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daniellereadslikealot_'s review
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
What an absolutely beautiful gut punch of a book. It was so easy to fall deeply into this story, as hard as its subject material was to read. The way sexual assault and consent are portrayed in this book are so unbelievably well done. Virginia was a magnificent character. She will stay with me for a very long time. I loved the little vignettes of mythology, especially Medea’s story. It really emphasized how society loves to change women’s stories to fit their narrative or to elevate the male gaze and perspective. I really loved Ro and Lyra so much as secondary characters. As much as I wish books like these weren’t necessary, I’m so glad this one exists in the world. I cried several times and I cannot wait to read what Bruzas writes next. Also, don’t miss the author’s note and please make sure you’re in the best mental health space to read this book. It does not pull punches and rightfully so.
CW: rape, sexual assault, grooming, drug use, underage drinking, infidelity, transphobia, slut shaming, child neglect, pedophilia, homophobia, violence, alcoholism, suicidal ideation
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Death of parent
hobbithopeful's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This isn't a book that everyone should read, but a book that everyone *needs* to read.
Ever Since is a powerful and moving book dealing with topics of grooming, and CSA.
I honestly would not have picked up this book because the topics hit so close to home for me, but it was the book of the month for the local book club I frequent, and I am glad I read it.
I typically do not enjoy books told in the first person, but Bruzas writes so well I knew I was going to love the book after reading the first page. There are times that Virginia has panic attacks, and the sentence structures reflect that and makes you read faster and faster. It was overwhelming, and the most realistic book about CSA that I have read. It also has the best "teenager" depiction, and the way the friend group speaks and acts is very on par.
Books like this are extremely important, for many reasons. A lot of time we have this idea of what a "perfect" victim looks like in our head. Isolated, innocent, we forget that when people endure trauma and abuse they will all react and respond differently. There is no such thing as a perfect victim, people are incredibly complex and abuse and grooming can happen to anyone. When such behaviors aren't "caught" in childhood, people forget that the trauma and abuse doesn't just magically go away when you grow up. Virgina has been so unbearably hurt and abused that she is just trying to survive and cope.
The romance with Rumi hurt so bad, but was so necessary. I think we all have gone through that phase of hoping that someone will come rescue us, or thinking that once we find a certain person everything is going to be okay and we are going to be safe. At the end of the day it is also important to remember that the bar is so low for men, just because they don't abuse you doesn't make them perfect. (Looking back on the book, he was honestly quite a red flag.) That one scene where he just stood there made me so angry and upset. They are all teenagers in this book, and teenagers are messy.
I liked the ending, it is left a bit ambiguous. Different characters are at different places in healing, some not even have come to terms with what happened. I am so glad they all came back together to support each other.
This book hit very close to home for me, and I had to eat a lot of candy to recover.
Be kind to yourself, there are a lot of heavy topics and triggers in this. It is very graphic and extremely hard to read at times. VERY. GRAPHIC. (No seriously, just about every trigger you could think of is in here!)
I will definitely read anything else that Alena Bruzas writes.
Hands down one of the best debut novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
Read this book!
Also l love the cover, there is so much great symbolism there with the overlay showing how she is really feeling. I only wish the font choice for the title is different, it looks like every wedding invitation I've ever seen.
Ever Since is a powerful and moving book dealing with topics of grooming, and CSA.
I honestly would not have picked up this book because the topics hit so close to home for me, but it was the book of the month for the local book club I frequent, and I am glad I read it.
I typically do not enjoy books told in the first person, but Bruzas writes so well I knew I was going to love the book after reading the first page. There are times that Virginia has panic attacks, and the sentence structures reflect that and makes you read faster and faster. It was overwhelming, and the most realistic book about CSA that I have read. It also has the best "teenager" depiction, and the way the friend group speaks and acts is very on par.
Books like this are extremely important, for many reasons. A lot of time we have this idea of what a "perfect" victim looks like in our head. Isolated, innocent, we forget that when people endure trauma and abuse they will all react and respond differently. There is no such thing as a perfect victim, people are incredibly complex and abuse and grooming can happen to anyone. When such behaviors aren't "caught" in childhood, people forget that the trauma and abuse doesn't just magically go away when you grow up. Virgina has been so unbearably hurt and abused that she is just trying to survive and cope.
The romance with Rumi hurt so bad, but was so necessary. I think we all have gone through that phase of hoping that someone will come rescue us, or thinking that once we find a certain person everything is going to be okay and we are going to be safe. At the end of the day it is also important to remember that the bar is so low for men, just because they don't abuse you doesn't make them perfect. (Looking back on the book, he was honestly quite a red flag.) That one scene where he just stood there made me so angry and upset. They are all teenagers in this book, and teenagers are messy.
I liked the ending, it is left a bit ambiguous. Different characters are at different places in healing, some not even have come to terms with what happened. I am so glad they all came back together to support each other.
This book hit very close to home for me, and I had to eat a lot of candy to recover.
Be kind to yourself, there are a lot of heavy topics and triggers in this. It is very graphic and extremely hard to read at times. VERY. GRAPHIC. (No seriously, just about every trigger you could think of is in here!)
I will definitely read anything else that Alena Bruzas writes.
Hands down one of the best debut novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
Read this book!
