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karlapardo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Before I start the review, here’s a reminder to CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. I didn’t necessarily pay attention to them because I know I can read rough topics but please check the trigger warnings.
This book was just heart wrenching. I had high expectations for this book because I know a few people who loved it and it did not disappoint. It is a very rough read though (second book is rougher just letting you know). Also, we have to keep in mind that these characters are teenagers, they are not adults. We can’t expect teenagers to act like adults. Their behaviors are very fit for their age and in some circumstances (not all of them) they are very mature but they are not adults. It’s a book you can’t put down. It is very long but it just doesn’t feel like it is. I devoured it in 2 days so if you haven’t read it because of the length please read it. It is very long for good reason, trust me. This book is made for the reader to love or hate every single character on it. It is not just a love story. You will come to love the side characters in this story because the author took her time and made you love them. That’s why this book is so long. We get to actually know who these people are and not just because of their relationship with Johnny and Shannon, we love them as them. Now, let’s talk characters.
Johnny, this boy is such a good character. He is going through some things because of an injury and he is struggling. He loves rugby and would do anything and everything to play, including hurting himself more than he already is. But when he meets Shannon and starts knowing her that changes a little bit, not a lot, but he does. He is an overthinker through and through. He will worry, A LOT. And I love him for that. He knows his girl. He knows something is wrong because he overthinks it and worries. He knows he has to protect her because he knows something is wrong, he just doesn’t know what. He loves Shannon so much that it’s overwhelming. He has so many incredible relationships with the other characters too, it’s truly beautiful to read. His relationship with Gibsie it’s my favorite, you can feel the love those two have for each other. His relationship with his parents (especially after surgery) it’s also so heartwarming to see. You can feel his character struggle so much with his own feelings that as readers you begin to feel those struggles. He loves Shannon and would do anything and everything is his power to keep her safe.
Shannon. Wow, such a horrible story. This girl has been through hell and back so many times. She thinks she is not strong or worth something good but she is so strong and a survivor in every sense of the world. She struggles a lot, she can’t seem to find her strength to stand up for herself because she has learned that if she does that she will be put through so much pain. She has learned to survive and survive only. We can see this girl’s development but it is very slow, she is very adamant to not develop in a way because she knows that will make it worse. Her love for Johnny it’s so strong to the point of it being the only reason why she is alive. Her love for Johnny is truly her anchor and strength.
The side characters. There is no way that we did not fall in love with these characters. Gibsie, Joey, Claire, Mammy K, Aoife, Lizzie, John Sr, Feely. And there is no way we did not hate Teddy, Bella, Cormac, Ronan.
I loved this book as well as the second one. HAVE THE SECOND ON HAND BECAUSE THERE IS A CLIFFHANGER. I would reread it but definitely not soon. It is very emotionally draining (keep that in mind)
Graphic: Cursing, Bullying, Blood, Misogyny, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Physical abuse, Medical content, Domestic abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Alcoholism, Vomit, and Miscarriage
Minor: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Rape
notyourbai's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Blood, Vomit, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity, Drug use, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
clara01's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Blood, Child abuse, Violence, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Addiction, Domestic abuse, and Bullying
Moderate: Body shaming, Vomit, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage
Minor: Sexual harassment, Suicide, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, and Eating disorder
3r1n_gr4c3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Violence, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Abandonment, Bullying, and Child abuse
Minor: Mental illness and Miscarriage
bcurandell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Drug use, Vomit, Violence, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Child abuse, and Rape
moonylovesstars's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Drug use, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Sexual harassment, and Abandonment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
sandhyaa's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
the author writes this book (and the sequel) amazingly. she managed to capture attention for 600 pages!! I would not have known this wasn't an e book cause I was zooming through it. if you like wattpad, you'll like this 👍🏼
special shout out to gussie
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Vomit
Minor: Homophobia, Rape, Mental illness, Gaslighting, and Drug use
entrophie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Vomit, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Alcoholism, Drug use, Violence, and Addiction
Moderate: Sexual assault
princessrosepr13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug use
emilyreads15's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Let me just say that this is the slowest slowburn of all slowburns to ever exist. It took all my patience and I found myself yelling at the book a lot. Anyways what a cliffhanger. I need book 2 asap.
Giving this a 4.5 just bc it was such a long book for the very little amount of actual relationship time they had. But who cares because I loved it anyways and is a new sports romance fav of mine.
Now I need to decide if I want to but the kindle version of book 2 so I can have it now or get the physical copy that I really want even though it won’t come until Sunday.
If you have a high patience tolerance then read this book asap. Thank you so much to my bestie, Lex for recommending this to me.
Also please check TW before reading this book 🫶🏻
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Physical abuse, and Medical content
Moderate: Cursing, Blood, Body shaming, and Drug use
Minor: Miscarriage, Rape, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment