Reviews tagging 'Body shaming'

Birds of California by Katie Cotugno

6 reviews

lexa's review against another edition

3.0

Had some moments I loved (banter, side characters, narration) but found that it glossed over the important messages and the ending left me wanting more (but not in a good way). 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Cancer and Sexual assault

Minor: Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Body shaming, Sexual content, and Adult/minor relationship

kfmcf's review

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book had a really solid trajectory through acts I and II, but then act III felt rushed and unfulfilling. Many of the more important aspects of the plot and character-driven moments were just brushed off and left unanswered. Was it a deadline thing? I'm genuinely sad because I was enjoying the first 150 pages or so.

I think as far as characters go, that is where this book excels. The side characters all feel real and living and enticing. You hear their stories. You feel for Fiona, all of shame and self doubt. Sam feels like a little less fleshed out, but still interesting. He feels more like a caricature at points and we aren't able to see in.

We should have had a moment with Sam and his grief of losing his ideal of Jamie. We had spent so much time in his head with Jamie as his idol.
We as readers also deserved more closer on Sam's life in general. How does he SURVIVE?! He is flat BROKE?!

Also like. I dunno. I needed an epilogue.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content

Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Cancer, and Cursing

Minor: Pedophilia and Body shaming

le3713's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Mental illness

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Cancer, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual assault

Minor: Eating disorder and Body shaming

jenmcreads's review

dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I liked this book for the most part, and at under 300 pages it was a quick read. I did feel the ending was abrupt - either that, or the meat of the story I’d really love would be a sequel to this. 

The back blurb talks about this book as being “set against the backdrop of a post-#MeToo Hollywood” and that is apt, but despite hints throughout the text, it’s only explicitly discussed in the last 30 pages or so. The seed of the idea I would love to see explored further is a journalist warning Fiona about what she will face going public, and specifically how she isn’t the “perfect” victim that will have everyone on her side. This a true phenomenon and major problem (see Depp-Heard trials recently…), but it’s all backlash that Fiona will face after this book ends. 

What I did like about the book was that the chemistry between the leads felt genuine, sweet, and palpable. I also felt like PTSD was portrayed with accuracy and for the most part, sensitivity. I enjoyed a lot about this book, I just found it left me wanting more.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Child abuse, and Sexual violence

Minor: Toxic relationship, Body shaming, and Suicidal thoughts

sourkiwi's review

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Forced institutionalization, and Sexual harassment

sarahbess's review

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Body shaming, Cultural appropriation, Sexual assault, and Adult/minor relationship

It doesn’t really handle the issues that are brought up with Jamie grooming Fiona . It’s foreshadowed but not stated until like the last 10 pages. I understand that it’s not what the book is about but the lack of resolution is just not for me.