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A review by clara01
Releasing 10 by Chloe Walsh
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book is not a romance, it's probably the most challenging, emotional and heartbreaking book I've ever read. Please check the TWs, this book has so many and they're detailed repeated descriptions. I'm usually not triggered by much but I had to take breaks when reading about sexual abuse on a toddler in every other chapter.
I think the author Chloe writes trauma porn. With each new book somehow she finds a way of giving these teenagers the worst trauma and childhoods possible. Also why is it that in each book one character has had the hardest life and challenges but the other has lived the picture perfect uneventful life and has to save them.
I can't say I love this book or that I enjoyed reading it but was it worth the pain...maybe. The ending was by far the best part of the book and it almost makes me forget that it was unenjoyable until then.
My biggest criticism is that this book follows the characters from the agse of 4 to 16 and for the majority of the book all I kept thinking was 'what 4 year old speaks like this?'. They were infants having huge discussions and speaking like they were at least 13. It was really unbelievable and I had to push through and ignore it.
The next thing I found unrealistic was the amount of trauma Lizzie goes through. She must be the unluckiest person in the world and she never got a break.
Mental illness, sibling death, sexual abuse, bullying, abortion, cancer is way too much to put on one character especially a child. As you keep reading her story it just keeps getting worse. When you think it's as bad as it can get...it gets even worse. I really feel for Lizzie's character and I hope her story improves in the next book. Also sidenote - what is wrong with the adults and doctors around her, how has no one picked up on her abuse when she is showing all the key signs.
Hughie's character was good, he was the supportive best friend/ boyfriend/ carer for Lizzie. I'm not sure why or how he was relied on so heavily for her care by the adults especially when he's literally a child/teenager.
I would've liked Hughie's character to also have had some flaws, he was just a little bit too perfect with no issues which was the complete opposite to Lizzie who had every trauma a person could.
I think the author Chloe writes trauma porn. With each new book somehow she finds a way of giving these teenagers the worst trauma and childhoods possible. Also why is it that in each book one character has had the hardest life and challenges but the other has lived the picture perfect uneventful life and has to save them.
I can't say I love this book or that I enjoyed reading it but was it worth the pain...maybe. The ending was by far the best part of the book and it almost makes me forget that it was unenjoyable until then.
My biggest criticism is that this book follows the characters from the agse of 4 to 16 and for the majority of the book all I kept thinking was 'what 4 year old speaks like this?'. They were infants having huge discussions and speaking like they were at least 13. It was really unbelievable and I had to push through and ignore it.
The next thing I found unrealistic was the amount of trauma Lizzie goes through. She must be the unluckiest person in the world and she never got a break.
Hughie's character was good, he was the supportive best friend/ boyfriend/ carer for Lizzie. I'm not sure why or how he was relied on so heavily for her care by the adults especially when he's literally a child/teenager.
I would've liked Hughie's character to also have had some flaws, he was just a little bit too perfect with no issues which was the complete opposite to Lizzie who had every trauma a person could.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting
Moderate: Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Abortion, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol