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jpreston's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Violence and Sexual violence
Moderate: Physical abuse and Domestic abuse
Minor: Gaslighting, Child abuse, and Child death
lucykae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Blood, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
leeshy93'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: Death, Grief, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Sexual violence
Minor: Child death and Bullying
merylas'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? Yes
4.5
This is not a love story. This is not a love triangle, will they won’t they. This is a story about domestic abuse.
This is a story about being on the outside and adamantly thinking you’d do something but then reality makes you realize how hard and confusing that really is. Abusers don’t always start as abusers and people you wouldn’t expect can be abusers.
That said, this is a very powerful and well written story. I laughed, I cried, I loved, and I hated.
Things I didn’t love:
- Atlas asking how old Lily was (15 when he was 18), and waiting until she was 16 to have sex. This is never brought up in a sketchy way as Colleen wants you to love Atlas unconditionally, but him coming back on her birthday felt less romantic than she intended.
- I’ve read reviews that said Ryle’s abuse of the chair was foreshadowing of his abuse but that didn’t read to me. That read to me as Ryle letting off anger while alone (or at least he thought he was) at an inanimate object; he purposely chose to release pent up emotion in an environment that would not harm any living creatures. If this was intended as foreshadowing, it was not achieved.
- Atlas and Lily end up together in the epilogue. I think it was unnecessary. They had a bond formed from understanding and abuse; there is definite love there but just learning that they each are safe and successful was enough and could have led to an actual adult friendship.
- Not enough Devin. Loved him, and he could have been someone she leaned on more instead of Atlas (Colleen sort of explained it away but I didn’t really buy it… clearly only having Atlas was meant to show how in love she still is with him)
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Child death
Minor: Infertility
klfipps's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Rape, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
enchantingreads_rosyreviews's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Cycles exist because they are excruciating to break. It takes an astronomical amount of pain and courage to disrupt a familiar pattern."
My first CoHo book and it was a DOOZY, but I loved it! My family has a history of domestic violence survival and this book felt like a celebration to other survivors and their loved ones. The amount of strength Lily and others like her must find within themselves is awe-inspiring.
Hoover wrote a raw, grounded and realistic portrayal of an all-too-common situation. Watching Lily’s personal growth, especially when she is in conflict with herself, and wracking with the morally grey areas life forces us to face, are two elements which make this story uniquely captivating. This book is guaranteed to stay with you. This book was emotional, empowering, devastating, and left me conflicted at times. But all of these things are what make life beautiful. Without the tough times, the great ones are a little less shiny. I can't wait for the movie adaptation of this book!
When I tell you, this book grabbed hold of me and didn’t let go, I MEAN it! This is not some lovey-dovey romance book where they run off into the sunset together and live happily ever after. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pick it up! Instead, this is a grounded, authentic story which brings new meaning to the phrase “every rose has its thorns.”
"15 seconds. That's all it takes to completely change everything about a person. 15 seconds that we'll never get back."
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Gun violence, Abandonment, Bullying, Cursing, Grief, Child death, Death of parent, Rape, and Self harm
kendallhoward's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Minor: Child death and Bullying
heatherchrisman's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Violence, Domestic abuse, Death, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Rape
innae's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Child death
amberjelfs's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gun violence, Child death, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Grief, Rape, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship