Scan barcode
tatumoshea's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those books that will sort of stick with you for a while. I kept going back to it after a finished in the same way I did with Normal People (which is a book I would recommend alongside this but don't tandem read unless you want to like die).
I knew what I was getting into when I started based on the author's TikToks, but it was still quite gut-wrenching. Personal story, I also had the worst stye on my eye, so when I was crying reading the last few chapters, it was like full-on sobbing because I was in literal physical pain. Okay, that's beside the point, but what an experience to have.
Anyway, I rated this 4 stars because I do think it's a really good romance/women's fiction book. You'll have expectations going in that will be blown away, and you'll also cry many times. Even if you're not as invested in the romance, I still think it's a very interesting dive into choices we make at that stage in our lives and how we look back on them years later (I presume at least I am 20). In my copy of the book, there were a multitude of grammatical errors that threw me, but it's a debut self-published book, we must pick our battles. Still think it's the perfect heartbreak book.
I knew what I was getting into when I started based on the author's TikToks, but it was still quite gut-wrenching. Personal story, I also had the worst stye on my eye, so when I was crying reading the last few chapters, it was like full-on sobbing because I was in literal physical pain. Okay, that's beside the point, but what an experience to have.
Anyway, I rated this 4 stars because I do think it's a really good romance/women's fiction book. You'll have expectations going in that will be blown away, and you'll also cry many times. Even if you're not as invested in the romance, I still think it's a very interesting dive into choices we make at that stage in our lives and how we look back on them years later (I presume at least I am 20). In my copy of the book, there were a multitude of grammatical errors that threw me, but it's a debut self-published book, we must pick our battles. Still think it's the perfect heartbreak book.
mkzach's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
sarv's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
hmchester's review
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
4.75
tipsybookreads's review
5.0
We were not expecting to like this book. As a whole, we do not like miscommunication tropes. They never work for us. But this book IS the exception. As two people who are sick of the typical romance structure and happy endings. This was heartbreakingly refreshing.
It felt real. It felt like this was a true story because it doesn’t always work out how we want. In their own separate ways they got their happy ending. And it’s totally okay that their happy ending didn’t fit in the cookie mold of romance books.
Diane’s writing was so intriguing and kept us guessing the entire time! The spice was unexpected but was definitely “five pepper spice” as Arden would say!! Prepare to feel all of the things, it really was a wild ride.
We would definitely recommend.
-Rebekah and Jess
(Tipsy Book Reads Podcast)
It felt real. It felt like this was a true story because it doesn’t always work out how we want. In their own separate ways they got their happy ending. And it’s totally okay that their happy ending didn’t fit in the cookie mold of romance books.
Diane’s writing was so intriguing and kept us guessing the entire time! The spice was unexpected but was definitely “five pepper spice” as Arden would say!! Prepare to feel all of the things, it really was a wild ride.
We would definitely recommend.
-Rebekah and Jess
(Tipsy Book Reads Podcast)
krayreads's review
5.0
this is what “if this was a movie” by taylor swift would be if it was a book. holy. fucking. shit. my heart is literally in PIECES.
this accurately depicted the college experience. wanting to find yourself, to experience everything you’ve always wanted. omg there were so many relatable moments and experiences, it felt like reliving my college days! this quote really embodied that:
“who i was when we were together, and ever before, it was someone who spent years trying to live up to others’ expectations. i loved to be loved in a way that didn’t require anything from me, but i chased validation the way young people often do. academically performing for my family back home and being the shiny mirrorball for everyone else. all while enjoying the thrill of people and unapologetically seeking out physical pleasure along the way.”
ok now lets get to the romance because honestly i'm in fucking pieces. this book was journey. you think it’s going one direction but NOPE. babe the twisttttttt my GOD it ruined me. R U I N E D me.
wow is this even real? the way these two fell in love, the way their relationship played out...the heartbreak. the longing. so emotionally and WONDERFULLY written. i cannot tell you how much this resonated with me. there were way too many relevant moments of who AB was as a person. absolutely incredible character depth. like it really made me reflect on myself as a person and my growth.
jesus fucking christ this review is everywhere because i'm feeling way too much at once lol.
if you’ve ever had a relationship that you constantly go back to thinking “what if” proceed with fucking CAUTION. you will be DEMOLISHED. i pretty much sobbed through the entire last third of the fucking book. like i fully finished this bawling my eyes out and lying in a pool of my own tears. and the bittersweet ending...UGH. 12837192673/5 stars. this was brilliant, perfect, and one of my favorite books of the year. WOW.
this accurately depicted the college experience. wanting to find yourself, to experience everything you’ve always wanted. omg there were so many relatable moments and experiences, it felt like reliving my college days! this quote really embodied that:
“who i was when we were together, and ever before, it was someone who spent years trying to live up to others’ expectations. i loved to be loved in a way that didn’t require anything from me, but i chased validation the way young people often do. academically performing for my family back home and being the shiny mirrorball for everyone else. all while enjoying the thrill of people and unapologetically seeking out physical pleasure along the way.”
ok now lets get to the romance because honestly i'm in fucking pieces. this book was journey. you think it’s going one direction but NOPE. babe the twisttttttt my GOD it ruined me. R U I N E D me.
wow is this even real? the way these two fell in love, the way their relationship played out...the heartbreak. the longing. so emotionally and WONDERFULLY written. i cannot tell you how much this resonated with me. there were way too many relevant moments of who AB was as a person. absolutely incredible character depth. like it really made me reflect on myself as a person and my growth.
jesus fucking christ this review is everywhere because i'm feeling way too much at once lol.
if you’ve ever had a relationship that you constantly go back to thinking “what if” proceed with fucking CAUTION. you will be DEMOLISHED. i pretty much sobbed through the entire last third of the fucking book. like i fully finished this bawling my eyes out and lying in a pool of my own tears. and the bittersweet ending...UGH. 12837192673/5 stars. this was brilliant, perfect, and one of my favorite books of the year. WOW.
sashalev's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
wastingtime1994's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I have… so many feelings about this book. I almost DNFd because I skip over sex scenes and I was worried that was making me miss too much for this book. But I’m so eternally glad I finished. This is a beautiful, heartbreaking story and I can’t wait to read it again. Also hug your spouse (if you’re not mad at them…)
4.5/5.0
4.5/5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Vomit and Violence
Minor: Pregnancy
nicolerenae96's review against another edition
4.5
Multiple twists I didn’t expect, felt like I went through the entire relationship with them