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kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Grief, Death, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Infidelity, Outing, Sexual violence, and Misogyny
emfass's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Sexual harassment, Infidelity, and Bullying
Moderate: Grief, Sexual content, Medical content, Dementia, Death of parent, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny
Before the beginning of the book (thought she recounts it in detail), main character has topless photos taken of her without her consent, and the boy who took them puts them online and everyone she knows sees them. Her mother also shames her for this.marigoldgem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I love the way Malinda Lo writes even though it started off VERY slow for me, the way it’s written just keeps me interested. Though I will say the age gap and the cheating made me super uncomfortable. Especially the way they used Joan’s hospital visit for their alone time. Or using her grandma’s memorial as her “last card”. Just didn’t sit well with me. Also it felt like there was a lot going on but it never going anywhere.
Graphic: Death of parent, Dementia, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Death, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
bookishsapphicshay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Infidelity
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Sexual content, Racism, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Classism, and Misogyny
Minor: Cancer
librariangeorgia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Cancer, Grief, Bullying, Misogyny, Homophobia, and Terminal illness
thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
This is companion novel to Lo's historical romance, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, but they're still completely stand-alones.
It's 2013 and Aria Tang West was looking forward to spending one last summer at Martha's Vineyard with her friends before going off to university. However after comprising photos of her end up online, she's uninvited. Instead she has to spend the summer with her grandmother, Joan West in California. Joan's house is full of reminders of Aria's beloved Grandfather who died 5 years ago.
She unexpectedly finds herself drawn to her grandmother's gardener, Steph. Steph however isn't available as she has a girlfriend, Lisa.
This coming of age book tackles a lot issues such as cyber bullying, slut shaming, grief, sexuality and self discovery but it feels organic, never forced. This book is at the older end of YA.
An overall enjoyable read but I felt some of the plots weren't well developed or wrapped up.
Graphic: Grief, Infidelity, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual content, Bullying, and Misogyny
Minor: Homophobia