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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
Absolutely amazing book! I loved every second of it and I was completely invested in Julia’s life and relationships (my friends received many, many rants about my opinions on Sam
i put this book down for nearly three months and only really finished it because it was due back at the library. not the book for me.
The first 25-30% was excellent, very Bridget Jones. But the rest of the book I really struggled, almost having to force myself to keep going at the end - it took a turn I wasn’t expecting and the language turns quite vile.
Wow I was really looking forward to this book and while it was fun to read about her realizing she's gay, the toxic relationship that goes on for like 70% at the book made me really uncomfortable. So, the cover of the book had 3 notes of people saying it was a fun read: why are you lying?
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While it was a fun read, the main character consistently kink-shames throughout and it all felt a bit like it was written to shock and excite, rather than being remotely realistic. There are some funny observations about life, but for someone so keenly aware of those, it felt unrealistic for her not to see Sam for who she was. Too many peripheral characters floating around too which we got glimmers of but not enough. Not bad, not great, simply.
"In At the Deep End" is a bit like a twisted rom com. The general voice and approach feels related to Bridget Jones's diary (and quite a few of the jokes did make me chuckle) but the content is darker. And not just because it includes .
There's an element of escapism - while people do talk a bit about the financial challenges of living in London in your 20s, it all feels very upper middle class and cosy, with loads of the characters having an artistic background or occupation. Consequences are generally mild but there is more than a whisper of real peril in the second half of the book. That peril definitely merits content warnings:.
Spoiler
some kinky sex and non-monogamyThere's an element of escapism - while people do talk a bit about the financial challenges of living in London in your 20s, it all feels very upper middle class and cosy, with loads of the characters having an artistic background or occupation. Consequences are generally mild but there is more than a whisper of real peril in the second half of the book. That peril definitely merits content warnings:
Spoiler
controlling relationships, emotional abuse, gaslighting, suicide threats, drug use, poor consent practices for both vanilla and kinky sex, and threat violence
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
Closer to 4.5 stars. This book is extremely well-written, as readable and engaging as Bridget Jones’ Diary, but definitely far more complex and (I would argue) carefully and intentionally crafted and paced. Technically speaking, this is an extremely well written book that I think accomplishes exactly what the author set out to do. But I have to say that I found it a harrowing and anxiety-inducing read. I don’t want to give away why, because I think that may be a bit of a spoiler, but I think it’s unfortunate that I haven’t heard many people mentioning trigger warnings for abuse and sexual violence. A quick and compelling read that leaves you feeling raw and left me really thinking about the characters, situations, and crafting of the book. So far, one of my favorite fiction books of the year, but one that I definitely wouldn’t recommend to everyone.
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this was soooo much babes