Scan barcode
aileron's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Infidelity
Moderate: Vomit, Adult/minor relationship, Car accident, Alcohol, Drug use, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Eating disorder, Abortion, Death, Death of parent, and Dementia
marinabkat's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
If you are a white woman aged 17-45 who feels like domestic life with a man is prison, this is the book for you. This book makes me want to never want to get married or even trust a man.
Chicken-Flavored and Lemon-Scented
Never before had I considered the sexual and power dynamics of the DMV. There was a one-off line about girls who look like they could be bribed into giving their driving test examiner a blowjob, and that seemed out-of-place and jarred me in a bad way. Is a cryptogram a crossword puzzle or is it something different?
3 stars
Damascus
This story repeats how unbelievably great the son is! And I certainly didn’t believe it. This mom just felt really pathetic to me—outside of one-sided relationships with her son, mom, and ex-husband, she seems to have nothing going on. There was a joke about the mom being 100% sure her mom made an afghan (and then it wasn’t), which limits how smart I found the main character in terms of how 100% was used. There was another line in the afghan blanket part of if afghan blankets were toilet paper in 2020, they would have been rich? I don’t think that was relatable or correct or endearing. I liked the overall sentiment of the story but I was kept from buying in entirely.
2.5 stars
Twist & shout
I liked the opening, I liked the close, and I think this will sit familiar with a lot of white women in terms of familial frustration and reckoning.
4 stars
Turn Back, Turn Back
I liked this story and found it to be realistic but think I’m missing some connection. I felt for the main character though. Intuition girlll
3.25 stars
Games and Rituals
I was going to accuse the cover of being too similar to Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan, but it makes a little more sense now. This one hurted! Should I act up to my man?
3.25 stars
CobRa
I quite liked this one. Let it be known that she strays from the KonMari method almost immediately when she starts decluttering possessions that aren’t hers—but this is made known really well by the author and the true intent of CobRa is clear. I think having this story be from the male perspective adds a lot while still keeping to theme. As a KonMari fanatic I relate to all here—and timely as Marie Kondo herself is giving up tidying to focus on her family.
4.5 stars
561
Girl a dirty carrot??? We are not the same. Jokes aside, I don’t think this was a helpful depiction of suicide and hesitate to believe that a 24/7 line shuts down one hour a night when the two employees sleep at the same time.
1.75 stars
Pandemic Behavior
I groaned when I got into this one like ugh, here’s the COVID story. I liked it though. I like Esther’s dialogue. I thought it ended a little abruptly.
3.75 stars
Bridesmaid, Revisited
Aneurysm is spelled incorrectly.
There’s a weird metaphor about an erection that I don’t think lands right.
The entire plot line with the best friend adds nothing to me.
Actual review of the story: This chick needs to touch some grass!
2.25 stars
King Midas
I truly felt nothing as a result of this. I didn’t find a single character endearing. Men will do anything but go to therapy.
2.5 stars
Sky Bar
Bestie the wigwam??? This girl cannot make a good choice to save her life. I understand the emotional stunting is the point but this was just sad.
2.25 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Car accident, and Pregnancy
More...