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beate251's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Wow, there's a lot going on here. First, copywriter Edie is caught being kissed by her friend and colleague Jack on his wedding day, and because life is unfair and it's always the women getting blamed, she gets bullied and is very happy when she can escape London to her hometown of Nottingham to ghostwrite a book about hot new actor Elliot Owen, also a Nottingham native. She stays with her Dad and sister Meg which causes endless conflicts. Meg is one of those joyless vegans who is incredibly rude to her older sister for no apparent reason bar jealousy. We learn that their mother committed suicide when Edie was 9 and Megan 5, and there is still a lot of unresolved grief. Meanwhile, Edie grows closer to Elliot and tries to both come to terms with unwanted press attention and the fact she is still vilified for her transgression with Jack.
As much as Edie is an intelligent 35 year old, she is also often frustratingly dense, and doesn't think much of herself. Elliot has a hard time telling her that he likes her. She has a small but great group of friends that stick with her, and their cantankerous and colourful elderly neighbour Margot is a fabulous addition to the (literally) supporting characters.
This is extremely well-written, but at least 100 pages too long. To be fair, I say that for just about every book that hovers around the 500 pages mark, although I forgive it here because I loved the characters (except Jack, Charlotte, Lucie and Louis, the utter cockwombles). It's also nice to see a fair, supportive boss now and then.
That cliffhanger ending would have me throw crockery right now if I didn't know that after more than eight long years, a sequel called "You Belong With Me" is coming out on 20 June 24 (it's the reason I re-read this), and, what's more, I hold in my sweaty hands an ARC courtesy of NetGalley, which I will read and review imminently! I can't wait because I'm extremely invested in those characters now, so stick around!
"I notice when you're not around."
As much as Edie is an intelligent 35 year old, she is also often frustratingly dense, and doesn't think much of herself. Elliot has a hard time telling her that he likes her. She has a small but great group of friends that stick with her, and their cantankerous and colourful elderly neighbour Margot is a fabulous addition to the (literally) supporting characters.
This is extremely well-written, but at least 100 pages too long. To be fair, I say that for just about every book that hovers around the 500 pages mark, although I forgive it here because I loved the characters (except Jack, Charlotte, Lucie and Louis, the utter cockwombles). It's also nice to see a fair, supportive boss now and then.
That cliffhanger ending would have me throw crockery right now if I didn't know that after more than eight long years, a sequel called "You Belong With Me" is coming out on 20 June 24 (it's the reason I re-read this), and, what's more, I hold in my sweaty hands an ARC courtesy of NetGalley, which I will read and review imminently! I can't wait because I'm extremely invested in those characters now, so stick around!
"I notice when you're not around."
Moderate: Grief, Mental illness, Suicide, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Bullying, Death, and Infidelity
greys527's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
Moderate: Bullying, Suicide, Grief, Toxic friendship, Infidelity, and Death
amypitman's review
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Suicide and Grief
betris's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Suicide, Death of parent, Grief, and Bullying
Minor: Alcoholism and Car accident
msliz's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My favourite of Mhairi McFarlane's so far, I might've given it five stars if it wasn't for the ending. What an anticlimax - definitely requires a sequel!
Minor: Grief and Suicide
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