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meeklovestoread'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
3.75
Okay I'm really surprised by this book. I've been putting it off since I've heard about it on the book side of social media for about a year now. It has alot of popularity, but all the tropes I heard people listing weren't favorites of mine. Plus the main thing that made me put this book off for so long was that I heard it depicts a toxic relationship. And I personally loathe reading about toxic relationships.
However, I've finally conformed. It's been on my reading list for a while so I finally decided to pick it up and I can say that I'm pretty surprised on how much I enjoyed it.
Don't get me wrong the relationship between the main characters Lily and Lo is nothing to emulate your relationship after. But in my opinion their relationship is more so "dysfunctional" rather than flat out toxic. Throughout the book both parties have displayed on numerous occasions how much they care, love, and appreciate one another. (the shower scene) They have the potential for an honest, heartfelt, and healthy relationship.
However like I stated previously, their current relationship is nothing to emulate your romantic relationships on. They enable each other's addictions with knowledge that it's not gonna help them out in the long run.
Lo also becomes desensitized to Lily's actions as well.
Lo can be pretty nasty towards Lily especially when she tries to interfere with his drinking. And when they do start dating for real Lo literally expects Lily to cheat on him because Lily is constantly fighting her sexual compulsions in order to stay celibate/monogamous to Lo. Of course in a healthy relationship you shouldn' t have to constantly worry that your partner is being unfaithful. And the fact that Lo has a tendecy to be pretty hot and cold with Lily (one minute he's a sweetheart, the next a dickhead) is a big red flag. Also Lo's aggressive tendencies are not ideal either (he doesn't hit her at all; there is no physical abuse depicted in this book; he just always has a tendecies to pick up fights with other people). He's just very immature and lacks ambition. They both defintely have alot of growing and maturing to do before they can reach consummate and stability in their lives and relationship.
So dysfunctional and unhealthy. Like I said nothing to aspire to, but definitely not damaged beyond repair. Plus they do seem to be trying to fix themsleves towards the end of the book. And I think that maybe what the writers' objectives are. To showcase the ugly parts of their relationship so they can commence on the journey towards healing. At least that's what I hope the other books are about.😅
Also, I actually like how the authors depicted their addictions and them as characters. Lily being all shy and introverted with a sex addiciton and Loren battling his was really well depicted. And her inner dialogue that she has with herself where she talks about on herself for having her addiction, her social anxiety, and her friendship with Lo, and their background was very entertaining to read about. I was really it was dual POV.
Oh and we also got to meet the future characters of this book series which was cool. So here are my first impressions:
Connor - superficial privileged prick who says out of pocket and insensitive comments and thinks he's above everyone else due to his wealth and intelligence, but deep down has a decent, loving heart (he's okay but certainly my least favorite out of the bunch)
Rose - superficial mean judgmental privileged girl, but the way she scares about Lily and her family warms my heart (also I have to admire how unapologetically smart she is)
Ryke - nosy, but really means well; I liked him and I admired how much he stood up for girls (didn't appreciate him the comment he made about Lily's weight though) so far he's my favorite guy
I'm more into plot driven books so it took me a while to get through this because a whole lot of nothing was happening. So this is definitely a character based book. I think when it was around the 70-80% mark was when I started to feel it just a little bit (it was still entertaining though) and because I read this as in e-book it did take me quite a while to get through this, but I surprisingly enjoyed the read and will be continuing on with the second book.
Graphic: Sexual content, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abandonment, Sexual assault, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Vomit, and Sexual violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, and Body shaming
coralie_michon's review
3.5
The bonds between the characters are powerful and their love for each other (toxic or not) really touched my soul. I wish they communicated better though sometimes the two main characters really annoyed me. Every issue could've been resolved with a clear discussion. The plot twist at the end was really shocking did not expect it at all, which made up for the very slow start.
Loved the gossip girl vibe, Lily really served Serena.
Tropes: fake dating, childhood friends to lovers, college romance
Graphic: Alcoholism, Addiction, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual assault
lily_sutton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault
bellaanneli03's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Addiction, and Sexual content
sofieskj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is one of the few books that has me really crying, which i count as a good thing. One thing I also like on how this book/series is build is that it had an ending, but i want like it "could" countiune is has to. The ending was both a good but also a heartbreaking one.
Lily and Lo truly derserv each other, looking a way for all the dark part of the realtionship, that a relationship you want, to be in love with your bestfriend. During the book i head the thought that Lo is an amazing boyfriend and the he truly loves Lily and always has, so has she.
The were parts of Lily that I found relativble and I LOVE how she is so aware of how she is feeling, but she is afried to let the truth of it come to fourth.
I would defently recond for pepeole to read this book, if you are sure you can handle the topics in the book , and the trigger warnings.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault
fictionalwanderer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Addiction, and Alcoholism
serenity_18's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Alcohol, Bullying, and Gaslighting
rkpitch1234's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, and Sexual content
Minor: Body shaming, Death of parent, and Sexual assault
soff_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, and Emotional abuse
ellasommers's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, Adult/minor relationship, Vomit, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Body shaming, Child abuse, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship