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A review by kimberlyyyreads
Francine's Spectacular Crash and Burn by Renee Swindle
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you, Tiny Reparations for the e-arc!
This book is truly an emotional roller coaster. Francine is a character I will not be forgetting about any time soon.
The book takes place just moments before Francines mom's passing, this book is a journey of Francine coping with her mothers loss and trying to live in a world without her. Francine is a complex character, not many will agree with her actions or the situations she finds herself in but it's her own experience.
Francine's grief was written really well, we don't see Francine have a typical "healing" journey with grief. It's very raw and emotional, you can't help but want to give her a big hug.
Francine in her grief meets a young boy named Davie, who randomly starts showing up to her house and quickly they form a heartwarming friendship.
Davie is on the spectrum, the way that Francine understands this. Her friendship with Davie is one filled with love and recognition. Davie being part of the foster system and also having lost his mother, Francine sees herself and Davie and for that she creates an environment in which Davie feels safest in. Literally cried over how loving she was with Davie.
This would've been a full 5-star book but I felt like Francine's drug use was glossed over. I really wish that we got to see more about what steps she was taking to get sober. The book glossed over when it came to Francine taking meds that weren't hers so I really wish this was addressed as well.
I do want to make clear that this is not a love story. Francine's relationship with Jennette is one built off trauma. Francine is constantly getting used by Jennette and there are several boundaries that Jennette crosses. I think the book does a great job at highlighting the fact that Jennette isn't 100% a bad person. She is someone who needs help and was wronged by a system as well.
Francine also has Bell's Palsy that is triggered by stress, this is something that is important to understanding her character! We see her actively struggle with her views with her condition throughout the book, she learns to not be afraid of her condition, but she does receive a lot of bullying and harassment about her condition.
This book can be heavy at times, but I really do encourage others to read it, please take care of yourselves, my friends.
This book is truly an emotional roller coaster. Francine is a character I will not be forgetting about any time soon.
The book takes place just moments before Francines mom's passing, this book is a journey of Francine coping with her mothers loss and trying to live in a world without her. Francine is a complex character, not many will agree with her actions or the situations she finds herself in but it's her own experience.
Francine's grief was written really well, we don't see Francine have a typical "healing" journey with grief. It's very raw and emotional, you can't help but want to give her a big hug.
Francine in her grief meets a young boy named Davie, who randomly starts showing up to her house and quickly they form a heartwarming friendship.
Davie is on the spectrum, the way that Francine understands this. Her friendship with Davie is one filled with love and recognition. Davie being part of the foster system and also having lost his mother, Francine sees herself and Davie and for that she creates an environment in which Davie feels safest in. Literally cried over how loving she was with Davie.
This would've been a full 5-star book but I felt like Francine's drug use was glossed over. I really wish that we got to see more about what steps she was taking to get sober. The book glossed over when it came to Francine taking meds that weren't hers so I really wish this was addressed as well.
I do want to make clear that this is not a love story. Francine's relationship with Jennette is one built off trauma. Francine is constantly getting used by Jennette and there are several boundaries that Jennette crosses. I think the book does a great job at highlighting the fact that Jennette isn't 100% a bad person. She is someone who needs help and was wronged by a system as well.
Francine also has Bell's Palsy that is triggered by stress, this is something that is important to understanding her character! We see her actively struggle with her views with her condition throughout the book, she learns to not be afraid of her condition, but she does receive a lot of bullying and harassment about her condition.
This book can be heavy at times, but I really do encourage others to read it, please take care of yourselves, my friends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment