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birbmcbirb's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Written well and kept me interested, but the ending was disturbingly homophobic and transphobic. Shame, since it started so well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Addiction, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
mikmocha's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
The beginning was great, I was captured by the story and kept wanting to dive deeper in. There was a lot of fatphobia going on in the first 95% of the book.
But the ending….WTF was that??? The book quite literally could have ended with Adele switching bodies with Louise and that be that. Rob could have remained as a side character and his murder be the reason why Adele would want to switch into Louise’s body- to absolve David of any crime, a fresh start for Adele in Louise’s body and refocus on their relationship.
But no, in the last couple of pages the only gay character (which we don’t find that fact out until the very end) is now the villain??? Who not only killed actual Adele, killed actual Louise but is now also planning on killing Louise’s child?? Wtf? This is feeding into a lot of homophobic tropes that are quite damaging and harmful.
I would not suggest this book and I’m not reading more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
biblio_jordyn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
While, there were a lot of different opinions at book club about this book, overall I enjoyed it!
What could have been better?
Some of the focus of characters and depth of them, and more of the journal! EDIT: And some problematic homophobic tropes pointed out to me.
What I did like?
This book drew me in right away, and I was constantly trying to guess what would happen next, which is the most important thing about a thriller for me!
Also the end took me by surprise, which is usually my complaint, not being surprised, but I was 🤯 and one of our members suggested rereading something from the beginning which made me appreciate the work it took to get to the end even more!
The characters were all very unlikable for the most part, but I think the unlikable-ness moved the plot along and made me able to just enjoy the craziness that was happening, instead of worrying about people 😂😂
What could have been better?
Some of the focus of characters and depth of them, and more of the journal! EDIT: And some problematic homophobic tropes pointed out to me.
What I did like?
This book drew me in right away, and I was constantly trying to guess what would happen next, which is the most important thing about a thriller for me!
Also the end took me by surprise, which is usually my complaint, not being surprised, but I was 🤯 and one of our members suggested rereading something from the beginning which made me appreciate the work it took to get to the end even more!
The characters were all very unlikable for the most part, but I think the unlikable-ness moved the plot along and made me able to just enjoy the craziness that was happening, instead of worrying about people 😂😂
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
lalouveverte's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book is so disappointing, I expected it to be a 4 stars but yeah, no.
It has weird fantasy/magical elements to it.
I disliked Louise for throwing herself a pity party every other page while flirting with a married man, so reading her chapters was a bit of a chore.
I loved Adele's chapters and was looking forward to them until the later ones, there was a noticeable switch in direction for her character. I guessed the first twist which I didn't like, but never anticipated a homophobic ending.
At the end of chapter 37, there's a slur which is unnecessary and vile as slurs always are.
The only upside of this whole ordeal is I will now ensure I double check my books to read have been recommended by various and diverse reviewers cause the straights are praising it.
It has weird fantasy/magical elements to it.
I disliked Louise for throwing herself a pity party every other page while flirting with a married man, so reading her chapters was a bit of a chore.
I loved Adele's chapters and was looking forward to them until the later ones, there was a noticeable switch in direction for her character. I guessed the first twist which I didn't like, but never anticipated a homophobic ending.
At the end of chapter 37, there's a slur which is unnecessary and vile as slurs always are.
The only upside of this whole ordeal is I will now ensure I double check my books to read have been recommended by various and diverse reviewers cause the straights are praising it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Alcoholism
Moderate: Ableism and Homophobia
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