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paperbacksandsnacks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It was so tragic but as with most tragic things there was such beauty within it. The characters were so well fleshed out. Archers back story… every time they flashed back I was crying. Honestly I was crying for a lot of the book.. I think the message of this book about how everyone needs a friend and to give people a chance is such an important one. Archer is mute but people have isolated him his whole life and thought he was a freak just for being different. All that resulted in was a loss on their side because they didn’t get to know such a smart and determined person. His character progression was gorgeous and done so well. The innocence that Archer has is portrayed wonderfully. As a man who has grown up in one house without interacting with anyone but his uncle he has a lot to learn and figure out. And Mia wrote that exploration incredibly.
And then we have Bree. A girl looking for a distraction who ends up finding a home. The things she does for Archer and the way she brings him out of his shell, honestly what a human. Especially as she’s also in the process of trying to rediscover and heal after her own traumatic event.
The supporting, older members of town were also so fun to read about. The way both Archer and Bree came together with their mutual trauma and lack of family was so sad but also they were able to utilise all they’d been through to help each other. I’ve never met a book with so much trauma and heartache, that was also filled with such love and unwavering support.
This book was way more than romance. There was big family drama and mysteries, friendship. Small town drama. And a lot of beautiful lessons. The writing was stunning and honestly, I started this book before bed. It’s currently 4.15am and I am writing this review after reading the book in one very sleepless sitting. I could not put it down. Pacing isn’t even fast. But it’s just addictive and gripping. I was laying in bed sobbing. I loved it. And truly that’s the best thing I can say about it. Fate is a beautiful thing, and I think we could all stand to believe in it a little more.
BRB. I’m going to go and wish on a dandelion.
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Sexual assault, Car accident, Gun violence, Rape, Medical content, and Sexual content
itstruly_flower's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug abuse, Addiction, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Cursing, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
antidietleah's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Car accident, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Gun violence, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing
katto06's review against another edition
- 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
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But why did Mia have to include “ilu” in their texts?? that was the only thing i actually cringed at.
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Bullying, and Gaslighting
busybee1993's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Death
skyfullofstarzz's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Gotta admit it was to much smut for my liking, but that's just a personal thing because I picked this book up for the angst
Also quite some comments about "male scent", "male instincts", etc..so if you ont't like that and can't ignore it mybe not the best choice for you
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Ableism, and Gun violence
Moderate: Death, Pregnancy, Alcoholism, and Addiction
Minor: Vomit
luna_lovelace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I stayed up late last night because I could not put it down. I am usually wary of viral books, but this book deserves it. This book will have you giggling with hope and crying for justice.
There are a lot of heavy subjects that Bree and Archer have to deal with which makes my heart ache for them. They found each other at a vulnerable time in their lives and they each gave each other space to heal and learn how to trust again while still allowing feelings to develop.
I despised Victoria, she was cruel to a CHILD.
When you think history will repeat itself,
Truly a beautifully written story with raw moments that will leave Bree and Archer in your thoughts after finishing the book.
Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Murder, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Medical content, and Car accident
Minor: Alcohol, Rape, Cursing, Cancer, Pregnancy, Violence, and Terminal illness
mo_nyx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Watching Archer and Bree fall in love was beautiful. Seeing them face their own trauma was heartbreaking.
The story is so tender, and I love both of them so much.
Graphic: Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, Death, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Violence, and Car accident
kera_reads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Gun violence
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Death, Grief, and Emotional abuse
kelseamae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
About half way through you'll start to realise Archer suffers from chronic Edward Cullen Syndrome - and he's down bad.
Spoilers ahead!!
This book is about 100 pages too long and at times felt like I was trudging through mud towards a finish line I was no longer excited to reach. On other occasions, mainly Archer's POV, the writing felt purposeful and was striking that emotional chord just right. Then, we'd be back with Bree and I'd stagger through pages of her fawning over Archer's washboard abs and wish for Sheridan to focus on the narrative she started 4 pages ago.
Dialogue was clunky and awkward one moment, then poetic and stood off the page the next. I was often off-put and took a red pen to multiple pages. I get the impression it was neglected by its editors somewhere in the middle where things get mundane and swimmy.
I'm personally afflicted by a debilitating case of lesbianism. All the talk of masculine scents and that bit in the bonus epilogue about cavemen near enough made me gag. I did speak to my own mother about this and turns out it's a me issue. Unsurprising.
What this book lacks in its external world building is not made up for by Bree and Archer's relationship, in my opinion. Somewhere towards the end, Bree mentions having "best friends" in town, implying a closeness with Melanie and Liza. Besides Liza's presence serving the story zilch, as an audience we're privy to them hanging out, what, 3(?) times the entire story. Yes, I know they often came to visit the diner but I genuinely liked them and thought they could have been incorporated much more effectively. Give me a dog walk with Melanie as Bree confides in her about kissing Travis or teaches her a phrase in sign language or something. Anything. They just sort of... existed.
Same with Natalie and Jordan. This is when my frustration with Sheridan's writing was reaching its peak. Why on Earth introduce us to Natalie, Avery and Jordan in Bree's first chapter and then proceed to feed us one liners about Natalie until they meet up for Bree to head back to Ohio. I was perplexed. I liked Natalie. Her "Hey babes" were keeping me going for the short while she was in Pelion. I can't help but think Sheridan forgot about them until she rememebered Bree is victim to an unsolved robbery gone awry and realised that storyline needed a resolution.
Archer Hale disappearing for 3 months to find himself was necessary and I enjoyed it as a twist. Him getting shot by Bree's ab*ser however... no. Hasn't the poor man been through enough? It felt like a means to an end and, yes, I'm angry about it. And right after Anne almost pops her cloggs? I don't have the words to explain the frustration I felt.
Would I recommend it? Potentially, to someone who loves YA romance with an interest in more mature themes. I'll never pick this book up again except to prove to my book group that the creases in the spine are from actually reading the book and not throwing it at a wall repeatedly.
Minor: Death, Blood, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Car accident, Sexual content, Bullying, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Cancer, Grief, Gun violence, and Rape