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illusie's review against another edition
3.0
3,5 stars. For me this was an enjoyable read. It started as a 4 stars reading, but later on it got a bit predictable and it got harder to concentrate on the book. I loved Chloe and Gavin. I like that they got a second chance.
cala_p's review against another edition
5.0
I would like to thank the author for giving me a copy in exchange of a review.
This book was nothing of what I expected to say the least. It delved into many stages of childhood and growth, all sorts of love--friendship and romantic, a love triangle (of sorts) done right and the way to master a new adult life with an old flame. I will honestly say I expected less. K.K. Allen blew me away with this book
The best thing about this novel was not the plot itself (although that was beautiful on its own), but the characters that made it so. There's Chloe who is pretty much your average girl. Without the next two characters and the history around the three of them, had she been the only main character, this wouldn't be as good. The other main character, Gavin, was the result for Chloe's character being interesting. Like I said, she's pretty ordinary but only because of the men in this novel, that I cheer for her while reading.
The novel starts out with Chloe meeting two neighbor boys as a child: brothers Devan and Gavin. To put into perspective, Devan is the trouble one and Gavin is the nice one. They grow up together, both brothers protecting her. As they get older, through high school, Chloe starts to develop feelings for Gavin but ends up dating Devan.
Devan I found to be an interesting character. He's kinda an a$$. At one point he helped Chloe's bully make fun of her. And yet, he claimed her. Throughout their relationship there was a lot of verbal abuse and cheating on her, and yet he just couldn't let her go. Had he made it to being an adult, I'd wonder if he'd end up being that drunk abusive man who won't let his wife free or if that's just how he was then. Unfortunately we don't get to learn enough about him. Part of me thinks deep down, he could be good if he tried and then maybe he and Chloe would have worked out.
Then flip to brother #2: Gavin. Who stood aside while his brother dated the woman he loved. And then lost them both. While the issue with Devan is what drove the novel forward, the drama between Chloe and Gavin regarding their reunion after 4 years is what pulled it through.
Gavin's amazing characterization is really shown through the plot that he and Chloe are thrown into. There's many friends to lovers novels out there but not one quite like this. This is a friends to lovers only after acceptance of each other, the past and a death are they able to be together moving forward.
I feel like I could say so much about this book. It's a beautiful hart-warming read filled with joy, sorrow and love. There was never a moment I was bored through it and wished a part would just speed up.
Wonderful read and I look forward to more from this author!
This book was nothing of what I expected to say the least. It delved into many stages of childhood and growth, all sorts of love--friendship and romantic, a love triangle (of sorts) done right and the way to master a new adult life with an old flame. I will honestly say I expected less. K.K. Allen blew me away with this book
The best thing about this novel was not the plot itself (although that was beautiful on its own), but the characters that made it so. There's Chloe who is pretty much your average girl. Without the next two characters and the history around the three of them, had she been the only main character, this wouldn't be as good. The other main character, Gavin, was the result for Chloe's character being interesting. Like I said, she's pretty ordinary but only because of the men in this novel, that I cheer for her while reading.
The novel starts out with Chloe meeting two neighbor boys as a child: brothers Devan and Gavin. To put into perspective, Devan is the trouble one and Gavin is the nice one. They grow up together, both brothers protecting her. As they get older, through high school, Chloe starts to develop feelings for Gavin but ends up dating Devan.
Devan I found to be an interesting character. He's kinda an a$$. At one point he helped Chloe's bully make fun of her. And yet, he claimed her. Throughout their relationship there was a lot of verbal abuse and cheating on her, and yet he just couldn't let her go. Had he made it to being an adult, I'd wonder if he'd end up being that drunk abusive man who won't let his wife free or if that's just how he was then. Unfortunately we don't get to learn enough about him. Part of me thinks deep down, he could be good if he tried and then maybe he and Chloe would have worked out.
Then flip to brother #2: Gavin. Who stood aside while his brother dated the woman he loved. And then lost them both. While the issue with Devan is what drove the novel forward, the drama between Chloe and Gavin regarding their reunion after 4 years is what pulled it through.
Gavin's amazing characterization is really shown through the plot that he and Chloe are thrown into. There's many friends to lovers novels out there but not one quite like this. This is a friends to lovers only after acceptance of each other, the past and a death are they able to be together moving forward.
I feel like I could say so much about this book. It's a beautiful hart-warming read filled with joy, sorrow and love. There was never a moment I was bored through it and wished a part would just speed up.
