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emmysforeverbooked's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I laughed, I cried, I screamed, I wanted to throw it in the garbage. This book just had everything I've ever wanted. This book was so intense, it was just... magical. I loved this book. It is genuinely my only personality trait right now.
Click the spoiler to see why I only rated it 4 stars!
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Infidelity
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Abortion
Minor: Chronic illness, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
a_win_in_clear_rain'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
4.5
This book was so good, I loved the growth and learning that is talked about, and I really did love the characters.
I am one for books centering around queer characters, though, so that's one of the only things that doesn't give it a full five stars (but that's very minor). Would recommend, and can't wait to watch the new show!
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Sexism, Grief, and Abortion
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Death of parent
stepnic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Eating disorder, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
madelena_n's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Grief, and Abortion
Minor: Abandonment
namenotimportant'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
4.0
"Knowing you did the right thing doesn't mean you're happy about it."
This is the second book by Taylor Jenkins Reid that I've read. I really love the writing style in this one, the way she presents the story felt very unique.
Overall a great and easy read. Because of the way it was written, I think it was easy to get through and a relatively fast read.
I wanted to read the book before I watched the show. And the release of the show finally gave me a reason to read the book, after it had been on my tbr for way too long.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity and Abortion
samantha_06x'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
I will start with what I loved about the book so that I can make it clear that I did enjoy reading it and I don't think this was a bad book. I really enjoyed the interview format and how we were easily able to get into the character's heads while hearing them tell their own stories. This allowed me to get connected with the characters and added a sense of realism to the book as you just know that this is how actual interviews would be executed. The book also played with the idea of unreliable narrators as they are retelling the story years after the events, most of them were on something during the events and they may not even want to share everything with the audience and be so exposed. This allowed for a different style of comedy with the characters contradicting each other during their interviews and showing that often people remember what pleases themselves. Obviously the author did not invent the interview style of writing but it is definitely not done enough and contributed to my enjoyment of this book.
As well as this I liked the introduction of the characters (specifically the first 2 chapters). I read on a kindle and before buying a book I like to read a sample so that I can decide if I want to continue reading. When I read the sample of the book I immediately bought the book to continue reading and it is not often that samples make me instantly buy a book.
What I didn't like about the book was the repetition at least for me I felt towards the middle of the book it was a lot of the same things. Billy and Daisy arguing, writing music and everyone is high and drunk, I don' t think the intention was to glamorise substance abuse as the book highlights the issues that stem from it and Billy's struggle with staying sober. However I have seen this argued in other reviews. Potentially the repetition came from the fact that I read this in 2 days, maybe if I read it over a week it would be more tolerable so that will be something to consider when rereading.
Overall the book was a solid 3.75 it wasn't a 4 because I felt that books in the past I have rated 4 stars were books that I enjoyed a lot more than this one. But it was a good read that I mostly enjoyed and would reread again.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Eating disorder, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Abortion, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Grief
natalee18132's review
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Grief, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
alliesmusings's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, and Alcohol
maiadunleavy's review
- 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: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Vomit, Grief, and Pregnancy
sararead'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I liked the fact that the characters who had
I think the part that fell flat for me was the ending being so much about
Not sure I'll watch the show, I like the lyrics and the scenes of them writing the album a lot and heard that is toned down more in the book which lessens my interest for now
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Alcohol