Carol Dines

3.5 stars out of 5

I was able to read this book for free through NetGalley. To be honest, I might not have thought to read it based on first impressions of the cover and title, but I’m glad I gave it a chance!

This book deals with topics that may be triggering to some, including mental health (primarily depression and bipolar disorder), self harm, suicidal ideation, adultery, separation, animal cruelty. It’s important to note these before going into it.

With that out of the way, let’s address the good parts! The author handles difficult topics very well, and with a gentle but honest hand. As the book is from the pov of Frances, who is navigating her own relationships as well as witnessing the complicated relationships between others in her life, we get to see a daughters perspective of those entanglements. Frances grows within the pages until, at the end, it seems she has finally been able to find her own voice and personality.

There is a lot that most people (especially women) can relate to - the thoughts and feelings of Frances, the complicated friendship she shares with Sonja, and the difficulties she faces as a teen. She feels like a completely realistic character, and a fairly reliable narrator. It helps that she is incredibly likeable, in comparison to Sonja, who often comes across as precocious and rude, albeit partly due to her upbringing. They act as foils of one another in some ways. The depth and fast pace of their journey from stranger to inseparable best friends to mere acquaintances also feels entirely realistic, given their ages.

For me, the majority of characters in the book were really well developed, the author really taking the time to let the readers get to know even the more adjacent characters. None of them felt two dimensional.

I absolutely did not see the twist towards the end coming. I audibly gasped, and was more emotional than I might have thought! One of the better twist executions I’ve seen in a while.

I enjoyed the story and would definitely recommend it as an easy read, in writing and style. There are a few points that could be improved on, in my opinion. Firstly, the book does start quite slowly. It takes some time to really get into; I had to get halfway through before I really found myself on a role in terms of reading.

Secondly - and not necessarily a bad thing - it should be noted that there’s little in the way of an actual plot. That isn’t something I class as a negative really - the book is primarily about the friendship between two girls in a fairly short space of time, and that is interesting enough for me. But I could see how others may want more.

Thirdly, I found Sonja a little too unlikeable. Perhaps the least realistic of the characters. Pretentious, too smart for her own good, manipulative, and impertinent, the only saving grace is Fran’s growth, which she inadvertently aids. I understand that she isn’t necessarily meant to be liked; but there were many points regarding her life and family that should have made me sympathise a little with her, but I didn’t. Teenagers aren’t often irredeemable; she feels it.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this. I would definitely be intrigued to look into anything else the author writes, as I liked her style, and the simple no frills attached writing, which can be a breath of fresh air in a world of flowery, purple prose. The book deals with complicated issues and feelings, but isn’t difficult to digest. I think it’s relatable in many points, and mostly a realistic depiction. The twist is one that I do not think anyone could see coming, and that alone was worth it!… (mer)