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karlapardo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Before I start the review, here’s a reminder to CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. I didn’t necessarily pay attention to them because I know I can read rough topics but please check the trigger warnings.
This book was just heart wrenching. I had high expectations for this book because I know a few people who loved it and it did not disappoint. It is a very rough read though (second book is rougher just letting you know). Also, we have to keep in mind that these characters are teenagers, they are not adults. We can’t expect teenagers to act like adults. Their behaviors are very fit for their age and in some circumstances (not all of them) they are very mature but they are not adults. It’s a book you can’t put down. It is very long but it just doesn’t feel like it is. I devoured it in 2 days so if you haven’t read it because of the length please read it. It is very long for good reason, trust me. This book is made for the reader to love or hate every single character on it. It is not just a love story. You will come to love the side characters in this story because the author took her time and made you love them. That’s why this book is so long. We get to actually know who these people are and not just because of their relationship with Johnny and Shannon, we love them as them. Now, let’s talk characters.
Johnny, this boy is such a good character. He is going through some things because of an injury and he is struggling. He loves rugby and would do anything and everything to play, including hurting himself more than he already is. But when he meets Shannon and starts knowing her that changes a little bit, not a lot, but he does. He is an overthinker through and through. He will worry, A LOT. And I love him for that. He knows his girl. He knows something is wrong because he overthinks it and worries. He knows he has to protect her because he knows something is wrong, he just doesn’t know what. He loves Shannon so much that it’s overwhelming. He has so many incredible relationships with the other characters too, it’s truly beautiful to read. His relationship with Gibsie it’s my favorite, you can feel the love those two have for each other. His relationship with his parents (especially after surgery) it’s also so heartwarming to see. You can feel his character struggle so much with his own feelings that as readers you begin to feel those struggles. He loves Shannon and would do anything and everything is his power to keep her safe.
Shannon. Wow, such a horrible story. This girl has been through hell and back so many times. She thinks she is not strong or worth something good but she is so strong and a survivor in every sense of the world. She struggles a lot, she can’t seem to find her strength to stand up for herself because she has learned that if she does that she will be put through so much pain. She has learned to survive and survive only. We can see this girl’s development but it is very slow, she is very adamant to not develop in a way because she knows that will make it worse. Her love for Johnny it’s so strong to the point of it being the only reason why she is alive. Her love for Johnny is truly her anchor and strength.
The side characters. There is no way that we did not fall in love with these characters. Gibsie, Joey, Claire, Mammy K, Aoife, Lizzie, John Sr, Feely. And there is no way we did not hate Teddy, Bella, Cormac, Ronan.
I loved this book as well as the second one. HAVE THE SECOND ON HAND BECAUSE THERE IS A CLIFFHANGER. I would reread it but definitely not soon. It is very emotionally draining (keep that in mind)
Graphic: Cursing, Bullying, Blood, Misogyny, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Physical abuse, Medical content, Domestic abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Alcoholism, Vomit, and Miscarriage
Minor: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Rape
lizlee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Rape, Infidelity, and Misogyny
hayzey'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
Graphic: Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Bullying, Abandonment, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Cursing, Child abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Infidelity, Violence, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Rape, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Sexual assault, and Abandonment
Minor: Stalking, Murder, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Sexual content, Mental illness, Abandonment, Homophobia, Infidelity, Grief, Cursing, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Infertility, Eating disorder, Pregnancy, Blood, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Self harm, Rape, Physical abuse, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, and Bullying
_rubydodge's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Violence, Torture, Domestic abuse, Cursing, Bullying, Alcohol, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Blood and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
booknerdcoco'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
4.75
This book had me feeling all the feelings, something of an emotional roller coaster.
This book is primarily character driven, and whilst a high stakes immersive plot takes a back seat to what I usually go for, this novel did not disappoint. I was so invested in Johnny and Shannon's (like the river) story, I literally could not put it down.
Just a word of warning to read the trigger warnings as emotional resilience is required and a note that the story ends on a cliffhanger.
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault, Vomit, Rape, and Pregnancy
lucycharm9's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was a slow burn YA romance. While dick and balls were mentioned countless time there was no sex in this book and we only got 3 kisses all towards the end of this book.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Bullying, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Miscarriage, Rape, and Sexual assault
storybookmina'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: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Homophobia and Rape
katherinet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I just cannot give any higher because nothing much really happens until the end and this is a beast of a book for that at 789 pages.
I also feel the author was absolutely let down by whoever proof read this before publication.
Graphic: Bullying and Child abuse
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
jessreeds91's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Some chapters I just skimmed through and read the dialogue.
Im hoping Shannon gets her chance to blossom and become her own in the next book.
Spice 0/5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, and Bullying
Minor: Rape and Pedophilia
gvareads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse and Bullying
Moderate: Vomit and Suicide attempt
Minor: Rape