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A review by leahhmorriss
Releasing 10 by Chloe Walsh
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I feel so fucking hollow after reading this.
For a start, I love Boys of Tommen so so much and would read absolutely anything about these characters and this little world, but this one left me so conflicted. I love Hugh Biggs so so much, and he’s definitely on par with the other boys in this series after getting to know him more. Lizzie on the other hand…I’ve never been a huge fan of hers anyway, and whilst I definitely sympathise with her and it hurt my heart to read everything she’s experienced in her life, I still can’t say that I like her. I can’t stress enough how much I UNDERSTAND that she’s a traumatised and mentally unwell person, but I fear that some of her actions just cannot be justified. For example,the way that we’ve seen her treat Gibs from the other books, everything that happened with Pierce, and nobody seemed to be talking about it, but the way that she was lowkey coercing Hugh into being sexual with her. Despite him wanting to do things with her, he made it quite clear that he wanted to wait, and the only reason he eventually relented is because Lizzie wouldn’t take no for an answer. It just didn’t sit right with me at all.
It did sometimes feel a little weird reading about them as literal children for pretty much the first half of the book, some of the conversations and dialogue felt way too mature for ten year olds, but overall I did enjoy reading about the core 5 growing up together.
As much as I cannot imagine Hugh with anyone else, I fear I just can’t see him and Lizzie being endgame. I can’t put my finger on a specific reason, but I really just can’t force myself to root for their relationship. I want them both to be happy, but I’m not sure their relationship will achieve that.
Finally, some of the scenes in this book were extremely graphic, violent, and disturbing to read. I understand why they were needed, but I had to take multiple breaks throughout when things got a little too detailed.
For a start, I love Boys of Tommen so so much and would read absolutely anything about these characters and this little world, but this one left me so conflicted. I love Hugh Biggs so so much, and he’s definitely on par with the other boys in this series after getting to know him more. Lizzie on the other hand…I’ve never been a huge fan of hers anyway, and whilst I definitely sympathise with her and it hurt my heart to read everything she’s experienced in her life, I still can’t say that I like her. I can’t stress enough how much I UNDERSTAND that she’s a traumatised and mentally unwell person, but I fear that some of her actions just cannot be justified. For example,
It did sometimes feel a little weird reading about them as literal children for pretty much the first half of the book, some of the conversations and dialogue felt way too mature for ten year olds, but overall I did enjoy reading about the core 5 growing up together.
As much as I cannot imagine Hugh with anyone else, I fear I just can’t see him and Lizzie being endgame. I can’t put my finger on a specific reason, but I really just can’t force myself to root for their relationship. I want them both to be happy, but I’m not sure their relationship will achieve that.
Finally, some of the scenes in this book were extremely graphic, violent, and disturbing to read. I understand why they were needed, but I had to take multiple breaks throughout when things got a little too detailed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail