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4.56 AVERAGE
4.56 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book wrecked me. I don't even know where to start. The most emotionally challenging book I have read in a long time and Cas and Jude will stay with me for a long long time.
I loved the writing, it was beautiful in it's own way but with very lovely nods to the novel this story is based on.
I read GE about 10 years ago and it was nice how this story was taken, turned and twisted to remain a story with a morale, albeit a different one and also a love story.
I loved that Jude was not an innocent pushover victim. He was fucke up and morally grey in his own way.
Cas I just want to hug and scream at and hug again.
Overall, I devoured this book, it robbed me of sleep and a little sanity. It was perfect.
Please please do read trigger warnings (on the authors website). This book definitely has some triggers, but all handled with care and well delivered.
Absolutely cannot wait for what Scarlett comes out with next!
I loved the writing, it was beautiful in it's own way but with very lovely nods to the novel this story is based on.
I read GE about 10 years ago and it was nice how this story was taken, turned and twisted to remain a story with a morale, albeit a different one and also a love story.
I loved that Jude was not an innocent pushover victim. He was fucke up and morally grey in his own way.
Cas I just want to hug and scream at and hug again.
Overall, I devoured this book, it robbed me of sleep and a little sanity. It was perfect.
Please please do read trigger warnings (on the authors website). This book definitely has some triggers, but all handled with care and well delivered.
Absolutely cannot wait for what Scarlett comes out with next!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
If I could rate it 20 stars, I would!
As I read the last line in the authors note, I breathed out "Wow" I'm sure not for the first time and then cried. I'm honestly not sure why... perhaps the overwhelming emotion, it being over, or the beauty in these pages? Maybe all of the above.
Scarlett Drake, you blew me away! I knew it from the prologue that this would change me. That it would be amongst my top reads of the year and most definitely a top read of all time. It's more evident now as it's been a week, and I can't even look at or think about anything else!
Its rare these days but...Being an avid reader since I was a little girl, when a book can take me to a place in my heart & mind that's pretty indescribable, I know its something special. When it brings nostalgia, it's special. The brilliant way that Scarlett weaved what felt like this classic novel with a modern twist but never taking away from the story was absolute perfection; pure beauty. And that's what it was, wasn't it? A retelling. It was genius đź‘Ź
This coming of age story is a literal masterpiece. It's a story that you don't read for fun, or smut, you read it because it's literary perfection and just that good! It's an epic story that profoundly affected me deeply.
I will be gushing about this book for a long time. I will forever hold Oleander, Jude & Cas in my heart 🌺
As I read the last line in the authors note, I breathed out "Wow" I'm sure not for the first time and then cried. I'm honestly not sure why... perhaps the overwhelming emotion, it being over, or the beauty in these pages? Maybe all of the above.
Scarlett Drake, you blew me away! I knew it from the prologue that this would change me. That it would be amongst my top reads of the year and most definitely a top read of all time. It's more evident now as it's been a week, and I can't even look at or think about anything else!
Its rare these days but...Being an avid reader since I was a little girl, when a book can take me to a place in my heart & mind that's pretty indescribable, I know its something special. When it brings nostalgia, it's special. The brilliant way that Scarlett weaved what felt like this classic novel with a modern twist but never taking away from the story was absolute perfection; pure beauty. And that's what it was, wasn't it? A retelling. It was genius đź‘Ź
This coming of age story is a literal masterpiece. It's a story that you don't read for fun, or smut, you read it because it's literary perfection and just that good! It's an epic story that profoundly affected me deeply.
I will be gushing about this book for a long time. I will forever hold Oleander, Jude & Cas in my heart 🌺
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Just.... wow
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
When was the last time you read a book that completely ensnared your soul? That you needed time to recover from? From the first word to the last, I was captivated, hopeful, heartbroken, angry, sad, joyous. I feel like I am in mourning now that it’s over.
Jude and Caspien (Cas) meet at 15 when Jude’s family moves onto the Deveraux Estate owned by Cas’s uncle Gideon (P.S., shout out to brother-in-law father figure, Luke!). Over the next decade, we follow Jude as he navigates his feelings for the mysterious and enigmatic Cas, his personal identity and his sexuality in the most beautiful story I have read in a long time.
This is not your typical romance novel. It is a coming-of-age story full of hurt, suffering, and passion. It’s family and friendship and love and betrayal. It is unconditional love that endures through the most awful of odds.
It is hard to read at some points, I will not lie: there is on- and off-page domestic and child abuse and grooming. The only other book I have read that comes close to the cacophony of feelings I had while reading this story was “A Little Life,” this one not being quite as slow paced.
I am spellbound.
Jude and Caspien (Cas) meet at 15 when Jude’s family moves onto the Deveraux Estate owned by Cas’s uncle Gideon (P.S., shout out to brother-in-law father figure, Luke!). Over the next decade, we follow Jude as he navigates his feelings for the mysterious and enigmatic Cas, his personal identity and his sexuality in the most beautiful story I have read in a long time.
This is not your typical romance novel. It is a coming-of-age story full of hurt, suffering, and passion. It’s family and friendship and love and betrayal. It is unconditional love that endures through the most awful of odds.
It is hard to read at some points, I will not lie: there is on- and off-page domestic and child abuse and grooming. The only other book I have read that comes close to the cacophony of feelings I had while reading this story was “A Little Life,” this one not being quite as slow paced.
I am spellbound.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Sexual violence
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
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