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bumedibum's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
meggie82461's review against another edition
4.0
This latest installment of my favorite shitshows was actually pretty good!
The reason I decided to start this series in the first place was because I respected the risks the authors took. It takes a lot of bravery to write a female character with a sex addiction, and I also think they did a great job with it. They allow the reader to empathize with Lily, while still also having her make mistakes (like lying and alienating her family)... which is how it should be, because addicts are like that. They keep secrets and they prioritize protecting their biggest secret. For many, many years, Lo and Lily chose their addictions over each other. Now that has changed and they have put each other first, but it takes a lot of hard work to overcome their demons and God bless these kids, I love them, but they have never worked hard a day in their lives.
Since this is the 6th book in this world that I have read, I am not going to write a conventional review... it'll just be the things I did and did not like.
What I did like:
-The juxtaposition of how Rose was treated for her sex scandal vs. how it went for Lily... that was tough, but in a very important way. My heart hurt for Lily because she has this real, effortless love... but that isn't what people want to see, so they don't.
-I have always appreciated the nuanced existence of Lo/Ryke's dad. People are rarely fully evil or fully good. He's not a good guy, but that doesn't mean he isn't capable of the right thing at times. You don't see a lot of this moral gray area in romancelandia, so I appreciate this kind of characterization.
-Lily makes some amazing growth and progress in this book, while Lo has regressed a little. Addiction is like this. There are good and bad years.
What I didn't really like
-The authors did a great job of making Jonathan layered, but then they turned around and made Ryke's mom and the Calloway mom very one-dimensional and just predictably evil. Because of how well they did with Lily, I am not going to blame sexism, but it was still disappointing.
-The timeline jumping was bonkers. I understand they didn’t want to rehash things that already happened in Kiss the Sky and Hothouse Flower… except they did sometimes, while at other times they completely jumped over something super important while barely mentioning it in passing. At times it was confusing and disjointed and even a bit stunted.
-I get it. The characters have to make mistakes, otherwise there would be no plot. But I just really, really don't think Rose would ever pressure anyone (especially Lily) to be on a reality TV show... for her fashion line? Lily can barely leave the house. The press hounds her. Daisy isn't even legal. I'm just not buying that after being such a good sister, she would ask Lily to do something that we all know Lily would HATE with every fiber of her being
- On a related note... I absolutely think it was bullshit and un-Ryke-like to not stand up for Lo in the media against those vicious rumors. Lo was right when he said "I wish you could love me more than you hate him."
-Again, I get it. Conflict is needed. But these girls should have cut out their mom a long time ago, especially now that they have fame. They can get money that way. She is responsible for everything bad in their lives, and yet not even Rose sees it. I can only hope karma is coming for her soon.
The reason I decided to start this series in the first place was because I respected the risks the authors took. It takes a lot of bravery to write a female character with a sex addiction, and I also think they did a great job with it. They allow the reader to empathize with Lily, while still also having her make mistakes (like lying and alienating her family)... which is how it should be, because addicts are like that. They keep secrets and they prioritize protecting their biggest secret. For many, many years, Lo and Lily chose their addictions over each other. Now that has changed and they have put each other first, but it takes a lot of hard work to overcome their demons and God bless these kids, I love them, but they have never worked hard a day in their lives.
Since this is the 6th book in this world that I have read, I am not going to write a conventional review... it'll just be the things I did and did not like.
What I did like:
-The juxtaposition of how Rose was treated for her sex scandal vs. how it went for Lily... that was tough, but in a very important way. My heart hurt for Lily because she has this real, effortless love... but that isn't what people want to see, so they don't.
-I have always appreciated the nuanced existence of Lo/Ryke's dad. People are rarely fully evil or fully good. He's not a good guy, but that doesn't mean he isn't capable of the right thing at times. You don't see a lot of this moral gray area in romancelandia, so I appreciate this kind of characterization.
-Lily makes some amazing growth and progress in this book, while Lo has regressed a little. Addiction is like this. There are good and bad years.
What I didn't really like
-The authors did a great job of making Jonathan layered, but then they turned around and made Ryke's mom and the Calloway mom very one-dimensional and just predictably evil. Because of how well they did with Lily, I am not going to blame sexism, but it was still disappointing.
-The timeline jumping was bonkers. I understand they didn’t want to rehash things that already happened in Kiss the Sky and Hothouse Flower… except they did sometimes, while at other times they completely jumped over something super important while barely mentioning it in passing. At times it was confusing and disjointed and even a bit stunted.
-I get it. The characters have to make mistakes, otherwise there would be no plot. But I just really, really don't think Rose would ever pressure anyone (especially Lily) to be on a reality TV show... for her fashion line? Lily can barely leave the house. The press hounds her. Daisy isn't even legal. I'm just not buying that after being such a good sister, she would ask Lily to do something that we all know Lily would HATE with every fiber of her being
- On a related note... I absolutely think it was bullshit and un-Ryke-like to not stand up for Lo in the media against those vicious rumors. Lo was right when he said "I wish you could love me more than you hate him."
-Again, I get it. Conflict is needed. But these girls should have cut out their mom a long time ago, especially now that they have fame. They can get money that way. She is responsible for everything bad in their lives, and yet not even Rose sees it. I can only hope karma is coming for her soon.
petra_d's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- 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
kamma_josefine's review against another edition
3.75
reading this felt like being reunited with family or friends. i enjoyed being back in this universe so much, and i can’t wait to continue with this series. i really connected to the group, because the characters really mean a lot to me now. although sometimes i wish the writing would be a little more descriptive and lyrical, because it tends to go straight to the point with not much else to add - i just think it would give a lot to the story if the storytelling was a bit more immersive and engaging. even though i love lily and lo, i found myself enjoying the group scenes and the scenes involving ryke and daisy a lot more, seeing as they are my favourite couple. i would really recommend this series and book!!
poppyisabella's review against another edition
4.0
i love lily and lo so much but i didn’t like having to revisit the same narrative as the last book
sydneysreads__'s review against another edition
3.0
RATING: THRIVE BY KRISTA AND BECCA RITCHIE
RATING: 3/5 ⭐️
SYNOPSIS: When rumors spread like wildfire—like having three-ways with her boyfriend’s rock climbing brother—Lily Calloway spirals into a dark place. Her bedroom. Loren Hale is more confident and determined to keep their sex life private, even from their friends, and he helps Lily in the only way he knows how. But how much love is too much?
Their lives are filmed, watched, and criticized. And through it all, Lily and Loren have to face enemies they never thought they’d see, demons they don’t know if they should bury, and setbacks they didn’t think they’d meet. Not this soon.
And one rumor could be too much for them to handle. It will test their greatest limitations, and if they don’t hold onto each other, someone is going to drown.
I’M SO GLAD THESE BOOKS ARE ON KU
RATING: 3/5 ⭐️
SYNOPSIS: When rumors spread like wildfire—like having three-ways with her boyfriend’s rock climbing brother—Lily Calloway spirals into a dark place. Her bedroom. Loren Hale is more confident and determined to keep their sex life private, even from their friends, and he helps Lily in the only way he knows how. But how much love is too much?
Their lives are filmed, watched, and criticized. And through it all, Lily and Loren have to face enemies they never thought they’d see, demons they don’t know if they should bury, and setbacks they didn’t think they’d meet. Not this soon.
And one rumor could be too much for them to handle. It will test their greatest limitations, and if they don’t hold onto each other, someone is going to drown.
I’M SO GLAD THESE BOOKS ARE ON KU
bmwiley's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0