I actually did like this book and I learnt a lot about Native American (recent) history. I have seen that it’s gotten critique for being too centered on the white perpetrators but I don’t know if I agree. Of course, im a third party (non american POC) but I don’t know if the author was maliciously excluding the Osage voices (or even excluding them at all…) their voices and stories are being told as far as I saw esp in third part of the book (and many times during the rest!). Maybe there is other critique I haven’t come across though because I remember many people choosing to not watch the movie for a reason but I can’t remember.

All that aside, such a heartbreaking story. To think that they were robbed of their land again and again and again and finally retreated to a land they felt they might be safe because it was not obviously of any value and then were murdered in scores because of it by people they considered family or friends.. and it was not that long ago. Awful

Dnfed at 52%. I hate dnfing a book but im sorry, I had so many issues w this book:

• I can not stand female characters that exude such strong “im not like other girls” energy. Like you aren’t special, you aren’t cool, we are not impressed. I understand she was different and got bullied but it was a little too much. Like one of her only friends ever was a guy? (I know that influencer was her friend too but she reiterates again and again how only Alex understands her and sees her and it was just so icky)
• Also, of course Alex is a hot, ripped 6 ft plus guy who writes short stories and is studying English and is super awkward and isn’t goofy with anyone except her and she’s the only one that sees the real him. It’s because of this that the book honestly read like a (very tropey) wattpad fanfiction.
• Her strong dislike for Alex’s ex (exes?) also sealed it for me because it was giving lowkey internalised misogyny. Maybe I was reading too much into but it was just odd.
• There was unfortunately way too much cringey stuff for me. Like her obsession with how quirky her clothes were, how she’s so small and loud and annoying etc etc. Too much to list tbh. I like cringe but this was ridiculous level of cringe.

I was intrigued to know what caused their friendship breakup and that’s why I tried to power through but honestly the way it was going I just expect it was smth not worth the build-up. Or maybe it will be worth it. I guess I won’t find out lol.

I might be too harsh with this but female characters whose entire personality is being not like other girls, and also only feel seen by a man really irk me. I think in big ol 2025 we should do better than using wattpad tropes from 2010.

Also this is not to say that I don’t like a nice, light, romantic book. I absolutely love Sophie Kinsella and I even read the Hating Game 2 or so years ago and (mostly) enjoyed it! I try to not be a snob about books but for some odd reason, this one just really annoyed me.

Incredible, incredible read. Written a long post for the forum so I’ll spare this space but this book is just mind-blowing. So grateful I found this author and decided to read. Haven’t had such a transformative reading experience in a while