layawaydragon
Written on Nov 7, 2016
Why was Secrets, Scandals & Lies included? Because there’s one bi guy in the cast of 5. And it’s disappointing at best with harmful representation.
Mattie is the bi character. He’s also a cheater. Not just a one unsober time either. It’s A Thing. Is the boyfriend in the crew or involved in the story? Barely, as a person who’s not responding to Mattie’s calls and texts. It’s so un-gay it’s not even funny.
Why the hell was this included? Did no one vet the books they picked or were there so little to choose from they had to?
Not only that though, there’s also the Token POC, Chade. He’s such a terrible Japanese stereotype, along with his whole family that’s sadly reduced down to only his father.
*SIGH*
If that’s not enough reason to skip Secrets, Lies, and Scandals, shame on you.
I stuck it through for the event to raise money based on pages read by people. Yet I still feel cheated.
The story line is mediocre at best, the characters flat, and the ending is a massive rip off. It’s a giant cliffhanger that upends any sort of conclusion created in the preceding pages. It’s not shocking or edgy or cool. It’s a fade to black cop out.
I’m incredibly pissed I wasted my time on this book and that it was included in the RivetedLit’s readathon.
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Update #1: Read for free on Riveted Lit for the event! I'll be reviewing it shortly after I get my blog tour posts finished up. But spoiler: Fuck That Ending. OMFG.