Reviews

If I Can’t Have You by Charlotte Levin

Only show reviews with written explanations

molly_x's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-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

3.5

mylifeasjessskincare's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

litwithleigh's review against another edition

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4.0

Writing: solid | Plot: straight forward | Ending: controversial

3.5 rounded up. Phat ass trigger warning: stalking

SYNOPSIS

Constance is in love with Samuel and she doesn't handle rejection very well.

MY OPINION

I solely picked this one up because of the neon orange/pink cover LOL. The story isn't anything innovative, but when I read the prologue at the store, I had to see it through. I mean, the prologue ends with her tooth falling out on the Tube. Say less.

This is told in first-person, but like [b:The Push|52476830|The Push|Ashley Audrain|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1609854219l/52476830._SY75_.jpg|71867231] and [b:Notes on an Execution|57773248|Notes on an Execution|Danya Kukafka|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1631888297l/57773248._SY75_.jpg|90380789], Levin uses "you" when referencing a specific character. In this case, "you" is Dr. Samuel, the world's biggest nepo wanker. IMO this was kinda like [b:Adelaide|60784312|Adelaide|Genevieve Wheeler|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1671529625l/60784312._SY75_.jpg|90680087], but not as whiny (yeah I said it). It has the same theme: women being manipulated by men. While Constance definitely goes off the rails, Charlotte Levin does a great job giving her a sad af backstory that makes you understand why she believes her reaction is totally okey-dokey.

Beyond her tragique backstory, Levin does a great job at blurring the lines between a sympathetic and unhinged maniac character. She's an absolute savage when it comes to her coworkers yet you see a softer side with Edward. And while she's in full delulu mode with Dr. Dickhead, you sometimes feel bad for how he treats her. Also, her predicament with the world's creepiest roommate, Dale, had me screaming #FreeConstance.

As you're reading, you know you're building to something crazy. And it certainly does go buckwild at the end there. However, I wouldn't pick this book up if you need a sense of justice when it's all said and done. I'm not sure how I feel about a certain character dying and another one getting a happy ending... Tbh no one deserved to be riding off into the sunset here.

Anyways, don't pick this up if you're expecting a traditional thriller with lots of twists and turns. This is definitely a character-driven suspense story.

PROS AND CONS

Pros: I liked the writing style, multi-dimensional character, controversial story, great backstory for Constance

Cons: ending was maybe a tad too controversial for me, too long, could be a bit slow in some places

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For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.

karlyo83's review against another edition

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3.0

My Rating system: 3⭐️⭐️⭐️ ticked some boxes but did what I needed it to do ENTERTAIN!!!

They say if you love something let it go… I won’t be doing that. Not now. Not Ever. You made me happy and then you left me - If you love someone NEVER let them go. That’s why for me this is just the beginning, I know you will understand and be happy with me again soon.

Short synopsis because really we all know from the title that this is a stalker novel. It is very much written in the style of [b:You|36430011|You (You, #1)|Caroline Kepnes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1549463282l/36430011._SY75_.jpg|39913517] or [b:Our Kind of Cruelty|36347888|Our Kind of Cruelty|Araminta Hall|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1508947104l/36347888._SX50_.jpg|57520246]. Our narrator Constance has secrets and insecurities but most of all she is desperately lonely. This is the heart of the disaster that is to come.

First of all, this is not a bad 3 stars it is quite simply exactly the story (save for a few surprises) that I thought it would be and exactly what I needed to get through a reading slump of 4DNF in a row. I needed something entertaining and reliable but I knew this would be repetitive and at times annoying. Which by the way it was HOWEVER I knew that going in so while I could easily knock stars off for that I am not going to because like I said I knew what I was getting into and it did entertain me.IF you do not want a repetitive stalker style novel and will end up giving it one star because of this then best steer clear.

The writing was entertaining and kind of addictive, a bit like the addition that Constance has with Samuel. At first she is just drawn to his good looks and is satisfied at just sneaking peeks at him whenever she can. However, Samuel and Constance end up having a night together that means far more to Constance than it does to Samuel. Dreaming of a life together she walks into work the next day (he is a GP in the practice where she is the medical receptionist) expecting a happy welcome. She is greeted by ‘I never promised you anything’ and ‘You knew this was a one time thing right’? AND the kicker ‘We can still be friends right?’ Unable to express herself properly (which in my humble opinion would have been a smack in the mouth and stomping out) Constance agrees well yes in fact they can be friends and she shoves her feelings down her own throat for about one hot minute before she takes some drastic measures.

The story builds and builds and you know something absolutely hectic is going to happen and it doesn’t let you down. It gets a bit unrealistic and out of hand at times HOWEVER like I said I knew what I was in for so I was all in…. Eye roll moments and all!!! You literally want to reach into the book and grab Constance and slap some sense into her but… you gotta let stalkers stalk!!! You do you Boo!!!

It is a bit of a wild right and if you are up for pushing reality out the window and having a really super easy and entertaining read then grab this one as I did for a palette cleanser - some of you may go HELL NO BISH THIS IS MY JAM then right on!!! Get stuck into it!!! But like I said earlier I did warn you, it is repetitive, there are stupid decisions GALORE, eye roll moments and even some super cringy REALLY … oh why moments as well. It gets dark in parts though but absolutely not thriller dark.

Overall, I got what I needed from this one it was well written and seriously if I met the author I would have to ask if she has experience in stalking people cause, girrrrrl you creepy!!!