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A review by morganth
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
This relationship is toxic, not aspirational, not romantic, very very unhealthy, and to idealize it feels troubling.
So much of Jimenez's writing is so causally and obtusely misogynistic, that I actually stopped this time to wonder whether this is a pen name for a man. (Especially Kristen's menstrual issues. Only a man would write that the worst part, worse than the excruiating pain, worse than the constant bleeding, is the bloated tummy. A ruined figure = reason for a hysterectomy.)
Her male main, Josh, is possessive, jealous, demanding, completely without compassion (see: every comment about having to help drunk people on his EMT calls -- he signed up to help people for a living, but resents who he has to help! He was happier killing people in the army!), and worst, non-consentual. He does not accept Kristen's nos, because he loves her, okay! that makes it fine. At one point, he actually says he's going to go to her and pick ehr up and kiss her "whether she likes it or not." And this is romance? This is who we are to lust after?
And he keeps saying he likes her BECAUSE SHE'S NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS. My god! We know this is misogynistic, we have known for a long time, but the author based an entire book around it. She likes Pulp Fiction: cool girl. She has opinions: unheard of in women.
But what makes it all better, what makes him deeply desirable, is that he's not afraid to buy her pads. And he is willing to have sex - not oral, though - when she's bleeding. Like this is rare. Like this is exceptional, and makes up for his treating her like a possession, for not respecting her boundaries, for pushing her into sex when she's already said no.
The story is a little predictable than others, but not well-written enough, and far too problematic, to warrant much more than 2 stars.
So much of Jimenez's writing is so causally and obtusely misogynistic, that I actually stopped this time to wonder whether this is a pen name for a man. (Especially Kristen's menstrual issues. Only a man would write that the worst part, worse than the excruiating pain, worse than the constant bleeding, is the bloated tummy. A ruined figure = reason for a hysterectomy.)
Her male main, Josh, is possessive, jealous, demanding, completely without compassion (see: every comment about having to help drunk people on his EMT calls -- he signed up to help people for a living, but resents who he has to help! He was happier killing people in the army!), and worst, non-consentual. He does not accept Kristen's nos, because he loves her, okay! that makes it fine. At one point, he actually says he's going to go to her and pick ehr up and kiss her "whether she likes it or not." And this is romance? This is who we are to lust after?
And he keeps saying he likes her BECAUSE SHE'S NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS. My god! We know this is misogynistic, we have known for a long time, but the author based an entire book around it. She likes Pulp Fiction: cool girl. She has opinions: unheard of in women.
But what makes it all better, what makes him deeply desirable, is that he's not afraid to buy her pads. And he is willing to have sex - not oral, though - when she's bleeding. Like this is rare. Like this is exceptional, and makes up for his treating her like a possession, for not respecting her boundaries, for pushing her into sex when she's already said no.
The story is a little predictable than others, but not well-written enough, and far too problematic, to warrant much more than 2 stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Car accident
Minor: Death, Infertility, Misogyny, Grief, Injury/Injury detail