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pamnc's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Animal death and Sexual violence
jammons's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Alcoholism, Murder, Cancer, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Terminal illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, and Physical abuse
Minor: Abortion, Drug use, and Addiction
catnapping's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
I really wanted to love this book, but it was just too slow. It really needed some additional editing. It's a nice coming of age story among the four friends as they grow and begin to deal with the difficulties of adulthood. It's a cute ode to the chicks. But I'm not really sure how the story manages to have TOO MUCH GOING ON and yet also NOTHING HAPPENING.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, and Alcoholism
lemurdance's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
5.0
I don't think I'll ever run out of nice things to say about Leesa Cross-Smith books. Incidentally, I've been saying so many nice things that my phone predicts both her first and last name when I start typing it. đ
Rosemarie, Ada, Caroline, and Kasey (or RACK, as they call themselves) have been more sisters than friends for their entire lives. Even when life takes them in different directions, even though Kasey hasn't set foot in their small hometown in fifteen years, and even though they come from vastly different backgrounds, their love is immutable. And now that they are finally all in Goldie together, it's a flood of memories, traumas, lost loves, and renewal of everything that is RACK. As their few secrets come to light, the women face them fiercer than ever...together.
I am marveling, yet again, at Cross-Smith's deftness at capturing, defining, and exploring human relationships. Lasting friendships like the four women in GOODBYE, EARL are rare, and the use of flashbacks alternating with present day gives the reader a solid familiarity with how they embrace each other through their flaws and disagreements. Even though the book wraps up nicely, I feel a little sad saying goodbye to them. RACK FOREVER, indeed.
Rosemarie, Ada, Caroline, and Kasey (or RACK, as they call themselves) have been more sisters than friends for their entire lives. Even when life takes them in different directions, even though Kasey hasn't set foot in their small hometown in fifteen years, and even though they come from vastly different backgrounds, their love is immutable. And now that they are finally all in Goldie together, it's a flood of memories, traumas, lost loves, and renewal of everything that is RACK. As their few secrets come to light, the women face them fiercer than ever...together.
I am marveling, yet again, at Cross-Smith's deftness at capturing, defining, and exploring human relationships. Lasting friendships like the four women in GOODBYE, EARL are rare, and the use of flashbacks alternating with present day gives the reader a solid familiarity with how they embrace each other through their flaws and disagreements. Even though the book wraps up nicely, I feel a little sad saying goodbye to them. RACK FOREVER, indeed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Murder
Minor: Pregnancy
heatherv's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- 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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Cancer
Moderate: Abortion, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Addiction, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
jeanbpdx's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Racism
mrscorytee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, and Murder
torrie_reads's review against another edition
4.5
Thoughts
I knew I had to read this book when I saw the title and that it was a revenge novel. I think a lot of us girls/women in the south loved that song because domestic violence is really bad here.
So to see an entire book made from it was amazing. But this isn't a light-hearted book. It is heavy. Really heavy. Please check all the warning before reading it.
I really enjoyed it. It was hard to put down. I love a good book about found family and a village of women looking out for each other. Cross-Smith adds Christianity to her books which is usually a deterrent for me. But it isn't overwhelming and the characters are respectful to other beliefs.
There were a few things I didn't like but overall I thought it was a fantastic book and will be buying a copy for my shelves.
I knew I had to read this book when I saw the title and that it was a revenge novel. I think a lot of us girls/women in the south loved that song because domestic violence is really bad here.
So to see an entire book made from it was amazing. But this isn't a light-hearted book. It is heavy. Really heavy. Please check all the warning before reading it.
I really enjoyed it. It was hard to put down. I love a good book about found family and a village of women looking out for each other. Cross-Smith adds Christianity to her books which is usually a deterrent for me. But it isn't overwhelming and the characters are respectful to other beliefs.
There were a few things I didn't like but overall I thought it was a fantastic book and will be buying a copy for my shelves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Death, Violence, and Sexual violence
shellyb's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Four lifelong friends reunite in their hometown after the 15 years since high school graduation in this dual timeline story. The story flips between their senior year of high school in 2004 and 2019 when theyâre all back in their hometown again for the first time since then.
When three friends suspect one of their own is in an abusive relationship, they confront her and convince her to leave - only her abuser discovers her plans and the abuse escalates. The other three know itâs time for this âEarlâ to say goodbye.
For me this was just okay. The first 1/3 or so it was engaging and felt well told. But somewhere near the middle it really started to drag. You pretty much know how itâs going to go but it takes forever to get there.
Also, there were some weird descriptive and phrasing choices throughout the book. And there were times it seemed like the author just grabbed a thesaurus and picked out the most obscure synonym she could. And although the Christian stuff wasnât super in your face and down your throat, I didnât feel like it added anything to the story.
Overall, it could have been better but it wasnât bad.
When three friends suspect one of their own is in an abusive relationship, they confront her and convince her to leave - only her abuser discovers her plans and the abuse escalates. The other three know itâs time for this âEarlâ to say goodbye.
For me this was just okay. The first 1/3 or so it was engaging and felt well told. But somewhere near the middle it really started to drag. You pretty much know how itâs going to go but it takes forever to get there.
Also, there were some weird descriptive and phrasing choices throughout the book. And there were times it seemed like the author just grabbed a thesaurus and picked out the most obscure synonym she could. And although the Christian stuff wasnât super in your face and down your throat, I didnât feel like it added anything to the story.
Overall, it could have been better but it wasnât bad.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Murder, Rape, and Domestic abuse
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