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photogeezer's review against another edition
1.0
I like Jodi Picoult, but I HATED this book. Pain from beginning to end with no believable resolution. Was she really depressed when she wrote this kick in the gut?
sofiaaeelizabeth's review against another edition
Cool concept but a lot of explicit scenes. Some of the scenes felt like they crossed a line and made me uncomfy
lisa_lawrence11's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
My favourite book of all time.
litwithleigh's review against another edition
5.0
TRIGGER WARNING: SA, suicide
UPDATING MY REVIEW. In full disclosure, I've never been able to read this book in "one sitting." It's just too hard. So brace yourself.
THE PLOT
Emily and Chris are childhood sweethearts... A dream for neighbours who are coincidently best friends. But then everything changes; Emily dies at 17, and Chris is on trial for her murder. Chris denies he killed her, and said it was a suicide pact gone wrong. What's the truth?
MY OPINION
Just writing this review makes me sad. Like I said, I can't read this book straight through in a normal timeframe. It is just that f-word sad. I started it when I was a very angsty 16-year-old, and picked it back up over the next couple of years before I made it through. It is such a difficult, heartbreaking, devastating read. I definitely shouldn't have read it as a teen... Just saying.
Tbh I shouldn't have been reading ANY of Jodi Picoult's books at that age, but I was eating them all up. Jodi's writing is poignant and beautiful as ever. She has a way of making you feel how her characters feel, even if you don't want to. Her novels are always well-researched, and she is one of few authors who can eloquently navigate difficult topics.
There's nothing funny nor sassy about this review, unfortunately. It is just plain sad. If you can muster the courage, you should give it a read. I'm not a parent, but I wouldn't recommend this to teens, or if you did let them read it, I would suggest checking in along the way.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: Beautiful writing, masterfully handled difficult subjects
Cons: Sad AF. You really have be in the "right" mindset to handle this.
UPDATING MY REVIEW. In full disclosure, I've never been able to read this book in "one sitting." It's just too hard. So brace yourself.
THE PLOT
Emily and Chris are childhood sweethearts... A dream for neighbours who are coincidently best friends. But then everything changes; Emily dies at 17, and Chris is on trial for her murder. Chris denies he killed her, and said it was a suicide pact gone wrong. What's the truth?
MY OPINION
Just writing this review makes me sad. Like I said, I can't read this book straight through in a normal timeframe. It is just that f-word sad. I started it when I was a very angsty 16-year-old, and picked it back up over the next couple of years before I made it through. It is such a difficult, heartbreaking, devastating read. I definitely shouldn't have read it as a teen... Just saying.
Tbh I shouldn't have been reading ANY of Jodi Picoult's books at that age, but I was eating them all up. Jodi's writing is poignant and beautiful as ever. She has a way of making you feel how her characters feel, even if you don't want to. Her novels are always well-researched, and she is one of few authors who can eloquently navigate difficult topics.
There's nothing funny nor sassy about this review, unfortunately. It is just plain sad. If you can muster the courage, you should give it a read. I'm not a parent, but I wouldn't recommend this to teens, or if you did let them read it, I would suggest checking in along the way.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: Beautiful writing, masterfully handled difficult subjects
Cons: Sad AF. You really have be in the "right" mindset to handle this.
karlyo83's review against another edition
4.0
My Rating: 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ super sad and very well written!!
The Hartes and the Golds have lived next door for 18 years, the entire lifespan of their two eldest children Emily and Christopher. They share holidays, dinners and secrets. It is no surprise that Emily and Chris grow up together as best friends and eventually first loves…
They have been soul mates from the moment they were born, so when their parents receive a midnight call that will shatter their lives forever how can they make sense of Emily being dead… and Chris being on trial for her murder.
Chris claims it was a suicide pact, but no one saw it coming… how can that be and what are the Hartes and the Golds hiding.
I want to say a huge thank you to my IRL bestie Lit With Leigh for my beautiful gifted copy of this
The Hartes and the Golds have lived next door for 18 years, the entire lifespan of their two eldest children Emily and Christopher. They share holidays, dinners and secrets. It is no surprise that Emily and Chris grow up together as best friends and eventually first loves…
They have been soul mates from the moment they were born, so when their parents receive a midnight call that will shatter their lives forever how can they make sense of Emily being dead… and Chris being on trial for her murder.
Chris claims it was a suicide pact, but no one saw it coming… how can that be and what are the Hartes and the Golds hiding.
I want to say a huge thank you to my IRL bestie Lit With Leigh for my beautiful gifted copy of this
mstipress's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh my God tears, tears and more tears. This book had me feeling all of the feels. Chris and Emily will forever be implanted on my soul. Their relationship, their love, their connection. Oh my God and Jodi did a great job showing that in her writing even the best friends the families how intertwined they were.
This story will have you sitting at the edge of your seat wanting, needing to find out what happens next. Again, we start out with knowing the entire story and Jodi is still able to keep me full of anticipation. I absolutely loved it. Loved it!
This story will have you sitting at the edge of your seat wanting, needing to find out what happens next. Again, we start out with knowing the entire story and Jodi is still able to keep me full of anticipation. I absolutely loved it. Loved it!
designsbymeghen's review against another edition
3.5
Jodi Picoult’s books are always so well-researched and detailed that you’ll surely lose yourself in a good long narrative. Suicide is such a detrimental thing for everyone close to the victim. What upset me the most about this story was Emily’s lack of psychological help. It seems like if she had a professional to walk her through her complicated emotions about Chris and trauma from her childhood, this all could have been avoided. It’s also a lesson for future me to never pressure my children into any particular career path or relationship. It does a number on one psyche.
carriesouthard's review against another edition
4.0
kind of a slow start but at about 3/4 of the way through it got really good and could not put it down.
sam_hartwig's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first and still favourite book I've read by Jodi Picoult. I had never read her style before and thought it was refreshingly different. I really enjoyed reading a bit of the past in between each chapter of the normal story, it made me want to read through the story quicker, just to find out what really happened to the young couple. This is a heartbreaking book but worth a read!