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disneydamsel1's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Some of the humor made me laugh, but mostly just cringe. Thomas is the best character and Betty. Basically it is a series of bad choices and decisions mixed with sarcasm. The first 2/3 of the book. I like the last handful of chapters, but to me it wasn't worth the work to get there.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Classism
debussy's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Abandonment
amberinpieces's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Violence, Blood, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Biphobia, Body shaming, Death, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Inspired by Mean Girls, this regency story has all the casual cruelty and grappling for social currency that one would expect. The references are complete with a chapter that begins, "Get in, Georgiana. We're going shopping." Frances Campbell is our Queen Bee, and protagonist Georgiana is eager to become her latest sycophant, wanting an injection of reckless fun into her boring summer. The book showcases characters with a complete disregard for social norms whereas most regency romps only manage tepid or pointed departures from what is socially acceptable. Envision illicit drugs of all types, nude frolicking, and a complete lack of chaperones. The story takes a look at how a certain level of class and money excuses all else. The constraints on the behavior of middle and lower-class persons are mere suggestions for the elite, easy to ignore when the consequences are so ephemeral. This is another way it sets itself apart from historical fiction that emphasizes social pressures on aristocrats.
The story has a quick, biting wit akin to Georgiana's own subversive, barbed remarks. Several funny asides made me laugh aloud. Also, letter banter is the BEST banter, and this one delivers in that category 100%. I was unconvinced of the central romance plot til the correspondence started up halfway through, and then I suddenly found myself on board. It was that high quality.
While reading, my stress level was high, even though I knew all the bad decisions and situations were building up to a lesson to be learned. It comes at a steep price for many characters involved. The emphasis on needing to be cool or seem above everyone else made me cringe, with side helpings of peer pressure and harassment, bullying and exclusionary tactics. Add in quick judgments and nasty put-downs to make oneself feel superior. It offers a deep view of the root causes of the characters' behaviors. For example, our protagonist Georgiana is spinning out in bitter rebellion after being abandoned by cold, distant parents. She seeks affection and belonging at any cost.
There are several content warnings of note for this story: sexual assault on-page and other incidents that occur off-page with physical and psychological harm explored, gaslighting and victim-blaming following claims of assault, racism and slavery, homophobia/lesbophobia, domestic abuse, toxic relationships, a lot of alcohol and other substance abuse, and parental neglect. The author takes a worthy stand on the proper response to assault claims and offers a glimpse into a diverse regency world hampered by prejudice but not whitewashed or offering queer characters as mere sidekicks. It's an interesting book that manages to be difficult to read at some points, uproariously funny at others, sometimes reflective and other times barreling forward. It was a compelling read, and I am curious to see what the author does next.
The story has a quick, biting wit akin to Georgiana's own subversive, barbed remarks. Several funny asides made me laugh aloud. Also, letter banter is the BEST banter, and this one delivers in that category 100%. I was unconvinced of the central romance plot til the correspondence started up halfway through, and then I suddenly found myself on board. It was that high quality.
While reading, my stress level was high, even though I knew all the bad decisions and situations were building up to a lesson to be learned. It comes at a steep price for many characters involved. The emphasis on needing to be cool or seem above everyone else made me cringe, with side helpings of peer pressure and harassment, bullying and exclusionary tactics. Add in quick judgments and nasty put-downs to make oneself feel superior. It offers a deep view of the root causes of the characters' behaviors. For example, our protagonist Georgiana is spinning out in bitter rebellion after being abandoned by cold, distant parents. She seeks affection and belonging at any cost.
There are several content warnings of note for this story: sexual assault on-page and other incidents that occur off-page with physical and psychological harm explored, gaslighting and victim-blaming following claims of assault, racism and slavery, homophobia/lesbophobia, domestic abuse, toxic relationships, a lot of alcohol and other substance abuse, and parental neglect. The author takes a worthy stand on the proper response to assault claims and offers a glimpse into a diverse regency world hampered by prejudice but not whitewashed or offering queer characters as mere sidekicks. It's an interesting book that manages to be difficult to read at some points, uproariously funny at others, sometimes reflective and other times barreling forward. It was a compelling read, and I am curious to see what the author does next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Colonisation
notwelllread's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
*Update: I haven't stopped thinking about this book since I finished it. When that happens, I take it as a good sign. I'm increasing my rating from a 3.75 to a 4.5. Although I think some aspects of the novel could have been worked on and fleshed out more, I am 100 percent captivated by Lex Croucher's writing.*
Reputation is like a love child between Mean Girls and a Jane Austen novel. Toxic friendships and rebellious youths mirror our own experiences at that age, and answers the question no asked but still happy to receive, how would Mean Girls play out if set in the Regency Era?
With a cast of characters, so deeply nasty and no redeeming qualities, I was sure this book wasn't for me. Normally I love reading morally gray characters (they're my favs!), but either its a testament to Lex Croucher's writing or an unfortunate side effect of it being her very first novel, the mean, petty, and bratty characters were hard to swallow. Its not until the last 100 pages where I felt some relief from the toxicity of Georgianna's "friendships".
Ultimately, it was Lex's writing and those last few pages that saved this book for me. I do wish that Frances and her swath of equally unlikable friends had more of a lesson to learn, still what little that was learned helped bring about a satisfying conclusion to a frustrating, yet delightful read.
Reputation is like a love child between Mean Girls and a Jane Austen novel. Toxic friendships and rebellious youths mirror our own experiences at that age, and answers the question no asked but still happy to receive, how would Mean Girls play out if set in the Regency Era?
With a cast of characters, so deeply nasty and no redeeming qualities, I was sure this book wasn't for me. Normally I love reading morally gray characters (they're my favs!), but either its a testament to Lex Croucher's writing or an unfortunate side effect of it being her very first novel, the mean, petty, and bratty characters were hard to swallow. Its not until the last 100 pages where I felt some relief from the toxicity of Georgianna's "friendships".
Ultimately, it was Lex's writing and those last few pages that saved this book for me. I do wish that Frances and her swath of equally unlikable friends had more of a lesson to learn, still what little that was learned helped bring about a satisfying conclusion to a frustrating, yet delightful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Racism
pipn_t's review against another edition
funny
tense
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
4.0
It was well written, but it wasn’t really my sort of thing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Domestic abuse and Infidelity
criticalbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Classism
jmbibliophile's review against another edition
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Get in Georgiana. We’re going shopping.”
Reputation is the hilarious and dramatic marriage of Jane Austen and Mean Girls. Georgiana Ellers has found herself in a new town, living with her middle-class Aunt and Uncle. At a party, she meets wealthy and mischievous Frances Campbell, and gets her ticket into the elite in-crowd. Enamored with a sense of belonging and importance, Georgina falls into a new scene: full of drinking, drugs, debauchery, and the drama of upper-class society. However, Georgiana soon discovers that she’s in over her head. Is this high society life worth the price?
This book is a wild ride. Georgiana is a quirky, sheltered bookworm who just wants to fit in. She admires the life of Frances and her friends, but she eventually realizes their lives aren’t as glamourous as they seem. Her friends struggle with racism, sexual assault, and having to hide their sexual identities. As a reader, it was obvious that these people were acting out in order to forget their struggles, knowing they could get away with it because of their money and social stature. Georgiana, however, takes time to see that. This is so relatable to me, as someone who wanted to fit in with the “cool kids” at school, so you are willing to do things you know aren’t right. I loved Georgiana’s character growth through this story, along with her hilarious quips. Frances? The perfect mean girl. Oh man, Lex does a great job of putting the reader in a love-hate relationship with this character. Sometimes I wanted to give her a hug, other times I wanted to pull her hair out.
My only complaint about this book, and it’s a big one, is that I strongly believe it was categorized incorrectly. This book is excellent for what it is, but it is absolutely NOT a rom-com. Is there some romance in it? Yes. Is it the main plot of the story? No. I would consider this book to be a historical drama, with romance and comedic elements. Please do not go into this book thinking you’re getting a romantic comedy, because not I only will I think you’ll be disappointed, you’ll also be ill-prepared for the traumatic topics that are explored in this book.
CWs: attempted sexual assault, implied sexual assault, alcohol poisoning, discussion of family loss, drugging, slut-shaming, homophobia, racism, domestic violence
(Note: I was provided an advanced copy of Reputation by the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.)
Reputation is the hilarious and dramatic marriage of Jane Austen and Mean Girls. Georgiana Ellers has found herself in a new town, living with her middle-class Aunt and Uncle. At a party, she meets wealthy and mischievous Frances Campbell, and gets her ticket into the elite in-crowd. Enamored with a sense of belonging and importance, Georgina falls into a new scene: full of drinking, drugs, debauchery, and the drama of upper-class society. However, Georgiana soon discovers that she’s in over her head. Is this high society life worth the price?
