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novella42's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
3.75
This book has a lot going for it. The main character kept making choices that I couldn't fathom making myself and that made it hard for me to connect with her, but I think it was good for me to practice empathizing with her perspective.
I assumed I would connect with her more because I also burned out as an overachiever trying to be the best version of myself. I know what it's like to feel like there's one true plan that you have to follow to stave off disaster. To desperately want to make a parent proud of you.
I think my therapist would point to the differences in our core motivations. I'm fairly certain Grace Porter is an Enneagram 8w7 who goes to 5 in stress, and as an Enneagram 2w3 who goes to 8 in stress, I see some of my most frustrating qualities in Grace's personality. As frustrating as that was, and as baffling as her core motivations were to me, I still think it was good to read it and sit with that discomfort. And to remember that just because I have similar goals, experiences, and struggles as someone, doesn't mean I can read their mind, know what they want, or predict their behavior.
Anyway. This was an interesting read and has some lovely moments with good character development.
I assumed I would connect with her more because I also burned out as an overachiever trying to be the best version of myself. I know what it's like to feel like there's one true plan that you have to follow to stave off disaster. To desperately want to make a parent proud of you.
I think my therapist would point to the differences in our core motivations. I'm fairly certain Grace Porter is an Enneagram 8w7 who goes to 5 in stress, and as an Enneagram 2w3 who goes to 8 in stress, I see some of my most frustrating qualities in Grace's personality. As frustrating as that was, and as baffling as her core motivations were to me, I still think it was good to read it and sit with that discomfort. And to remember that just because I have similar goals, experiences, and struggles as someone, doesn't mean I can read their mind, know what they want, or predict their behavior.
Anyway. This was an interesting read and has some lovely moments with good character development.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
kickitupanotch7's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
The narrator has a slight lisp, that initially made it hard for me to get into the book. I stuck with it and the lisp became less noticeable as the story progressed.
This story is super diverse with characters of many colors, cultures, and sexualities. Though the main character has a somewhat traditional family, she and Yuki also form several found families. The relationships she has with each of them are dynamic and interesting.
This story is super diverse with characters of many colors, cultures, and sexualities. Though the main character has a somewhat traditional family, she and Yuki also form several found families. The relationships she has with each of them are dynamic and interesting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Self harm
Minor: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
etoilexlune's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.5
I really love it
- I identify with the mc
- triple found family
- astronomy theme
- DEVELOPED side characters
- mental health issues representation
- it has the “mine” factor
however
what parents force their 29-year-old children to fulfill their grand plan for them
it would makes sense if she was a teen, early 20s TOPS
but almost 30?
it’s not realistic
her father acts as if she owes him sharing her whereabouts, career plans and even stupid phone calls
it feels like she stopped when time went on, stayed in her bubble and doesn’t realise she is a grown adult making her own decisions about her own life
quotes
“maybe there is not a specific half destined for us. maybe we have to keep trying to fit ourselves together until we find the pieces that fit”
“you spent 11 years ignoring that your mind and body said «stop, breathe, be kind to yourself» and you punished yourself for even thinking it”
🙋🏻♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Self harm
paigeisinabook's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
Once I figured out this book was not just about the whirlwind Las Vegas marriage to a stranger but Grace's descent into depression and a quarter-life crisis, I was all in.
Once I learned that Grace had a terminal degree and was lost as to what her next steps were to be, I was sold.
Once Grace broke down and caved to hiding and then finding herself, I felt seen.
I think many people should read this book and they may find themselves.
But all I know is, this book was for me.
Once I learned that Grace had a terminal degree and was lost as to what her next steps were to be, I was sold.
Once Grace broke down and caved to hiding and then finding herself, I felt seen.
I think many people should read this book and they may find themselves.
But all I know is, this book was for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Self harm
Minor: Racism
sugarcainn's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Mental illness
heisiiri's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-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
3.75
This is a sweet book! It absolutely delived on the cutesy lesbian romance I was hoping for - reading this book gave me the same warm and fuzzy feels as watching a nice rom-com. The main romance plotline was lovely and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I also liked the explorations of identity, complex family dynamics, finding yourself, dealing with mental illness and healing from past struggles.
That being said, I felt this book had a bit of an issue with being overstuffed with characters and plotlines. There are so many characters whose plots and journeys the reader is supposed to get invested in, and a lot of them don't really get resolved. I had trouble being attached to any of the side characters. When highly emotional scenes were happening, I would often find myself rolling my eyes like "god these people are dramatic" or "why are these people being so stupid" instead of connecting with the character's stuggles and really feeling for them. I think this book could have really benefitted from some of these characters simply being dropped from the narrative completely - the concepts were interesting, but could have been saved for another story.
That being said, I felt this book had a bit of an issue with being overstuffed with characters and plotlines. There are so many characters whose plots and journeys the reader is supposed to get invested in, and a lot of them don't really get resolved. I had trouble being attached to any of the side characters. When highly emotional scenes were happening, I would often find myself rolling my eyes like "god these people are dramatic" or "why are these people being so stupid" instead of connecting with the character's stuggles and really feeling for them. I think this book could have really benefitted from some of these characters simply being dropped from the narrative completely - the concepts were interesting, but could have been saved for another story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, and Alcohol
readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition
hopeful
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, and Self harm
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Vomit, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
applesaucecreachur's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
4.25
Craving a book that’s sweet, only slightly problematic, and full of queer and Black love in all its romantic, platonic, and familial forms? You’ll find it all in Honey Girl. This story puts a tender twist on the “married a stranger in Vegas” trope. Rogers crafts each of her characters with a loving and consistent hand that make the more outlandish figures believable and the different relatable.
My biggest gripe, of course, is with how the trio of besties – Grace, Ximena, and Agnes – came to be. The fact that Ximena was a caretaker for both Grace’s father and then for AGNES, her FUTURE PARTNER?!!?!!? was an egregious violation of patient-caregiver boundaries. In any case, the remainder of the tale was chock-full of tender and respectful love. Reading about diverse characters with mutually supportive and adoring relationships was refreshing. Grace’s character development from a damaged but durable and perfectionistic doctor of astronomy to a healing, softening force of love and intelligence was brave and delightful to read. And her relationship Yuki? . Just precious. It’s gentle and easy while also being powerful enough to withstand human flaws and trials. Honey Girl manages to be both a (delightfully) silly little love story and a daring testament to community care. I’m glad that this one didn’t stay in Vegas.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Self harm
crissi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
This is not your typical queer romance novel - it is the journey of a 20 something over achiever finding her place in the world, and finding herself. With all the pretty and the ugly, the pain, and the fun, and the love. While portraying a love story s milar to the 2000s romcoms, it stays realistic in how the characters evolve and don't. I wasn't so sure about the book in the first half, because I found a lot of the relationships codependent and one would say toxic, but it all turned around in the second half. I adored the therapy and mental health representation.
This book is so important for every 20 something who grew up to be an overachiever and struggles to navigate their way in the aftermaths of academic pleasure and pressure.
This book is so important for every 20 something who grew up to be an overachiever and struggles to navigate their way in the aftermaths of academic pleasure and pressure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
halfling_stories's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
I think I love this book more every time I read it. The now-familiar story beats are comforting, but the humour and heart of the story always feel fresh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, and Self harm