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morganzreadz's review against another edition
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
starla_anne's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
marieintheraw's review against another edition
4.0
A really complex book dealing with a friend break up that makes you feel for the character. I really appreciated how the story was told in multiple timelines, so that we could understand the friendship more.
I received an ecopy of this through netgalley; however, all opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this through netgalley; however, all opinions are my own.
crarco21's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.25
emmanuellagladman's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
I really did not enjoy this book. I read it because I thought I’d find it relatable, but it wasn’t. I didn’t love the characters. The only part that I liked was Dom. But other than that, I kinda wish I’d dnfed. And if I had been reading the physical book and not listening to the audio I think I would have.
ernescastares's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
szpelts's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
bookcheshirecat's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
“I can forget about her for hours or even whole days, and then the truth rushes back like a brush fire, burning me from the inside out. The person you loved? They're gone.”
➽ This was such an emotional story about friendship breakups! The book follows Cleo whose friendship with her best friend Layla has imploded almost a month ago and she's struggling to move on with her life. I liked that this was told in two timelines, the present day and the time leading up to their breakup. I love stories that focus on friendships and how difficult it can be to lose them. While there is a side romance, the focus is on Cleo's hurt and devastation of losing the most important person in her life: Layla. We slowly uncover what happened between them, why they're no longer friends and if they can ever be okay again.
➽ I really felt for Cleo, she was such an authentic character. Most of us know how hard it is to lose a close friend, so my heart went out to Cleo. She's just struggling a lot as her parents separated and she has no other friends apart from Layla. Part of her is terrified to trust anyone else again, as Cleo fears she'll just get left behind again. She doesn't want to get to the point where she needs a person as badly as she needs Layla. It's easier to sabotage any connections before it gets to this point. I liked that she still grew closer to Sydney, one of her classmates and found a support network outside of Layla. Cleo was still hung up on her, but unsure how to move on from all their shared memories. She starts trying to make new ones to override everything associated with her ex-best friend, but it's not easy.
➽ I liked the heartbreaking exploration of a friendship that breaks apart slowly. Layla doesn't get a POV, but the author did a great job showing both sides of the friendship and how they ended up hurting each other. I felt more connected to Cleo, as I related to her situation more, but you could see that she also made her share of mistakes. Cleo and Layla have been friends for years, but everything changes when Layla gets into the choir and starts befriending the other girls who are also in the club. I understood that Layla wanted to be on good terms with them and liked that her new friends approved of her. At the same time, she becomes more distant from Cleo and stops investing as much time into their friendship.
➽ It's even more difficult as her new friends hate Cleo and think she's a snob. The situation is devastating for Cleo as there is nothing worse than other people taking away your friend and making it clear that you're not part of their group. I've definitely felt like an outsider before, so I understood how Cleo struggled to stay connected with Layla when she felt how much her new friends wanted her gone. She was definitely resentful and did not communicate her feelings, so Layla and Cleo grew apart with many things unsaid simmering between them. It becomes a vicious cycle of miscommunication and anger. I still think that Layla's new friends weren't that healthy for her, especially as she stood by and let them do whatever they wanted. The ending was realistic
“The thing I didn’t realize about having a best friend while I still had one is just how wrapped up she is in everything I do. Every outfit I wear or song I listen to. Every place I go. Losing someone can leave you haunted.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Bullying
Minor: Grief, Ableism, Racism, and Adult/minor relationship
sarah_and_duck's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0