Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsWould you like some cheese with that whine?
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2022
I really enjoyed the 1st book, and the outline/ parts of the story in this book- but the protagonist (Jacky) spends a good 3rd of the book whining about how her family treats her like a child (while she is throwing temper tantrums like a child) and doesn't understand her side. Meanwhile, she makes ZERO effort to understand their side, and engages in the behavior she accuses them of. Jacky may have some valid complaints about original issues, but she also handles things poorly (but her poor behavior is portrayed as acceptable here). For instance (while trying to avoid spoilers) She complains about not getting a specific kind of help from her family. When they agree that is should have been offered AND offer to rectify their mistake- she goes off about how she can't win (really, it seems like her "family" can't win). Her "family" members are the ones trying to acknowledge their mistakes and grow, but continue to be portrayed as the bad guys for it. Meanwhile, the male protagonist (in the guise of supporting her in all things) just feeds her self-centered POV without trying to get the full story or understand any other POV, and encourages more self-defeating behavior than she is already engaging in. Both of the protagonists come off as immature brats when dealing with her family, and their dysfunctional way of handling things is portrayed as acceptable and rewarded.
