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caitlin27's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sincerelykiwi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.0
I wasn’t the audience for this book but I enjoyed it and will also read the sequel.
tamara_danielle's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
ms_gouldbourne's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Eh, I really didn't enjoy this book. I get that it's supposed to be a really honest and realistic depiction of the ways teenage girls behave and interact with each other, and in a lot of ways it is! There's a rawness about it that feels very real... but at the start of the novel is an author's note explaining that the story is based on her own diaries from when she was a teenager, and in a lot of ways this book feels like something written by a fifteen-year-old.
I think I would have enjoyed the story more if O'Porter hadn't given our two protagonists literally every possible kind of trauma she could think of! In a 250-page story we have got, in no particular order: hardcore bullying, abusive parents, alcoholism, sexual assault, an eating disorder, the death of a parent, teenage pregnancy, parentification, parental abandonment, exam failure and grooming. No wonder it's hard to relate to Flo and Renee under the weight of such a constant stream of negativity.
Also, if I have to read one more paragraph in which Dawn O'Porter apparently forgets that contractions exist ("I am excited. We are going to the park. I suppose it will be okay, since she is my friend.") I will actually scream.
I should note for the record that I was recommended this book by a friend who really loves it and is in no way a poor reader, so there's a good chance this is a me thing - I just like a happy ending! But I'm afraid I won't be seeking out the follow-up in the series.
I think I would have enjoyed the story more if O'Porter hadn't given our two protagonists literally every possible kind of trauma she could think of!
Also, if I have to read one more paragraph in which Dawn O'Porter apparently forgets that contractions exist ("I am excited. We are going to the park. I suppose it will be okay, since she is my friend.") I will actually scream.
I should note for the record that I was recommended this book by a friend who really loves it and is in no way a poor reader, so there's a good chance this is a me thing - I just like a happy ending! But I'm afraid I won't be seeking out the follow-up in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Bullying
Moderate: Eating disorder, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Sexual assault
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, Body shaming, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Pregnancy
brionyrichards's review
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
getos_favourite_monkey's review
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
readwithsabs's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a trip down memory lane for any girl who was a teen in the 90's.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
A great character driven story.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
A great character driven story.
seclement's review
4.0
This was an engaging story with relatable characters, and I really enjoyed it. With the caveat that I am more a nonfiction reader than a fiction one, I offer two minor criticisms that made me give it a 4 and not a 5: 1) it could have been longer. The story could have been fleshed out in a longer book. I gather from its title on Goodreads that it may be the first in the series, but is that really an excuse? It didn't really end on a cliff hanger. And 2) the setting is Guernsey but Dawn O'Porter doesn't make enough of this in terms of the plot or characters. Considering how unique this place is and the fact that this was clearly an explicit choice, I was disappointed that more wasn't made of this.
I love Dawn O'Porter, but I admit that I would probably be more underwhelmed by this book if I didn't love her so much. This is good but not great.
I love Dawn O'Porter, but I admit that I would probably be more underwhelmed by this book if I didn't love her so much. This is good but not great.