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nmf16's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
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
3.0
I started this book loving it, but by the end felt quite sad for the main character. Julia thinks she is on some sort of sexual awakening but completely fails to see she is being mistreated and massively gaslighted for the entirety of her controlling/coercive relationship.
The book isn’t for the prudish as there are quite vividly written sexual scenes relating to BDSM and kink, which at first seemed quite funny but as the storyline progresses, become more uncomfortable to read.
The book isn’t for the prudish as there are quite vividly written sexual scenes relating to BDSM and kink, which at first seemed quite funny but as the storyline progresses, become more uncomfortable to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Drug use
Minor: Self harm and Suicide attempt
nectarb's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Self harm, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content
catherinerowland's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Self harm
Moderate: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug use, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Racism, Alcohol, and Death
sassylk's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
A very fast read from me, probably the fastest of the year so far!
I asked the lady in Gays the Word for a book that was about unapologetic queer joy - i’m not sure this exactly met that request, but it was a fun read nonetheless. I don’t think I expected quite as many sex descriptions (don’t read this on the tube!!), but I guess I learned a lot.
It was a very delicate portrait of a descent into an abusive relationship, told in a very realistic and nuanced way. However, did I like Julia that much? Not particularly… She was really quite self-centered, barely listening to all her friends who seemed to relentlessly care about her even though she treated them like shit most of the time, quite frankly. Also, although obviously Sam is the bad guy here, Julia had been told that she was non-monogamous from the very beginning, so I don’t understand why she was so upset when Sam was non-monogamous? Also - how did she come to terms with her sexuality SO FAST?? She literally had one night of sex with a woman and immediately knew she was a lesbian, when I feel like it barely works like that in real life.
Okay, now the complaints are over - this was a funny, light read that also covered an issue that isn’t often spoke about - abusive wlw relationships are very much real and more light should be shed on the dynamics of them. There were some great similes in here, and the motif of the letter writing was very sweet. A clear 3 stars!
I asked the lady in Gays the Word for a book that was about unapologetic queer joy - i’m not sure this exactly met that request, but it was a fun read nonetheless. I don’t think I expected quite as many sex descriptions (don’t read this on the tube!!), but I guess I learned a lot.
It was a very delicate portrait of a descent into an abusive relationship, told in a very realistic and nuanced way. However, did I like Julia that much? Not particularly… She was really quite self-centered, barely listening to all her friends who seemed to relentlessly care about her even though she treated them like shit most of the time, quite frankly. Also, although obviously Sam is the bad guy here, Julia had been told that she was non-monogamous from the very beginning, so I don’t understand why she was so upset when Sam was non-monogamous? Also - how did she come to terms with her sexuality SO FAST?? She literally had one night of sex with a woman and immediately knew she was a lesbian, when I feel like it barely works like that in real life.
Okay, now the complaints are over - this was a funny, light read that also covered an issue that isn’t often spoke about - abusive wlw relationships are very much real and more light should be shed on the dynamics of them. There were some great similes in here, and the motif of the letter writing was very sweet. A clear 3 stars!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
decklededgess's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
trigger warnings: non consent and dubious consent situations, sexual content, abusive relationships, cheating
The first five chapters of this book imply it's going to be a hilarious comedic romance instead it turns out to be a self discovery book revolving around an abusive relationship with hilarious elements that you feel bad for laughing at.
One point of contention in the plot is that a romantic partner is polyamorous and the main character has an issue with that. In certain situations it certainly could read as misrepresenting polyamorous relationships, maybe even villainizing. As an outsider to the community it didn't read as such because this was hundred percent more about the partner being a vile person when not getting their way instead of like...normalizing a poly relationship. Every subcommunity has their good and bad aspects and this book simply represents one of the bad aspects.
As long as you go into this book with the awareness that what is being represented isn't a reflection of the community as a whole or a statement on polyamory as a whole then you're good to go. It's well written, it's nuanced in its understanding of abusive relationships, and does a stellar job of indicating that the issue that is marked as "cheating" can be addressed by the MC advocating for her needs in her relationship (with the explicit understanding that the relationship is abusive and therefore there are some exceptions to conflict resolution here).
The first five chapters of this book imply it's going to be a hilarious comedic romance instead it turns out to be a self discovery book revolving around an abusive relationship with hilarious elements that you feel bad for laughing at.
One point of contention in the plot is that a romantic partner is polyamorous and the main character has an issue with that. In certain situations it certainly could read as misrepresenting polyamorous relationships, maybe even villainizing. As an outsider to the community it didn't read as such because this was hundred percent more about the partner being a vile person when not getting their way instead of like...normalizing a poly relationship. Every subcommunity has their good and bad aspects and this book simply represents one of the bad aspects.
As long as you go into this book with the awareness that what is being represented isn't a reflection of the community as a whole or a statement on polyamory as a whole then you're good to go. It's well written, it's nuanced in its understanding of abusive relationships, and does a stellar job of indicating that the issue that is marked as "cheating" can be addressed by the MC advocating for her needs in her relationship (with the explicit understanding that the relationship is abusive and therefore there are some exceptions to conflict resolution here).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Sexual violence
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