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A review by gretchenplz
Advika and the Hollywood Wives by Kirthana Ramisetti
emotional
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
2.5
I'm not really sure what to say about this book because I'm not entirely sure what I just read. This book was 100% not what I expected, and I'm not sure if that disappoints me or not.
I think that this book covered a lot of topics, like sisterhood (both biological and chosen), power dynamics within relationships, and grief, and I'm just not sure how well it was all woven together. I expected drama, and emotional highs and lows, but this book just did not give me that at all.
I'm not sure if it was purposeful for the author to create a book that left the reader feeling very much like how Advika felt throughout her relationship with Julian — overwhelmed, confused, nervous — but I never knew what to expect from this book.
Julian never came across as charming to me (was he supposed to? or does this link with my above thought, that perhaps the reader was supposed to feel like Advika and not really be very attached, confused that this was all happening so fast, expectant that Julian had good intentions, etc.?) and it really just gave me pause the whole time I read the book.
I wish the author could have done more showing vs. telling, as I caught myself skimming the many pages of paragraphs of internal dialogue or pop culture detail for dialogue. There was just so much to digest and I am still not sure what exactly I was supposed to get from this book.
The power of grief? Following your dreams? Leaning on your friends? Chosen family? Sisterhood?
I don't know. I don't think it was a bad book. Just not a favorite of mine.
I think that this book covered a lot of topics, like sisterhood (both biological and chosen), power dynamics within relationships, and grief, and I'm just not sure how well it was all woven together. I expected drama, and emotional highs and lows, but this book just did not give me that at all.
I'm not sure if it was purposeful for the author to create a book that left the reader feeling very much like how Advika felt throughout her relationship with Julian — overwhelmed, confused, nervous — but I never knew what to expect from this book.
Julian never came across as charming to me (was he supposed to? or does this link with my above thought, that perhaps the reader was supposed to feel like Advika and not really be very attached, confused that this was all happening so fast, expectant that Julian had good intentions, etc.?) and it really just gave me pause the whole time I read the book.
I wish the author could have done more showing vs. telling, as I caught myself skimming the many pages of paragraphs of internal dialogue or pop culture detail for dialogue. There was just so much to digest and I am still not sure what exactly I was supposed to get from this book.
The power of grief? Following your dreams? Leaning on your friends? Chosen family? Sisterhood?
I don't know. I don't think it was a bad book. Just not a favorite of mine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Pregnancy