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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
Audio: 5 stars, Nick J Russo killed it!
Book: 3-3.5 stars
While this was addictive and I couldn’t put it down once I started, I felt like the relationship at the end of the book was rushed, and that something’s were missing to make this a higher rated book for me.
Don’t get me wrong, the writing was typical Nicky James, it was like I said above addictive, something about how she writes damaged characters makes you feel all their heartache and you want to reach out and comfort them as well. Koa and Jersey went through a lot, you see their friendship in their flashbacks to how that is now the basis of their rekindling relationship 30ish years later.
I do love how understanding Jersey was with Koa and how he didn’t push when he knew it would cause more harm. But the reveal for Koa’s trauma, while kinda predictable in what happens to him, was rushed at the end. I was hoping that it was more fleshed out or something, but maybe it’s my mood, but it didn’t feel like it was given the page time it deserved from how much it affected Koa throughout the whole book.
Also Jerseys son/ex wife just felt like an afterthought they weren’t needed to make the book better, could have done without them lol.
And lastly I wanted the epilogue to be longer or a little farther in the future.
Either way this book was good for what it was, I can see myself possibly rereading it in the future, but in reality I want to see where Nicky James goes for Nile’s book!
Book: 3-3.5 stars
While this was addictive and I couldn’t put it down once I started, I felt like the relationship at the end of the book was rushed, and that something’s were missing to make this a higher rated book for me.
Don’t get me wrong, the writing was typical Nicky James, it was like I said above addictive, something about how she writes damaged characters makes you feel all their heartache and you want to reach out and comfort them as well. Koa and Jersey went through a lot, you see their friendship in their flashbacks to how that is now the basis of their rekindling relationship 30ish years later.
I do love how understanding Jersey was with Koa and how he didn’t push when he knew it would cause more harm. But the reveal for Koa’s trauma, while kinda predictable in what happens to him, was rushed at the end. I was hoping that it was more fleshed out or something, but maybe it’s my mood, but it didn’t feel like it was given the page time it deserved from how much it affected Koa throughout the whole book.
Also Jerseys son/ex wife just felt like an afterthought they weren’t needed to make the book better, could have done without them lol.
And lastly I wanted the epilogue to be longer or a little farther in the future.
Either way this book was good for what it was, I can see myself possibly rereading it in the future, but in reality I want to see where Nicky James goes for Nile’s book!
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I'm so conflicted about how to rate this book, I've sat with it for a day since finishing it, and these are the conclusions I've come to...
I knew from reading the synopsis that this was meant to be a high angst read, and I wanted that, I wanted to be all in my feels, but this didn't deliver angst it delivered depression. Koa's character just bummed me out in all honesty, I wanted to go on a journey that took me through the pain and anguish the character/characters experience but I also wanted to experience at least some of their healing journey too but Koa doesn't deliver that.
This childhood friends to strangers to lovers story should have been right up my alley with both MMCs having gone through things in their pasts but eventually coming together to heal etc but Koa's walls are built so high and his views on life, love & relationships so pessimistic that without getting the detailed background into WHY he is the way he is till the last couple of chapters of the book I didn't connect with or understand him the way the author intended & Jersey our other MMC wasn't much better as he felt distanced as a character too.
However I do feel that Koa's character is a good representation of apathy and mental trauma/illness as he is so tragically morose, but without that context of why instead of being emotionally impactful it just felt draining to read. Jersey & Niles showing Koa unconditional support and love throughout was beautiful as it demonstrated that even if you are incapable of showing it to others, you are still worthy of love yourself. The romance in this was slow but because of the above I struggled to connect with this aspect of the story too, Koa was too closed off for too long with Jersey so them coming together towards the end felt clunky and rushed to me. Overall, I'm left conflicted about this book & it's characters and I wish i could articulate why better, but 🤷♀️. This was my first book by this author and I will definitely try more of her work to see if this just wasn't the particular book for me or of it's the writing style in general I don't vibe with.
I knew from reading the synopsis that this was meant to be a high angst read, and I wanted that, I wanted to be all in my feels, but this didn't deliver angst it delivered depression. Koa's character just bummed me out in all honesty, I wanted to go on a journey that took me through the pain and anguish the character/characters experience but I also wanted to experience at least some of their healing journey too but Koa doesn't deliver that.
This childhood friends to strangers to lovers story should have been right up my alley with both MMCs having gone through things in their pasts but eventually coming together to heal etc but Koa's walls are built so high and his views on life, love & relationships so pessimistic that without getting the detailed background into WHY he is the way he is till the last couple of chapters of the book I didn't connect with or understand him the way the author intended & Jersey our other MMC wasn't much better as he felt distanced as a character too.
However I do feel that Koa's character is a good representation of apathy and mental trauma/illness as he is so tragically morose, but without that context of why instead of being emotionally impactful it just felt draining to read. Jersey & Niles showing Koa unconditional support and love throughout was beautiful as it demonstrated that even if you are incapable of showing it to others, you are still worthy of love yourself. The romance in this was slow but because of the above I struggled to connect with this aspect of the story too, Koa was too closed off for too long with Jersey so them coming together towards the end felt clunky and rushed to me. Overall, I'm left conflicted about this book & it's characters and I wish i could articulate why better, but 🤷♀️. This was my first book by this author and I will definitely try more of her work to see if this just wasn't the particular book for me or of it's the writing style in general I don't vibe with.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual content
Minor: Bullying, Homophobia, Self harm, Blood, Death of parent, Murder
challenging
emotional
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
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
Overall content: 4/4
Character portrayal: 4/4
Interpersonal chemistry: 4/4
Creative innovation: 4/4
Writing style: 4/4
Personal enjoyment: 4/4
Total: 24, translates to 5 stars
Character portrayal: 4/4
Interpersonal chemistry: 4/4
Creative innovation: 4/4
Writing style: 4/4
Personal enjoyment: 4/4
Total: 24, translates to 5 stars
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This could possibly be my new favorite Niky James book. The book features a recovering drug addict that goes home after the death of his parents. There he rekindles the love he felt for his childhood friend from summer camp. Its a heartfelt book that features themes of healing long standing trauma, second chance at love and friends to lovers. Its such an amazing book and the writing is so good in this, and such a throwback to old classic Nicky James books. A must read for fans of romance and hurt comfort books.
(Read both the book and listened to the audiobook a day later)
(Read both the book and listened to the audiobook a day later)
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes