Take a photo of a barcode or cover
oliviaxreads 's review for:
Mad About You
by Mhairi McFarlane
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really, really, really enjoyed this book. It might be shelved as a romance, but it's really about Harriet's strength and tenacity and her fight against trauma, the patriarchy, and the bullshit of men!! And hey, if theres a hot guy to get in the end, thats just a big bonus!
But seriously-- this book is about women. Harriet, Lorna, Nina, Marianne, and even Roxy. It is about the power of women when they come together, and the strength it takes to acknowledge the trauma of emotional abuse. And how fucking frustrating it is when these abusive men are seen as upstanding, funny, 'great guys' by everyone else when, in reality, they are terrible.
Harriet and Cal's romance was a little side plot in my opinion, even though it is clearly building throughout the book. I was so gratified by Harriet, Nina, and Marianne coming together in the end to ruin Scott and stand up for their truths. And I think this was well written with regards to coercive control, and how pernicious, secretive, and destructive it is in the lives of those who survive it. Hats off to Mhairi!
But seriously-- this book is about women. Harriet, Lorna, Nina, Marianne, and even Roxy. It is about the power of women when they come together, and the strength it takes to acknowledge the trauma of emotional abuse. And how fucking frustrating it is when these abusive men are seen as upstanding, funny, 'great guys' by everyone else when, in reality, they are terrible.
Harriet and Cal's romance was a little side plot in my opinion, even though it is clearly building throughout the book. I was so gratified by Harriet, Nina, and Marianne coming together in the end to ruin Scott and stand up for their truths. And I think this was well written with regards to coercive control, and how pernicious, secretive, and destructive it is in the lives of those who survive it. Hats off to Mhairi!