Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - Yerba Buena

Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour

59 reviews

bellavictoria's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I don't know any other way to say it other than this book was perfect. it's going into my top 5 favorites ever. I felt so drawn into the story instantly. The characters are so fleshed out and real. It's heartbreaking, tragic even but I also started to feel so much hope while reading. I couldn't put this one down and truthfully don't think many books will ever make me feel what this one did.
There are some heavy themes of drugs (use and dealing), sexual manipulation, and cheating.

Content Warnings

ada_rosales's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging fast-paced

3.0

Content Warnings

garfield_eats's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

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

Content Warnings

garciaga's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This book was biting more than it could chew. It tries to explore a relationship through time, how you can find someone that is good for you and yet, not be the right moment. And we sort of get to see it, but it doesn't have much impact since the characters are so underdeveloped. Emilie just lets life take her places, not really taking any decisions (not even when finally finding her "life passiom", it kind of just falls on her lap); and Sara has such a horrible beginning, but from then on things just work out perfectly everytime, and there are barely any consequences.
Maybe the problem is that I was expecting a different kind of book. I was also not a fan of the love story, since it takes them half the book to actually meet and then they fall in love instantly. Where's the pinning? Where's the yearning? Where's the idea that love is something that you build and strengthen through time?
Anyway. At least the writing style was beautiful.

Content Warnings

caseyaboutthroughout's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark 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? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

storyskein's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad fast-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

4.5

This is the perfect book to start with a cup of coffee on a Saturday morning and finish with a glass of wine in the evening. Even though Yerba Buena is deeply emotional, the deceptively simple prose draws the reader along. The prose, by the way, is probably my favorite part: a masterclass in sensual efficiency.

Yerba Buena deals with heavy, complicated issues, but the tenderness and vulnerability with which LaCour draws Sara and Emilie makes the book feel almost gentle at times. That's not to say that the trauma isn't dealt with--it is. The reader is left with no doubt the events that have shaped these women, and yet, LaCour balances the harrowing with the ultimately hopeful.

Content Warnings