Reviews tagging 'Addiction'

Thirsty by Jas Hammonds

32 reviews

justincaysi's review

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challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

**I received this book in a giveaway but these thoughts are my own**

I really enjoyed Thirsty. It’s one of those reads that has you emotionally gripped and sad but you’re constantly rooting for the protagonist. I loved the characters and I think Jas did an excellent job making them feel whole and fully developed. The writing style was so different from anything I’ve ever read and helped to put me in the story as if I were a part of the friend group. Their description of struggle with alcohol felt very true and the portrayal of the 18 year old experience was so on point I could connect with some of the feelings of wanting to belong and get acceptance from my peers. While the content is pretty heavy, I would recommend this read. 
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readtomea97's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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sataaa's review

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5.0

i read this after recognizing jas's name from we deserve monuments so i gave thirsty a try! from the first page i was invested, i love their writing style so much. the characters feel so real and complex, i appreciate how everyone is a bit flawed and very much human. i loved the way she displayed addiction and that weird transition age between late teens & adulthood with blake while showing how important a support system is. there was so much going on that pulled at my heartstrings, but it was never overwhelming. i couldn't put it down!
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thissagreads's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Another solid read by Jas Hammonds! There are trigger warnings in the beginning of the book which is nice, and gives some insight into what kind of heaviness the main character will be dealing with, which I appreciate.

This novel does a really good job, highlighting the complexities of being mixed race, with parents that take quite the backseat on support, pledging, PLUS a girlfriend who may or may not the best for her. I think the author did a brilliant job of weaving pledging, while battling addiction and keeping the timeline clear and between one summer and flash backs to the past. While I was constantly frustrated with the main character Blake, I was also rooting for her during her journey, because she deserved to feel good about herself, no matter what trash was thrown her way.

My biggest issue was that
Annette’s gender outing wasn’t discussed enough. She forgave Blake pretty quickly, and it didn’t seem too realistic to be forgive so quickly. ESPECIALLY since they were arguing and hurting each other’s feelings before that particular incident. And then for Ella to not say much of anything afterwards?! EVEN WHEN BLAKE AND ELLA RAN INTO EACH OTHER ON CAMPUS, was so frustrating! Ella CHEATED on Blake and then outed Annette! So she DEFINITELY needed to be held accountable, not just Roxane! Ella shouldn’t have been allowed to continue to that year, even if her mom was an advisor, and she should’ve gotten some kind of consequence besides Blake not wanting to date her again. Because she ended up with some basketball girl anyways, so booo for not getting consequences for her terrible actions!


That being said, I did love the real queer, kids of color, representation. If this has a sequel I will definitely read it.  Well done.
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readingwithtemperance's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was unputdownable, if you have the opportunity to read this via audio PLEASE do so. 

Thirsty was absolutely incredible. My heart broke for Blake so many times. She really struggles with her self image and anxiety abd her past with bullying. The way she speaks to herself made me want to just wrap her up in my arms. I'm so glad she has Nettie through all of the ugly she experiences. 

The author gives us a first hand experience with alcoholism throughout this book. And how normalized it is by our society. Especially with how often Blake is told "you don't have a problem" by
her girlfriend Ella.
 

Thirsty also shows that there is life outside of addiction. And how things can become better through healing and having a community who cares for you. 

Also I just need to go on a mini rant brb
I HATE Ella oh my god. How dare she cheat on Blake. How dare she make Blake feel stupid for being angry THE NIGHT she cheated on her. How dare she be so toxic and gas light her and put her SAFETY in jeopardy. Ella is so incredibly awful and selfish. Blake deserved so much better and I'm so happy she's no longer in her life. That relationship was TERRIBLE.


Okay rant over! Read this book :)
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caitlinteresa's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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thebookkeepers's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was my first book by Jas Hammonds and a great first impression. While some of the plot points were predictable, I still found myself invested in the characters and the outcome of events. This read as an authentic teen experience and my heart ached for the main character and her tribulations. I loved her friendship with Annette & the family dynamics. This books covers heavy topics, but ones that many teens will be able to relate to and either give them insight into their own struggles or teach empathy for others. The book explores alcoholism, identity struggles of a biracial character, lgbtq themes, classism, and more. 

LGBTQ+ rep: f/f relationship with main character & nonbinary side character 
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gelbu's review

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emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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lilcatlovingactress's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Will add my thoughts later but overall I loved it
Powerful story on addiction growing up and queerness and belonging 
There’s something keeping me from giving it a full 5 stars but I don’t remember what it is 
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kylahken's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This very quickly turns from a light story of a teenage girl having a fun and idyllic summer with her best friend and girlfriend, to a dark narrative of deep seeded self hatred and insecurity in the world (also fun, right?) I love an unlikable narrator, but i can’t entirely say she was unlikeable, I just think she’s human. I did want to hug (or smack) some sense into her, but that’s entirely the point. As someone who has a healthy relationship with my friends, family, partner, and alcohol, I never found myself truly judging Blake, just rooting for her. Hammonds does a wonderful job of reminding us just how flawed and complex and ultimately wonderful humans are, and how it’s okay to not be okay, to need help, to rely on those around have your best interest at heart.
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