Wonderful read and I look forward to more from this author!
stephaniesbookreviews's review
emotional
medium-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
2.5
I got this book for free quite awhile ago and finally decided to give it a try. It wasn't really for me. It was angsty, which I enjoy sometimes, but I didn't here. Soooo much could have been cleared up by just having a single conversation, but they kept putting it off and off and it drove me nuts. There were some cute parts here and there, but it's not a book I would read again.
caseroo7's review against another edition
4.0
I am pretty new to KK Allen, but after getting the special cover of this book, I knew I wanted to read it! I ended up really liking it and can't wait to read more in this series! Gavin and Chloe were great! These two had me right away, and while I was frustrated they didn't talk to each other more, I ended up really enjoying their story!
sandizzlereads's review against another edition
5.0
Chloe and Gavin will make you believe again
When Chloe first saw Gavin and Devon she knew her life would change. This story takes you through the lives of Chloe, Gavin and Devon from the age of 12 to 22. This story will definitely make you feel everything that the characters are feeling and then some.
K.K. Allen writes beautifully and this story is no exception, she makes you care about the characters and what happens to them. This story checks all the boxes, there’s tragedy, reunions, friendships, love and plenty of steamy scenes.
Don’t miss out on the first book in this trilogy!
When Chloe first saw Gavin and Devon she knew her life would change. This story takes you through the lives of Chloe, Gavin and Devon from the age of 12 to 22. This story will definitely make you feel everything that the characters are feeling and then some.
K.K. Allen writes beautifully and this story is no exception, she makes you care about the characters and what happens to them. This story checks all the boxes, there’s tragedy, reunions, friendships, love and plenty of steamy scenes.
Don’t miss out on the first book in this trilogy!
natastrophe16's review
5.0
I’ve had this book for almost two years, one of my many impulse buys added to the ever growing tbr pile. I’ve been missing out on reading this fantastic author. Up in The Treehouse has such an amazing message, to go along with the beautiful story of love and friendship. At times heartbreaking, but also healing and insightful. How do your actions affect other people? Can one decision change the path your life is to take? Is it ever too late for forgiveness?
This book is simply beautiful.
This book is simply beautiful.
treparker73's review
3.0
Good story
I didn't research this book, just dived in and it was good. I loved the angsty parts and relationships. Loved the treehouse and how story was told from the two age perspectives.
I didn't research this book, just dived in and it was good. I loved the angsty parts and relationships. Loved the treehouse and how story was told from the two age perspectives.
nicki_theoverflowingbookcase's review
5.0
It was like coming up on an accident on the side of the road - you want to look away but you just can't - this is how I read this book. Numerous times I felt like I had to stop and put it down and then I find myself reading for another hour. The triangle of friendship between Chloe and brothers Gavin and Devon had me on the edge of my seat. Once the tragedy struck and they were left living with fear, lies and secrets my heart broke. Finding their way back to each other was such an emotional journey. With more twists and turns then a roller coaster this is a must read!!
ladywestfall's review against another edition
4.0
It was good. Typical contemporary romance happenings. I've always been a sucker for bestfriend turned lovers stories because I think it is really cute. I think the story was dragged on for too long that it became annoying at times. Especially the push and pull happening between Gavin and Chloe. Like, damn, JUST PLEASE MAKE UP YOUR MINDS BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SO LONG!!!
I was also able to predict the twist about Giselle. Ha! That's what happens when you've read your fair share of contemporary romances. It is really hard to surprise me anymore. 😏
I was also able to predict the twist about Giselle. Ha! That's what happens when you've read your fair share of contemporary romances. It is really hard to surprise me anymore. 😏
ryanpfw's review
3.0
Spoilers ahead.
I was leaning towards 2 stars for most of the read and not a lot worked for me. The story begins during a high school graduation party, where Chloe Rivers' abusive boyfriend Devon discovers her love for his twin brother Gavin, utterly loses any control, drunkenly torches his brother's art portfolio before plunging them both from their childhood treehouse to their likely death. Devon is thankfully killed before I have to read any more from him, Chloe is blackmailed into abandoning Gavin on his deathbed, and the story picks up four years later, with Chloe and Gavin running into each other again.
I had three main issues with this reading experience. First, Devon. He behaves like a raw animal with few redeeming qualities. I appreciate the story provides painful experiences in Devon’s backstory that might lead to this instability, but Devon is never meant to be remotely sympathetic and serves only as a plot device. This is Gavin and Chloe's story.