Also l love the cover, there is so much great symbolism there with the overlay showing how she is really feeling. I only wish the font choice for the title is different, it looks like every wedding invitation I've ever seen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Transphobia
thewordsdevourer's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC
Ever Since is a tough but ultimately rewarding read about realistic, messy characters that takes place over the course of their last summer in high school, a story of abuse and finding one's voice that is needed but will no doubt be challenging a read to many.
The novel, above all else, illustrates the impact of abuse and trauma, the endless cycle or harm and revictimization, and poses the question of how said cycle could ever be broken, when the victim is also so broken. It also effectively depicts the power of safe space: how the existence of one is akin to a lifesaving anchor, and the contrary perpetuates harm. We always hear about how important it is especially for young people to have a safe roof over their heads, and never have I seen this shown so well in a novel as Bruzas does in her book here.
The majority of characters are multidimensional and messy, especially the main character Virginia, but understandably so, particulatly when their circumstances are shed light on towards the end of the story. Nevertheless, understanding the root of Virginia's destructive actions - both unto herself and her supposed dear ones - does not make it any easier to read. On the contrary, I am personally frustrated by the 'hurt people hurt people' adage so encapsulated in the book, knowing it hurts Virginia more than anyone to do what she does, but seemingly impossible to stop doing so.
Which leads to one of my caveats with the novel: it is never explained - at least clearly or in detail - why many of Virginia's harmful actions are done towards the proclaimed important people in her life. Being abused and traumatized make it understandable but not wholly innocent. In my opinion, Virginia should have taken more accountability about the things she did that hurt her friends, because it seems like she gets off scot-free; being a victim does not make her actions absolvable in themselves.
I also think the change in Virginia's psyche and her sense of self-worth is too sudden, finding her voice in one chapter then suddenly feeling invincible the next, when her growth could be a little more scattered throughout. As for the writing, there are definitely powerful moments that are searing and visceral - especially towards the end - but for the most part the short, choppy sentences and frequent breaks in paragraphs read a little juvenile and affect the pacing, though this could have been done to show Virginia's inner psyche.
All in all, Ever Since is a well-intentioned and compelling book whose story may prove challenging to many. The novel is ultimately rewarding, but it is a tough road getting there, especially with some uneven execution.
Ever Since is a tough but ultimately rewarding read about realistic, messy characters that takes place over the course of their last summer in high school, a story of abuse and finding one's voice that is needed but will no doubt be challenging a read to many.
The novel, above all else, illustrates the impact of abuse and trauma, the endless cycle or harm and revictimization, and poses the question of how said cycle could ever be broken, when the victim is also so broken. It also effectively depicts the power of safe space: how the existence of one is akin to a lifesaving anchor, and the contrary perpetuates harm. We always hear about how important it is especially for young people to have a safe roof over their heads, and never have I seen this shown so well in a novel as Bruzas does in her book here.
The majority of characters are multidimensional and messy, especially the main character Virginia, but understandably so, particulatly when their circumstances are shed light on towards the end of the story. Nevertheless, understanding the root of Virginia's destructive actions - both unto herself and her supposed dear ones - does not make it any easier to read. On the contrary, I am personally frustrated by the 'hurt people hurt people' adage so encapsulated in the book, knowing it hurts Virginia more than anyone to do what she does, but seemingly impossible to stop doing so.
Which leads to one of my caveats with the novel: it is never explained - at least clearly or in detail - why many of Virginia's harmful actions are done towards the proclaimed important people in her life. Being abused and traumatized make it understandable but not wholly innocent. In my opinion, Virginia should have taken more accountability about the things she did that hurt her friends, because it seems like she gets off scot-free; being a victim does not make her actions absolvable in themselves.
I also think the change in Virginia's psyche and her sense of self-worth is too sudden, finding her voice in one chapter then suddenly feeling invincible the next, when her growth could be a little more scattered throughout. As for the writing, there are definitely powerful moments that are searing and visceral - especially towards the end - but for the most part the short, choppy sentences and frequent breaks in paragraphs read a little juvenile and affect the pacing, though this could have been done to show Virginia's inner psyche.
All in all, Ever Since is a well-intentioned and compelling book whose story may prove challenging to many. The novel is ultimately rewarding, but it is a tough road getting there, especially with some uneven execution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Transphobia and Abortion
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers for the eARC! All opinions expressed are my own.
Wow this was a powerful, heartbreaking, emotional novel! The writing was beautiful and lyrical which pulled me in right away and held my attention; I was so drawn in that I didn’t notice the passing of time or how many pages I’d read. The writing style using repetitive phrasing was also a great demonstration of spiraling thoughts and anxiety/panic attacks especially for someone dealing with the aftermath of trauma.
I loved the characters for the most part, they had a lot of ups and downs with each other but their friendships and character development was excellent! Throughout the book, the MC Virginia also weaves in stories of powerful women in mythology such as Medea and Sita. I thought this was an interesting way to show the growing power Virginia has in using her voice!
Overall a heavy novel but wonderfully written and I think also an important story. Ever Since is definitely a contender for fave of the month and I can’t wait to add a physical copy to my shelves!
Additional TW/CW: child sexual abuse, grooming, underage drinking, neglect
Additional TW/CW: child sexual abuse, grooming, underage drinking, neglect
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Infidelity
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Violence
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