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jiggenkerry's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
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
3.0
monanava123's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I honestly don’t know how I feel about it. The story gripped me and I wanted to finish it to find out how they got to their HEA. The aftermath of the “bad guys”/ guys who did the most damage to Victor was wrapped up in a paragraph at the end, which was a slight let down. And while I’m happy for these two, the book left me wanting for something more/else.
secret_librarian's review against another edition
5.0
Me and my heart weren’t quite prepared for how devastatingly emotional and angsty this book was, but oh my what an amazing read.
All through the story there was this sense of dread, like I knew something must have happened to Victor that would explain all his habits that were just breaking my heart. It’s definitely a story where I had to pause and take a deep breath before continuing at times, but it was totally captivating and I couldn’t put it down until I had some closure.
Victor was the definition of broken and toxic, but Ethan was just so patient and gentle with him. The connection between them was really intense and the push and pull had my emotions running high. It was such an emotional rollercoaster to see their relationship develop and turn real. My heart broke for both Ethan and Victor and what they had been through, and I desperately hung on to the small glimpses of hope that was offered.
Hold Me Under is a story I will carry with me for a while, and I look forward to seeing what else this author comes up with! I really recommend this story and I hope you’ll get as immersed in it as I was.
All through the story there was this sense of dread, like I knew something must have happened to Victor that would explain all his habits that were just breaking my heart. It’s definitely a story where I had to pause and take a deep breath before continuing at times, but it was totally captivating and I couldn’t put it down until I had some closure.
Victor was the definition of broken and toxic, but Ethan was just so patient and gentle with him. The connection between them was really intense and the push and pull had my emotions running high. It was such an emotional rollercoaster to see their relationship develop and turn real. My heart broke for both Ethan and Victor and what they had been through, and I desperately hung on to the small glimpses of hope that was offered.
Hold Me Under is a story I will carry with me for a while, and I look forward to seeing what else this author comes up with! I really recommend this story and I hope you’ll get as immersed in it as I was.
becksgoesbookish's review
5.0
I’m honestly still not even sure how to write this review because this book was so gut-wrenchingly emotional nothing I write in 5-10 sentences will be able to convey that properly. I’m sure part of that is from the incredible audiobook narration by Michael Gallagher &Theo Sinclair but I'm even more certain that it all stems from the raw and poetic writing from Riley Nash. This was my first Riley read and to say I am now a fan for life is a major understatement.
My bookish friends know I usually keep things light with my reads, and never go for too much angst, but I will forever and always throw those rules right out the window for a few authors and right now Riley is at the top of this list.
At its core, this book is the gritty, painful, and healing story of two broken souls, that have been failed over and over by the systems and people around them, who are thrust together via romance book tropes (fake relationship anyone), and find something beautiful together (codependency who? don’t know them)
I loved every single second
My bookish friends know I usually keep things light with my reads, and never go for too much angst, but I will forever and always throw those rules right out the window for a few authors and right now Riley is at the top of this list.
At its core, this book is the gritty, painful, and healing story of two broken souls, that have been failed over and over by the systems and people around them, who are thrust together via romance book tropes (fake relationship anyone), and find something beautiful together (codependency who? don’t know them)
I loved every single second
teenykins's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing narration from two new to me narrators. They were incredible in portraying the 2 MCs in a story that was complicated, gritty, frustrating, difficult, painful since it deals with hard and dark themes that have shaped the 2 young MCs into two people surrounded by hard walls to protect what they could salvage of their vulnerability, the last dregs of their innocence and sweetness. Despite all that they had gone through, once they started to connect, show their soft underbelly to one another, notice patterns in their behaviour and stand between them and what it could hurt them, the story was also sweet and hopeful and with one of the best exchanges of ILUs that it could have,
Fortify yourself before you start this. The pain it deals to the readers isn't crushing but it is a continuous and deep ache.
Kati has an amazing review here that has pretty much described spot on what my feelings were while listening and after I finished the audiobook!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Fortify yourself before you start this. The pain it deals to the readers isn't crushing but it is a continuous and deep ache.
Kati has an amazing review here that has pretty much described spot on what my feelings were while listening and after I finished the audiobook!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
nzyn's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
book_bermi's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
outlawreader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Holy Fuck
No words. I will never be over this book.
No words. I will never be over this book.