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readsbyhope's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
rachel_nut's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Reading the first few pages, it is safe to say that this book intrigued me, a brilliant “hook” to draw the reader in. I will admit that it does “settle down” for the first 100 or so pages, and during that I was not as determined to finish it due to its slow pace. However, it picked up and I found it a struggle to put the book down and finished it in 2 days! I especially like how there isn’t a good or bad ending, just a “neutral” one. I like how the author explains how falling in love at the end doesn’t mean it’s just “the end”, or that it’s a particularly happy ending, because falling in love isn’t the sole accomplishment women “should strive for”. In fact, falling in love doesn’t determine whether a woman is successful or not, and this, as well as other topics, is explained so well throughout this book. I highly appreciate how well Holly Bourne’s writing conveys the multitude of complex issues that arrive in the package that is the reality of women’s lives.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Rape, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
Minor: Toxic relationship, Fatphobia, Infidelity, and Emotional abuse
emmamc02's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is perfect.
Holly Bourne is so good at putting the female experiance into words.
I love how she writes female friendships, and how every emotion is so well written - its almost as if she stole them right from you.
I would suggest checking trigger warnings first though.
One of my favourite quotes:
"How many sorrys do I accept from men who are saying sorry but doing it anyway?"
Holly Bourne is so good at putting the female experiance into words.
I love how she writes female friendships, and how every emotion is so well written - its almost as if she stole them right from you.
I would suggest checking trigger warnings first though.
One of my favourite quotes:
"How many sorrys do I accept from men who are saying sorry but doing it anyway?"
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Sexual content
misspashx's review against another edition
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Holly Bourne is a great writer. Her characters always feel real, and you know that she will carefully and passionately express (and quite often, educate you on) sensitive subjects.
I don't necessarily enjoy her books in the same way that I do a cheesy chick-lit, but I suppose that is usually the point?
I don't necessarily enjoy her books in the same way that I do a cheesy chick-lit, but I suppose that is usually the point?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
irenhere's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
I signed up for a book about a catfish but left with so much more. I can't even put into words how this book has made me feel but I highly recommend. ALSO, please look up the trigger warnings before reading.
Page 384
Me: Alexa? Play What was I made for? by Billie Eilish
Me: Alexa? Play What was I made for? by Billie Eilish
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
ellamycroft's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Sexual content
jennyredgate's review against another edition
4.0
this book 🥺 I really felt for April - she’s been through so much and her struggles throughout the novel are deeply relatable. I loved watching her grow and mature as a woman, and I’m still just so happy that she got her happy ending in the end
(got me so much that the only emoji to express my feelings was this gross one. it’s ok)
(got me so much that the only emoji to express my feelings was this gross one. it’s ok)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual content
ramreadsagain's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Flew through this in just 3 days. Major trigger warnings so do check those out before reading, this is not the book that the blurb would suggest!
Hard hitting and difficult to read at times but oh so raw and real. I didn’t think much to Joshua, but April was such a relatable and well-written character.
Brings up some important topics and thoughts about dating, who we present ourselves as, and the realities of se*ual as*ault and toxic masculinity.
Hard hitting and difficult to read at times but oh so raw and real. I didn’t think much to Joshua, but April was such a relatable and well-written character.
Brings up some important topics and thoughts about dating, who we present ourselves as, and the realities of se*ual as*ault and toxic masculinity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual content, Rape, and Misogyny
Minor: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Fatphobia, Alcoholism, and Body shaming
lucy33's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-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
4.5
ok, 12th and final book of holly bourne's!!!! is it my favourite of her's? idk, i hate pitting books against each other (they're all different wtf how??), struggle enough to give ratings for books. this book had some beautiful passages and simular to How Do You Like Me Now? (HB's other adult novel), contained a lot of my pondering questions - that was nice, made me feel less crazy. the MC was beautifully (perfectly, honestly) written, and it was heartening to see a real human being for a character rather than a fabricated version of the favourite things in a person. (the story literally being about fabricating/pretending to be a perfect person lol.) I really enjoyed how the final paragraph was written was an ambiguous s/o it was such the perfect way to wrap up the story. I loved how the different types of paragraphs were, and some of the shorter chapter paragraphs passages were so beautifully written. the chapter lengths were all perf, some short and long thank you very much, my lovely. overall, the book made me heart yurn and it was utterly gorgeous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual content
itsharrietrj's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Rape, Sexual content, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence