There are books that I read that have genuinely pissed me off because one of the characters would do or say something that triggered me, which isn't the issue. The issue for me is when the book makes it seam like that character was in the right and they deserves an apology from the other character with either little to no accountability of their own actions/words. So, I'll go read reviews, hoping that others agree to turn around and see that I'm the minority of that opinion. Makes me wonder if my standards are too high or too much.

Thankfully, I do read books that have the conflict revolution that I wish happens in more contemporary books. So, I'm not feeling so alone but it still makes me wonder if I'm looking for too much in fictional books.

I never read the first book (in fact, I'm only reading this because of a book club), so I know I'm probably missing some component about the character relationships between Max and Cole, but the way Cole treats Max borders on disrespect and apathy, and it really rubs me the wrong way. I really don't care if they've known each other for forever. That's not friendship; it's just Cole being a dick. I get that Cole is supposed to be the "Grinch" and Max the golden retriever type, but nothing about their friendship and the way Cole is so rude and dismissive and invalidating towards Max says they should even be friends.

enjoyed the first two chapters! i’m listening to the audiobook to immerse myself more because i struggle with classic literature language a lot of the time