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gracescanlon's reviews
718 reviews
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Drug use, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Medical content, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Dark, twisty, tense, deeply sad and intensely atmospheric — Dark and Shallow Lies is a heavy read, but worthwhile. It knocked the wind out of me completely time and time again. Sain did a wonderful job with the setting; as a Southern girl from a swamp-like area myself, I felt myself choking on the humidity and heat as much as the secrets.
I especially liked how “full circle” the book was — specifically with uncovering the secrets and lies that poisoned La Cachette and ultimately led to so much death and pain.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Confinement, Incest, Pedophilia, Slavery, Trafficking, Pregnancy, Outing, Abandonment, and Colonisation
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Medical content, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, and War
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment
Did not finish book. Stopped at 52%.
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Infertility, Mental illness, Sexism, Violence, Car accident, and Pregnancy
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Peter and Petra having essentially the same first name AND last names that began with the same letter definitely made me hate them just a little bit more. Also, Peter was vindictive, short-sighted, and petty, which was worse than Petra’s selfish thoughtlessness.
Daphne and Miles’ relationship progression was a cool glass of water on the hottest day of the year. I loved that they truly became friends and then got involved romantically with each other. Their relationship progression was organic and healthy, even if it was a little quick and originated from a horrible situation. Given that Daphne and Miles are in their early- and mid-thirties respectively, the rapid development of their relationship didn’t bother me as much as it would have if they’d been ten years younger. Also, given that their previous partners left them for each other, it didn’t surprise me that Daphne and Miles got along so well.
I think my favorite thing about Funny Story is something I’ve rarely seen in similar contemporary romances, especially those not written in dual-POV. (An aside: can we stop relying on those in romance? They’re overdone, and this book in particular is a masterclass in accomplishing the same result without flipping back and forth between characters.) Though the book is told exclusively in first person from Daphne’s perspective, we see Miles’ (and also Ashleigh’s) character growth as well. So often in romance I find that one character, usually the non-POV love interest, is essentially flawless, which is boring. Henry doesn’t fall into this pattern in Funny Story, though. Miles says outright to Daphne that he feels dismissed by her insisting he spends time with her because he’s just a genuinely nice person. He expresses to her that his time with her isn’t altruistic; it’s for his own pleasure, because he likes her and spending time with her.
With a unique premise, incredibly lovable cast of characters, excellent character arcs, and MCs who respect one another and communicate, Funny Story is definitely a romance I’d recommend.
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship