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stacy837's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, Trafficking, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Miscarriage, and Abortion
caribbeangirlreading's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Up until 50% of the book I was ready to give this book four stars. There was a good balance of everyday contentment vs sadness over past disappointments. Then the story turned depressing. But what really bothered me the most was the way Mandy's storyline was handled. No matter how terrible her decisions were, she was a minor who was groomed and taken advantage of by an adult. Yet, she was "punished" for her "poor choices" by being sent away to boarding school while the adult male who pimped her out received no consequences, legal or otherwise. And her mother, instead of showing righteous anger against the perpetrator, showed disappointment towards her daughter. This casual victim blaming made my blood boil. I still gave it three stars because I loved the relationship between Julie, her daughter Mandy, and her ex-husband David, and the character growth in each of them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, and Trafficking
Minor: Abortion, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Miscarriage
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