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apriless's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Grief, Body shaming, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Rape, Alcohol, Incest, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, and Pregnancy
sarahholliday's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
If I had to describe the story in a single word, it'd be: BLEAK. A relentless study in just how gross and awful humans can be, there's also the added weight of climate change, broken-down familial relationships, and an oppressive sense of hopelessness.
But that might be why the ending (I won't spoil anything here, don't worry) is so beautiful. There are no "easy" answers or perfect happily-ever-afters, but there is hope. Bieker forces readers to sit in the truly miserable, to face the realities experienced by so many, in order to point out the ability of love, kindness, and beauty to exist in the most unlikely of places. There's no sentimentality in that idea, either. Just a simple yet deeply-rooted conviction that things can be truly awful and occasionally wonderful all at the same time.
This is definitely not a book for everyone, but it'll go on my recommendation list nevertheless and I'll be waiting to run across the right reader.
Graphic: Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual assault, Suicide, Alcohol, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Rape, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, and Gaslighting
gotabookforeverysituation's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Incest, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
Moderate: Suicide, Child death, Death, Alcoholism, and Pregnancy
Minor: Car accident, Abortion, Confinement, Vomit, Bullying, and Blood
geminireader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Addiction, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Infertility
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Abandonment
Minor: Suicide, Confinement, and Kidnapping
katealiss's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Confinement, Addiction, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Incest, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Abandonment, and Vomit
lycheejelly's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Abandonment, Alcohol, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Blood, Car accident, Cursing, Abortion, Cancer, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, and Fatphobia
deezy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Incest, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
shortcas's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Incest, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
alyreadsbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Incest, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Suicide
mostlymusings's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Confinement
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide