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A review by minimicropup
Weekend Friends by Bella Ellwood-Clayton
Did not finish book. Stopped at 45%.
🙃 I'm just not the right audience, but I don't think there's anything wrong with this book in terms of rep, plot and character development, or writing style.
The major suspense is driven by a steamy fantasy romance, mother-daughter dynamics and parenting challenges, ageing insecurities, and the grief and mystery of what happened to a loved one who had a terminal illness.
I think it's really geared toward an audience of mothers (or parents), because most of the tension and plot revolves around anxieties and issues that I admit I didn't understand or relate to enough for it to keep me hooked.
I think the hidden bullying of the tweens was realistic and well-written without being OTT and more like how it occurs in the 2020s.
I had a hard time with the grief and loss parts, just because I already have such high anxiety about my partner and loved ones suffering and dying. It isn't that the death or illness was a surprise or gratuitous, rather it was woven into and more vital to the plot than I expected.
^^ All of these reasons are totally a me problem!
Mood Reading Match-Up (so far):
The major suspense is driven by a steamy fantasy romance, mother-daughter dynamics and parenting challenges, ageing insecurities, and the grief and mystery of what happened to a loved one who had a terminal illness.
I think it's really geared toward an audience of mothers (or parents), because most of the tension and plot revolves around anxieties and issues that I admit I didn't understand or relate to enough for it to keep me hooked.
I think the hidden bullying of the tweens was realistic and well-written without being OTT and more like how it occurs in the 2020s.
I had a hard time with the grief and loss parts, just because I already have such high anxiety about my partner and loved ones suffering and dying. It isn't that the death or illness was a surprise or gratuitous, rather it was woven into and more vital to the plot than I expected.
^^ All of these reasons are totally a me problem!
Mood Reading Match-Up (so far):
- Contemporary fiction around mothering, parenting, ageing, grief, and moving on after loss
- Insta-love, should-we-or-shouldn't-we, slightly forbidden romance
- Tween friendship dynamics and bullying
- Summery pool-side hang-out vibes (set in Boca Raton, Florida and atmospheric!)
Content Heads-up: Sexual content (consentual). Bullying. Body shaming. Suicide (on-page, descriptive). Stalking. Pedophilia.
Format: Digital advanced review copy from Post Hill Press and NetGalley (I received the arc at no cost, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, Suicide, and Grief
Moderate: Pedophilia, Terminal illness, and Toxic friendship