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abookandaspotoftea's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Sexism, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Body shaming
cranedphoenix's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
the fact that josie doesnt believe what happened to her was assault is extremely important because a lot of survivors and such in general tend to think that what happened to them wasnt as bad as what happened to others.
its interesting when they introduce julia morrison and how everyone thought she was a crazy person very similar to britney spears and how a lot of people i grew up with were told she was just crazy.
i like how the book brings up separating artists from their work because i truly do not think you can do that because how they are and what they do is often in their work when theyre movie directors or writers etc etc. and i truly think trying to separate them is a cop out excuse to enjoy things you ised to mostly because of nostalgia.
theres difference between cheating which is shitty and being full on racist anti semitic rapist pedo etc etc.
i also absolutely hate how the main character says shell never have "good hair", being grown i know she meant straight hair but black hair IS good hair and that teed me off.
its like yeah ive felt down about some of those things as a kid cuz other people made me feel down about them and the line was supposed to be relatable which im sure it is/was but dang i got mad.
pennys line about waiting to see how they are when they arent nice is so important because thats when true colors start showing, anyone can pretend to be nice its not hard.
chapter 33 just rubs me wrong, i just dont like the josie marius side story like thats not what i picked the book for also the "ill just get crushed" joke is old and tiring its like when people tell buff women to step on them its gross.
next chapter was interesting how they made marius one of the victims and they touched on biphobia when marius said people would think he wanted it since he was bi.
josie and savannahs interaction when she gets the random calls is also annoying like how tf are you going to groan and push her when her life is practically being threatened
It was overall a semi good read but I feel like the two stories clashed more than fully went together
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Sexual harassment, and Racism
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Biphobia
mme_carton's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Bullying, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, and Vomit
Moderate: Self harm, Sexism, Biphobia, Misogyny, Alcohol, and Eating disorder
Minor: Pregnancy
taleofabibliophile's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Minor: Racism
caseythereader's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thanks to Books Forward PR for the free advance copy of this book.
📚 Wow, this book! So much is packed in to the character of Josie and the world she inhabits. I could have followed her forever.
📚 I especially want to point out how easily and seamlessly Garrett gave her characters intersecting marginalizations (Marius is Black and bisexual, Josie is Black, bi, fat, and has an anxiety disorder) that are inextricable from the story but also not the entire reason the book exists.
📚 OFF THE RECORD gets really real about sexual assault and harassment, please know that going in. Everything from "it wasn't that bad" to "this is so egregious I can't believe it isn't already front page news" is covered.
📚 Wow, this book! So much is packed in to the character of Josie and the world she inhabits. I could have followed her forever.
📚 I especially want to point out how easily and seamlessly Garrett gave her characters intersecting marginalizations (Marius is Black and bisexual, Josie is Black, bi, fat, and has an anxiety disorder) that are inextricable from the story but also not the entire reason the book exists.
📚 OFF THE RECORD gets really real about sexual assault and harassment, please know that going in. Everything from "it wasn't that bad" to "this is so egregious I can't believe it isn't already front page news" is covered.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
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