Terrible Representation of Mental Health Issues
I am very fortunate to have won this book in a giveaway, but I simply couldn’t finish it. About 1/3 of the way in, I realized this story is not what I was hoping to read. With a plot summary highlighting friendship, flawed responses to conflict, and depression, I expected to see more of those serious themes within the book.
First of all, the this book started off well. Despite the fact that settings were hard to grasp and seemed to spontaneously change, the town was promising. The teenagers appeared realistic and actually made jokes and narrated in ways that fit their age. The way Ellis was reluctant to see his brother after his attempt was realistic to their relationship. The way the whole community was uncomfortably involved in Tommy’s mental health added depth to the plot. I also loved the secrecy of the “October” event and was excited to learn what happened that caused the drift between Ruby and Tommy. Essentially, the first part had me hyped.
Then I hit part 2. The depth, realism, and mental health discussion had gone out the window. A time skip after part 1 leaves readers with a part 2 where Tommy and Harlow, who supposedly hated each other with a passion, are now making out in the restaurant backroom?? And it isn’t even enemies-to-lovers realness; there is no “to”. Just: one page they’re enemies, and now they’re kissing. The most upsetting part was that Tommy’s POVs were less about his mental health and now totally focused on Harlow. On top of that, Harlow is using Tommy as a romantic replacement for his twin brother (and her best friend) Ellis????
Yes, I know these issues above illustrate the “flawed responses to internal conflicts” the summary promised, but this sequence of events is not at all what I had expected. It’s random and completely disregards the long-standing effects of mental health.
I had high hopes for this book and am so sad to have seen it go from a deep story about friendship and mental health to make-out seshes.
First of all, the this book started off well. Despite the fact that settings were hard to grasp and seemed to spontaneously change, the town was promising. The teenagers appeared realistic and actually made jokes and narrated in ways that fit their age. The way Ellis was reluctant to see his brother after his attempt was realistic to their relationship. The way the whole community was uncomfortably involved in Tommy’s mental health added depth to the plot. I also loved the secrecy of the “October” event and was excited to learn what happened that caused the drift between Ruby and Tommy. Essentially, the first part had me hyped.
Then I hit part 2. The depth, realism, and mental health discussion had gone out the window. A time skip after part 1 leaves readers with a part 2 where Tommy and Harlow, who supposedly hated each other with a passion, are now making out in the restaurant backroom?? And it isn’t even enemies-to-lovers realness; there is no “to”. Just: one page they’re enemies, and now they’re kissing. The most upsetting part was that Tommy’s POVs were less about his mental health and now totally focused on Harlow. On top of that, Harlow is using Tommy as a romantic replacement for his twin brother (and her best friend) Ellis????
Yes, I know these issues above illustrate the “flawed responses to internal conflicts” the summary promised, but this sequence of events is not at all what I had expected. It’s random and completely disregards the long-standing effects of mental health.
I had high hopes for this book and am so sad to have seen it go from a deep story about friendship and mental health to make-out seshes.