shutupdivs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5
this book is very difficult to love. the writing is beautiful, pretentious in parts but pretty much the only thing i adore abt this book. i get that it's supposed to provide a nuanced take on modern relationships but i just couldn't stand all that "i will indulge in adultery because im bored" bullshit. okay, the author tries to humanise fucked up New Yorkers but atleast she could've tried to make them likeable. but then, maybe my problem is that i belong to the third world and things like sugar gliders or "climaxing to consciousness". if i must be honest, i think santiago was the BEST character in this book.
moral of the story : do not, in any circumstances, settle for a quickie wedding.
moral of the story : do not, in any circumstances, settle for a quickie wedding.
emma_reads_sometimes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
angelaonmars's review against another edition
cringe dialogues, corny outdated and uninspired descriptions
lilnoto's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
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
4.5
amandadingman's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
2.5
sianemily97's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
eharwood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
cooperjx's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
danielles's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
ellafornsworth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Find it so hard to give this book a rating out of 5. On the one hand, the quality of the writing is absolutely phenomenal and it was so incredibly easy to read, very absorbing. I just felt that the content of it was quite strange. Mellors focuses on two quite vapid main characters who are nothing we haven’t seen before in fiction, when she has created a number of fascinating side characters who would probably make far more interesting protagonists (Eleanor, Zoe and Santiago were all far more original, compelling and realistic to read about). There is also the sneaking suspicion that Cleo is a bit of an indulgent self-insert for the writer, judging by her picture at the back of the book. Sometimes I found this book deeply affecting and emotional, hitting universal feelings and experiences right on the head, and sometimes I found it completely out of touch, about a New York elite no one normal could ever relate to. The result is some parts of the book are absolute gold dust, but as a whole it remains lacking in some way, like it is missing its beating heart at the centre.