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sweetcass20's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Toxic relationship
mitsyleigh'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
3.5
Moderate: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
livia3_answorth'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? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Gaslighting, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
emptzuu's review against another edition
The depiction of the cycle of abuse is portrayed without a clear resolution. Lily's relationships with Ryle's sister and best friend intensify this challenge, making it difficult for her to break free from the cycle. The casual discussions about Ryle by Allysa and Marshall, minimizing his abusive tendencies, feel unsettling and fail to provide the necessary support for Lily's healing process. It becomes evident that Lily requires a robust support system to effectively heal, including going no contact with her abuser and anyone associated with him as a crucial first step.
While the portrayal of Lily's legal battle with Ryle may reflect the realistic challenges faced by survivors of abuse, the ending leaves a sense of unease. It's understandable that winning a legal case against Ryle would be arduous, but the narrative's conclusion, with Ryle still involved in Lily's life, raises concerns about the safety of both Lily and her daughter. Lily's continued excuses for Ryle's behavior underscore the lingering impact of abuse and the necessity for her to prioritize her own well-being.
Contrary to the narrative's suggestion, love alone cannot heal the trauma of an abusive relationship, especially when the only common ground is shared trauma. Seeking therapy is crucial for Lily's recovery; relying on Atlas or any external figure won't suffice.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Toxic friendship, and Emotional abuse
kyaranelson'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? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
lovesbug787'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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Abandonment, Cursing, Pregnancy, Addiction, Gaslighting, and Sexual violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Outing, Bullying, Alcohol, Kidnapping, and Mental illness
cam_cameron44's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Alcoholism
chelle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
sjpflock'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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Abandonment
stephanieluxton'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
4.0
This book is different because it jups back and forth between Lily and Atlas's perspectives. I didn't like that very much. It was fairly necessary to tell a bug chunk of the story but I just felt it took away all the tension from their relationship.
That being said, this is not a spicy book. There is very little spice.
This book is about Lily navigating co-parenting with a narcissist and dating again. It's also about Atlas navigating his own problems with his business and family. It's about moving forward after life has been messy and picking up the pieces.
This is one of those books in which the story wasn't stand-out and might not be particularly memorable 6 months from now, but I did enjoy the process of reading it and I do think there's a demographic of people with similar life experiences that it'll really resonate with.
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual assault, Abandonment, and Sexual content