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bgoodbookclub's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed this book but wasn’t in love with it. I enjoyed the characters and really liked Reese. The boss & Aubrey were complete trash.
I think I might have listened to this too fast and didn’t give myself time to sit and fall in love with the characters.
I unfortunately resonated a lot with Charlotte’s relationship with Ben and how that can stick with you.
Read this if you liked Old Enough!
Thank you to NetGalley & PRH Audio for ARCs of this book 🫶🏻
I think I might have listened to this too fast and didn’t give myself time to sit and fall in love with the characters.
I unfortunately resonated a lot with Charlotte’s relationship with Ben and how that can stick with you.
Read this if you liked Old Enough!
Thank you to NetGalley & PRH Audio for ARCs of this book 🫶🏻
jazzyjbox's review against another edition
challenging
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I am *ALL* for books that talk about mental health and trauma healing. And this book has an interesting cast of queer characters. However, the pacing was very slow and it was hard to connect with Charlotte. The first third of the book felt disconnected with jumping between past and present. It doesn't really feel like a romance, either.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
sarahsbookstacks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
“You care so much about everyone, and you get so pissed off when you see an injustice. But I don’t think you apply that same care to yourself.”
I needed to read this book.
I needed to read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Emotional abuse
deepbutdazzlingdarkness's review against another edition
5.0
This was so good!! Idk if it’s a new trend or just happens to be a theme in the books I’ve picked up lately, but it’s interesting reading so many stories about people dealing with the way their families react to them being queer in disappointing (and worse) ways. It’s sadly realistic but I enjoy seeing such a strong focus on found family.
Charlotte’s journey was rough to read, cw for emotional abuse, depression, panic attacks, suicidal ideation, etc., but seeing her finally break free from that and realize her worth and that she has people who love her and care about her was so satisfying. And Charlotte and Reese’s relationship was great. The way they’re so comfortable around each other, in contrast to the stress that was her and her ex, the way he helps her lighten up, that he’s able to open up to him about her past and her trauma, the laughing during sex! <3
Oh and I love the cover! Thank you to Dutton Books and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for a honest review..
Charlotte’s journey was rough to read, cw for emotional abuse, depression, panic attacks, suicidal ideation, etc., but seeing her finally break free from that and realize her worth and that she has people who love her and care about her was so satisfying. And Charlotte and Reese’s relationship was great. The way they’re so comfortable around each other, in contrast to the stress that was her and her ex, the way he helps her lighten up, that he’s able to open up to him about her past and her trauma, the laughing during sex! <3
Oh and I love the cover! Thank you to Dutton Books and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for a honest review..
shelby1994's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
Loved the characters and the bi representation and the sex scenes were fresh and tangy!
I also thought it was smart to place this in 2018, without the specter of Covid
The structure of the book didn't always work for me. We end up spending so much time in Charlotte's head in past and present, and the space between actual conversations and events stretched out too long at times.
Reminds me of a slightly less polished "Old Enough" - for a debut novel the voice is absolutely here though, and I think the next book will be tighter!
I also thought it was smart to place this in 2018, without the specter of Covid
The structure of the book didn't always work for me. We end up spending so much time in Charlotte's head in past and present, and the space between actual conversations and events stretched out too long at times.
Reminds me of a slightly less polished "Old Enough" - for a debut novel the voice is absolutely here though, and I think the next book will be tighter!
what_ari_reads's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
Charlotte Thorne, a personal assistant struggling to stay afloat in NYC, is back at her alma mater for her 5 year reunion weekend which doubles as a work trip after her boss is invited as the commencement speaker. No family support system leads to a true survivor mentality for Charlotte, accepting a toxic, borderline abusive workplace for the sake of financial security. While hesitant to go to the reunion at all, she quickly reconnects with her chosen family and support system.
I enjoyed the concept of this book, who doesn't want a chance to live a college weekend with your best friends one more time? I also loooved the rich and (literally) colorful descriptions of emotions and feelings throughout the book. It gave a sort of synesthetic thread throughout the book and really brought it to life for me!
I found the first 1/3 of the book to be very slow without much substance. At a certain point, the deep dives into Charlotte's anxious states were too much and I think lost the power it originally had in the story.
I really enjoyed the importance of chosen family and how it can be just as strong of a support system as blood family. But for what seems like an overly open and honest group who make space for each other's feelings and discussion of sexuality, family/relationship dynamics, there is a lot of masking and secret-keeping about jobs and menial things, which felt disconnected from the overall theme.
Overall a good read with queer representation and a satisfying ending.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Charlotte Thorne, a personal assistant struggling to stay afloat in NYC, is back at her alma mater for her 5 year reunion weekend which doubles as a work trip after her boss is invited as the commencement speaker. No family support system leads to a true survivor mentality for Charlotte, accepting a toxic, borderline abusive workplace for the sake of financial security. While hesitant to go to the reunion at all, she quickly reconnects with her chosen family and support system.
I enjoyed the concept of this book, who doesn't want a chance to live a college weekend with your best friends one more time? I also loooved the rich and (literally) colorful descriptions of emotions and feelings throughout the book. It gave a sort of synesthetic thread throughout the book and really brought it to life for me!
I found the first 1/3 of the book to be very slow without much substance. At a certain point, the deep dives into Charlotte's anxious states were too much and I think lost the power it originally had in the story.
I really enjoyed the importance of chosen family and how it can be just as strong of a support system as blood family. But for what seems like an overly open and honest group who make space for each other's feelings and discussion of sexuality, family/relationship dynamics, there is a lot of masking and secret-keeping about jobs and menial things, which felt disconnected from the overall theme.
Overall a good read with queer representation and a satisfying ending.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
kerryamchugh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
3.0
Bisexual rep, young adults coming of age and reliving college years at their five-year-reunion, found family. Spot-on depictions of anxiety/panic attacks. Major tw for narcissistic ex/emotional abuse/controlling relationship, and parental abuse specifically for being queer. All handled with grace in a really lovely sorry that grants happy endings in ways that feel believable and not too pat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Biphobia and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Vomit, and Addiction
kelly93's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
alexa_oslowski's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
From one burned out bisexual to another, who has also worked for a really abusive and horrible boss....Charlotte is me and I am her. I felt so so seen for so much of this book, and my heart aches for what she went through. It felt like Ella Dawson took a peek into my life and pulled right out of it and put it to paper. I read this in like 3 sittings because I really couldn't put it down. The found family and community around her was really amazing and I loved seeing their personalities throughout the reunion weekend.
"But I love bring queer. It's one of my favorite parts about myself."
I was cheering for Charlotte to put herself first, and the ending of this book was so gratifying. Thank you to NetGalley & the publishers who sent me this ARC to read & review! <3
"But I love bring queer. It's one of my favorite parts about myself."
I was cheering for Charlotte to put herself first, and the ending of this book was so gratifying. Thank you to NetGalley & the publishers who sent me this ARC to read & review! <3