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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
I really wanted to love this book. It has been described as the next Gone Girl, and I'm ready for that book having read all of Flynn's books. The tension that Flynn so wonderfully creates is missing here. While I didn't love it, it was still a decent read. I felt that there was too much going on in the narrative- social climbing, awkward teen years, sexual assault/rape, school shootings, materialism, etc. with everything going on the storyline was jumbled and at times the flashbacks and present day were confusing. I found Ani's mother to be the most sympathetic and well developed character in the book. Pretty much all the characters were unlike able- and that is ok, I can still enjoy a book with unlike able characters.
I listened to this book as an audiobook and did enjoy it, but would not consider this as one of my "have to read" books. I consistently felt that I was on the edge of my seat and waiting on something to happen just to be let down and nothing happens. 3.5/5
I read some of the negative reviews and almost didn't read it, but I'm glad I did. Yes, the narrator is not particularly likable, but if you actually read to the end you can understand why she is like she is. And she recognizes how unlikable she is and what her flaws are. It's a good story, and one thing I appreciated was the consistency of the character and that her "redemption" is as messy and complicated and unpleasant as she is. (I don't get comparisons to Gone Girl - huh? That doesn't make any sense.) I thought the adolescent sections were pretty spot on in terms of how teenagers talk and relate to each other. I can see why it's not for everyone, but I think it's worth reading.
I didn’t know what to think going into this book but I knew shortly after starting it that it would be a five star read. The plot, details, and character development is excellent. Nothing seemed forced or rushed. I’ll definitely be checking out her other books. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to read this one. I’m hoping the Netflix show will be able to live up to the book.
Disclaimer: I am queen of DNF but if a friend recommends me a book I will ALWAYS read to the very end.
There was nothing thrilling, intense or surprising about this book. For the cover quote to have compared it to that of Gillian Flynn, well that set me up for major disappointment.
I quickly caught on to the big secret no one would talk about - the five - the fact of how it would end. I kept hoping something would switch and I’d say DAMN she got me! But this was a STRUGGLE to read, of a dear friend hadn’t recommended it I wouldn’t have finished it.
There was nothing thrilling, intense or surprising about this book. For the cover quote to have compared it to that of Gillian Flynn, well that set me up for major disappointment.
I quickly caught on to the big secret no one would talk about - the five - the fact of how it would end. I kept hoping something would switch and I’d say DAMN she got me! But this was a STRUGGLE to read, of a dear friend hadn’t recommended it I wouldn’t have finished it.
I wanted to give it more stars but the end stopped me. Bummer
I don't often give one-star ratings, but when I do, the book is extra horrible.
1. I will NEVER respect an author who uses a fictional school shooting as entertainment. NEVER. And to actually mention Columbine more than once? Thanks for giving those assholes the notoriety they obviously sought.
2. I never once felt a shred of anything for TifAni (aka Ani). She's awful. So pretentious.
3. Why the ridiculous name spelling TifAni? Why not Tiffany or Tiffani? As if readers are too stupid to deduce that "Ani" was derived from the end of the name. One simple explanation would've sufficed.
1. I will NEVER respect an author who uses a fictional school shooting as entertainment. NEVER. And to actually mention Columbine more than once? Thanks for giving those assholes the notoriety they obviously sought.
2. I never once felt a shred of anything for TifAni (aka Ani). She's awful. So pretentious.
3. Why the ridiculous name spelling TifAni? Why not Tiffany or Tiffani? As if readers are too stupid to deduce that "Ani" was derived from the end of the name. One simple explanation would've sufficed.
Read for a book club. Not really sure if I liked the writing. The plot was okay. It wasn't particularly clever. The characters didn't feel very deep.
Main character Ani / TifAni has a bunch of traumatic events - school shooting & gang rape - and is bullied for trying to speak up. Today she's curated a "perfect life" with a wealthy, devoted fiance and high profile career. It was interesting that the author originally hid the fact that she was raped and bullied as a teenager as well,.
Main character Ani / TifAni has a bunch of traumatic events - school shooting & gang rape - and is bullied for trying to speak up. Today she's curated a "perfect life" with a wealthy, devoted fiance and high profile career. It was interesting that the author originally hid the fact that she was raped and bullied as a teenager as well,.
The kind of book I didn't want to put down. I wanted to know what was next.
This book was garbage. Awful writing, terrible plot, 100% of the characters unlikeable and mostly one dimensional. It tries to be Mean Girls meets Gone Girl meets Devil Wears Prada with the message of SPEAK. Have your teens read SPEAK instead if you want them to get the idea about consent. Absolute train wreck.