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whynotreadwithalex's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I suppose I should start by saying that I don't read sad books. Like, ever. And when I do, it is by accident and begrudgingly. And NEVER in the "hurt-no-comfort" category. Because I don't like being sad on purpose. Period.
However, a friend of mine gifted me this book when she moved, and after all the hype surrounding it when it came out, and of course the intriguing premise, I knew I was going to have to just power through and give it a chance.
Even though I knew it would be devastating.
And even when I reached the halfway mark and guessed at the truth hidden underneath the lies -- at which point, I knew for certain that I was going to be, you guessed it: devastated -- I wanted to finish it. To feel it and live it with Cady.
Oh, my poor, sweet Cady. How I wish I could just wrap you up in the biggest of hugs.
All in all, this is an excellent book. Devastating, yes. But exquisitely told. Grief is explored in every aspect. And as much as we would all rather avoid this kind of heartache, it comes for each of us. And this book does an amazing job of taking the reader through the process of pain, acceptance, healing, denial, and hope that surfaces even as the wounds turn to scars and the phantom pains set in. I can't say that I loved this book, because it's still so fresh and raw and, well, painful. But I needed it. My soul needed it.
Graphic: Child death, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Classism, Death, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Animal death, Gaslighting, Cursing, Forced institutionalization, and Alcohol
savvyy01's review
- 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
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Mental illness
daley_mckdonald's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Alcohol, Child abuse, Death, Medical trauma, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Cultural appropriation, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Animal death and Gun violence
inkysplodge's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Drug use, Child death, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Racism, Sexual content, and Cursing
florenceassetto's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Death, and Animal death
Moderate: Dementia, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical trauma, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Racism and Addiction
madamenovelist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Grief, Medical content, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, Misogyny, Medical trauma, Death, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism and Dementia
bean_7088's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The mystery was slow, and a little frustrating at times, but good and sad.
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Racism, and Fire/Fire injury
fcksnotfound's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Grief, Drug use, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Dementia and Death
Minor: Racism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Animal death
warlockdorian's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Drug use, Medical content, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Classism, Death, Dementia, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts
emmaprobasco's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Medical trauma, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Grief