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jordan_noel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
There were a lot of moments I really loved in this book, but they always got ruined by the extremely sexed-up characters. Potentially serious discussions about suicidal ideation and the characters’ trauma gets overshadowed by the unnecessary and overly sexual relationships between the three main characters. Characters didn’t seem to care about each other beyond romantic attraction and there wasn’t much personality in them aside from their mental illness. Characters seemed to be attracted to each other solely because of their mental illness, appearance, and just plain presence.
Additionally, the characters just didn’t feel that different to me. They spoke the same and unless I was really paying attention to who’s talking or the character was explaining something about their past, I often had no idea which one was talking.
Lastly, I had some qualms about the way the facility and the therapists were portrayed. Was the facility juvie or a mental center? The therapists felt like they were brainwashing the patients rather than trying to help them and it wasn’t portrayed too negatively. While I feel Ellen Hopkins writes about the emotions of the more extreme difficulties of life effectively, I don’t think she handles the healing part so well. It just felt unrealistic and aimless, both for the characters that had happy endings and somehow also those that didn’t.
I felt that this book had the potential to be really great, but these parts just kind of ruined it for me.
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Suicide
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Rape, Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, Injury/Injury detail, and Abortion
Minor: Abandonment
b00ks_d0gs's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Suicide, and Rape
brunoshort's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Gun violence, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Trafficking, Child abuse, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Incest, Physical abuse, and Rape
Minor: Murder and Vomit
beccam22's review against another edition
- 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
🥀🖤 Dark truthful stories
👪👯♀️ Found Family
🛑Please read triggers warnings ⚠️
Ellen Hopkins is known for beautiful dark stories and this is nothing less than that. Written in verse, so much is said and conveyed with the lest amount of words and it cuts deep. Three teenagers go through a treatment program after attempting suicide, each for their own reasons and their own way. They find friendship and love and what is love.
These can be possible spoilers but I feel like it’s needed for some people in depth the possible triggers are:
There are detailed descriptions of self harm and suicidal thoughts. All main characters did attempt suicide and it is described in the very beginning how each of them attempted. There is detailed adult/minor relationships as well as rape and grooming. Can be considered forced institutionalization since all main characters are minors and family is requiring them to attend the treatment center. There is a character with bipolar and family history of bipolar, the history does go in depth and how it effected them growing up. There is a character who has an abortion and the guilt from it. There are absent parents, both military and simply leaving for a better life. There are parents who expect perfection and the pressure that comes with that. There is a successful suicide. Please do not read this if you are not in a good head space.
Graphic: Drug use, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, Death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Addiction, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Body shaming, Pregnancy, Gun violence, Ableism, Eating disorder, and Homophobia
These can be possible spoilers but I feel like it’s needed for some people in depth the possible triggers are: There are detailed descriptions of self harm and suicidal thoughts. All main characters did attempt suicide and it is described in the very beginning how each of them attempted. There is detailed adult/minor relationships as well as rape and grooming. Can be considered forced institutionalization since all main characters are minors and family is requiring them to attend the treatment center. There is a character with bipolar and family history of bipolar, the history does go in depth and how it effected them growing up. There is a character who has an abortion and the guilt from it. There are absent parents, both military and simply leaving for a better life. There are parents who expect perfection and the pressure that comes with that. There is a successful suicide. Please do not read this if you are not in a good head space.sillih28's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Rape, Self harm, and Sexual assault
Minor: Sexual harassment and Vomit
em_reads's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Vomit
shakiral's review against another edition
A guy who thinks he's gay realizing he's straight in a mental institution and falling for this bitch, no thanks. I've read worse, but I just don't like it.
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Antisemitism, Biphobia, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
First time I go "This book was writen by a white straight woman" and what do you know a I was right.