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imstephtacular's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Biphobia
Moderate: Alcohol, Cursing, Classism, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, and Vomit
Minor: Physical abuse, Violence, Bullying, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Acephobia/Arophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Stalking, and Panic attacks/disorders
chronicallytck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Also the chad + Ryan from high school musical references were my favorite part.
Minor: Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, and Infidelity
caitlin_doggos'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
3.75
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Drug use, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, and Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity, Alcoholism, and Domestic abuse
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Biphobia, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Child abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia and Vomit
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Biphobia and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Infidelity, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Vomit, Drug use, and Violence
dhwani'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
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, and Biphobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit and Violence
decklededgess'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
4.5
GOD THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD. The cast of characters is immaculate, the slow build of the romance is to die for, the main character's development arc was expertly executed, the humour is god tier just !!!!!!! excellence !!!!!! Darcy is so incredibly self aware yet unaware it makes her super funny and really endearing. You're rooting for the happiness of all the characters throughout the book and the payoff at the end is amazing. I loved the random high school musical conspiracy theory thrown in plus the book overall felt contemporary to teens these days (although I am not one myself nor am surrounded by them so I can't really say for sure. It just felt right). The talk around queer identities, bisexuality and biphobia, consent and communication...just stellar work. Incredible.
Graphic: Biphobia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Vomit
Moderate: Grief, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
kristynpittman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Biphobia, Domestic abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Transphobia and Vomit
mezzano'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
3.0
Unlike some Young Adult novels, the main characters in this story are considerably flawed, and the everyday drama of high school does at time seep into its pages. My favorite aspect of the story were definitely Darcy and Ainsley's interactions, which showed a healthy and loving sibling relationship. My close second favorite was Darcy slowly learning that her own biases were preventing her from forming a meaningful connection with someone she liked, and recognizing her own unhealthy behaviors.
Other reviewers have mentioned that the beginning of this book felt slow and uneventful, but the beginning and middle were my favorite parts of this story. It was sweet to see Darcy learn more about Brougham's Australian heritage and slowly open up about herself. The events and outcomes feel realistic and properly paced, whereas the ending of the book can come across as grand and dramatic. Given everything that happens from the middle to the end of the novel (no spoilers!) I was surprised at how neatly the story was wrapped up. Darcy pays a pretty big price as the result of her business venture, which was popularized around the school by someone she previously trusted. There is a power dynamic that is welcomed and celebrated at the end of the book, when I honestly thought it would have been better for Darcy to learn how to part ways. This is my first Sophie Gonzales book, but apparently other books by her have grandiose happy endings also, which isn't an inherently bad thing. With so much toxic behavior in this book, however, it would have been nice to see more personal growth before things were so neatly tied back together.
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Biphobia
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Vomit, and Stalking
Minor: Violence and Alcoholism