Scan barcode
dianaschmidty's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Gore, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Torture, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Toxic relationship, Classism, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Blood, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Misogyny, Confinement, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Infidelity, Stalking, Grief, and Police brutality
Minor: Death of parent, Abortion, and Miscarriage
hannibanani29's review
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Physical abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Cursing, Blood, Confinement, Gaslighting, Gore, Body horror, Pregnancy, Infidelity, and Grief
Minor: Abortion, Vomit, Pedophilia, Alcohol, Miscarriage, Murder, Child abuse, Suicide, Racism, Medical content, and Mental illness
libroswithlexaa's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Abortion, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Stalking, Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Infidelity, Blood, Violence, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
teachreadrepeat's review
- 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
First and foremost, let's get the elephant out of the way. There are graphic, on-page depictions of DV and SA throughout a large portion of this book. This violence is not between the end game couple and is very difficult to stomach, so take care of yourself while reading this one if it's a trigger for you. However, I am so impressed with Ryan's ability to shed light on this very real issue with such care and dignity for victims. DV is an issue that still goes largely ignored and is so often twisted by a society of people who have never experienced it themselves and are unwilling to empathize with those who have. While these scenes are challenging to get through, I think Ryan did a phenomenal job of digging deep into the manipulation tactics that often keep partners trapped in this cycle of abuse. I hope this book also helps victims reconcile what has happened to them OR helps them finally find the courage and ability to walk away for good.
Next, let's discuss August. Oh my good golly gosh!! He is seriously the perfect "man written by a woman." Basketball is one of my favorite sports and it was refreshing to read a sports romance that wasn't hockey (even though I do love me some ice boys as well). August's devotion to Iris was beautiful and heartwrenching and the long journey to the HEA was well worth it in the end.
This book earned 4.5 stars from me simply due to the amount of typos/errors in the KU digital version I read. Even so, I am very excited to continue reading the rest of this series!!
Graphic: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Rape, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abandonment, Blood, Police brutality, and Cursing
anaya_reads's review
- 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
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Rape, Gaslighting, Grief, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, and Pregnancy
coligmueller's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Gore, Medical content, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Vomit, and Gaslighting
kaltenmark24's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Rape, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Violence
naaytaashreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was such a phenomenal read. Like honestly, mind fucking blown.
I saw the reviews, the raved, and of course, it's everywhere on bookstagram. It honestly deserves all the recognition.
This was an amazing read.
I am blown away I do not know where to start with my review.
Firstly, Kennedy Ryan is a brilliant writer.
Her writing was so simple yet so detailed and well planned in everything.
The way she structures her POVS, the balance of the characters, the before, during and after of the whole plotline and how it all strung together was so beautifully crafted.
The focus of the plotline was straight forward and of course, we are handling a lot of dark and heavy topics but the way she lets her story flow and the depth she puts in everything flawlessly.
Her characters, omg amazing.
The focus of the two main characters; Iris and August was a good balance of character development but definitely, we are more focused on Iris.
Following Iris storyline was definitely difficult but so important.
The rawness, honestly and how it's not a perfect development but the truth that parallels to the real world was an eye-opener.
What can we say August is a sweet heart.
Thank God he wasn't really like the typical big shot athlete and focus on all his kind of character.
He was an anchor to Iris character but at the same time Iris bloom independently and uniquely enough he chooses her over all the big wins if you understand what I mean.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series and venture on Kennedy Ryan's other works.
“Fucking Kenan. First, he elbows my head. Now, he blocks my cock.”
Graphic: Death of parent, Physical abuse, Blood, Car accident, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Sexual content, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
thefatpaperback's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Stalking, Torture, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body shaming, Car accident, Death of parent, and Suicidal thoughts
readingismyonlytalent's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence