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littleredmacks's reviews
528 reviews
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
emotional
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
The premise of this book pulled me in and I was excited to see how it would unfold - especially the fallout and reconnection between the main characters as I can be a sucker for second chance romances. Unfortunately, that part wasn't as powerful as I'd hoped.
SPOILERS AHEAD.
The rift between Ro and her former best friend stemmed from a party scene where Ro was seeking the attention of a popular guy and ended up mocking her best friend to fit in (like idk that I would have ever forgiven that interaction tbh). He, concerned for her, triend to intervene, and she shut him down and sent him packing. That same night she was assaulted by the popular guy.
While the assault is obviously traumatic and serious, the way it was used in the narrative felt more like a plot device to force sympathy and reconciliation rather than a carefully handled turning point. It seemed as though the assault was meant to justify Ro's earlier behavior and fast-track her path to redemption (for the reader). Without it, I honestly don't know that Ro would have reflected on or owned up to how cruelly she treated her best friend. And that weakened the emotional authenticity of their reconnection.
On the flip side, it was also deeply frustrating that the MMC, who was her closest friend, ignored all her calls that night. If their friendship had been as close as the story insists and we knew he was worried about her safety, that choice fel implausible and careless. His reaction created this distance that never felt closed to me and it made it difficult to believe that they were ever truly best friends to begin with.
In short, the book had potential and some good moments, but the emotional core lacked the depth it needed.
SPOILERS AHEAD.
The rift between Ro and her former best friend stemmed from a party scene where Ro was seeking the attention of a popular guy and ended up mocking her best friend to fit in (like idk that I would have ever forgiven that interaction tbh). He, concerned for her, triend to intervene, and she shut him down and sent him packing. That same night she was assaulted by the popular guy.
While the assault is obviously traumatic and serious, the way it was used in the narrative felt more like a plot device to force sympathy and reconciliation rather than a carefully handled turning point. It seemed as though the assault was meant to justify Ro's earlier behavior and fast-track her path to redemption (for the reader). Without it, I honestly don't know that Ro would have reflected on or owned up to how cruelly she treated her best friend. And that weakened the emotional authenticity of their reconnection.
On the flip side, it was also deeply frustrating that the MMC, who was her closest friend, ignored all her calls that night. If their friendship had been as close as the story insists and we knew he was worried about her safety, that choice fel implausible and careless. His reaction created this distance that never felt closed to me and it made it difficult to believe that they were ever truly best friends to begin with.
In short, the book had potential and some good moments, but the emotional core lacked the depth it needed.
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is a compelling blend of mystery and magical realism that had me hooked from the first chapter. While I don't think that the magical piece played a big role in the plot itself and the plot would have been fine with or without it, I do think it added a lot to the character and her development.
The author explores how society often fails minority victims. It was done really well for the most part. That being said, I did feel that the twist (which I won't spoil) left me with mixed feelings. It had that shock factor but I felt like it undermined the point the author was trying to make about minority victims and felt out of place with the characters as we knew them by that point.
Still, I was on my toes the entire time, and the relationships, whether romantic, familial, or friendships, were all incredibly authentic and gave the novel its emotional backbone.
Overall, I do recommend this story as it is gripping and through provoking despite the fact that it stumbles a bit at the end. It is well worth the read.
The author explores how society often fails minority victims. It was done really well for the most part. That being said, I did feel that the twist (which I won't spoil) left me with mixed feelings. It had that shock factor but I felt like it undermined the point the author was trying to make about minority victims and felt out of place with the characters as we knew them by that point.
Still, I was on my toes the entire time, and the relationships, whether romantic, familial, or friendships, were all incredibly authentic and gave the novel its emotional backbone.
Overall, I do recommend this story as it is gripping and through provoking despite the fact that it stumbles a bit at the end. It is well worth the read.