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4.56 AVERAGE
4.56 AVERAGE
Scarlett Drake knocked it out of the park with this book! It surpassed my expectations by a long shot. I was hesitant to read as I've never read Great Expectations, though I had a good idea of what it was about. My worry was for nothing. The storytelling was amazing, I simply could not put this book down from start to finish. There is great character development, interesting prose, and compelling dialogue. There is much angst and the story overall dealt me some emotional trauma but it was well worth it in the end. I will recommend any reader to read this book.
***********************
After a second read, it’s solidified as my #2 favorite read of 2024. Oleander is an incredible, beautiful, and deeply complicated story that completely captivated me. Spanning 13 years, it follows the messy, enthralling relationship between Cas and Jude, including their connections with others along the way.
This book won’t be for everyone, but for me, it was absolute perfection—a stunning and unforgettable journey that I’ll treasure.
***********************
After a second read, it’s solidified as my #2 favorite read of 2024. Oleander is an incredible, beautiful, and deeply complicated story that completely captivated me. Spanning 13 years, it follows the messy, enthralling relationship between Cas and Jude, including their connections with others along the way.
This book won’t be for everyone, but for me, it was absolute perfection—a stunning and unforgettable journey that I’ll treasure.
dark
emotional
tense
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
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don’t even know what to say, this book has changed me! I have never read a book like this before, but it had me staying up late reading until 4am, I couldn’t put it down. Cas and Jude my heart feels for them so much, Jude trying to find happiness and Cas rejecting it was what continually broke my heart, they both deserved the world.
This book was a HEA, 1 POV, Hate to Love, MM Romance.
Will be reading again and recommending to everyone!!
This book was a HEA, 1 POV, Hate to Love, MM Romance.
Will be reading again and recommending to everyone!!
slow-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
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story of Jude and Caspien was epic, haunting, beautiful and heartbreaking. I adore works that span years where two souls are always destined to find each other again. Bonus points for Scarlett Drake’s lyrical writing, outstanding characterisation and atmospheric settings.
“What was one more battle scar on my heart when the war was this glorious?”
5⭐️
“What was one more battle scar on my heart when the war was this glorious?”
5⭐️
Scarlett’s writing is always so emotional and beautiful, and that’s exactly what this story was.
Jude was so relatable. His self exploration and life journey was beautiful to witness. I would have loved some Cas POVs, but that would have been so tough to read. It was hard enough to go through the heartbreak from Jude’s POV but add abuse on top of it?! My poor baby Cas.
Some of these reviews ain’t it. How do y’all read 600+ pages and not realize Cas was abused and manipulated?! I can forgive Jude for not realizing it because he was also 15, but y’all are grown ass adults reading this book and hating a child for being groomed. Weird behavior.
I will forever recommend Scarlett’s books to people. She’s such a rare writer with this extraordinary talent to hit you right in the soul. I knew she was special after reading Hamartia, but this was on another level.
I’ll never forget this book.
Jude was so relatable. His self exploration and life journey was beautiful to witness. I would have loved some Cas POVs, but that would have been so tough to read. It was hard enough to go through the heartbreak from Jude’s POV but add abuse on top of it?! My poor baby Cas.
Some of these reviews ain’t it. How do y’all read 600+ pages and not realize Cas was abused and manipulated?! I can forgive Jude for not realizing it because he was also 15, but y’all are grown ass adults reading this book and hating a child for being groomed. Weird behavior.
I will forever recommend Scarlett’s books to people. She’s such a rare writer with this extraordinary talent to hit you right in the soul. I knew she was special after reading Hamartia, but this was on another level.
I’ll never forget this book.
slow-paced