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stellahadz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book is brilliant - the writing is detailed and clever, just toeing the line of satire, and captures the book's premise and the narrator's interiority perfectly. Ventura paints a vivid picture of the most extreme manifestations of the expectations that society places on romantic love and marriage. The unnamed narrator, although not a great person, is an incredibly well-written and complex character. There are aspects of her neurosis that are deeply relatable and make me feel sad for her (anxious attachment, anyone?), but she also behaves in despicable and downright abusive ways. She's a deeply disturbed person who becomes more and more unhinged as the story progresses, but she embodies what so many of us have been conditioned to believe about what it means to be in love.
Personally, I think the book could have been shorter, and I'm not sure why it's labeled as a thriller, but aside from that it's an excellent read. Highly recommend.
Moderate: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
sydresnik's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
refrejarator's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Mental illness, Gaslighting, Infertility, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
grnbun's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
binreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I did NOT expect that twist in the epilogue. my jaw was DROPPED. It really does put the whole book into a different perspective.
Without the epilogue, I would've definitely rated this lower. Mostly because I didn't enjoy that it was all just her stream of thoughts and not a lot of dialogue or character interaction. I really had to force myself to push through it. I also wouldn't categorize it in thriller or horror, I'd say it's more just dark and psychological.
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Mental illness
Moderate: Child abuse, Body shaming, and Panic attacks/disorders
ashleythebookwhore's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Alcohol, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Gaslighting, and Mental illness
papijuulo's review
- 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
2.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
perksofbeingemily's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny
supernovaaa's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse
unfocusedcuriosity's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexual content