Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Thirsty

Thanks to Macmillan for the free copy of this book.

- It feels sort of cliche these days to call a YA novel “important,” but THIRSTY really is. It tackles not only drinking, but also race, class, and more.
- I loved the way Blake’s drinking was portrayed in this book. She was drinking socially, drinking to feel like she belonged, drinking to make friends. She didn’t have one huge rock bottom moment, but rather a slow building of moments that finally came into focus for her.
- It’s sometimes a hard read, when Blake and others are making repeated bad choices. But it’s also filled with love and understanding for Blake and her mindset.
- After adoring Hammonds’ WE DESERVE MONUMENTS and now THIRSTY, they’re an autobuy author for me now. Can’t wait to see what’s next.

Content Warnings

imstephtacular's review

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Wow this book is a kick in the teeth! It absolutely wrecked me and slowly pieced me back together. It’s hard but it’s beautiful

Content Warnings

dhatislandbookworm's review against another edition

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dark 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

How far would you go to be accepted, even if it’s self-destructive? Once again, Jas Hammonds is disrupting the young adult genre with their sophomore effort, Thirsty. It’s the summer before freshman year and we’re following 18-year-old Blake (aka Big Baddie Bee) as she tries to join the exclusive Serena Society — and the limits she’s willing to push herself to do so.

Reading this was like watching a wreck in slow motion — and I mean that as a good thing.

From the jump, we understand Blake’s motivation to join the Serenas and why she drinks so heavily. Her inner monologue is characterized so effectively that you do empathize with her and all the shit she’s going through. However,Hammonds ensures you’re still aware that Blake won’t find validation and the answers she’s seeking at the bottom of a bottle. As a result, you’re rooting for Blake (and cussing her ass out at the same time tbh) to make wiser decisions, drop the toxic people around her, and get on the track to sobriety.

Blake is one of the most complex teenage protagonists I’ve had the pleasure of reading, and Hammonds did an excellent job on making her feel genuine. And not only are there poignant conversations about alcohol addiction, but classism, racism, gender, peer pressure, and emotionally abusive relationships as well, which are handled with so much care. By the end of the book, tears were shed.

I loved We Deserve Monuments, but Thirsty cemented Hammonds as an auto-buy author for me. It’s been a week since I’ve read it and it’s STILL on my mind. I also want to give my kudos to the narrator who did an excellent job at bringing this cast of characters to life.

I’m excited to see what Hammonds has up their sleeve next.

Content Warnings

spinesinaline's review against another edition

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challenging emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Jas Hammonds does it again. Big thanks to the publisher for an e-ARC to review!

Loads of content warnings which the author details in a note at the start, including alcohol addiction, self-hatred, racial microaggressions, and transphobic rhetoric.

I was a little apprehensive when I saw that this release is about drinking as that’s not particularly relevant to me so I wasn’t sure how my reading experience would go but I shouldn’t have been worried. Hammonds continues to write impressive, intense stories about teens and their emotions that can reach you whether or not you have directly comparable experiences with the characters. I'm loving the continued bittersweet nature of their books and will continue to seek them out.

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booksdogsandcoffee's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful informative fast-paced

4.5

Imagine the vibes of Euphoria intertwined with an exclusive college society for women of color. Blake, her girlfriend Ella, and her best friend Annetta are trying to navigate the challenges of pledging into this society, all while Blake struggles with her excessive drinking. Thirsty delves into themes of alcohol abuse, toxic relationships, family bonds, and the transition from high school to college. Alaska Jackson's narration is exceptional, truly bringing the story to life. This is a must-read book that everyone should pick up.

cw
alcohol
hazing
toxic relationship
gaslighting
bullying

Content Warnings

serareadthat's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

If i could give it more stars, I would. Y’all have your tissues on deck for this one!!

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Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Thirsty by Jas Hammonds

bitesizedbeet's review against another edition

otakatoe3's review

sheepminecraft's review

lou_sam's review against another edition

caseythereader's review against another edition

imstephtacular's review

dhatislandbookworm's review against another edition

spinesinaline's review against another edition

booksdogsandcoffee's review against another edition

serareadthat's review against another edition