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4.56 AVERAGE
4.56 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Girl fuck Caspian and his ugly ass uncle.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
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
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rating⭐️: 5/5
Spice🌶️: 2/5
Memorable Quote(s): (WAY too many)
“Only I could love Caspien how he deserved to be loved. And so I would. I’d love him in spite of everything he was and everything I knew he could be. No matter what he did, no matter how much he hurt me, in this I would be constant. As long as Caspien Deveraux breathed, I would love him.”
Tropes:
•MM Great Expectations Retelling
•Childhood Enemies to Lovers
•Coming of Age
•Second Chance
•Gay Awakening
•Blackest Cat x Golden Retriever
•Slow Burn
⚠️Check TWs
HOLY MOLY, I might never recover from this one, a book has no business being that goooood! It is the easiest 5 stars I have ever given. AND this was first Scarlett Drake book, which definitely sets the bar - I cannot wait to read more by her.
If you are looking for a typical love story this is not it…this one will hurt you, make you cry, make you question your sanity and quiet possible make you want to throw your kindle (or however you read/listen) across the room. This story is intense, heartbreaking, and devastating, BUT also beautiful, romantic and an overall masterpiece. You are going to work hard to get to the end of this one, but it is absolutely worth it.
This coming of age story follows Jude Alcott, a 15 year old boy living with his older sister, Beth, and her husband, Luke, after his parents passed away. Luke gets the opportunity to be the grounds person at Deveraux mansion, where Jude meets the alluring Caspien Devereaux….A boy he will come to love at a young age only to be put through the ringer over a span of 13 (ish) years, but nevertheless not matter what life brings Jude he will never give up or stop loving Cas.
*Also, I had the privilege of listening to this audio and my gosh it made this read all the more better. if you are an audio person I highly recommend this one.*
I don’t know which rating would be the best…actually.
This book hooked me like nothing had in a long, long time. Listen, I was addicted. I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t drink, I didn’t eat. I slept a bit.
But
What the fuck?
The next section is full spoilers
This is the cycle of abuse! Caspien was abused and I did feel sorry for what his uncle has put him through, but he has been abusive to Jude countless times! And there was no reflection on that whatsoever? They just got together, happy end? no! Tragic end the author somehow mislabelled as romantic. Also Jude’s alcoholism was put in this quirky/ romantic “struggling tortured author” way that made me sick. There is a lot of stuff being not making sense. Like the whole “Oxford was your dream, Jude” thing Caspien had to get abused for what? Over 10 years to make it come true for his true love Jude. Yet I somehow missed the part where this big dream was even established and even DURUNG his time at Oxford Jude was like “yeah, buildings are nice” “cool vibe for studying” my dude, thats not how someone acts on their dream campus. I read Babel, enthusiastically studying at Oxford looks different. Why exactly was Gideon so into shipping Caspien and Jude by the way if the plot twist was that he resented Caspiens whole existence and taught that kid that he only deserves misery?? What kind of sadist was that old men?
I’m left with a lot of emotions, and nowhere to put it. I’ll read great expectations next hoping dickens wrote it better.
Good fucking riddance. I did this to myself. If you have some self preservation don’t read this mess.
This book hooked me like nothing had in a long, long time. Listen, I was addicted. I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t drink, I didn’t eat. I slept a bit.
But
What the fuck?
The next section is full spoilers
This is the cycle of abuse! Caspien was abused and I did feel sorry for what his uncle has put him through, but he has been abusive to Jude countless times! And there was no reflection on that whatsoever? They just got together, happy end? no! Tragic end the author somehow mislabelled as romantic. Also Jude’s alcoholism was put in this quirky/ romantic “struggling tortured author” way that made me sick. There is a lot of stuff being not making sense. Like the whole “Oxford was your dream, Jude” thing Caspien had to get abused for what? Over 10 years to make it come true for his true love Jude. Yet I somehow missed the part where this big dream was even established and even DURUNG his time at Oxford Jude was like “yeah, buildings are nice” “cool vibe for studying” my dude, thats not how someone acts on their dream campus. I read Babel, enthusiastically studying at Oxford looks different. Why exactly was Gideon so into shipping Caspien and Jude by the way if the plot twist was that he resented Caspiens whole existence and taught that kid that he only deserves misery?? What kind of sadist was that old men?
I’m left with a lot of emotions, and nowhere to put it. I’ll read great expectations next hoping dickens wrote it better.
Good fucking riddance. I did this to myself. If you have some self preservation don’t read this mess.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
I don’t quite know how to describe this book.
In my experience some of the most emotional reads that I have are ones that tend to come with some pretty brutal content warnings that can make the experience one that comes with a side of pain.
Oleander is different, it is a brutal emotional and beautiful novel that is relatively free of triggering content that can affect someone’s experience. Yes there is a little bit of it but the author doesn’t pay huge attention to it.
The narration of this book is captivating being narrated by main character himself from present times thinking back on past events. The epilogue switching this up to be from Caspien which was really refreshing getting to experience Jude from an outside perspective.
In my experience some of the most emotional reads that I have are ones that tend to come with some pretty brutal content warnings that can make the experience one that comes with a side of pain.
Oleander is different, it is a brutal emotional and beautiful novel that is relatively free of triggering content that can affect someone’s experience. Yes there is a little bit of it but the author doesn’t pay huge attention to it.
The narration of this book is captivating being narrated by main character himself from present times thinking back on past events. The epilogue switching this up to be from Caspien which was really refreshing getting to experience Jude from an outside perspective.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
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