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anneliesepeerbolte's review
4.0
Engrossing. A really interesting read, and a strong debut novel. I was itching for more development in certain parts of the story, though.
halane's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It started off very interesting, but it kinda fell apart into a repetitive dynamic halfway through. It is still an interesting read.
taylormiranda1621's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
emsmallsey's review
1.0
couldn’t finish - got about 75% of the way through but it just made me feel so sick i couldn’t read any more! Felt like some weird literary conversion camp. two queer women idolising some insufferable and emotionally abusive man as they apparently aren’t capable of knowing who they are without him telling them. YUCK this book is YUCK
faeryhne's review
2.0
This came so close to being a delicious read, but just left me wanting on all the themes it tried to explore
Rating: 2/5 ✰
Background:
An exploration of sexuality and gender dynamics that the author apparently wanted to be cerebral and subversive, this ended up being sooo disappointing and shallow. On first glance, I thought the mixed reviews might be because of the subject matter and unlikable main character, concepts which I tend to enjoy. I was incredibly excited for this book, and it really started off strong. I kept thinking the author would surprise me eventually, and that all the buildup would have a satisfying payoff, but none of those things ever happened. Everything was predictable, and rewording a dialogue over and over again doesn't make it any more interesting later - you have to actually add new content for that.
Characters:
The narrator, Eve, lives a boring life where she never challenges herself and generally tries to stay within her comfort zone. She considers herself a lesbian, and never actually stops describing herself that way, but this is definitely an exploration of bisexuality and the differences between having relationships with men and with women (or both at the same time). There are certain things that feel like they should be more meaningful, like her preferred description for her sexuality not actually matching her ideology or actions, but all of these aspects just got skimmed over in favor of... randomly heteronormative talking points? Repetitive conversations about feminism and power dynamics? Whether morality should be attached to sexuality between consenting partners? Any of these concepts could have been well done, maybe thought-provoking in a controversial way, but it just felt so stale.
Speaking of stale, I thought there would be more to explore with Nathan. Since he's this sort of catalyst for Eve and Olivia (a supposed important part of the dynamic who is endlessly pushed out of the story by the way), I thought his talking points with Eve might be a bit more nuanced or interesting. He tended to just repeat the same lines over and over again though, even in parts where it's supposed to feel like a different conversation, which made a lot of the important turning points in Eve's mindset feel random and undeserved. It could be argued that therein lies the point - he could be anyone because the growth comes from within her, and the truth is he's actually an incredibly boring person - but for a supposedly subversive and intellectually challenging book that sure would be one of the least interesting options to choose.
Closing thoughts:
Shallow, forgettable, lame, I feel like I got edged (not in a fun way). Might add more polish to this review later, but for now I just wanted to get some of the thoughts out. At least it's a pretty book so it looks good wherever I end up storing it away.
Rating: 2/5 ✰
Background:
An exploration of sexuality and gender dynamics that the author apparently wanted to be cerebral and subversive, this ended up being sooo disappointing and shallow. On first glance, I thought the mixed reviews might be because of the subject matter and unlikable main character, concepts which I tend to enjoy. I was incredibly excited for this book, and it really started off strong. I kept thinking the author would surprise me eventually, and that all the buildup would have a satisfying payoff, but none of those things ever happened. Everything was predictable, and rewording a dialogue over and over again doesn't make it any more interesting later - you have to actually add new content for that.
Characters:
The narrator, Eve, lives a boring life where she never challenges herself and generally tries to stay within her comfort zone. She considers herself a lesbian, and never actually stops describing herself that way, but this is definitely an exploration of bisexuality and the differences between having relationships with men and with women (or both at the same time). There are certain things that feel like they should be more meaningful, like her preferred description for her sexuality not actually matching her ideology or actions, but all of these aspects just got skimmed over in favor of... randomly heteronormative talking points? Repetitive conversations about feminism and power dynamics? Whether morality should be attached to sexuality between consenting partners? Any of these concepts could have been well done, maybe thought-provoking in a controversial way, but it just felt so stale.
Speaking of stale, I thought there would be more to explore with Nathan. Since he's this sort of catalyst for Eve and Olivia (a supposed important part of the dynamic who is endlessly pushed out of the story by the way), I thought his talking points with Eve might be a bit more nuanced or interesting. He tended to just repeat the same lines over and over again though, even in parts where it's supposed to feel like a different conversation, which made a lot of the important turning points in Eve's mindset feel random and undeserved. It could be argued that therein lies the point - he could be anyone because the growth comes from within her, and the truth is he's actually an incredibly boring person - but for a supposedly subversive and intellectually challenging book that sure would be one of the least interesting options to choose.
Closing thoughts:
Shallow, forgettable, lame, I feel like I got edged (not in a fun way). Might add more polish to this review later, but for now I just wanted to get some of the thoughts out. At least it's a pretty book so it looks good wherever I end up storing it away.
natlbugz's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Acts of Service feels like one of those novels that wants to shake you by the shoulders and demand, “What do you really want?” It's provocative, deeply intimate, and almost unnervingly honest, diving headfirst into the murky waters of desire, power, and identity.
The story centers on Eve, a woman questioning not just her sexual desires but the entire framework of what she believes about herself. She posts a nude photo online (because, why not?) and tumbles into a relationship with a couple, Olivia and Nathan, that’s as intoxicating as it is unsettling. The dynamic between these three is charged with tension—sexual, emotional, and philosophical—and Fishman uses their interactions to explore themes that feel raw and urgent.
First off, let’s talk about the exploration of desire and sexuality. This book doesn't shy away from hard questions, like what it means to truly want something and how societal norms can twist those desires into guilt or shame. Eve's journey isn't about easy answers—it’s messy, contradictory, and human in a way that feels painfully real.
And then there are the power dynamics. Olivia and Nathan? Fascinating. The way they interact with Eve is equal parts seductive and disconcerting. The book leans into this discomfort, forcing you to sit with the complexities of control and submission, asking who holds the power and why we let them.
I also appreciated how much space this book gives to identity and self-discovery. Eve’s constant questioning—of her orientation, her values, her boundaries—feels like watching someone strip down to their most vulnerable self. It’s both captivating and exhausting.
That said, it’s not perfect. While I loved the sharp writing and the unapologetic dive into taboo topics, some of the philosophical tangents felt heavy-handed. Like, yes, I get it—we’re all trapped in a web of societal expectations and existential longing—but could we not hammer it in quite so often?
Still, I have to admire the book’s bravery. It doesn’t spoon-feed you answers or wrap things up neatly. It forces you to confront your own ideas about what’s “normal” and what’s “desirable,” even if you’re uncomfortable.
lilsoliver's review against another edition
3.0
ARC REVIEW:
This book is going to be a new favorite in the booktok community. If you love complicated female characters, sex, and queerness you are gonna love this book. Many reviews have compared this book to Sally Rooney and Ottessa Moshfegh and I have to admit that is a pretty accurate description.
The book follows Eve, a queer woman who is overwhelmed by her rampant sexual urges and her extreme vanity. She finds herself posting her nudes to the internet one night which sends her into Olivia and Nathan’s orbit. The three begin a sexual relationship and attempt to navigate through their confusions about relationships and sex.
This book is definitely you hate it or you love it. The characters are deeply problematic and difficult to sympathize with, however that makes the book more interesting.
This book is going to be a new favorite in the booktok community. If you love complicated female characters, sex, and queerness you are gonna love this book. Many reviews have compared this book to Sally Rooney and Ottessa Moshfegh and I have to admit that is a pretty accurate description.
The book follows Eve, a queer woman who is overwhelmed by her rampant sexual urges and her extreme vanity. She finds herself posting her nudes to the internet one night which sends her into Olivia and Nathan’s orbit. The three begin a sexual relationship and attempt to navigate through their confusions about relationships and sex.
This book is definitely you hate it or you love it. The characters are deeply problematic and difficult to sympathize with, however that makes the book more interesting.