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ninascozydayreads's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
DISCLAIMER: This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review.
There are books where you can see something of yourself in the characters. There are books, where you don’t relate to the character at all (and those are great too!)
And there are those where you see your reflection staring back at you on every single page. And that, to say the least, was confronting.
Like Harper, social media feels safe and secure. Like Harper, I say no before I say yes. And like Harper, I probably spend way too much on my phone thinking about what will look good. Everything she did or said, with the reasons behind what she did and what she said, I recognised. I recognised her thinking pattern because that’s what my head looks like 24/7. And like I said, it was confrontational. How maybe I shouldn’t spend so much time on my phone cause I’ll miss the real world (though in my case that would probably lead to me simply diving into books lol).
What struck me about this novel was how beautiful the writing was. It flowed through the pages and chapters without seeming too much, or unnecessary. This book really read like a train and I sometimes had trouble stopping reading because of how quickly (and beautifully!) it read.
Though the plot was definitely interesting (a girl whose mother used a sperm donor), I didn’t feel as if it was the main theme of the book. Sure, it was important; all the actions taken and decisions made throughout most of the book are based around that fact, but I missed the criticism about sperm donors that I’ve seen floating online, how clinics don’t communicate how much someone’s sperm is used, for instance. Not to say that sperm donors or the whole thing is bad, because it isn’t, it gives many people a wonderful chance at raising a family, but I know there are discussions surrounding the ethics. What I did love in that regard was how the book showcased the many reasons why someone might choose to use a sperm donor.
Wrapped in a pretty package of environmentalism, what I liked most about this book was how human it was. All throughout, it offered reflections not only on the anxieties of the main character, but also on those who surround her. How behind every seemingly perfect façade there might be just a scared person, trying to do what’s best, and therein lies also the strength of this book.
Overall, I thought this was a pretty good read!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
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