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petrock28's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
karissachaput's review against another edition
5.0
There are so many things that I loved about this book, it was honestly so well written. The characters are phenomenal especially Hermione and Polly. They seemed so real to me, like they were actual living and breathing people.
My emotions ran wild, my heart pounded, and I felt everything they felt.
It was truly an epic read.
My emotions ran wild, my heart pounded, and I felt everything they felt.
It was truly an epic read.
snaillydia's review against another edition
2.0
Despite having a premise that promises anguish and a heartbreaking, or at least sad, story, somehow this book manages to be mediocre. Remarkably mediocre.
I cannot say that any of the issues weren't handled well by the author. It's obvious that a lot of thought was put into giving this story the respect it deserves. And yet that's not enough for this book to be anything other than painfully meh.
The characters were fine. The setting was standard. The writing was fine, despite how annoying it was at times. The author decided it was best if our narrator never described anything. So I had to fill in the gaps and make up everything in order to be able to picture this story as I read. No effort was put into giving this setting any sort of depth.
I did like how realistic our narrator was. Hermione is in a tragic situation and following her through her healing felt very real. That's very hard to pull off in a story like this and mad props to the author for doing it.
Oh, by the way, I might be dumb, but how was Shakespeare involved in this? What's Shakespearean about this novel other than the title?
I cannot say that any of the issues weren't handled well by the author. It's obvious that a lot of thought was put into giving this story the respect it deserves. And yet that's not enough for this book to be anything other than painfully meh.
The characters were fine. The setting was standard. The writing was fine, despite how annoying it was at times. The author decided it was best if our narrator never described anything. So I had to fill in the gaps and make up everything in order to be able to picture this story as I read. No effort was put into giving this setting any sort of depth.
I did like how realistic our narrator was. Hermione is in a tragic situation and following her through her healing felt very real. That's very hard to pull off in a story like this and mad props to the author for doing it.
Oh, by the way, I might be dumb, but how was Shakespeare involved in this? What's Shakespearean about this novel other than the title?
indigoivee's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
Amazing.
Hermione was a victim and a survivor, but she would not let those things define her. She was string and brave but this was a result of her extremely supportive team, her coach, her best friend and even the officer of her case. I loved the way Hermoine handled it with Grace, how she allowed herself to feel the pain of what she was going through but also allowed herself to ask for help and depend on those around her who she knew she could trust. Polly, Coach Caledon, her team and her family were perfect examples of what to do when someone you’ve known your entire life goes through an assault like this, they were supportive, they defended her, the protected her and gave her space when she needed it most. Hermoine was never alone, someone held her hand through it all, and best of all, they believed her.
This was not a cautionary tale, but it was fucking brilliant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion and Rape
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
1.0
1.5/5
I enjoy E.K. Johnston's books but with this one I felt like there was only three main points to the plot and some of it wasn't laid out as well as the other. I felt like there was more on the incident then the rumors and school having a field day with it.
I enjoy E.K. Johnston's books but with this one I felt like there was only three main points to the plot and some of it wasn't laid out as well as the other. I felt like there was more on the incident then the rumors and school having a field day with it.
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
I love YA. Oftentimes I am disappointed by how the genre is romance-centered. This novel gives us all the ingredients for a stereotypical YA romance: popular head cheerleader with a boyfriend about to start her Senior year in high school. However, just before school starts, she is slipped a roofie and raped. In one moment her entire future changes. What follows is a realistic portrayal of the conflicts she faces along the way, but also the support team that helps her come to terms with what happens.
kvreadsandrecs's review against another edition
4.0
Certainly idealistic, but perhaps more for people who are close to somebody who has been sexually assaulted. This is what a good support network looks like.
parpacifica's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted more character development.
The only character I felt that felt real was Polly.
I wanted some flow to the story.
It seemed choppy at times. The Reverend was mentioned in the beginning, and then suddenly, with no flow, he popped in at a scene in the middle of the book.
There was no alluding. There was just the author telling us how everything was and how everyone was feeling. It felt like the author didn’t trust her audience enough to make the conclusions on their own.
There were too many plot holes.
It was a good story with a good ending but there were lots of issues
The only character I felt that felt real was Polly.
I wanted some flow to the story.
It seemed choppy at times. The Reverend was mentioned in the beginning, and then suddenly, with no flow, he popped in at a scene in the middle of the book.
There was no alluding. There was just the author telling us how everything was and how everyone was feeling. It felt like the author didn’t trust her audience enough to make the conclusions on their own.
There were too many plot holes.
It was a good story with a good ending but there were lots of issues