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lenalouc's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
werdnamich's review against another edition
4.0
This was really uncomfortable to read? Which is why at the end of it, I just don't know if I enjoyed the book?
It was difficult to have to follow Jayne and her self-flagellation. I did like Jayne and June's relationship as messy as it was. I also liked that the author didn't turn Patrick and Jayne into this fluffy romance in the midst of all the dark and dreary depression, eating disorders and cancer.
It was a well-written book. I can't really comment on how enjoyable it was to read though.
3.5/5
It was difficult to have to follow Jayne and her self-flagellation. I did like Jayne and June's relationship as messy as it was. I also liked that the author didn't turn Patrick and Jayne into this fluffy romance in the midst of all the dark and dreary depression, eating disorders and cancer.
It was a well-written book. I can't really comment on how enjoyable it was to read though.
3.5/5
melodys_library's review against another edition
4.0
Choi nailed Asian sisterhood and the overall Asian American immigrant family dynamics. I also appreciated even the smallest of details, showing instead of telling, that made the experience that much sweeter. (Example: “My fingernails bite small red smiles into my palms” vs. “I clenched my fists.”)
I dug her sarcasm amongst all the pain and suffering these characters went through. Despite the dark humor and quick wit, the content is HEAVY: Cancer, eating disorders, negative self-talk and body image. I was shocked when I remembered throughout my reading that this classifies as teen fiction. Although, the overall message of “be kind, and gentle and soft with yourself” is appropriate for readers of any age.
The only reason I can’t give this book 5 stars is because I devoured certain chapters, but I trudged through some, too.
I dug her sarcasm amongst all the pain and suffering these characters went through. Despite the dark humor and quick wit, the content is HEAVY: Cancer, eating disorders, negative self-talk and body image. I was shocked when I remembered throughout my reading that this classifies as teen fiction. Although, the overall message of “be kind, and gentle and soft with yourself” is appropriate for readers of any age.
The only reason I can’t give this book 5 stars is because I devoured certain chapters, but I trudged through some, too.
delkowolfe's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
anneliis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Well. It had the promise to be great but fell short for me (lol, 'fall', like the characters on the cover). This book maybe could've gotten a (at least slightly) higher star rating if I hadn't had high expectations going into it.
The story is interesting, though I felt a pretty major aspect was not explored as much as it should have been.Like, how is it only in the last two pages that the real consequences of their medical records essentially getting switched is brought up??? And so casually too - the mom was not shocked, because she knew of someone who had to do the same for ACL surgery. That feels a little different from June and Jayne's situation! Like, if Jayne has kids, will they just forever have June as their mom on the birth certificate? Is that not going to cause issues throughout the children's lives???
I liked the writing in some parts. But then in others, I was confused and/or annoyed by it - and I can admit, the confusion may be entirely my own fault - and others still that were sort of ruined for me by this inconsistency. There were paragraphs that possibly in another context I would have liked, but as it was surrounded by bits I felt were not written as well, it just felt like they were trying to be deep but failing.
For example, the sentence that got me to start a note on my phone about this book to keep track of some of the things I found confusing:
The story is interesting, though I felt a pretty major aspect was not explored as much as it should have been.
I liked the writing in some parts. But then in others, I was confused and/or annoyed by it - and I can admit, the confusion may be entirely my own fault - and others still that were sort of ruined for me by this inconsistency. There were paragraphs that possibly in another context I would have liked, but as it was surrounded by bits I felt were not written as well, it just felt like they were trying to be deep but failing.
For example, the sentence that got me to start a note on my phone about this book to keep track of some of the things I found confusing:
To me, Lady Liberty's like the moon, the way she can look bigger even from the same spot.
Am I dumb or does the sentence not make any logical sense? Like, it sounds nice, sure, but what do you mean Lady Liberty can look bigger even from the same spot? A moon can look bigger when looked at from the same spot on Earth when it's closer to us, but Lady Liberty does not move like the moon.
Another thing that kept happening was that there would be only a few lines of dialogue during an established time period (6 subway stops; 17 minutes at a doctor's appointment; however long a therapy session lasts; 2 hours(!!!) at a party) that would definitely not be filled up with only those lines, and I couldn't quite figure out if this was just an oversight or if it was purposeful. Perhaps parts of conversations were left out to make readers aware of the fact that we're not being told everything? Or maybe that Jayne herself is experiencing time passing differently, due to everything that was going on?
I guess I'll never know.
But, to end on a positive note, I will say I liked the physical feeling of reading the floppy paperback copy of this book.
wordwitch73's review
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
wkmiller's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
annastells's review against another edition
5.0
The vulnerability it takes to write a book that touches on body dysmorphia and disordered eating shines in Choi’s writing. The story was written so beautifully and shows the healing it takes at the end of the story. I truly enjoyed reading this book!
godyouresexy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.5
isabel_grace_'s review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5