Reviews with content warning for Adult/minor relationship - You'll Be the Death of Me

McManus’ books are always an intriguing patchwork of characters and bigger lives, and this was no exception. The incidentally reunion of a trio of ex-friends was an effective backdrop, full of layered secrets and guilt.

I didn’t find this book as gripping as her others, but still a solid read, with a superb finishing twist to make it worthwhile.

Content Warnings

minimicropup's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Cute, cynical, melancholic

Three middle school friends that grew apart by high school incidentally reunite to skip classes because they are all having a bad, off, or distracted day.
We're following the three high school students with very different families, backgrounds, and goals.
Set in the Boston and surrounding area (USA).

Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags 🐺🐕:

👍 I enjoyed it overall. The characters were all relatable and if you're not a young adult, the nostalgia around friendship, freedom, and how every moment feels so "big" was accurate.
🤷‍♀️ At around the 75% mark I started to want the wrap-up to occur. There are predictable moments and for some parts it doesn't negatively affect the story, but for other parts it starts to feel slow/stalled/bit repetitive.

Cred Rating: Realistic/Plausible with OTT bits

Mood Reading Match Up:

Adventures while skipping class (slowly evolving into adventure, not OTT)
High school and family drama around $$, student politics, and crushes
Platonic friendships and "missed chance" romance

Content Head-Up: Adult/minor emotional relationship. Drugs (pills).

Format: Hardcover

Content Warnings

emilybemily_67's review against another edition

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emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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libraryghost's review against another edition

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mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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brookey8888's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was fun. I just really like how she writes friendships and relationships. The mystery was good and kept me entertained. I didn’t really see anything coming but I didn’t really try to figure it out. honestly my favorite part was the romantic relationship but what can I say I’m a sucker for romance.

Content Warnings

archiveofrasa's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I don't have much to say about Karen M. McManus' work other than she is the reason I still keep reading YA fiction. the DRAMA 🤌🏼

Content Warnings

mjhorne's review against another edition

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mysterious tense fast-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

4.0

Slow start but that could just be me being a slow reader- once you're in it though YOU ARE IN!!! Love a good mystery and I kept trying to figure it out before the characters did

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