You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
Really a 4.5 star rating.
This book is just fab! I laughed out loud on the first page and was hooked. What a wonderful, rich, no-holds-bar story that did not always run the course you think it will. I love a book that keeps me guessing, and this one delivered. I learnt a lot from this book and highly recommend it to all.
This book is just fab! I laughed out loud on the first page and was hooked. What a wonderful, rich, no-holds-bar story that did not always run the course you think it will. I love a book that keeps me guessing, and this one delivered. I learnt a lot from this book and highly recommend it to all.
I was a bit disappointed with this one but it’s not necessarily the author's fault. My main gripe is that I feel like the descriptions on here (kindle edition) and borrowbox are really misleading.
I was expecting a light hearted, funny exploration into our protagonist’s sexuality and got that for maybe 20% of the book. Unfortunately, the rest was (minor spoilers ahead) just a really depressing portrayal of a horrible, manipulative relationship. Which is completely fine and I often find myself gravitating towards difficult reads but for it to be marketed as light-hearted was very confusing. I was promised "a joy to read" and was left feeling really concerned and not laughing at all to be honest. I wish I would have known what the book was actually about beforehand, as I probably could have enjoyed it if I was in the mood for something a little darker but I wanted, and was promised, "laugh out loud" and, in that respect, I don't think it delivers.
I was expecting a light hearted, funny exploration into our protagonist’s sexuality and got that for maybe 20% of the book. Unfortunately, the rest was (minor spoilers ahead) just a really depressing portrayal of a horrible, manipulative relationship. Which is completely fine and I often find myself gravitating towards difficult reads but for it to be marketed as light-hearted was very confusing. I was promised "a joy to read" and was left feeling really concerned and not laughing at all to be honest. I wish I would have known what the book was actually about beforehand, as I probably could have enjoyed it if I was in the mood for something a little darker but I wanted, and was promised, "laugh out loud" and, in that respect, I don't think it delivers.
This book was billed and started off as a lesbian awakening story, but quickly turned into a story about an abusive relationship. Any recs for a book that actually depicts a woman’s queer awakening? I would have loved this one if it continued as it began.
Here are my pros:
I liked the dialogue! Funny, and the banter between Julia and her therapist actually had some great pace to it. I think the therapist would have made a fascinating MC.
The way the author slowly revealed Sam’s manipulation and controlling behavior was great.
Now to the cons:
It was absolutely bonkers that the whole thing wasn’t completely cut off during the SA scene or immediately after. Every time Sam violated Julia’s boundaries, the author made it a point to say she felt violated but turned on?!?!?
I think there was a better way for the author for explore the emotional complexity of staying with your abuser than boiling it down to “yes I felt violated but it was hot so…”. Just all around bad.
If we would have spent less time in her relationship was Sam, then maybe Julia could have been a better, more fulfilling MC. Unfortunately the book got hijacked by Sam, which was not what drew me in as a reader in the first place. I wanted to know more about Julia, her new life as a lesbian woman in London, her close female friendships, her dealings with comphet, her relationship with her parents after coming out.
Overall would not recommend. I want to read the book I thought this book was for the first 50 pages.
Here are my pros:
I liked the dialogue! Funny, and the banter between Julia and her therapist actually had some great pace to it. I think the therapist would have made a fascinating MC.
The way the author slowly revealed Sam’s manipulation and controlling behavior was great.
Now to the cons:
It was absolutely bonkers that the whole thing wasn’t completely cut off during the SA scene or immediately after. Every time Sam violated Julia’s boundaries, the author made it a point to say she felt violated but turned on?!?!?
I think there was a better way for the author for explore the emotional complexity of staying with your abuser than boiling it down to “yes I felt violated but it was hot so…”. Just all around bad.
If we would have spent less time in her relationship was Sam, then maybe Julia could have been a better, more fulfilling MC. Unfortunately the book got hijacked by Sam, which was not what drew me in as a reader in the first place. I wanted to know more about Julia, her new life as a lesbian woman in London, her close female friendships, her dealings with comphet, her relationship with her parents after coming out.
Overall would not recommend. I want to read the book I thought this book was for the first 50 pages.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Initially I found Julia, the main character, likable, amusing, and yes... a bit relatable. Then I happened to read the book's jacket and realized the story was going to be about a toxic relationship and my heart sank. I knew I would stop enjoying it as much as I had been and sure enough, Sam made an entrance and I stopped having a grand old time. It's harder to enjoy the writing when all its making you feel is irritation for said relationship and the other people and things that come with it. I know these relationships happen... I was just unprepared and disappointed. (Speaking of things I was unprepared for: the amount of fisting!)
I wish the book had focused more on coming out and finding one's community. That's my jam! (Though just a note, besides the inclusion of a nonbinary character, there were several times the language came off as cisnormative.) I am looking forward to reading another book by this author in the future.
I wish the book had focused more on coming out and finding one's community. That's my jam! (Though just a note, besides the inclusion of a nonbinary character, there were several times the language came off as cisnormative.) I am looking forward to reading another book by this author in the future.
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Lotta fists involved here
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes