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emotional
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
"...there’s something hauntingly melancholy about loving something that I was coerced into believing, something I didn’t even understand."
I went into this expecting a quick, easy, sweet romance and it definitely delivered on that (especially as I always adore a friens-to-lovers trope), but it also had a lot more depth than I was expecting and had some really great conversations around self-worth, growing up, and of course purity culture and religion more widely. I loved Livvy's character from the start and, while it took a while for me to warm to Cole and I don't love the whole possessive-obsessive-guy thing, I did end up really rooting for them and I liked the direction their story took. The side characters were also great and more fleshed-out than I would've expected from such a short book, and I particularly adored Mari (though I did feel cheated that we never got to meet Livvy's mom!).
I just wish that the events of the book had been a bit more spread out and that more time had been given to Livvy exploring herself and her wants outside of Cole, and also that there had been a few more flashbacks to the last year or so of her life - even just another 50 pages could've really added that extra layer to things and made the ending that much more satisfying. It also bugs me that this is marketed as a college romance when it's not set at a college and the main characters didn't go to college together nor are both still in college......luckily that wasn't the element I was in it for, but definitely don't go in expecting college vibes!
I went into this expecting a quick, easy, sweet romance and it definitely delivered on that (especially as I always adore a friens-to-lovers trope), but it also had a lot more depth than I was expecting and had some really great conversations around self-worth, growing up, and of course purity culture and religion more widely. I loved Livvy's character from the start and, while it took a while for me to warm to Cole and I don't love the whole possessive-obsessive-guy thing, I did end up really rooting for them and I liked the direction their story took. The side characters were also great and more fleshed-out than I would've expected from such a short book, and I particularly adored Mari (though I did feel cheated that we never got to meet Livvy's mom!).
I just wish that the events of the book had been a bit more spread out and that more time had been given to Livvy exploring herself and her wants outside of Cole, and also that there had been a few more flashbacks to the last year or so of her life - even just another 50 pages could've really added that extra layer to things and made the ending that much more satisfying. It also bugs me that this is marketed as a college romance when it's not set at a college and the main characters didn't go to college together nor are both still in college......luckily that wasn't the element I was in it for, but definitely don't go in expecting college vibes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child abuse, Infidelity
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So I liked this book. But there was quite a bit a didn't enjoy. I didn't like the characters. They both irritated me.
I found it really difficult to get through the sex scenes. Honestly this book could've done without those two scenes. I never say that about scenes like that, but in this case, I would've preferred not to have read them.
The last 20% or so is in my opinion the best part. We actually find out what really went wrong in Cole's parents relationship/marriage(although I still wish there were more about that with how much it affected Cole).
Livvy also stands up for herself to her dad. But again, I wish we had seen more of how Livvy's parents(dad specifically) coped with Livvy straying from their church and looking for other churches. I would've liked to see which church she ended up choosing. And if she and her family stick together despite differences in religious opinions.
The bonus epilogue didn't really add much either. It wouldn't be necessary to get the epilogue since it's basically just an extra sex scene and definitely not needed.
I do plan on reading at least the second book at some point which follows Livvy's sister. The first book just wasn't for me. I don't think I'll be picking this book up again and I don't think I'll recommend it either.
I found it really difficult to get through the sex scenes. Honestly this book could've done without those two scenes. I never say that about scenes like that, but in this case, I would've preferred not to have read them.
The last 20% or so is in my opinion the best part. We actually find out what really went wrong in Cole's parents relationship/marriage(although I still wish there were more about that with how much it affected Cole).
Livvy also stands up for herself to her dad. But again, I wish we had seen more of how Livvy's parents(dad specifically) coped with Livvy straying from their church and looking for other churches. I would've liked to see which church she ended up choosing. And if she and her family stick together despite differences in religious opinions.
The bonus epilogue didn't really add much either. It wouldn't be necessary to get the epilogue since it's basically just an extra sex scene and definitely not needed.
I do plan on reading at least the second book at some point which follows Livvy's sister. The first book just wasn't for me. I don't think I'll be picking this book up again and I don't think I'll recommend it either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Mental illness
Minor: Body shaming, Infidelity
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In theory its cute but both characters need serious therapy. Like watching them get back together was almost painful. They're cute sure and the message about doing something new without abandoning who you are is great. Its just kind of a boring and unbelievable way to do it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Classism
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
What stood out positively in this story for me was how self-reflective both MCs were and thank you to the author for making them really good at communication, not only in a sexual context(about their desires, safe-words and so on), but also in general when it came to their feelings.
