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theundecidedcat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Very mixed feelings
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexism, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Vomit, Outing, and Alcohol
alice_wright27's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
saf_reads_b00k5's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I recently read Florence Given's Women Living Deliciously, saw this in my library and thought "why not?"
In some ways I wish I hadn't bothered as it didn't deliver on what I was hoping and was promised it would be "a hot, dark story" that was layered in mystery until the truth finally comes out.
I actually enjoyed the first half, it felt more grounded - though Eartha's boyfriend came across as an inflated and unbelievable caricature. Her first queer experiences are touching and I was so invested in seeing how those relationships developed as well as her relationship with her best friend Rose.
But nope. The second half goes off the rails. And maybe that's the point? I read this in a frenzy and honestly felt I was going crazy myself as I couldn't put it down. I just NEEDED to know how things would turn out and I was desperate for Eartha to pull herself out of the hole she kept digging.
When I saw I only had a few pages left and she was still deep, DEEP in that hole, I half expected the ending to be "and she woke up and it was all a dream" or that she'd actually been 'plugged in' to Wonderland for the whole experience. Either way, the actual ending was really unsatisfying (and what was with the directors cuts?! I didn't like them at all as they really pull you out of the story).
Girl Crush also felt incredibly self-indulgent and biographical. I get the whole "write what you know" but having followed Florence on social for a while then parallels between Eartha as herself was just too blatant.
I've also seen people conspire that she wrote this as an apology or explanation for the plagiarism allegations on her first book. But idk.
Overall, I feel Florence tried to cram too much into this book - feminism, near future dystopia, queer coming out, cancel culture, social media addiction sexual trauma, anti-capitalism... And without the space to properly explore each of these, we're left with more questions and a bad taste in our mouths.
Side note: but I liked Women Living Deliciously a lot more!
In some ways I wish I hadn't bothered as it didn't deliver on what I was hoping and was promised it would be "a hot, dark story" that was layered in mystery until the truth finally comes out.
I actually enjoyed the first half, it felt more grounded - though Eartha's boyfriend came across as an inflated and unbelievable caricature. Her first queer experiences are touching and I was so invested in seeing how those relationships developed as well as her relationship with her best friend Rose.
But nope. The second half goes off the rails. And maybe that's the point? I read this in a frenzy and honestly felt I was going crazy myself as I couldn't put it down. I just NEEDED to know how things would turn out and I was desperate for Eartha to pull herself out of the hole she kept digging.
When I saw I only had a few pages left and she was still deep, DEEP in that hole, I half expected the ending to be "and she woke up and it was all a dream" or that she'd actually been 'plugged in' to Wonderland for the whole experience. Either way, the actual ending was really unsatisfying (and what was with the directors cuts?! I didn't like them at all as they really pull you out of the story).
Girl Crush also felt incredibly self-indulgent and biographical. I get the whole "write what you know" but having followed Florence on social for a while then parallels between Eartha as herself was just too blatant.
I've also seen people conspire that she wrote this as an apology or explanation for the plagiarism allegations on her first book. But idk.
Overall, I feel Florence tried to cram too much into this book - feminism, near future dystopia, queer coming out, cancel culture, social media addiction sexual trauma, anti-capitalism... And without the space to properly explore each of these, we're left with more questions and a bad taste in our mouths.
Side note: but I liked Women Living Deliciously a lot more!
angelswebb's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
wordnerd26's review
2.0
Tried to do so much and achieved very little of it. Some absurd choices I had to read aloud to believe
Saving grace: some heartfelt and moving description of coming to terms with your sexuality and unhealthy relationships
Saving grace: some heartfelt and moving description of coming to terms with your sexuality and unhealthy relationships
emmada11ow's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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
5.0
gia0203's review against another edition
1.0
I really tried to find something to love about this book. I suppose if I’m generous, I did speed through it and make it all the way to the end. Unfortunately, it was far too low-stakes and just dull.
charlie_rosannah_reads's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0