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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Awful. The last 100 pages are the only redeeming part of this book, which is depressing considering the topic is one that is so worth reading about and delving deeper into the inner workings of. I would genuinely rate the first 3/4ths of the book as 1 star, and then rate the last quarter as 5 stars. The ending tugs at your heartstrings and makes you feel so connected to the main character. The first third is just badly written romance novel. Tedious and drawn out.
I just don't understand why people keep saying that this book has a sad ending, i mean it has a very happy ending, " you can stop swimming now Lily you've reached the shore".
one star off for the how little of Atlas there was. And also maybe for including Ellen DeGeneres (?)
4.5 stars rounded up.
Below is the longest review I’ve written to date here, but my conclusion is that while you can nit pick at many things in this (or any) book, it holds an important and powerful story that should be told and there is much strength and dignity to be gleaned out of it.
What follows is my ramble, written shortly after finishing this.
Binge read this in 2 days. I wouldn’t have been captivated by the first half nor would I have powered through it so fast if I didn’t know there would be some kind of a twist - I informed of the twist, without spoilers, by a friend who recommended it to me (I probably wouldn’t have read it otherwise, given the synopsis makes is sound like a love triangle cliché), though I sort pieced the twist together based on the title and context in the book.
All of that to say, this is an important book. I’ve read a handful of negative reviews before posting this with a myriad of reasons why to hate it, but at the end of the day, I think the book does in fact convey how complex matters of domestic abuse can be.
I particularly enjoyed that all of the major characters had much to be admired and none were overly villainized. I especially appreciated Lily as a main character, who is indeed strong and bold yet not over-the-top independent but also not at all pathetic. I think the most surprising part of this book is how literally every major character is likable! (Before Ryle haters come at me - his actions are despicable, but I think the book shows Lily forgive while setting boundaries that work for her, because he is more than just his mistakes, and I think that’s a worthy and applicable message.)
I’m not saying I didn’t think there were some obnoxious parts of the book (I did not think Ryle begging for sex was compelling, nor was the whole “I’m not into marriage or relationships, but I’m a gift to all women in bed” thing, and I did get sick of the back to back sex scenes around the middle). But there were truly great moments. I love it when Alyssa supports Lily, even at the cost of her brother’s relationship. And my particular favorite was when Lily’s mother notes that Lily, even as a young child, was the only one who ever stood up for her.
As for Atlas, I’ll note that I have not read the second book, but I like that she gets her true chance to be with him (and I was surprised that Lily stated that she would have dropped Ryle early in their “trial run” had she known Atlas was available). I think the book didn’t need him to be great, but I wasn’t mad that he was there in the second half (the endless journals about him served their purpose but felt a bit drawn out too).
Anyways, I think this is a book that will stick with me.
Below is the longest review I’ve written to date here, but my conclusion is that while you can nit pick at many things in this (or any) book, it holds an important and powerful story that should be told and there is much strength and dignity to be gleaned out of it.
What follows is my ramble, written shortly after finishing this.
Binge read this in 2 days. I wouldn’t have been captivated by the first half nor would I have powered through it so fast if I didn’t know there would be some kind of a twist - I informed of the twist, without spoilers, by a friend who recommended it to me (I probably wouldn’t have read it otherwise, given the synopsis makes is sound like a love triangle cliché), though I sort pieced the twist together based on the title and context in the book.
All of that to say, this is an important book. I’ve read a handful of negative reviews before posting this with a myriad of reasons why to hate it, but at the end of the day, I think the book does in fact convey how complex matters of domestic abuse can be.
I particularly enjoyed that all of the major characters had much to be admired and none were overly villainized. I especially appreciated Lily as a main character, who is indeed strong and bold yet not over-the-top independent but also not at all pathetic. I think the most surprising part of this book is how literally every major character is likable! (Before Ryle haters come at me - his actions are despicable, but I think the book shows Lily forgive while setting boundaries that work for her, because he is more than just his mistakes, and I think that’s a worthy and applicable message.)
I’m not saying I didn’t think there were some obnoxious parts of the book (I did not think Ryle begging for sex was compelling, nor was the whole “I’m not into marriage or relationships, but I’m a gift to all women in bed” thing, and I did get sick of the back to back sex scenes around the middle). But there were truly great moments. I love it when Alyssa supports Lily, even at the cost of her brother’s relationship. And my particular favorite was when Lily’s mother notes that Lily, even as a young child, was the only one who ever stood up for her.
As for Atlas, I’ll note that I have not read the second book, but I like that she gets her true chance to be with him (and I was surprised that Lily stated that she would have dropped Ryle early in their “trial run” had she known Atlas was available). I think the book didn’t need him to be great, but I wasn’t mad that he was there in the second half (the endless journals about him served their purpose but felt a bit drawn out too).
Anyways, I think this is a book that will stick with me.
I went into this one blind. All I knew was that it is super popular and is the first in a series. At first I thought it was cheesy. It remained cheesy but got into some tough topics. I do appreciate when a book gives me a new perspective, and I found that here.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the worst book I have read in my entire life, please spare your time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Pregnancy
家暴不能容忍。
五星可能更多是因为家暴这个主题，以及最后的“happy ending”。推荐，但不会重读。
五星可能更多是因为家暴这个主题，以及最后的“happy ending”。推荐，但不会重读。
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced