A review by pinkblingd
Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-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

5.0

โค๏ธ๐Ÿ’•๐Ÿ–ค๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿงก

The many hearts for the various beautiful facets of Adelaide 
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Trigger warning โš ๏ธ
Suicide, relationship abuse, sexual abuse, mental health 
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As hoped by the author, the feelings in this book were real, tangible, overwhelming, and beautiful. 


I almost put down the book when I came across a scene of 'voluntary' submissiveness in a sexual scenario to 'make up' for the partner's commitment phobia/assholery. 'I do not need this', I thought. But I had abandoned quite a few books at this point so I picked it up again. Thank god I did because the plot changed after page 110. 


OK, not exactly. You still have a very young Adelaide (24 years) in a relationship with man you will hate โ€” as you turn every page you will be surprised to find out you are capable of hating him more and viscerally. Her friends are young too and support her to some point in her endeavour to be a rock for her partner. 


However, from page 110 things are not predictable anymore. There's an unexpected twist at this point and you get caught in the whirlpool that is this relationship; with Adelaide at the eye of the storm willing to be the best girlfriend, friend, employee, sister; and you just know that when the storm breaks so will Adelaide.


Manic depression from the relationship, perfectionism at work and in every sense,  intelligence, brilliance, kindness, and unwavering love and kindness. That's Adelaide. 


The top reason I love this book - It takes a lot of thought to write such a story without experiencing it; it takes a lot of strength and healing to write such a story after experiencing it. 


PS: If you're looking for a revenge angle or some avenging of the trauma, this book is not it. And I love that.