Take a photo of a barcode or cover
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Suicide
Moderate: Death of parent
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Grief
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
Cleo and Frank—two people at different stages of life—meet by chance in NYC, fall in love, and marry on a whim. Frank embodies the stereotypical 'work hard, play hard' mentality as the Creative Head of an Ad agency. He believes that he is doing everything for Cleo, except for the one thing she asks: to stop drinking daily. Meanwhile, Cleo feels creatively stifled and increasingly alienated. Cleo’s friendships feel hollow, and she no longer connects with those around her. Frank and Cleo's idyllic marriage begins to unravel within a year. Frank is attracted to a new hire, Eleanor but refrains from pursuing her.
In many ways, the characters embody the traits of their private monikers—Cleopatra and Frankenstein. Cleo, like Cleopatra, is breathtakingly beautiful, attracting lovers and friends who dote on her. Yet, at her core, she is lonely, wanting, and vulnerable. Frankenstein is defined as "a person who creates a monster or a destructive agency that cannot be controlled or that brings about the creator's ruin." Similarly, Frank appears to be sorted-out, hardworking, and accomplished—the ideal husband. However, his latent self-destructive tendencies surface as he refuses to acknowledge his drinking problem until it is too late.
A poignant read showcasing Coco's fluid prose and memorable characters. The novel explores how family trauma, loneliness, and addiction erode relationships. What starts as a passionate romance quickly fractures under the weight of unresolved past wounds, revealing the insidious ways that trauma can shape love, self-worth, and relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual content
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol
Moderate: Animal death, Drug abuse
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Domestic abuse