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emotional
reflective
slow-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, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
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
At the start I found this book to be edging on pretentiousness but it quickly changed my mind.
You fall in love with each character despite them all having a plethora of flaws. You root for everyone in their own way, and you root for each relationship in its own way. I’m happy with how everything came together at the end even if it’s not the ending I wanted. I also found how it was written to be new and interesting; I liked the jump from character to character and how the writing style would change based on that.
This is a book that I didn’t want to finish because of how much I loved it and is one of my favourite books in a very long time.
You fall in love with each character despite them all having a plethora of flaws. You root for everyone in their own way, and you root for each relationship in its own way. I’m happy with how everything came together at the end even if it’s not the ending I wanted. I also found how it was written to be new and interesting; I liked the jump from character to character and how the writing style would change based on that.
This is a book that I didn’t want to finish because of how much I loved it and is one of my favourite books in a very long time.
Content Warnings
Minor: Self harm, Suicide, Suicide attempt
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Self harm, Death of parent
challenging
emotional
funny
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
Two troubled lovers. Fast relationships. Immense growth
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm
emotional
fast-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, Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Body horror
emotional
reflective
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
Moderate: Self harm
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I got this book during a book exchange, it was pitched by my friend as a story that plays in New York. As I am going there soon I wanted to read it and before me unfolded so much more. The friend group is split into those who loved the book and those who hated it. Hating this story comes with a very adjusted life. If you (over)emphasise with story characters, can relate to a certain degree of self doubt followed by destruction and have clung onto a relationship (friend or amorous) just to not be alone, you might just fit into the group that enjoys this read. There is no happy ending per se, we just learn about a year in the life of two people, but the potential left at the end of the story is so uplifting and hopeful that I put it down very happy and relaxed at the turn of the last page. I am looking forward to reading more of Coco Mellors.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Classism
Minor: Suicide attempt
It wasn't getting anywhere relatively relatable personally. And the self harm was graphic but also came out of nowhere.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicide, Sexual harassment
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
I will say I almost didn't rate this five stars, it was a really tough decision. I loved all of the side character pov's and how everyone had their issues going on, but I felt like Frank didn't deserve his happy ending. When he did finally go visit Cleo in Italy, he acknowledged, but didn't apologize, which she definitely deserved an apology. The fact that he got sober for Elenore but didn't even try for Cleo and still had a nice ending left a sour taste in my mouth. However, I kind of realized that we, the readers, aren't supposed to forgive Frank for what he did. The last chapter still puts an emphasis on how Cleo felt like he didn't really resolve things correctly with her and was still subtly playing the victim card. It felt better that Cleo seemed to also have a happy ending. From the start of the book I feel like I could tell they weren't going to end up together, and Franks relationship with Elenore also kind of solidified that for me. After thinking about the ending for a while and realizing that Coco Mellors didn't want Frank to be perceived as some kind of redeemed character, I decided I would still give this five stars. Also I want a book about Quentin so bad. He was easily my favorite character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Alcohol