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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
I definitely couldn't put this one down and I love a good second chance romance. While I did understand why he did what he did, but there were some things that were a little unforgivable...even if he meant well. It was just interesting behavior from the MMC overall and I don't quite condone it. With everything the FMC went through, her hesitancy to try again is 100% valid. She's been through so much . I appreciated the author's writing when it came to mental health and the FMC managing everything with her therapist.
It wasn't too bad of a read!
It wasn't too bad of a read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Death of parent, Classism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
ARC review for All Your Pucking Secrets by A. Rivers
Thanks to A. Rivers for the ARC opportunity!
Featured tropes: sports romance (only in that the MMC plays hockey, it’s not really featured too much), second chance, obsessed MMC (but not in a creepy way), economic opposites, tutor/jock
Trigger warnings: references to past sexual assault, bullying, emotional and physical abuse, financial manipulation, references to emotional coping with alcohol
Review: 3.5/5
So, I want to start by saying this book was 100% not what I was expecting. I didn’t dislike the book because of that, it’s just not at all what I was expecting based on the blurb. More on this below…
Things I liked:
- This is a college setting but these MCs communicate better than some characters that are well into adulthood in other books I’ve read. Their maturity and communication is rock solid and for a girl who really dislikes the miscommunication trope, this hit so good for me. Both Tyler and Echo have been through so much in the last about four years. And you can tell those experiences have shaped who they are today and how they communicate and react in uncomfortable situations. And they seek help from trusted professionals (they’re both in therapy) and that so clearly helps them process the things that happen around and to them. I love to see it.
- I loved Tyler. I feel like he’s done a little dirty in the book blurb (more on that below…) but he’s a solid MMC. He’s conscious of his actions and honestly, is his own toughest critic. He’s a big ole sweetheart and is ready to start making everything up to Echo and finally getting to be with her. He has nothing but her best interests at heart.
- Echo is strong AF. She went through hell and is thriving and dealing with everything coming at her now like a champ. I love that she doesn’t hold back or minimize the things she is feeling and that she expresses those things to Tyler. It made me happy to follow along with her growth throughout the book.
- The pacing is so good. There weren’t any times where I felt like things moved too fast or I was confused as to how we got there. The story flowed really well and I don’t think it was filled with fluff or extra stuff just to make the book seem longer. A quick read for sure.
Things I disliked or missed the mark:
- I think the blurb does Tyler dirty and is why I found this book so unexpected. The blurb and author-provided TWs make Tyler out to be on his way to morally gray. We must have different definitions of that. I was fully expecting him to take actions to get Echo back that were sketchy, outside of normal ethical bounds, maybe bordering on violent. And I was fully expecting him to be a little rough around the edges and cagey about the past. I don’t really think that’s the case. There’s a handful of things that Tyler did which resulted in Echo being hurt. I get that. But Tyler was a high school senior at the time and was trying his darndest to protect Echo in any way he could with the limited resources he had. Sure, he could have done things differently perhaps but he was a literal child dealing with some very adult things. There’s literally only one instance dropped super casually in about two sentences of dialogue where Tyler infers he perpetrated an action that really heads down the path leading to morally gray. I’m trying to avoid being too spoilery but, once Tyler is back in Echo’s life, he’s walking a very fine line trying to get her back and not scare her away. Ultimately, he’s fully transparent with Echo (albeit a little slowly in a few instances) and is fully on board with only making Echo comfortable and happy. He doesn’t push her boundaries and lets her set the pace. Honestly, I feel for Tyler more than Echo as he Again, this didn’t make me dislike the book, I still quite enjoyed the story, it’s just not what I was expecting. I was ready to read some moral quandaries and perhaps be a little uncomfortable with our MMCs choices but actually found the complete opposite to be the case.
Come into this book by disregarding the morally gray references and understanding the blurb is written from a hurt Echo’s POV and, therefore, maybe a bit skewed, and this a great read. If you’re looking for a sweet little second chance romance, this one undoubtedly fits the bill!
Thanks to A. Rivers for the ARC opportunity!
Featured tropes: sports romance (only in that the MMC plays hockey, it’s not really featured too much), second chance, obsessed MMC (but not in a creepy way), economic opposites, tutor/jock
Trigger warnings: references to past sexual assault, bullying, emotional and physical abuse, financial manipulation, references to emotional coping with alcohol
Review: 3.5/5
So, I want to start by saying this book was 100% not what I was expecting. I didn’t dislike the book because of that, it’s just not at all what I was expecting based on the blurb. More on this below…
Things I liked:
- This is a college setting but these MCs communicate better than some characters that are well into adulthood in other books I’ve read. Their maturity and communication is rock solid and for a girl who really dislikes the miscommunication trope, this hit so good for me. Both Tyler and Echo have been through so much in the last about four years. And you can tell those experiences have shaped who they are today and how they communicate and react in uncomfortable situations. And they seek help from trusted professionals (they’re both in therapy) and that so clearly helps them process the things that happen around and to them. I love to see it.
