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scops_xyz's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There's a lot I liked in this book - its female characters are allowed to be messy and contradictory, whilst still being treated empathetically. It deals with the issue of internalised misogyny and how that affects both mother-daughter and lesbian relationships. Most of the book is spent in the headspace of a 17 year old girl who's either bitterly fighting with her mother or obsessively crushing on an older woman, so maybe it's not surprising that at times the vivid, emotional writing style seemed to tip over into purple prose. Also the kinda Freudian idea that lesbianism comes from a desire for a better mother pervades the story, but that concept is never properly explored, just accepted as true, which at times seemed regressive but at others just came across as icky. Overall though, I prefer books that try to do something different and occasionally stumble, to something flawless but safe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Fatphobia, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug use and Eating disorder
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