Reviews tagging 'Sexual harassment'

The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes by Elissa R. Sloan

6 reviews

feliciaguestwrites's review

3.5

While this book had a really interesting concept, I honestly just felt that Elissa R. Sloan tried to take on too much at once. For such a short book, there was so many sub-plots and the fact that it was told from all four Gloss members' perspectives, including their future perspectives, made it hard to follow. Granted, there were some really interesting subjects tackled in this book, which I think made it a very timely critique on the power structure in Hollywood, and how that often exploits young women trying to make it big. 

Was this comparable to Daisy Jones and the Six? No. I think if you go into it without that expectation, or that comparison, then you're probably much better off and you may enjoy this more.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, Cancer, Stalking, Eating disorder, Sexual harassment, Racism, Drug abuse, Alcohol, and Suicide

cokester's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, Pregnancy, Suicide, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Eating disorder

alittlebitheather's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I don't know what it is about these fictional memoirs/recountings of fake celebrity's lives that have such a hold on me, but damn it if this one didn't do that as well. The story of Cassidy Holmes, one of four members of Gloss, who joins the band after losing Sing It! (think an American Idol type deal). When the book opens, Cassie has completed suicide, and the rest follows her journey from obscurity to fame back to obscurity. The characters were flawed and real, and although some might find the ending dissatisfying, I felt it stuck true to the nature of the members of the band that was portrayed throughout the book. I will definitely be checking out Elissa's next book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Drug use, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Suicide

cassie7e's review against another edition

dark sad slow-paced

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

2.0

One star for competent writing, one star for prominent queer rep. If this had been marketed as YA instead of adult, I might have had different expectations. 

Maybe I'm just too old for immature teen drama, but I found all the characters offputting and unlikeable. They are terrible to each other and all think they are in the right, or are responsible for all the wrong in the world. I don't think it's unrealistic, especially in how teen girl performers are exploited, but made it very hard for me to root for any of them or really care how their storylines played out.

I also found the "mystery" of Cassidy's depression confusing. It was neither surprising to me that a character in her position would struggle with mental health for years, nor was there ever a conclusive explanation found for her struggles to justify everyone's bizarre interest/confusion about it.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Racism, Toxic friendship, Grief, Sexism, Body shaming, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny

Minor: Drug abuse, Death, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Cancer, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Abortion, Biphobia, Infidelity, and Stalking

jackieyvette's review

dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I read it because I wanted a book that was similar to Daisy Jones & the Six and this one was listed everywhere as something in the same realm. I loved the premise idea, early 2000s pop girl groups are my favorite, but I think this book was just too slow. I felt like it took getting through more than half the book to really get anything of interest. I like Cassidy and Merry’s storylines, but I feel like Rose and Yumi’s fell flat which sucked because I actually really like the idea of Yumi, but Rose was just unlikeable from beginning to end. 
I wouldn’t say it’s really anything like DJ&TS other than it being the music industry, but maybe I would have liked it more if I would have found it as a stand alone book and not a similarity between the two. 


Crying Score: None, but Cassidy and Merry had me for a minute. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Bullying, and Mental illness

Moderate: Abortion, Lesbophobia, Rape, Sexual harassment, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Car accident, Grief, Outing, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, Alcohol, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse

Minor: Animal death

onkenzisshelf's review against another edition

challenging reflective slow-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

3.0

What I Liked:

• I liked the formatting of this book. It jumped between characters and between time periods and it really worked.
• I really felt like the main characters were really well-rounded.
• I liked the look into fame in a more negative viewpoint - it's not something you see often.

What I Didn't Like/Wanted More Of

• This book felt like a not-so-great mix of Daisy Jones and Evelyn Hugo.
• Pacing was slow
• There were a TON of side characters that weren't fleshed out and a few plot points that fell flat.

You Should Read If You Like:

• Daisy Jones and the Six
• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse