Scan barcode
asofiaalves's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
rainajones's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
vicky30312's review against another edition
5.0
... didn't mean to stay up all night reading this but here we are!
This book was so good. Can I have a Pike please?
This book was so good. Can I have a Pike please?
kimthroughbooks's review
dark
medium-paced
- 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
2.0
got_ron's review
adventurous
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
meggie82461's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars...
It’s always the same wish. Every candle. Every time. I want a life I never want to take a vacation from. That’s my goal.
I want to preface this review by saying that Penelope Douglas is one of my favorite authors. I was a big fan of [b:Misconduct|23605463|Misconduct|Penelope Douglas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1426613181s/23605463.jpg|43207111] and [b:Bully|20803953|Bully (Fall Away, #1)|Penelope Douglas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1392309572s/20803953.jpg|25420107], and I absolutely loved both [b:Corrupt|21981841|Corrupt (Devil's Night, #1)|Penelope Douglas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1398947518s/21981841.jpg|41292505] and [b:Hideaway|29082755|Hideaway (Devil's Night, #2)|Penelope Douglas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1495731109s/29082755.jpg|49314977]. Thus, when I saw PD had written something taboo-ish, I was ALL over it.
However... maybe it was a case of too-high expectations and a touch of a book hangover, but the truth is, I was a little let down by this. The book was LONG, or at least, a touch slow. Things didn't really start happening until around 60%, and I believe everything before certainly could've been accomplished in far less pages. However, all of it was smooth and well-written, so it wasn't necessarily hard to read.
Jordan and Cole have been together ever since the death of their mutual friend. Jordan has been providing for Cole and has grown to resent him. They move in with Cole's dad Pike. As it turns out, Jordan and Pike had met once before, seemingly getting along well. Pike had Cole young, so he's thirty-eight... to Jordan's eighteen (nineteen, maybe? I can't remember). The first few weeks, Cole is constantly out partying, leaving Jordan at home alone... or sometimes with his dad. They can't help but get to know each other well.
Pike and Jordan's relationship is definitely a slow burn, which took some of the 'weird' factor out of it. Honestly, so did the fact that Jordan and Cole's relationship seemed more like a friendship than anything. Cole wasn't an awful kid- nothing he did was egregious or anything- but I plain didn't like him. He was selfish and immature. Finally, Jordan was just an old soul. She had been through a lot in her years, so it was easy to believe that she just wanted a good life to share with someone, not to be out partying or going on dates like her peers. I didn't really feel the "taboo" factor and while I think that was the intention- because it made their love seem "real"- it also took some of the excitement out of the book. I liked both Jordan and Pike, but neither of them were overly remarkable. They were good, normal, down-to-earth people. I often forgot why they shouldn't be together, and when I was reminded, I'd shrug.
Really, this was a decent story of two people falling in love, but it wasn't much beyond that. Of course, I will continue to love her books, because I still finished this and it very well could be an "it's not you, it's me" thing. I will say this: if you are looking for a taboo read, this probably won't quench your thirst. However, if you are looking for a sweet love story between two unexpected people, there's definitely worse choices out there than this one.
Oh, and Punk 57!! I loved that by Penelope, too! I’d recommend all of the books by her I mentioned in this review :)
I know everything we’re doing is wrong, and I don’t know how I’m going to explain this to anyone, but right here—right now—I don’t want to be anywhere else. I wish I could die as happy as I am right now. In here, in the dead of night, in this dark room, behind a closed door, we don’t need to explain anything to anyone. For just this moment, it’s ours.
It’s always the same wish. Every candle. Every time. I want a life I never want to take a vacation from. That’s my goal.
I want to preface this review by saying that Penelope Douglas is one of my favorite authors. I was a big fan of [b:Misconduct|23605463|Misconduct|Penelope Douglas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1426613181s/23605463.jpg|43207111] and [b:Bully|20803953|Bully (Fall Away, #1)|Penelope Douglas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1392309572s/20803953.jpg|25420107], and I absolutely loved both [b:Corrupt|21981841|Corrupt (Devil's Night, #1)|Penelope Douglas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1398947518s/21981841.jpg|41292505] and [b:Hideaway|29082755|Hideaway (Devil's Night, #2)|Penelope Douglas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1495731109s/29082755.jpg|49314977]. Thus, when I saw PD had written something taboo-ish, I was ALL over it.
However... maybe it was a case of too-high expectations and a touch of a book hangover, but the truth is, I was a little let down by this. The book was LONG, or at least, a touch slow. Things didn't really start happening until around 60%, and I believe everything before certainly could've been accomplished in far less pages. However, all of it was smooth and well-written, so it wasn't necessarily hard to read.
Jordan and Cole have been together ever since the death of their mutual friend. Jordan has been providing for Cole and has grown to resent him. They move in with Cole's dad Pike. As it turns out, Jordan and Pike had met once before, seemingly getting along well. Pike had Cole young, so he's thirty-eight... to Jordan's eighteen (nineteen, maybe? I can't remember). The first few weeks, Cole is constantly out partying, leaving Jordan at home alone... or sometimes with his dad. They can't help but get to know each other well.
Pike and Jordan's relationship is definitely a slow burn, which took some of the 'weird' factor out of it. Honestly, so did the fact that Jordan and Cole's relationship seemed more like a friendship than anything. Cole wasn't an awful kid- nothing he did was egregious or anything- but I plain didn't like him. He was selfish and immature. Finally, Jordan was just an old soul. She had been through a lot in her years, so it was easy to believe that she just wanted a good life to share with someone, not to be out partying or going on dates like her peers. I didn't really feel the "taboo" factor and while I think that was the intention- because it made their love seem "real"- it also took some of the excitement out of the book. I liked both Jordan and Pike, but neither of them were overly remarkable. They were good, normal, down-to-earth people. I often forgot why they shouldn't be together, and when I was reminded, I'd shrug.
Really, this was a decent story of two people falling in love, but it wasn't much beyond that. Of course, I will continue to love her books, because I still finished this and it very well could be an "it's not you, it's me" thing. I will say this: if you are looking for a taboo read, this probably won't quench your thirst. However, if you are looking for a sweet love story between two unexpected people, there's definitely worse choices out there than this one.
Oh, and Punk 57!! I loved that by Penelope, too! I’d recommend all of the books by her I mentioned in this review :)
I know everything we’re doing is wrong, and I don’t know how I’m going to explain this to anyone, but right here—right now—I don’t want to be anywhere else. I wish I could die as happy as I am right now. In here, in the dead of night, in this dark room, behind a closed door, we don’t need to explain anything to anyone. For just this moment, it’s ours.
pinecone_reader211142's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
3.25
srspaulding's review
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.0