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cadnams1994's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility
amyvl93's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I was really excited to read Olive as novels about women who choose to be childfree still feel few and far between, and I was interested to read something that grapples with this. However for me this novel missed the mark, largely because our protagonist was The Worst.
Olive Stone (yes really) has recently broken up with her long-term boyfriend because he is ready for children and she doesn't think she wants them. Meanwhile, her best friends from secondary school have all followed this path; her friend Bea became a Mum early and how has three children, Cecily is ready to pop with her first baby and Isla is struggling to conceive and going through IVF. In her role working as an senior member of the team at an online feminism website, Olive begins to explore what it means to be childfree. We also get flashback scenes to Olive and her friends from university through their twenties as their lives change.
I found most of the characters fairly unbearable, and from the start the lack of communication between this group of apparent deep best friends just struck me as unbelievable; Olive as a protagonist is deeply judgemental of almost everyone she interacts with (and covers this up by just saying she's a journalist constantly) which makes it somewhat unsurprising that she apparently has no other friends than three people she's known since she was a child. What could have been an interesting exploration of important topics mostly had me hoping that I don't turn out like Olive; whilst her friends were all managing to live family lives in London and the South East which are entirely out of reach for most other people.
There were definitely moments in Olive that rang true - Isla's deeply complicated feelings about fertility, a nightmare baby shower, Olive's first attendance at a childfree session and her early interactions with a new love interest.
However, it felt like there were too many plotlines that were introduced (Olive's heavy drinking, some terrible partners, literally any of her writing) and go no where - it's almost hinted that Olive's reliance on alcohol is 'cured' by the arrival of a new relationship. There are important topics within the pages of Olive, which will hopefully be picked up in more successful novels.
Olive Stone (yes really) has recently broken up with her long-term boyfriend because he is ready for children and she doesn't think she wants them. Meanwhile, her best friends from secondary school have all followed this path; her friend Bea became a Mum early and how has three children, Cecily is ready to pop with her first baby and Isla is struggling to conceive and going through IVF. In her role working as an senior member of the team at an online feminism website, Olive begins to explore what it means to be childfree. We also get flashback scenes to Olive and her friends from university through their twenties as their lives change.
I found most of the characters fairly unbearable, and from the start the lack of communication between this group of apparent deep best friends just struck me as unbelievable; Olive as a protagonist is deeply judgemental of almost everyone she interacts with (and covers this up by just saying she's a journalist constantly) which makes it somewhat unsurprising that she apparently has no other friends than three people she's known since she was a child. What could have been an interesting exploration of important topics mostly had me hoping that I don't turn out like Olive; whilst her friends were all managing to live family lives in London and the South East which are entirely out of reach for most other people.
There were definitely moments in Olive that rang true - Isla's deeply complicated feelings about fertility, a nightmare baby shower, Olive's first attendance at a childfree session and her early interactions with a new love interest.
However, it felt like there were too many plotlines that were introduced (Olive's heavy drinking, some terrible partners, literally any of her writing) and go no where - it's almost hinted that Olive's reliance on alcohol is 'cured' by the arrival of a new relationship. There are important topics within the pages of Olive, which will hopefully be picked up in more successful novels.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility
Minor: Alcoholism and Death
kys831's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Infertility
readingisfun14's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I feel so conflicted about this book. In one way it made me think about my friendships etc, but mostly I’m just annoyed with the characters. If they would have just gone to therapy they could have avoided all their issues. But I guess it reflects real life situations. I was interested enough to listen to the whole thing but if I was reading it I probably would have stopped.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship
michellek's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Pregnancy, Eating disorder, Infidelity, and Panic attacks/disorders
_leesey's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? No
4.75
Absolutely loved this book, and it mirrored where I am at in my life and friendship group. Relatable characters, real life circumstances and writing with heart. A must read if you are in your 20s-30s and going through a transition period.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility
franzi_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Alcohol, Pregnancy, and Infertility
Minor: Vomit, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Eating disorder, and Panic attacks/disorders
kyahs's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility
miss_mariss's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
I would give this a 3.9 over 3.75 if it was an option but alas! Overall I enjoyed this book because it’s not often you see a young woman who doesn’t want kids as the main character of a book. As someone who is still unsure of whether I want kids, it was really refreshing to read this book. It felt very real in a lot of ways, and relatable. The reason I didn’t give it a 4 is because I felt the main character, Olive, to be a little too contrarian at times for what felt like just the sake of being contrarian. It’s more than okay to not want kids but I felt like she brought it up in certain moments or in ways that didn’t feel necessary.
The way the book ended wrapped up perhaps a little too conveniently, there was a relationship in the book that I’m not sure would’ve wrapped the way it did in reality, at least based on how it was going right before the end. With that said, I still enjoyed this book and got emotional a couple times seeing some of my own feelings reflected there. You can’t help but root for Olive’s journey and happiness!
The way the book ended wrapped up perhaps a little too conveniently, there was a relationship in the book that I’m not sure would’ve wrapped the way it did in reality, at least based on how it was going right before the end. With that said, I still enjoyed this book and got emotional a couple times seeing some of my own feelings reflected there. You can’t help but root for Olive’s journey and happiness!
Content Warnings
Minor: Infertility
katharina_s's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Pregnancy, Infertility, and Sexism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Death, Transphobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
Minor: Eating disorder and Blood