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bbygirl21's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
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, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cursing and Mental illness
Minor: Infidelity and Body shaming
abicaro17's review
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
2.75
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: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Body shaming, Cursing, Classism, Emotional abuse, and Religious bigotry
jo22c's review
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
think read this out of morbid curiosity. I already knew wouldn't like the religious aspect but wanted to see how this character worked through the trauma of purity culture. FMC didn't really do much than trade one man telling her what to do for a second one. MMC is ridiculously overbearing. I don't mind protective MMC tropes but this was absurd. He is so crazy possessive that his friends barely want to talk to her and they aren't even together! would be very concerned if one of my friends ended up in a relationship like this. He wants total control of her.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, and Toxic friendship
nyx_999's review
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
3.0
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 and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Religious bigotry
Minor: Infidelity, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
teachreadrepeat's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was... underwhelming. I did like that it called out purity culture, but both Livvy and Cole made me angry. I don't mind friends-to-lovers, but this was more "we've secretly been in love with each other since the day we met but made up stupid internal excuses so we can't be together." That's not the same thing; it felt like one huge miscommunication trope tied to religious beliefs instead which I found incredibly frustrating. Also, there was only 1 real spicy section in the book... I don't NEED copious amounts of spice in a romance book, but the premise of this one kinda calls for it in my opinion. The divorce storyline with Cole's parents also felt odd and did not serve the purpose I think the author wanted it to. From a girl who turned her back on purity culture in her 20s at a private Christian university and really struggled with it, I was hoping for so much more agency from the FMC and fulfillment from both parties involved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexism, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
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