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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
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
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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:
Complicated
I feel so seen by this book. While my childhood wasn't this restrictive, I did grow up fundy evangelical, and so much of the WSC and patriarchal bullshit in this book was present in our cult. It breaks my heart that children are still enduring this kind of abuse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Outing, Gaslighting
emotional
funny
relaxing
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:
Complicated
I really enjoyed this book. I've never actually read anything with the cult trope. It was enjoyable. It was predictible from hearing and seeing cult media. But it was extremely satisfying to read. The small twist towards the end was sort of unexpected I won't lie. Glad I read it randomly.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
8/10 - A very powerful coming-of-age novel that felt all the more special knowing that it was based on the author’s experiences. It made my heart hurt for all the children (and adults) that are trapped in religion the way Val is.
Can’t wait to see what’s next for this author!
Can’t wait to see what’s next for this author!
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
the writing was very tell-not-show but i don’t even care, i never ever would have imagined a book like this would exist when i was going through this shit myself. natalie achieved what she set out to do 100%
"I’m done with being told I’m being loved when it feels an awful lot like hate.”
This book is EVERYTHING. If you grew up in a religious household, evangelical cult or otherwise, and had to fight to be yourself...this book is for you.
For every queer person out there who has endured Christian "love", this is for you.
Valerie and Riley's stories are full of a range of emotions: confusion, joy, guilt, heartbreak, excitement, hope, anger, and the need to be seen as who they truly are. Natalie does a wonderful job of connecting the reader to the characters; I was genuinely afraid and angry during this book, especially when it came to interactions with Valerie's father, brother, and Hannah.
This is a must read for any person struggling to find their place in this world. It also explains some of the current climate of hateful rhetoric in the U.S.
Thank you so much Natalie for giving me the honor of reading this ARC.
P.S. I absolutely cracked up at this line (IYKYK): "I’ve been listening to that book you said you loved. One Last Stop?” “Yeah?” “The narrator is alright, but the book is just incredible."
This book is EVERYTHING. If you grew up in a religious household, evangelical cult or otherwise, and had to fight to be yourself...this book is for you.
For every queer person out there who has endured Christian "love", this is for you.
Valerie and Riley's stories are full of a range of emotions: confusion, joy, guilt, heartbreak, excitement, hope, anger, and the need to be seen as who they truly are. Natalie does a wonderful job of connecting the reader to the characters; I was genuinely afraid and angry during this book, especially when it came to interactions with Valerie's father, brother, and Hannah.
This is a must read for any person struggling to find their place in this world. It also explains some of the current climate of hateful rhetoric in the U.S.
Thank you so much Natalie for giving me the honor of reading this ARC.
P.S. I absolutely cracked up at this line (IYKYK): "I’ve been listening to that book you said you loved. One Last Stop?” “Yeah?” “The narrator is alright, but the book is just incredible."
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated