Scan barcode
tracey1981's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? It's complicated
3.0
What I liked:
-in these types of books, there can be a lot of glossing over of what made the characters lonely or disconnected in the first place. This book doesn’t do that. There’s real talk about racism, illness, caregiving, death, grief and loss, and what we need from each other
-the way characters persistently showed up for each other at times while also respecting one another’s boundaries
What I didn’t:
-lack of subtlety
-the way substance use was talked about and responded to
-the campaign to end loneliness felt over the top - how easily they got media attention and how ready people were to pitch in felt contrived. I think loneliness is probably solved by smaller, more gradual changes and choices and a ton of patience and care
-the ending was WAY too tidy and convenient for me
-the twist near the end that felt like kind of a trick and also felt similar to a plot twist I saw in another book that came out before this one…but I will note that at book club the plot twist was reframed for me and there were good points about it
I wasn’t sure what to rate this but having written that all out I’ll go with three stars because there is good stuff here despite me being annoyed by lots of things.
-in these types of books, there can be a lot of glossing over of what made the characters lonely or disconnected in the first place. This book doesn’t do that. There’s real talk about racism, illness, caregiving, death, grief and loss, and what we need from each other
-the way characters persistently showed up for each other at times while also respecting one another’s boundaries
What I didn’t:
-lack of subtlety
-the way substance use was talked about and responded to
-the campaign to end loneliness felt over the top - how easily they got media attention and how ready people were to pitch in felt contrived. I think loneliness is probably solved by smaller, more gradual changes and choices and a ton of patience and care
-the twist near the end that felt like kind of a trick and also felt similar to a plot twist I saw in another book that came out before this one…but I will note that at book club the plot twist was reframed for me and there were good points about it
I wasn’t sure what to rate this but having written that all out I’ll go with three stars because there is good stuff here despite me being annoyed by lots of things.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Abandonment and Drug abuse
aimzthereader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This book is pure magic. I need to come back and write more of a review but I want to capture my in the moment feelings which is happiness at the wonderfulness of thos book and the characters and the sadness that it’s over. I cried multiple times while reading this as well as had a myriad of other emotions. This is the type of book you want to hug and make everyone read it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Addiction, Alcohol, and Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Hate crime, and Dementia
Minor: Chronic illness, Medical content, Infertility, and Abandonment
More...