A review by rosa_lina96
Good Material by Dolly Alderton

emotional funny reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

For quite some time I found Andy's POV to be completely insufferable. I don't know if it was because he's implied to be an unreliable narrator even at the best of times, or his borderline alcoholism that the book never really properly delves into, or just the fact that I've never personally gone through a breakup, but for a long time I was honestly considering DNF'ing this book if only so I wouldn't have to be subjected to any more of his self-centered whining. Honestly, the second half of the book managed to redeem it enough to make it a read that was at least tolerable, if not kind of hard to get through anyway. Maybe it would have been more interesting to me had the book been told from Jen's POV instead, but to each their own. 

That being said, the book is a poignant look at how breakups can affect both sides of a relationship, as well as how messy and complicated adult friendships can be--but worth it, because sometimes you'll find the right people who will stick with you through thick and thin. 

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