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A review by what_ari_reads
But How Are You, Really by Ella Dawson
3.0
3.5 Stars
Charlotte Thorne, a personal assistant struggling to stay afloat in NYC, is back at her alma mater for her 5 year reunion weekend which doubles as a work trip after her boss is invited as the commencement speaker. No family support system leads to a true survivor mentality for Charlotte, accepting a toxic, borderline abusive workplace for the sake of financial security. While hesitant to go to the reunion at all, she quickly reconnects with her chosen family and support system.
I enjoyed the concept of this book, who doesn't want a chance to live a college weekend with your best friends one more time? I also loooved the rich and (literally) colorful descriptions of emotions and feelings throughout the book. It gave a sort of synesthetic thread throughout the book and really brought it to life for me!
I found the first 1/3 of the book to be very slow without much substance. At a certain point, the deep dives into Charlotte's anxious states were too much and I think lost the power it originally had in the story.
I really enjoyed the importance of chosen family and how it can be just as strong of a support system as blood family. But for what seems like an overly open and honest group who make space for each other's feelings and discussion of sexuality, family/relationship dynamics, there is a lot of masking and secret-keeping about jobs and menial things, which felt disconnected from the overall theme.
Overall a good read with queer representation and a satisfying ending.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Charlotte Thorne, a personal assistant struggling to stay afloat in NYC, is back at her alma mater for her 5 year reunion weekend which doubles as a work trip after her boss is invited as the commencement speaker. No family support system leads to a true survivor mentality for Charlotte, accepting a toxic, borderline abusive workplace for the sake of financial security. While hesitant to go to the reunion at all, she quickly reconnects with her chosen family and support system.
I enjoyed the concept of this book, who doesn't want a chance to live a college weekend with your best friends one more time? I also loooved the rich and (literally) colorful descriptions of emotions and feelings throughout the book. It gave a sort of synesthetic thread throughout the book and really brought it to life for me!
I found the first 1/3 of the book to be very slow without much substance. At a certain point, the deep dives into Charlotte's anxious states were too much and I think lost the power it originally had in the story.
I really enjoyed the importance of chosen family and how it can be just as strong of a support system as blood family. But for what seems like an overly open and honest group who make space for each other's feelings and discussion of sexuality, family/relationship dynamics, there is a lot of masking and secret-keeping about jobs and menial things, which felt disconnected from the overall theme.
Overall a good read with queer representation and a satisfying ending.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.