Scan barcode
blovell5's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
emmytig93's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
So I want to start my review with this. Everyone likes different things. Objectively this book wasn’t bad, but it sure wasn’t my cup of tea. I couldn’t connect with August or Iris. I felt for Iris, I really did, but the on page SA and abuse was too much for me. I understand why it was on page, but it definitely affected my feelings on this book. If you are someone who really enjoyed this book that is great. I unfortunately did not, and it was hard for me to finish. I also really think there should be a bigger trigger warning in the front of this book. The one that is there didn’t convey what Iris was going to go through. If this is on your TBR, please don’t take my review as negative, and give it a shot. You might enjoy it and it be exactly what you like. Just make sure you go in with open eyes of what is on page and honestly pretty graphic at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: Gaslighting
claureading's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I have to say that this rating is no way the author’s fault. I love Kennedy Ryan’s writing! I just didn’t do enough research on the book before starting it and I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I saw it recommended as a sport’s romance and immediately downloaded it on my kindle. Should’ve looked up trigger warnings first. Still, I found it difficult to connect with some characters because of the dialogue, it didn’t really feel natural to me. Anyway, I do think the abuse and circumstances of the FMC were very well represented and felt very real. I really connected with the book in that aspect, and I feel it is the only romance out there (that I’ve read) that takes the matter seriously and handles it well. Still, don’t be like me and check TW so you know what to expect. This is in no way a fun fluffy sports romance!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual harassment, Violence, Misogyny, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Grief, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Stalking
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Medical content
Minor: Racism, Car accident, Infidelity, and Mental illness
livimartinez's review against another edition
dark
reflective
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
4.5
This book was HEAVY. The subject material was something that too many woman experience and face, but it drags you in. I sat and read with disgust and frustration for Caleb's character and actions, but in true Kennedy Ryan fashion, she broke my heart and rebuilt it within a few pages. Iris's story is one of many that domestic violence victims all over have known too well, but I hope that every woman who has struggled with something like this finds their August. My favorite part of this book was the focus and emphasis on empowerment and healing. To not just go from one man to the next, but to find yourself and security along the way. Beautiful series and officially cemented KR as a top author for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
cathyo_113's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
I love this book, but also finding myself wanting to chuck it against the wall. I don’t think this is a Romance book. The first half the book is spent showing how Iris and August are living separate lives and come together at different points with a deep connection and tension between them. Theirs is a love story. It’s heartbreaking and for Iris, tragic, but ultimately this is not a romance novel. There is no happy ending or happy for now for both characters before the epilogue. There’s certainly resolution of a major plot point for the MMCs. But really, this is a contemporary sports fiction novel with romantic elements and an emotional love story between the main characters at the heart.
I never felt - from the start of the book - that Iris was in love with Caleb.I also never understood why her character would willingly choose to have a baby with a man who, for all intents and purposes in this book, sounds like he sabotaged their contraceptives. For all her grandstanding to August about what an independent woman she was she caved when she found out she was pregnant with someone who she barely liked.
There are descriptive depictions of physical and emotional abuse, rape, and sodomy against the FMC. Yes, there is a trigger warning at the start of the book about intimate partner violence but, this was hard to read and, admittedly I skipped those parts of the book to finish the book and intermittently went back to read/skim for context.
I’m bothered that the real love story for Iris and August, where they can truly be together and with each other is comprised of 144 pages (prior to the Epilogue) while 264 pages are dedicated to detailing Iris’ toxic relationship with Caleb, including detailed pages of the intimate partner violence Iris suffers, and August’s pining for Iris while seeking physical pleasure with other women. 36 pages are dedicated to the epilogue and bonus epilogue where the HEA/HFN happen.
Again, I loved the writing and story telling in the book. I kept turning each page because I had to know what was happening. But I just wish this would have been a duet rather than this all-in one story.
I never felt - from the start of the book - that Iris was in love with Caleb.
There are descriptive depictions of physical and emotional abuse, rape, and sodomy against the FMC. Yes, there is a trigger warning at the start of the book about intimate partner violence but, this was hard to read and, admittedly I skipped those parts of the book to finish the book and intermittently went back to read/skim for context.
I’m bothered that the real love story for Iris and August, where they can truly be together and with each other is comprised of 144 pages (prior to the Epilogue) while 264 pages are dedicated to detailing Iris’ toxic relationship with Caleb, including detailed pages of the intimate partner violence Iris suffers, and August’s pining for Iris while seeking physical pleasure with other women. 36 pages are dedicated to the epilogue and bonus epilogue where the HEA/HFN happen.
Again, I loved the writing and story telling in the book. I kept turning each page because I had to know what was happening. But I just wish this would have been a duet rather than this all-in one story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Death, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Stalking, and Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
lovethyshelfie's review against another edition
I feel bamboozled. This is not the sweet, second chance romance I thought I was getting. The MC's spend 65% of the book separated and when they do finally get together, it feels manipulative. August kept pushing himself into Iris' life but he did it in such a way that it was meant to be seen as sweet, especially when compared to his counterpart, Caleb's, actions. BUT in reality, it was just another form of manipulation. The on page domestic violence and rape was shocking. There were no trigger warnings in the book and nothing to hint at the brutality within the pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Rape, Violence, and Gun violence
thetaylatrese's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Mental illness, and Confinement
Minor: Death
n_malin_p's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent, Confinement, Gaslighting, Racism, and Vomit
Minor: Vomit and Grief
karataylor's review against another edition
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Gun violence, Torture, Rape, Domestic abuse, Blood, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Stalking, and Gaslighting
the booktok girlies need to give TWs and also seek therapy!!!!sydnees's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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
Wow. Just… wow. This was by far the most powerful, heartbreaking and well written book I’ve read in ages.
I jumped into this book completely blind, it looked like a sports romance but I was pleasantly surprised by the gut wrenching story I was in for instead. Kennedy Ryan is a new author to me but I cannot wait to read the rest of this series and the other books I have by her already on my physical tbr.
Iris is the strongest FMC I’ve ever read, and her story was so horrifically yet so beautifully written.
PLEASE read TW before reading! (I don’t have any TW which is why I don’t do this) Without reading the blurb, this book looks like any normal sports romance by its cover, but it is not. This books main focus is domestic violence and has extremely triggering instances throughout the entirety of the book consisting of heavily detailed SA and physical abuse by the FMC’s husband (not the MMC).
That being said, I loved this book and am so grateful for Kennedy for writing this story. It needed to be told. 🖤
I jumped into this book completely blind, it looked like a sports romance but I was pleasantly surprised by the gut wrenching story I was in for instead. Kennedy Ryan is a new author to me but I cannot wait to read the rest of this series and the other books I have by her already on my physical tbr.
Iris is the strongest FMC I’ve ever read, and her story was so horrifically yet so beautifully written.
PLEASE read TW before reading! (I don’t have any TW which is why I don’t do this) Without reading the blurb, this book looks like any normal sports romance by its cover, but it is not. This books main focus is domestic violence and has extremely triggering instances throughout the entirety of the book consisting of heavily detailed SA and physical abuse by the FMC’s husband (not the MMC).
That being said, I loved this book and am so grateful for Kennedy for writing this story. It needed to be told. 🖤
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Death, Murder, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Infidelity