Reviews with content warning for Fatphobia - Yolk

“This story might be emotionally expensive for you”

That kinda says it all, doesn’t it? What a beautiful, honest piece of writing. There is a delicate balance between loving these character and hating them, and we walk it closely, but that is what makes them come alive. The realities of family and childhood trauma and what we become, and how we carry it with us even when we run far away. The reality of living in world (country) where treating illness is a luxury. It takes a bit to get into it and, admittedly, I put it down for a few days at one point but I’m so glad I picked it back up. I love this with my whole heart.

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logikitty's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense slow-paced

3.75

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gigireadswithkiki's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

This book was DEVASTATING and I loved every single page! Mary H. K. Choi's writing is ethereal, expertly weaving backstory within the frame of the immersive current timeline. The story was engaging and emotional, filling readers with pity and sympathy for the main character. Jayne was the absolute WORST, BUT her character growth and personal development were unparalleled, showing a troubled teen girl that I cannot help but empathize with. This book will stay with me for a while, and I encourage curious readers to pick it up after checking out content warnings!

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michaelion's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-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

3.75

Fuck I wish I wasn't an only child.

I hate contemporary references in books with a passion but this one isn't that bad.

My only issue is Jayne is constantly said to be an emotional character but reading through I can barely get a sense of her thought process. She does things / takes actions at random,

Spoiler

for example: kicking out jeremy, going with june to the doctor,

and there was no build up or explanation as to why she decided to do those things. Actually it didn't have to be explained, but those moments felt random from a character whose thoughts we're exclusively able to read. Makes the character feel plot-driven as opposed to character-driven, but the story as a whole doesn't feel the same.

I guess my other issue is misused AAVE. But also... Asian American? From Texas? New York transplants? Color me shocked.

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mengzhenreads's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-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

5.0

jesus christ what do you do when a book just reaches into your heart and stomps on it like i knew this book was going to be sad but it really just decided to not hold back anything and cause me so much pain. absolutely raw, authentic, and painful, this book was excruciatingly gorgeous. i really can't explain all the feelings i have finishing this because there is just so much to unpack wow.

i'll finish this review when i stop crying.

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