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The two main characters, and almost all of the rest of the cast are such unlikeable people - you can only really root for Eleanor and Santiago in my eyes. Don’t even start me on Quinton.
This needed to be more grounded, money just isn’t an issue for people in this book, when Zoe is in debt she has multiple people ready to bail her out and of course the source (without spoiling it) ends up being a really nice person with minimal consequences for her.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this at the time, but it didn’t blow me away or make me think “wow” at any moment. Well thought out characters but lacking the plot I was after.
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide
Minor: Animal cruelty
Main POVs: 👌
-a 24 year old recent fine art graduate who presents as carefree, confident, and adventurous but is harbouring a deep sense of shame, depressive disorders, and unhealthy ego. They blame everyone and everything for their struggles. We get to see them slowly evolve and where it comes from in their past
-a 44 year old functional alcoholic and advertising entrepreneur who is successful and perhaps a “charming” drunk but painfully immature and people-pleasing in a shallow way. We also see them evolve and where this tendency comes from
-a witty, intuitive, cynical 37 year old television/film writer recently forced out of their job and now living with their elderly wise-cracking parent
Show’n’tell: ❤️
So much show! Though half the time you aren’t quite sure what you’re being shown, it adds to the story. Like bringing a neon crayon set in an unlabelled package, revealing them individually, then passing them around the class.
Reading Journey: 👌
People-watching on the NY subway from early morning ‘til late night. There will be moments of boredom, confusion, cringing, heartwarmth (?), and laughter.
Great match if you like:
-literary fiction with character-driven narratives that are infuriating, hilarious, and inspiring
-believable outcomes (follows MCs over a two-year period)
-character studies involving addiction, mental illness, and childhood trauma
-NYC party vibes with consequences included
-a sprinkling of randomness
-wrong time and place romance
Vibes: 😅🥺🥴
Format: Library E-book via Libby
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcohol
Moderate: Chronic illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Abandonment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol
some of how the story ended up was a bit predictable as well. like
i have complicated feelings about this, but i found myself interested and intrigued and slightly put off by the dynamics between everyone, the weird, fucked up display of self harm, and other things. but somehow, i couldn't put it down and found myself rooting for everyone. i would like to know more about where zoe ended up, though, besides a vague whisper of where she was headed. maybe i'll feel differently soon and come back to this review, and maybe i'll think about it on my walk to drop this off at the library.
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Sexual assault, Transphobia, Violence
If you like sad romances, this will be a book you enjoy. The characters are interesting, and keep you invested in the story and where it’s going.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Toxic friendship
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Dementia, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, Vomit
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal death, Death of parent