Another big plus was the way the mMC loves how the fMC is a bigger girl and notices/loves small details like the soft belly or the jiggling thighs.
These where the things making this book stand out positively in the new adult romance genre.
(Even if I was hesitant to pick this book up because of religion being a main topic especially the extreme sides like purity culture and while I am more critical towards it than how the author portayed this way of life I still found it interesting to read about it and how there were different characters with differents views on it portrayed in this book. Even if I almost dnf because of the amount of religious bigotry.)
It still felt like the story could have needed a little bit more polishing (e.g. a bit more character depth, more of them as "united front" so not only the unhealthy part of their relationship is portrayed and other stuff) but as I have not read something similar this story was interesting.
Spice(quantity&quality):
2/5
only few scenes but definitely not pg-13 while still having room to improve
Another big plus was the way the mMC loves how the fMC is a bigger girl and notices/loves small details like the soft belly or the jiggling thighs.
These where the things making this book stand out positively in the new adult romance genre.
(Even if I was hesitant to pick this book up because of religion being a main topic especially the extreme sides like purity culture and while I am more critical towards it than how the author portayed this way of life I still found it interesting to read about it and how there were different characters with differents views on it portrayed in this book. Even if I almost dnf because of the amount of religious bigotry.)
It still felt like the story could have needed a little bit more polishing (e.g. a bit more character depth, more of them as "united front" so not only the unhealthy part of their relationship is portrayed and other stuff) but as I have not read something similar this story was interesting.
Spice(quantity&quality):
2/5
only few scenes but definitely not pg-13 while still having room to improve
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Religious bigotry
Minor: Body horror, Body shaming, Cursing, Drug use, Infidelity, Misogyny, Alcohol
emotional
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual content
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
lighthearted
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Infidelity
emotional
tense
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
I love an angst filled, steamy, romance novel, and this was exactly that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Alcohol
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
Not bad but not a fan.
2½ smut scenes. 2 spicy scenes. One good sex scene.
I had a hard time not taking brakes in the first 100 pages or so.
I actually didn't know how heavy this book is on Christianity and purity culture until read the foreword. I still read it and no bad feelings about it.
2½ smut scenes. 2 spicy scenes. One good sex scene.
I had a hard time not taking brakes in the first 100 pages or so.
I actually didn't know how heavy this book is on Christianity and purity culture until read the foreword. I still read it and no bad feelings about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship
Minor: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
2.75/5 ⭐️’s
I’m shaking. I’m actually shaking…from a kiss.
My relationship this book is a mess. One minute I like it the next I want to bang my head against the wall and throw my kindle. I came across Purity on Booktok yesterday and immediately downloaded it after reading a singular quote. I really need to start doing more research because I could have helped lower my expectations.
This whole book centers on purity culture. I’m an atheist who has never practiced religion so there was never that aspect of truly understanding what our main character Livvy was struggling with. Still, I understood the heart of what she was saying, that society is not only incredibly toxic but also loves a good double standard. Even while being non-religious there are so things on Libby’s ‘Summer before Senior year of college Impurity List’ that made me scratch my head but it wasn’t that big of deal since it wasn’t an important part of the plot.
My main disappointment and frustration with this book is that Livvy and Cole exhibited some of the best communication skills I’ve seen in a romance book while simultaneously never actually communicating about things that matter. There was a few times where I thought it was legit dream sequence because the things they were saying was far fetched (and no I’m not even talking about the spicy things, those were fine).
Cole…he is incredibly toxic and possessive. I like my heroes and heroines morally grey most of the time but he was getting on my nerves. As was Livvy. I was rooting for her to stand up for herself and stop being so passive—but when she did I still felt like could have done better. Same thing with Cole. He went through some development that I appreciated but it all felt too fast. I’ll excuse that because the book itself is only 200 pages but I just wish the pacing was more even.
I’m not sure if I’ll continue with the next book in the series—I believe it’s about Livvy’s younger sister Vanessa but who knows. The short chapters and writing makes reading a breeze but I’m worried that it’s just going to be a repeat of this book (innocent naive girl x playboy douche bag). That trope is a fun guilty pleasure but sadly this book wasn’t that fun.
The 🌶 was excellent though. Got a lot spicier than I thought it would. I also did genuinely like the characters together when they weren’t being idiots. There were a few adorable scenes between the pair and I wish that energy would have stayed for the rest of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Mental illness