bones_jackson's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Nossa que livro horrível, a história é muito sem graça, a personagem principal é uma péssima esposa e mãe. A estrutura do livro é horrível, não tem aspas nem travessão e tem que dar graças se a autora pula parágrafos pras falas, coisa ruim.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Deportation, and Toxic friendship
kalehouse's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
(audio book) this was very middle of the road, nothing was super compelling characters or plot. actually, i really hated eva at first and the only thing that kept me listening was the hope that she couldn’t possibly be *that* annoying. she was redeemed towards the second half! still, this was pretty slow and i couldn’t relate much to eva.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Grief, and Alcohol
nataliesophia's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
krys_kilz's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was a really fun and light read! I didn't find the twist all that shocking, but I also didn't entirely expect it. It kept me engaged the entire time and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
It was difficult to read about Ava's autistic coded son, Henri, at times. I don't think Chen handled it poorly, but the ableism from family members and the lack of support was hard to witness as an autistic person.
It was difficult to read about Ava's autistic coded son, Henri, at times. I don't think Chen handled it poorly, but the ableism from family members and the lack of support was hard to witness as an autistic person.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Xenophobia
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Death of parent and Medical content
kcruzoyola's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship
debosmitathereader's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Racism
kathyf1687's review
lighthearted
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
1.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
vaniavela's review
adventurous
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is an easy read. The story begins with a first-person narration by Ava, who narrates her experiences with Winnie to the detective. Ava is not really likable, but she had good character development. That said, aside from her and Winnie, the other characters have no personality at all. They all seem really one dimensional.
Through this book we not only get an interesting premise, but insight into complex issues such as family expectations, consumerism, and labor exploitation.
Unfortunately it was a bit difficult to read because there were no quotation marks through most of the book. Being honest, I don't like that style of writing, especially since there is a lot of talking and no action.
Overall it was a great book, but I'm hoping for better!
tw: toxic friendship, toxic relationship, xenophobia, racism, alcoholism, medical content.
Through this book we not only get an interesting premise, but insight into complex issues such as family expectations, consumerism, and labor exploitation.
Unfortunately it was a bit difficult to read because there were no quotation marks through most of the book. Being honest, I don't like that style of writing, especially since there is a lot of talking and no action.
Overall it was a great book, but I'm hoping for better!
tw: toxic friendship, toxic relationship, xenophobia, racism, alcoholism, medical content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Medical content, Racism, and Alcoholism
anntharai's review against another edition
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I read this on a recommendation and without reading the blurb and I’m so glad I did. It was genuinely funny and interesting, and I definitely thought it was going to end a lot darker than it did.
Though I did have to look up a lot of the bags to understand some of the designer humour 😂.
I liked the structure and the style, plus the narrator Catherine Ho did a phenomenal job.
Spoiler
I thought there was going to be a time shift twist or some heavy foreshadowing payoff - the plane Winnie gets on was going to be the one that crashed in Ava’s testimony/another plane with the same counterfeit part issue. If this was intentional from the author bravo it worked, if not maybe I’m a bit grim hahah)Though I did have to look up a lot of the bags to understand some of the designer humour 😂.
I liked the structure and the style, plus the narrator Catherine Ho did a phenomenal job.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Grief, Terminal illness, and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship
Minor: Ableism
kirstym25's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia