I’ve been seeing this book everywhere lately and I’m really on the fence about picking it up. I loved her memoir, but I've heard such mixed things about this one, some people say the writing is raw and honest, while others think it’s a bit too much or tries too hard to be edgy. I usually like books that don't sugarcoat things, but I don't want to waste my time if the plot doesn't actually go anywhere.
For those of you who have read it, did you actually enjoy the story or was it just the hype that kept you going? Would you recommend buying it now or should I just wait for the paperback?
by ActNew5818
11 Comments
Who has time to read books of today? Read something else.
Edit: I was not expecting to get downvoted to hell damn. I am not lost as I am an avid reader. Just pretty averse to keeping up with popular books. There are exceptions though. A couple books I’ve read published in the last ten years are Books of Jacob by Olga Tokarczuk and The Assyrians by Eckhart Frahme. As a mea culpa I will say that
I read about 20 pages and stopped. I loved her memoir too, but this was a big no for me.
wait theres another book?
I truly despised it. Worst book I ever read.
I read the book right after it was released and didn’t realize there was/would be “hype”, so I can give my opinion based on that. I really do enjoy Jennette McCurdy’s writing and point of view. It’s raw, down to earth, and easily readable in a way that keeps you engaged.
The story itself? It’s about a teenager and her thirty something teacher. As a thirty year old woman it was still somewhat upsetting for me to read, even though do think the plot itself has been done before for other generations, and done somewhat better. I would say it’s more character focused than plot focused.
If you can, try to get it through your library. If you love it, buy it. If not you didn’t lose anything except some time.
It was pretty good. I like McCurdy’s writing style, even if the narrative wasn’t groundbreaking. I think she’s capable of writing a truly excellent novel.
Do you have a library near you? I’d suggest trying to get it from there first before buying it especially if you end up not liking it.
I read it a few weeks ago, and it really made me think. Don’t get me wrong, parts of it did give me the ick, but she connects themes about obsessive behaviors to the main plot, which I thought was really well done.
Personally I hated it. I listened to the audiobook narrated by McCurdy and it didn’t help, she spoke so quickly it sounded like she wanted to get the book over with herself. “Try hard” is a very good description of it.
I listened to the audiobook, which she narrates.
I enjoyed the book. There were things I didn’t enjoy that I noticed other people pick up on in other reviews I read, but overall I thought it was paced well and a reasonable length.
I was just sad for the main character a lot of the time. You watch her make bad decision after bad decision – and not in a comedic “Confessions of a Shopacholic” type way – and slowly watch her crash.
I think it’s an interesting perspective of grooming, written by someone who experienced grooming. I think that made McCuddy confident enough to not be so preachy to write “this is bad” on every page. The main character believes in the relationship and you see it through her eyes.
I enjoyed it, listened to the audiobook. It’s not groundbreaking in the sense her memoir was. It’s an explicit look at the teacher student relationship. I would have preferred less sex and more character exploration outside of the relationship.
I did not think it was a high quality book.