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breanneporter's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
This was hard to read but extremely compelling. I’m between a 4/4.5 but I’m rounding up because of how much I thought about this novel in between reading sessions, and how quickly I finished it. It follows Ceyda, the successful lawyer daughter of Korean and Turkish immigrant parents, in thr weeks and months after she was SA’d by a coworker at her prestigious law firm. It focuses a lot on the relationship between her and her long term (white, wealthy) boyfriend, Kit, as they struggle to communicate and move forward together after Jade’s trauma, and how this event brings several red flags to the surface. It also describes in detail her mental health challenges and the professional repercussions she faces in the aftermath.
The subject matter is difficult to stomach, and the author does not shy away from describing the body trauma, but I think it’s a really excellent examination of how this kind of violent assault can have far-reaching effects beyond physical pain, and really paints a picture of the types of mental and emotional (and relational and professional) issues that survivors face. The novel is also a searing commentary on the prevailing impact that race and misogyny has when it comes to who is protected and who is punished, and how even “nice, feminist guys” are often (willfully) oblivious to how they can benefit from or simply ignore actions that cause harm to women, and especially to women of color. Very impressed by this debut and will look out for more from this author.
The subject matter is difficult to stomach, and the author does not shy away from describing the body trauma, but I think it’s a really excellent examination of how this kind of violent assault can have far-reaching effects beyond physical pain, and really paints a picture of the types of mental and emotional (and relational and professional) issues that survivors face. The novel is also a searing commentary on the prevailing impact that race and misogyny has when it comes to who is protected and who is punished, and how even “nice, feminist guys” are often (willfully) oblivious to how they can benefit from or simply ignore actions that cause harm to women, and especially to women of color. Very impressed by this debut and will look out for more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Alcohol, Racism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Domestic abuse
rheagoveas's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Racism, Sexual violence, and Sexism
amgarrido's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Racism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual violence and Rape
marissanbullis's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- 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
4.25
first half was decent (4 stars) the second half makes it all worth it (would rate this half 5 stars) crying, screaming, throwing up. recommending this to everyone i know
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Rape, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Racism, Racial slurs, Classism, and Panic attacks/disorders
ktdakotareads's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Racism, Misogyny, and Sexism
annecarts's review
emotional
informative
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? It's complicated
4.5
A fantastic debut. Ceyda, known as Jade to 'fit in', works at a London top law firm and is assaulted after a work party. This book explores the reactions of Ceyda, her Turkish and Korean immigrant parents, boyfriend, friends, and work to the night in question.
Racism, sexism, elitism, nepotism all feature and are cleverly shown. I'm sure lots of people will relate to parts of this book depending on their experiences.
I was really rooting for Ceyda and this book took me on an emotional ride.
Racism, sexism, elitism, nepotism all feature and are cleverly shown. I'm sure lots of people will relate to parts of this book depending on their experiences.
I was really rooting for Ceyda and this book took me on an emotional ride.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Sexual assault
Moderate: Xenophobia, Sexism, and Racism
ramreadsagain's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
4.5
Be aware that this book has intense triggers.
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a proof copy of this book. The below is my honest review.
This was an incredible read about the intersection of race, gender, class and privilege, particularly in the aftermath of a horrific event, against the backdrop of the dog-eat-dog London world of legal firms.
Jade was a very compelling character, and seeing the world through her eyes was both difficult and really interesting. I liked having the perspective of a mixed race protagonist who isn't half white; Jade's mother is South Korean and her father is Muslim Turkish and it was refreshing to have this take on "protagonist feels like they don't belong to either half of themself" combined with Jade trying to exist in a white world.
The class commentary was really well done, particularly looking at the class solidarity among the social elite that takes priority over however "liberal" individuals may think they are. Wanting to be seen as feminist and anti-racist without putting in any work, and having the privilege of debating real people's lived experiences as a thought experiment.
The central theme though is rape, and how isolating this experience can be, and how the system is stacked to make it nearly impossible for anything to be done about it on both an individual and a systemic level.
I don't wish to explain/spoil the plot further, I will say that this was a very difficult read at times but done so incredibly well. I particularly loved some of the smaller details, such as the concept of a "starbucks name" and the law firm self-congratulating over having an 11% female workforce.
My only complaint is that it felt at times a bit too tell over show, particularly in thefight scenes between Jade and Kit where we kept being told exactly why certain actions or words were bad.
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a proof copy of this book. The below is my honest review.
This was an incredible read about the intersection of race, gender, class and privilege, particularly in the aftermath of a horrific event, against the backdrop of the dog-eat-dog London world of legal firms.
Jade was a very compelling character, and seeing the world through her eyes was both difficult and really interesting. I liked having the perspective of a mixed race protagonist who isn't half white; Jade's mother is South Korean and her father is Muslim Turkish and it was refreshing to have this take on "protagonist feels like they don't belong to either half of themself" combined with Jade trying to exist in a white world.
The class commentary was really well done, particularly looking at the class solidarity among the social elite that takes priority over however "liberal" individuals may think they are. Wanting to be seen as feminist and anti-racist without putting in any work, and having the privilege of debating real people's lived experiences as a thought experiment.
The central theme though is rape, and how isolating this experience can be, and how the system is stacked to make it nearly impossible for anything to be done about it on both an individual and a systemic level.
I don't wish to explain/spoil the plot further, I will say that this was a very difficult read at times but done so incredibly well. I particularly loved some of the smaller details, such as the concept of a "starbucks name" and the law firm self-congratulating over having an 11% female workforce.
My only complaint is that it felt at times a bit too tell over show, particularly in the
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, Racism, Xenophobia, and Toxic relationship
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