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naturally's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
many interesting and valid points are present in this book, but they aren't fleshed out enough. so i feel like i was just presented with a bundle of loose threads.
Graphic: Stalking, Misogyny, Medical content, Sexism, and Medical trauma
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Reminded me a bit of Yellowface with the focus on unlikeable narrators doing things that make you want to pull your hair out. The multiple POVs kept the story fresh and interesting, made all the more lively with multiple narrators.
The ending was a bit chaotic listening on audios since it covers a mixed media approach to storytelling, but the additional musical stings and text/email sounds did help portray the formats.
This would make a great book club read as there are so many points rich for discussion. Overall, an interesting commentary on gender-based violence that challenged me to really stop and reflect.
Graphic: Infertility, Animal death, Sexual assault, Gore, Blood, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Medical content, Stalking, Gaslighting, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Medical trauma
nataliehelenab'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
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Sexism, Infertility, Sexual assault, and Stalking
Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, Medical trauma, Infertility, Mental illness, Violence, Cursing, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Animal death, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, and Stalking
beckyjzw's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Miscarriage, Infertility, Medical trauma, Domestic abuse, Rape, and Misogyny
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was an interesting multiple-POV book. I'm so glad the publisher put the money into the audio that they did. It was rich and felt as if I'd read the book which is not just multiple POV but mixed media.
The story was also good and kept me guessing. I wondered if Cole was a reliable narrator and what exactly was going on. I wish we'd gotten more of Cole's POV though, after the main events unfolded.
Narrator Rating: 5 stars
All the narrators did an excellent job, and as said in the main review there were many and it made the book more immersive.
Extra ratings: Fluff-0/5 Heartfelt-5/5 Helpful-3/5 Horror-NA Inspiration-NA Love aka Romance-NA Mystery-2/5 Predictability-1/5 Spice-NA Suspense-4/5 Tear-3/5 Thrill-3.5/5 Humor-NA
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Infertility, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Cursing, Sexism, Animal death, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Blood, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Murder, Medical content, Miscarriage, Child abuse, and Rape
THERE IS NO GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF RAPE in this book. One of the characters has a rape fantasy which they talk about a lot, and there's the start of the fantasy play in the book. However, there is GRAPHIC animal death! He smashes a rabbit's head with a hammer and disembowels it!pippahawkins's review
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Rape, Stalking, Infertility, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, and Pedophilia
astoriareader's review
- 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
3.0
- Cole sees himself as one of the good guys. His wife, Mel, has ended things with him after seven years together & many IVF failures. He is starting a new chapter in a remote location.
- Cole befriends his new neighbor, Lennie, who is an artist.
- Two young women activists disappear near where Cole & Lennie live. What happened to them?
- Interesting plot about tough topics.
- The formatting is unique. I liked the format of first 2/3s, but not the last third. The first third is from Cole’s perspective, the second third is from Mel’s, and the final third is social media posts, articles, comments, and podcast transcriptions. The last bit was difficult to read & follow; it was choppy.
- Lots of social commentary in the book, particularly regarding consent, violence against women, abuse, manipulation. Readers should check out trigger warnings as well.
- I really enjoyed seeing the perspectives of Cole & Mel. Those parts were well-written, and it captures how different they interpreted things.
- The narrative was pretty heavy headed & there wasn’t anything subtle for the reader to form conclusions about within the story. Writing style was pedantic. The execution was lacking. The ending was meh.
- On paper, I thought I would love it, as I do love feminist discourse, but I came away from the book very underwhelmed.
Graphic: Violence, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gaslighting, Child abuse, Death of parent, Animal death, Murder, Infertility, and Medical trauma