This leads me to my second issue with this book. Gavin and Chloe are morons.
Devon discovers that Chloe is in love with Gavin, starts a drunken brawl, gets himself killed, Chloe is told by bully Stacy that unless she leaves Gavin's life, she'll expose her "role" in Devon's death, and she immediately leaves his life for four years.
Then, after finally convincing Chloe that Devon was responsible for Devon's death, Gavin then pivots to not being able to be in a relationship with Chloe, despite both of them wanting it, because Devon got there first, in high school, when they unhappily dated for three months.
Then, after dozens of pages resolving that bit of angst, we learn that Gavin is the father of aforementioned high school bully Stacey's child, except it's really his biological niece whom he adopted after his brother's death. Chloe, horrified that Gavin never told her...that he has a biological niece, refuses to see him for dozens of pages.
He retorts that he was afraid to tell her that he had an adopted daughter because it might be too painful considering the child's father was her high school boyfriend, whom she briefly dated, four years ago.
Then when they couldn't find a reason to continue being upset about that and get away with it for very long, we get more angst as Chloe wants to call it off with Gavin because she doesn't think she has parenting skills, even though literally no one is asking her to be a parent!
Gavin and Chloe are drama queens desperate to complain about something, anything. There's no reason this book should be more than 30 pages long.
The third reason I couldn't enjoy this reading experience is no fault of the author. The Audible narrator's enunciations were grating. Every time she said "face" it came out "fayse." Waist was "wayst." The cadence was very off-putting, and she seemed better suited to faking male voices. Every time she was Chloe, it felt like she was reading her lines of a prompter.
This book gets a 1 star upgrade to 3 stars for two reasons only. I actually laughed out loud at the last line of the book. And more importantly, "Gavin. Stacey. Gavin and Stacy." KK Allen's good taste in television deserves reward.
I was leaning towards 2 stars for most of the read and not a lot worked for me. The story begins during a high school graduation party, where Chloe Rivers' abusive boyfriend Devon discovers her love for his twin brother Gavin, utterly loses any control, drunkenly torches his brother's art portfolio before plunging them both from their childhood treehouse to their likely death. Devon is thankfully killed before I have to read any more from him, Chloe is blackmailed into abandoning Gavin on his deathbed, and the story picks up four years later, with Chloe and Gavin running into each other again.
I had three main issues with this reading experience. First, Devon. He behaves like a raw animal with few redeeming qualities. I appreciate the story provides painful experiences in Devon’s backstory that might lead to this instability, but Devon is never meant to be remotely sympathetic and serves only as a plot device. This is Gavin and Chloe's story.
This leads me to my second issue with this book. Gavin and Chloe are morons.
Devon discovers that Chloe is in love with Gavin, starts a drunken brawl, gets himself killed, Chloe is told by bully Stacy that unless she leaves Gavin's life, she'll expose her "role" in Devon's death, and she immediately leaves his life for four years.
Then, after finally convincing Chloe that Devon was responsible for Devon's death, Gavin then pivots to not being able to be in a relationship with Chloe, despite both of them wanting it, because Devon got there first, in high school, when they unhappily dated for three months.
Then, after dozens of pages resolving that bit of angst, we learn that Gavin is the father of aforementioned high school bully Stacey's child, except it's really his biological niece whom he adopted after his brother's death. Chloe, horrified that Gavin never told her...that he has a biological niece, refuses to see him for dozens of pages.
He retorts that he was afraid to tell her that he had an adopted daughter because it might be too painful considering the child's father was her high school boyfriend, whom she briefly dated, four years ago.
Then when they couldn't find a reason to continue being upset about that and get away with it for very long, we get more angst as Chloe wants to call it off with Gavin because she doesn't think she has parenting skills, even though literally no one is asking her to be a parent!
Gavin and Chloe are drama queens desperate to complain about something, anything. There's no reason this book should be more than 30 pages long.
The third reason I couldn't enjoy this reading experience is no fault of the author. The Audible narrator's enunciations were grating. Every time she said "face" it came out "fayse." Waist was "wayst." The cadence was very off-putting, and she seemed better suited to faking male voices. Every time she was Chloe, it felt like she was reading her lines of a prompter.
This book gets a 1 star upgrade to 3 stars for two reasons only. I actually laughed out loud at the last line of the book. And more importantly, "Gavin. Stacey. Gavin and Stacy." KK Allen's good taste in television deserves reward.