfway through this book I did not expect to like it. Hated the main character because of her relentless need to be better than everyone and to create a false life just for appearances. Her desire to be this stuck up, vapid, stick-thin heiress still does not make sense to me. Although she was described as “kooky” multiple times, I had yet to see any instances where she had a personality until the end of the book. I’m still rating this 4 stars because it was interesting and pretty well written. Lots of triggering topics and skewed mindsets and just a bunch of messed up people in one book. I personally wanted the pov from multiple characters. In the end, I appreciate the way it was tied together. We love a good revenge story- although it would have been much better to hear the aftermath of it rather than just the plans. Infuriating, gripping, heart breaking, and even relatable when thinking back to life as a clueless teenager. This was a good book to start off 2023!
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
It had very heavy material. I thought there could been a bit more with character development. It was slow to start but definitely moved faster as you read.