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katharina90's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Moderate: Child death and Murder
Minor: Drug use and Suicide
a_lyttle_book_blog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
I wasn't super interested when it would go back to the earlier timeline. I liked the current timeline story and found myself not as engaged during the earlier timeline, which I think made it harder to get into overall. I felt that the end was a bit rushed, but the story was still good.
Moderate: Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, and Murder
carissa230's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
When they get to Italy it becomes clear that the girls are more frenemies than best friends. They have been friends forever, but there is an imbalance in the relationship. In Italy Emily is inspired to right a true crime book based off the house they're staying in. Chess is seeing some writers block and wants to hop on the book with Emily. Why Emily would even consider this is beyond me. What could she possibly need from Chess in this situation besides the fans she already has?
In the other (and far more interesting) storyline we have a group of famous musicians on a vacation. There are a lot of drugs used and a lot of fighting and jealousy. Mari and Lara are 16-year-old girls (16!) that are staying and partying with the rockstars. Maris is also compelled by the house to write a book. Lara wants to be a musician in her own right. While the rock stars party, the girls balance between trying to mend their fight and jealousy. Turns out both girls are in love with Pierce (I don't have any idea why, probably because they're 16).
The storyline of the fighting, jealousy, and drug-fueled parties was by far more entertaining to me. I think that can happen in books with multiple timelines. One is generally more entertaining. Obviously, the fact that both Emily and Chess want to write about the part makes it more interesting.
Graphic: Child death, Infidelity, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Miscarriage
hannahalane's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child death and Murder
Moderate: Abortion
emmehooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Infidelity and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, Drug use, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Abortion, and Pregnancy
frenchvanillapowdercreamer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, and Suicide
sierracaine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence and Murder
Moderate: Child death
katymat18's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Child death and Miscarriage
itsheyfay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Suicide, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Miscarriage and Vomit
minimicropup's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
We follow characters from two timepoints - the '70s and present day. Both timePOVs are set in a Villa on the outskirts of Orvieto, Italy. The present day characters (a cozy mystery author and wellness influencer) are working on their slightly estranged friendship and are enticed by the history of the villa. In the 1970s a platinum album was composed and a classic horror novel written at the villa.
Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags πΊπ:
- I liked the depth of character development and how the hint of campiness slowly escalated through a realistic slow burn mystery
- Bit of grown-up Goosebumps energy with discovering the history of the Villa and what went down by decoding hints in the author's horror novel
- The setting was immersive and kind of evolved into its own entity in the story
- If you're in this just for the sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll you may be disappointed. It's in the plot, but isn't the main focus. I liked how it was worked into the plot naturally and seemed realistic.
Cred Rating π: Realistic with just a touch of campy
- Friendship and sibling dramas with bits of 'cattiness', jealousy, scheming, and competition + heartwarming and empathetic moments
- Slowly unraveling murder mysteries and blackmail
- Elements of "good for her" revenge
- Summer vacation vibes, nostalgic 1970s vibes
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Sexual harassment
Sexual content is with consent. Adult/minor relationship is early 20s with 15-16 year olds running away from family together.