- I loved Tyler. I feel like he’s done a little dirty in the book blurb (more on that below…) but he’s a solid MMC. He’s conscious of his actions and honestly, is his own toughest critic. He’s a big ole sweetheart and is ready to start making everything up to Echo and finally getting to be with her. He has nothing but her best interests at heart.
- Echo is strong AF. She went through hell and is thriving and dealing with everything coming at her now like a champ. I love that she doesn’t hold back or minimize the things she is feeling and that she expresses those things to Tyler. It made me happy to follow along with her growth throughout the book.
- The pacing is so good. There weren’t any times where I felt like things moved too fast or I was confused as to how we got there. The story flowed really well and I don’t think it was filled with fluff or extra stuff just to make the book seem longer. A quick read for sure.
Things I disliked or missed the mark:
- I think the blurb does Tyler dirty and is why I found this book so unexpected. The blurb and author-provided TWs make Tyler out to be on his way to morally gray. We must have different definitions of that. I was fully expecting him to take actions to get Echo back that were sketchy, outside of normal ethical bounds, maybe bordering on violent. And I was fully expecting him to be a little rough around the edges and cagey about the past. I don’t really think that’s the case. There’s a handful of things that Tyler did which resulted in Echo being hurt. I get that. But Tyler was a high school senior at the time and was trying his darndest to protect Echo in any way he could with the limited resources he had. Sure, he could have done things differently perhaps but he was a literal child dealing with some very adult things. There’s literally only one instance dropped super casually in about two sentences of dialogue where Tyler infers he perpetrated an action that really heads down the path leading to morally gray. I’m trying to avoid being too spoilery but, once Tyler is back in Echo’s life, he’s walking a very fine line trying to get her back and not scare her away. Ultimately, he’s fully transparent with Echo (albeit a little slowly in a few instances) and is fully on board with only making Echo comfortable and happy. He doesn’t push her boundaries and lets her set the pace. Honestly, I feel for Tyler more than Echo as he
Spoiler
not only lived the heartbreak like she did but he had to also live with the knowledge it was all a lie and he couldn’t do a thing to fix it or help her cope.Come into this book by disregarding the morally gray references and understanding the blurb is written from a hurt Echo’s POV and, therefore, maybe a bit skewed, and this a great read. If you’re looking for a sweet little second chance romance, this one undoubtedly fits the bill!
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Tyler's long game in this book blew me away. All that he had considered as he planned for a future with Echo. The way he leaned into his father's "plan" to make it his own. It's hard to find true love like that.
Echo's trauma and recovery was also really well portrayed. And I appreciated how her friendship with Ryan played out, and also how Anita was totally in her corner.
Please check content warnings before reading, but it is a great story...
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Echo's trauma and recovery was also really well portrayed. And I appreciated how her friendship with Ryan played out, and also how Anita was totally in her corner.
Please check content warnings before reading, but it is a great story...
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Echo's reaction to seeing Tyler had me immediately dislike him and and just like he had to win me over as well. The moments back in time when Echo and Tyler first meet and grow close are well timed and allows you to slowly understand why Tyler did what he did and has you hoping they do find their way back together.
You definitely get a range of emotions during this second chance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
You definitely get a range of emotions during this second chance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved Echos strength and her vulnerability throughout the book. She didn’t just fold because Tyler showed up and gave her pretty words.
Even Tyler’s POV and his planning ahead, I hated what he did in the flash backs, and I agreed with Echos thought process on wanting to kick his dad in the balls. The way he worked through not only his issues but worked to help Echo through hers was lovely to read.
I cried and kicked my feet through out the book. It was actually lighter than what I thought I was getting into!
Even Tyler’s POV and his planning ahead, I hated what he did in the flash backs, and I agreed with Echos thought process on wanting to kick his dad in the balls. The way he worked through not only his issues but worked to help Echo through hers was lovely to read.
I cried and kicked my feet through out the book. It was actually lighter than what I thought I was getting into!
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Spoilers ahead ‼️
This book was such a disappointment. The storyline was already tough because it was a second chance romance and touched on serious topics, but the author made the MMC such a walking red flag it was ridiculous. He was a liar, a narcissist, a manipulator, and had serious control issues (just to name a few). He didn’t want to be like his abusive father but he was already showing signs of being an abusive partner. On top of all that, and the book having almost no real storyline the last 30% of it, the dialogue was sooo cheesy. A man calling his girlfriend “his shooting star that him through the darkness” is ridiculous and gross. Bleh bleh bleh bleh🤮 As far as the FMC, she started off so strong and then became a spineless character by the end of it.
This book was such a disappointment. The storyline was already tough because it was a second chance romance and touched on serious topics, but the author made the MMC such a walking red flag it was ridiculous. He was a liar, a narcissist, a manipulator, and had serious control issues (just to name a few). He didn’t want to be like his abusive father but he was already showing signs of being an abusive partner. On top of all that, and the book having almost no real storyline the last 30% of it, the dialogue was sooo cheesy. A man calling his girlfriend “his shooting star that him through the darkness” is ridiculous and gross. Bleh bleh bleh bleh🤮 As far as the FMC, she started off so strong and then became a spineless character by the end of it.
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes