hermusings's Reviews (303)

This was an interestingly human story. It was slow to start but once it picks up you cannot put it down.

I think the slow and kinda boring story telling style could be a way for the author to convey that what’s happening to these women is within the mundane. How it accumulates slowly & how easy it is to slip into these roles or situations because no event was ceremonious 

The fact that this insular government apartment society mirrors how society at large exploit women is done in a very subtle way yet when I think back on the book overall, it feels overwhelming — from one woman having a kid at a point where she would have rather focus on her career, to a woman being shamed online for not being able to afford things for her children, to a SIX year old girl being in charge of the apt children simply because she’s the oldest and a girl…. 

Also, the working mom who gets constantly harassed with a Neighbour she carpools!! She never saw a scenerio where she would be believed 😭

This is a read I will be thinking about for a long time. 

If Maomao has no fans, I’m dead!! An icon, a healer, a woman in stem. Queen of minding her own business to the point of delusion. 

Just an interesting story about alcoholism, grief and “improvement”.
Felt earnest and gentle yet funny and cringe 

This was a love letter to black women in NY (specifically outer boroughs … sans SI ofc).
I adored that they all had different wash day experiences, the gentrification representation and this entire friend group! 

Made me nostalgic for a pre pandemic nyc.

Not sure what Ali Hazelwood put into this one but it’s her best work yet!!

This book had loads of things that I usually stay clear off or don’t enjoy. However, I think her writting and exploration of the main characters in this book created for a raw, funny and lovely romance. 

Could not put it down!!

Love the 60s Germany, Cold War spy vibes in this !! This was also endearing.

This was like a historical account of the untold recent (10+) events at Facebook. Wynn-Williams is a great story teller and I enjoyed her hindsight of the events that occurred whilst she worked there. It was juicy, hilarious (they get humbled so many times yet can never take a hint), and informative.

These people are criminals not innovators and this book clearly outlines that. No one should have the ability to sway so many decisions via public narrative, surveillance or capital.

It leaves you with the bleak sense of oligarchy and Ai powered destruction that  we currently live in. However, makes you wonder how our input contributes — maybe giving these apps less access to our time & unsubscribing to hate is the way forward? 

Also, this felt triggering for someone who’s an eldest daughter that’s worked in hostile toxic environments. 🙃

It’s always bittersweet to end a series, specially one with a great plot & lovable characters.

I think this book being from multiple POVs when the first one was not and the fact that the mystery of the cards was uncovered, made me loose some of my interest in the plot. Although I did not enjoy this as much as the first, I love when things are wrapped up nicely. 
Most importantly I’m happy my #1 diva, the nightmare,

got his long awaited revenge!!!

🖤🖤