cardigoth
Easy, funny, darling - all things I've come to expect from Nora from her podcast. This reads like an episode of her podcast, actually, which is not a problem for me at all. But... I feel like this book is better-utilized by people who need a reason to know and love her, not someone who's already a fan. I will try another book next and hope it is sadder, I guess.
3.5 stars. I appreciate that this had more action, adventure, and code-breaking than I expected. Christina Lauren have become one of the only authors I will read everything by just because I know it will keep me entertained.
I had to stop reading this for two reasons. 1. It was utterly vapid and not really my thing. 2. ‘Fucknuggets' is an idiotic, made-up swear and the heroine said it 7 times in the first 50% of the book. Dumb.
Not my usual cup of tea, but enjoyable and well-written smut like fans of Stein have come to expect.
If Goodreads had half stars, it would really be useful. 2.5 stars for me, and I'm even on the fence about that. I like thrillers, I like romance, I like when people try new things, I think twists, and I like fucked up shit. However, this book did not sit right with me. Firstly, it was pretty disturbing - which is fine! I can manage that. But to punctuate the child abuse with sex was a bit weird. Secondly, I was an eensy bit suspicious of Jeremy from the beginning but if that had continued I would have put the book down immediately. Not into a whole book of sexual abuse, child abuse, and creepy people through rose-colored glasses. At least not the way this was written. The twist was so poorly written. The letter which reveals the “truth” in such a clunky way really ruined the whole book for me. So hard to believe that whole arc because of the voice of the final letter. Anyway, this is the short version. Won't have high hopes for anything else like this by Hoover.
Oof. I hated the dad from moment one. I guess I'm glad that Sylvie didn't get ritualistically sacrificed, but I suppose that's not the point. It seems the point is how victims feel even when they're removed from their circumstances, but... it's still hard. I will say it's an interesting setting for sure. Folk horror vibes.
If I were feeling more generous, I might give this three stars. I rounded down. 98% boring.
I've decided not to finish this book because it's not useful. The way he lays out his own concepts is a little too vague and the therapy is a little too magical. The first IFS book laid a better groundwork for the general concepts, and this book is too much nomenclature without enough explanation. If this were a useful book, I'd recommend it to everyone. Have to find a better general book about IFS.
I'm very ambivalent on this. I appreciate having read this, though, so I guess that's something.
I was getting pretty annoyed thinking that I knew what this book was getting at. It's not this big reveal, but there are things that were surprisingly sweet. It reminded me a lot of [b:The Very Nice Box 54310999 The Very Nice Box Laura Blackett https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1614098065l/54310999.SY75.jpg 84747772], but it was happier overall.
Beautiful art and color, and Josie is quite a lady! Curious to see what happens with Mother Schuller.
Very meh for me. SpoilerInstalove really killed it. Not even the librarian trope saved it.
Merged review:
Very meh for me. SpoilerInstalove really killed it. Not even the librarian trope saved it.
DNF. I read about a third of the book and got nothing out of it I hadn't already learned from reviews of this book. Further, I'd say the reviews I've read were probably more interestingly written.
Just an utter disappointment all around. The synopsis sounded interesting and that's where the intrigue started and stopped. I am perplexed by the amount of four- and five-star reviews this novel has received. I found Clay lacking and nearly as flat as all the other barely-there characters. For a book about suicide, I wasn't moved in any way.
Easy read. Not great, but not dreadful. I never guess correctly, normally, but I was able to guess the perpetrator.
A difficult read. Disjointed and boring. The plot twists seemed obvious to the point where they barely resembled twists. Disappointing.
Despite the fact that this is not a perfect book full of perfect essays, I liked it quite a lot. I fancy myself a student of pain and suffering and it seems Leslie Jamison does as well. If it seems she is focusing too much on herself and her pain, maybe that's an even greater reason to read her book. One can only suffer inside oneself, after all, and we must learn to validate the suffering of others.
Anyway, A+ topic, B content.
Heart-wrenching. Graphic. Painful. Be careful if you have suffered neglect or abuse because it can be very triggering. A very good read, engaging, but my heart was pounding the whole time.