If We Were Villains (July 2021) Buddy Read Discussion - Elysian & Brianna

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Welcome to the If We Were Villains Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on July and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 07/18
July 18: Act 1
July 19: Act 2
July 20: Act 3
July 21: Act 4
July 22: Act 5


PARTICIPANTS
~ Elysian
~ Brianna

[Michelle]

Would love to join when you get a schedule

[Elysian]

We haven't decided between 11th-15th OR 28th-31st yet.

Have u any preferences?

[Brianna]

I had thrown it in the nomination chat so you may not have seen it but I asked if the 18th-23rd would work so that is also an option.

[Elysian]

Brianna wrote: "I had thrown it in the nomination chat so you may not have seen it but I asked if the 18th-23rd would work so that is also an option."

Oh sorry! It probably got lost. For me that date is fine as well.

[Brianna]

Elysian wrote: "Brianna wrote: "I had thrown it in the nomination chat so you may not have seen it but I asked if the 18th-23rd would work so that is also an option."

Oh sorry! It probably got lost. For me that d..."

That thread is full of activity - it's so easy to miss stuff. lol

[Brianna]

If the 18th - 23rd works, that gives us 6 days to read as opposed 5 or 3. How would you guys like to split it up?

[Elysian]

I honestly don't mind as I always read in my own pace and already know I want hold myself on the schedule.

[Brianna]

Sounds good. I'll stick with the 18th-23rd and divide the page count/chapter count up by 6 days then - give me a bit of time to work on it.

[Brianna]

Actually it looks like there aren't really chapters but acts and there are 5 of them so if the dates of the 18th - 22nd work, then we can aim to read/discuss an act a day.

[Brianna]

Act 1
(view spoiler)[I think I'm really going to enjoy this one - at least I enjoy it so far. I was a theater kid in high school and went to college for it for a couple of years as well so there is definitely some nostalgia happening here for me.
Okay - so we know Oliver was in jail for *something* but not exactly what. James and Richard are now in the midst of a battle of sorts. Richard is true to his name (as in he's a dick). I wonder who does what to whom! (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Act 2
(view spoiler)[So from the Prologue of this act we know that everyone but Richard and James are accounted for so whatever happened had to happen to one of them (or both of them?). I do find it interesting that Oliver chose the school to talk to the police guy.
Oh snap! So something happened to Richard! (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Act 3
(view spoiler)[So Richard died and they all decided to not try to save him. I am curious to know how Oliver is the one who ended up in jail - did something else happen? We still don't know where James is at in the present day so maybe something there?
As much as I'm enjoying this, I am struggling a wee bit with all the Shakespeare. Why include all the scenes that they are acting out or the midterm speeches? I do enjoy Shakespeare, don't get me wrong, but I do catch myself skimming through those parts. (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Act 4
(view spoiler)[Things are really falling apart now! I wonder what it was that Oliver found. I also wonder what's going on with James in the past and where he is at in the present day since I don't think we know. One thing I appreciate is that they are showing multiple ways PTSD can affect a person. It can be different for each person - there may be common things, but it can still be different. I personally have Complex PTSD and don't like the assumptions that because I don't show it the same way as others that it's not the same. (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Act 5
(view spoiler)[So... I knew something was up with James but didn't quite expect that! The ending - is there a possibility that he's actually alive and just faked his suicide? This whole group of friends - they've been through some shit and it's kind of a twisted group by the end. I completely understand why some stayed close but others didn't. Sometimes things like that bring people together, but sometimes people also need space away from the players. It's pretty crazy!

Overall I enjoyed this one, but it's not a favorite. (hide spoiler)]