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thanosthebeag's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
ellenbnovotny's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sarahspencerknits's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
maggiespages's review against another edition
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
why is the cheating trope a thing
kamattis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
mandajane85's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
babyvirgo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It wasn't clear that this was a fictionalization of a show when I was referred the book. Learning it's a dramatization of the show it's based off of would've made this a valuable read in itself with different expectations. The characters realization of family values, a touch of love, and mysticism really made this familiar enough to warrant a 4star review.
fuguballoon's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I had a lot of problems with this book, but I'll just say the one thing I haven't seen written about by other reviewers.
I love a good found family storyline, but I didn't love the tone deafness of Paulie, a white character from a not-at-all-marginalized population whose family tree is extremely accessible, calling wanting to know about your ancestors "evil." There was no discussion or consideration of how Black, Jewish, and other groups whose family histories were purposely erased through slavery, genocide, etc, would actually very much like to know their family trees but can't (at least not without a ton of money or the help of Henry Louis Gates).
It's very nice for Paulie (and I'm guessing the author) to decide that found family is more important, and for some people that is true, but Paulie is coming from a place of enormous privilege, and I wish that were at all acknowledged.
I love a good found family storyline, but I didn't love the tone deafness of Paulie, a white character from a not-at-all-marginalized population whose family tree is extremely accessible, calling wanting to know about your ancestors "evil." There was no discussion or consideration of how Black, Jewish, and other groups whose family histories were purposely erased through slavery, genocide, etc, would actually very much like to know their family trees but can't (at least not without a ton of money or the help of Henry Louis Gates).
It's very nice for Paulie (and I'm guessing the author) to decide that found family is more important, and for some people that is true, but Paulie is coming from a place of enormous privilege, and I wish that were at all acknowledged.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity