Reviews

Sweet Virginia by Caroline Kepnes

bookph1le's review against another edition

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2.0

This just didn't work for me. I get where the author was going with her critique of women who fail to live up to the feminine ideal, but this story just felt messy to me. I think it would have been better if the first two thirds were only about a quarter of the story, with the last third being the primary focus.

Alternatively, I think this could have been a better story had it stuck with the Hallmark movie angle instead, and examined why these kinds of movies are so soothing and appealing to so many women. I would really have liked to see a takedown of how twee romantic comedies promise that women will be rewarded, unlike in the real world. As it was, the mentions of the movies started to feel really repetitive, since the author never did do a deeper dive of why Shelby was so obsessed with them.

ktswings's review against another edition

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4.0

It’s like a feminist black mirror. - my friend while I described the plot. Correct.

*I came back to add a star. I dreamed about this concept all night, and was at a 3.5.

thatweirdbookgirlie's review

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This one was just a bit of a disappointment unfortunately. I was actually sort of enjoying this story of this mom just trying to be a writer (specifically for Modern Love) and loving Hallmark movies. Then the twist just happened and I hated the rest of the book.

greatcatsby's review

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

2.25

isabellemcgee18's review against another edition

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4.0

Short and sweet. I enjoyed it. Quick read. I read a lot of thrillers and this series was a great way to kind of break it up

ashbeth2011's review

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challenging dark emotional funny informative reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

kimmybartle's review against another edition

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4.0

A word to encapsulate this reading experience: Trippy. Baffled by the ending and ready to reread and peel off the layers one by one. Kepnes does it again.

staystitchy's review against another edition

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4.0

Caroline Kepnes is one of my favorite authors, I’ve always devoured everything she’s ever written. Sweet Virginia is a short story that I wish was a full novel. She packed so much into this lil guy and I have so many questions.

I loved the underlying messages in this one and am dying to talk to someone about it.

vladina's review

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reflective medium-paced

3.0

cheesygiraffe's review against another edition

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4.0

This was the perfect length to listen to while cutting 2 acres of grass on a riding lawn mower.
It's a decent listen but not in the same ballpark as her You series. Kirsten Bell was a wonderful narrator.