talknerdybookblog 's review for:

I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue

4.25

dark emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Representation: Persian Iranian-Canadian protagonist with social anxiety and depression, Persian Iranian-Canadian supporting characters, Persian Iranian-Canadian side characters, Gay side character

Mature Themes:

• Alcohol consumption (underage drinking recounted)
• Swearing
• Sex discussed (not graphic)

Possible Triggers: Yes

• Protagonist has anxiety and experiences panic attacks on-page
• Protagonist has depression
• Alcoholism (alcohol used as a coping mechanism for the above)
• Domestic violence (including controlling behaviour and emotional abuse on-page) between supporting character and their partner 
• Infidelity 
• Side character is dying from c@ncer
• Supporting character struggles with not enabling their grown child's addiction
• Death of protagonist's best friend recounting
• Complicated grief disorder and PTSD (from above)
• Bullying of protagonist in high school recounted
- Bullying becomes so bad after her best friend's death that protagonist experiences persistent intrusive thoughts reinforcing the rumours that she was responsible for her friend's death (which wasn't true)
• Classism
• Parental neglect between supporting character and her mom

Ending:

HFN. Jolene and Cliff have been together for almost a year. Jolene is in therapy and learning to healthily process her grief and find coping mechanisms for her anxiety. Jolene also has a much healthier relationship with her parents.