This book is a wild ride. Georgiana is a quirky, sheltered bookworm who just wants to fit in. She admires the life of Frances and her friends, but she eventually realizes their lives aren’t as glamourous as they seem. Her friends struggle with racism, sexual assault, and having to hide their sexual identities. As a reader, it was obvious that these people were acting out in order to forget their struggles, knowing they could get away with it because of their money and social stature. Georgiana, however, takes time to see that. This is so relatable to me, as someone who wanted to fit in with the “cool kids” at school, so you are willing to do things you know aren’t right. I loved Georgiana’s character growth through this story, along with her hilarious quips. Frances? The perfect mean girl. Oh man, Lex does a great job of putting the reader in a love-hate relationship with this character. Sometimes I wanted to give her a hug, other times I wanted to pull her hair out.
My only complaint about this book, and it’s a big one, is that I strongly believe it was categorized incorrectly. This book is excellent for what it is, but it is absolutely NOT a rom-com. Is there some romance in it? Yes. Is it the main plot of the story? No. I would consider this book to be a historical drama, with romance and comedic elements. Please do not go into this book thinking you’re getting a romantic comedy, because not I only will I think you’ll be disappointed, you’ll also be ill-prepared for the traumatic topics that are explored in this book.
CWs: attempted sexual assault, implied sexual assault, alcohol poisoning, discussion of family loss, drugging, slut-shaming, homophobia, racism, domestic violence
(Note: I was provided an advanced copy of Reputation by the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Racism, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia and Blood
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Classism
laceystairs's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was such a fun Rom-com. You can tell from the cover you are getting Gossip Girl/Mean Girl vibes in a Bridgerton/Austen era.
It was fast paced enough that I kept going back to see what ridiculous things the socialites were going to get up to, and while I anticipated a lot of what our main character Georgiana Ellers would experience and eventually come up against, (peer pressure, lies told to spend time with dubious company and late nights Turing into early mornings before sneaking home) it was a entertaining enough plot to keep me an interested reader.
I loved the modern solutions and attitudes placed withing the historic settings and conversation. It was delightful and engaging. I felt sad that it was over but enjoyed how the story was wrapped up.
It was fast paced enough that I kept going back to see what ridiculous things the socialites were going to get up to, and while I anticipated a lot of what our main character Georgiana Ellers would experience and eventually come up against, (peer pressure, lies told to spend time with dubious company and late nights Turing into early mornings before sneaking home) it was a entertaining enough plot to keep me an interested reader.
I loved the modern solutions and attitudes placed withing the historic settings and conversation. It was delightful and engaging. I felt sad that it was over but enjoyed how the story was wrapped up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Alcohol, and Classism
kirbylover16's review against another edition
After three hours in and a couple of times trying...
I couldn't connect to the main character Georgiana. She was annoying, superficial, and blah. She's the cliche bookworm who dreams of excitement and, I'm not like other girls. After having one night of fun, she decides that she won't try to befriend anyone else. It's Frances or nothing. Of course, Frances is a hot mess. Where is the romance or Bridgerton meets Gossip Girl part? I'm totally getting the Mean girls vibes but not the others. All we know about the love interest(or who I believe is) is he is not interested in Georgiana and likes to brush his horse. Dreamy. All of the characters are unnecessity mean or clueless. The narrator is great though the story, romance, characters are not there. 2/5
I couldn't connect to the main character Georgiana. She was annoying, superficial, and blah. She's the cliche bookworm who dreams of excitement and, I'm not like other girls. After having one night of fun, she decides that she won't try to befriend anyone else. It's Frances or nothing. Of course, Frances is a hot mess. Where is the romance or Bridgerton meets Gossip Girl part? I'm totally getting the Mean girls vibes but not the others. All we know about the love interest(or who I believe is) is he is not interested in Georgiana and likes to brush his horse. Dreamy. All of the characters are unnecessity mean or clueless. The narrator is great though the story, romance, characters are not there. 2/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Drug use, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Racism and Pregnancy
It's not clear if the pregnancy was miscarried or not it's really establishing this guy is a bad dude and doesn't love the girls he's with. A lot of bad parents in this book. One rich white dude marries a middle-class black woman and when the marriage is falling apart he blames her for not being a high lady. There's tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs at every party.