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labyrith_of_a_thousand_mirrors's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Took me a while to read it, which made it hard to remember names that weren't mentioned for a while. But that's on me. And so is taking long. My depressed ADHD brain was just a mess for a while. But today reading was what helped so I finished it.
I really liked the writing style, though I sometimes felt taken out of the scene by all of the thoughts that were sprinkled in between dialogue. It made the reaction time just seem... off. Not saying it's not realistic, I know from experience, anxiety thoughts are faster than spoken words. But you don't read them faster than the dialogue. You experience the scene at the pace you're reading. But I actually struggle with the same thing in my writing.
I kinda like the point it left off. Might seem unfinished to some but I think it ended in the right place.
I really enjoyed the relationship between the sisters. Garrett managed to masterfully walk the line between "unrealistically perfect" and "over the top abusive." They were still realistic sibling relationships, with all the bickering that doesn't make it toxic but just realistic. They still love and support each other, even though they get on each other's nerves. I wish I had that with my siblings.
The book tackled a really tough topic. And I think she masterfully did it. Without it being a dogma. It was still nuanced, I like the distinction between "problematic faves" and "faves that ruin somebody's life". The bottom line was just "stuff is not black and white" and "there is not one right way of acting as a survivor."
Also, good job on the fat representation. As someone who is not fat, this really broadened my view on what it's like to be fat. I already had some idea, but this definetely added to it.
I really liked the writing style, though I sometimes felt taken out of the scene by all of the thoughts that were sprinkled in between dialogue. It made the reaction time just seem... off. Not saying it's not realistic, I know from experience, anxiety thoughts are faster than spoken words. But you don't read them faster than the dialogue. You experience the scene at the pace you're reading. But I actually struggle with the same thing in my writing.
I kinda like the point it left off. Might seem unfinished to some but I think it ended in the right place.
I really enjoyed the relationship between the sisters. Garrett managed to masterfully walk the line between "unrealistically perfect" and "over the top abusive." They were still realistic sibling relationships, with all the bickering that doesn't make it toxic but just realistic. They still love and support each other, even though they get on each other's nerves. I wish I had that with my siblings.
The book tackled a really tough topic. And I think she masterfully did it. Without it being a dogma. It was still nuanced, I like the distinction between "problematic faves" and "faves that ruin somebody's life". The bottom line was just "stuff is not black and white" and "there is not one right way of acting as a survivor."
Also, good job on the fat representation. As someone who is not fat, this really broadened my view on what it's like to be fat. I already had some idea, but this definetely added to it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Fatphobia
Minor: Biphobia and Alcohol
ghostlyprince's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Body shaming, Racism, and Rape
Minor: Biphobia, Classism, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Vomit, and Alcohol
booksawyer's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? No
5.0
Off The Record is Camryn Garrett’s sophomore novel, which captivated me from the first chapter. The story follows Josie, a black, plus size teen who aspires to be a journalist. Her talent leads her to win a prestigious writing contest, and her prize is the opportunity to write a profile on an up-and-coming movie star for her favorite magazine.
As Josie starts her journey, she also discovers the horrific, yet unspoken, issue of sexual abuse in Hollywood. When faced with these injustices, Josie is asked to write a piece exposing a serial abuser in the industry, putting her journalism career at risk as it is just beginning.
Off The Record is the kind of book you will never get bored of reading. There are so many things going on in the story: the profile, the sexual abuse story, a romance, complicated family relationships, body insecurity, discussions of race, and more. This story is rich with details and conflict, and I felt truly captivated the whole time.
As a plus size reviewer, I loved seeing a book about a plus size heroine that was evenly balanced between conversations of her size and her just living her life. Yes, Josie deals with her own insecurity and faces scrutiny from others, but she is also given a fully-fleshed out story where she has talents and struggles that are beyond her size.
This book contains so much great representation, and not just for plus size individuals and survivors of SA. There is so much BIPOC representation and two major characters (including the MC) are bisexual. It is so amazing to see a book with such a diverse set of characters!
I didn’t expect this book to have a romance, but I was pleasantly surprised that it did! Honestly, the romance was one of my favorite elements of the story. The chemistry between the couple made me swoon and I couldn’t contain my anticipation for them to finally get to together!
I really can’t say enough good things about Off The Record. I highly recommend this book to everyone!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Body shaming
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, Racism, and Rape
Minor: Vomit, Alcohol, and Homophobia
I also want to include a moderate trigger warning for toxic diet culture and a minor trigger warning for conversion therapy.lqvekanej's review
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Biphobia and Vomit
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
liaandersson's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
I really don't know what to say. I adore this book with every fibre of my being. It was extremely well executed and respectful of all subjects that were brought up. I am in awe of these characters. The amount of joy I felt when we put him in his place and he couldn't come up with excuses anymore. This is a story about brave people using their voices for the greater good and preventing other people from having to go through the same trauma. I relate so much to the characters and I love how the side-plots were so well incorporated with the rest without taking over, yet still getting their time to be acknowledged. Josie is the fucking BOMB who got to post in The Times at 17 years old, I'm so proud. I was so truly happy when I finished the book because what it stands for is so important and it was so well represented in this book, even if Hollywood is a far off dream for many of us. What can I say except READ IT, but be aware of the topics discussed to make sure one is in the right mindset and prepared to avoid any traumatic triggers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Fatphobia, and Bullying
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Eating disorder and Biphobia
josieee's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
3.75
Reading this book really hit hard because Josie felt so real. As I was going through it I would have to stop and remind myself that she’s fictional. That’s both impressive on the author’s part and disturbing for the reader.
Even though the message of this novel was inspiring, I found that it didn’t pick up until the last 100 pages. That’s not to say that the first 2/3s were bad, they would just get kind of boring with the slow pacing of the book.
Also, I feel like I didn’t get as much out of it as I could have. Alice and Marius played such a big part, and I really wish they had their own point of views.
Overall this was an eye opening read that taught me about the experience of someone who is not only a Black woman, but queer, plus sized, and struggling with mental illness.
Even though the message of this novel was inspiring, I found that it didn’t pick up until the last 100 pages. That’s not to say that the first 2/3s were bad, they would just get kind of boring with the slow pacing of the book.
Also, I feel like I didn’t get as much out of it as I could have. Alice and Marius played such a big part, and I really wish they had their own point of views.
Overall this was an eye opening read that taught me about the experience of someone who is not only a Black woman, but queer, plus sized, and struggling with mental illness.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia
Minor: Alcohol and Vomit
shelleyreads's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Biphobia
sidbookreviews's review
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Wow, this book was so good! I loved Camryn Garrett's first book, Full Disclosure, but I think I loved this one even more! Off the Record is such an important and powerful book, and I absolutely loved Josie and her voice. Honestly so much of this book was just perfect, from the characters to the romance. Definitely a new favourite!
Full review to come on my blog soon!
Full review to come on my blog soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Sexual assault, and Body shaming
Moderate: Biphobia and Rape
Minor: Homophobia and Racism