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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved the writing style. Very beautiful writing style especially for a first book and I liked Natalie's character too. Her inexperience/growing up is explored in a realistic manner, and it makes her relationship with Nora more interesting. The twist was kind of obvious, but I have a feeling that was done on purpose given Natalie's character? Very "when you are young they assume you know nothing" vibes. I hope Fischer continues to write because I want to read whatever she publishes from now on.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Adult is one of those books that feels like it’s teetering on the edge of something profound but never quite gets there. It’s not a bad read—there are moments of beauty and introspection—but it’s also not a book that left me feeling particularly satisfied. If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be: underwhelming.
The story follows Natalie, a young woman navigating the complexities of adulthood, relationships, and self-discovery. On paper, this sounds like the kind of character-driven narrative I’d usually enjoy. And to be fair, there are glimpses of raw honesty in Natalie’s voice that made me pause and think, “Yes, I’ve felt that way too.” Bronwyn Fischer has a knack for capturing those quiet, universal moments of doubt and longing that come with growing up.
But here’s the thing: Natalie’s journey felt... incomplete. There were times when her choices frustrated me, not because they were flawed (flawed characters can be fascinating), but because they lacked depth or meaningful consequences. It’s like the story kept skimming the surface of her emotions without ever diving deep enough to make me truly care. I wanted more—more introspection, more growth, more something—but it never quite delivered.
The writing itself is fine. It’s not overly flowery or pretentious, which I appreciate, but it also didn’t stand out in any particular way. It’s the kind of prose that does its job without leaving a lasting impression. I found myself wishing for a bit more lyricism or a stronger narrative voice to elevate the story.
As for the pacing, it’s slow—painfully slow at times. I don’t mind a slow burn if it’s building toward something impactful, but in this case, the payoff felt lackluster. The ending left me with more questions than answers, and not in a thought-provoking, open-ended way. It just felt unfinished, like the story ran out of steam before it could reach a satisfying conclusion.
Would I recommend The Adult? Maybe, but with caveats. If you’re in the mood for a quiet, introspective read and don’t mind a slower pace, this might work for you. But if you’re looking for a story with strong character development or a compelling emotional arc, you might want to pass.
Final rating: ⭐⭐✨ because while it had potential, it didn’t quite live up to it
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed reading this but I also wish it had gone a bit… deeper maybe? I’m unsure. I think the twist was very predictable but I also hope that maybe that was on purpose to further drive home how young and naive Natalie is. I just wish I felt more for the protagonist. I remember being 18 and being unsure of myself and at time Fischer really captures that, but ultimately this left me wanting more.
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
SMASH!! loved this book. loved. I wish I read it before going to university because everything felt so real, down to the game of assassin. Natalie was the worst. And the best. This book will hold a special place in my heart.
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes