Scan barcode
natafiguu's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
this book was a hard read, it took me over a month to finish. this has to be one of my ultimate favorite fomance books ever. it takes you on a journey and you really watch these characters grow up and change and go through different stages in their lives from highschool all the way to 30. it's such a sweet book, but definitely very sad and i'd say there's less romance at the latter half of the book but it fits the plot in a way. i feel like there definitely could have been more, but at a certain point it's not about the two characters falling in love, it's about the fact that they already recognize the love that they have for each other. i think this is a very special book and i hold it close to my heart, but definitely don't read it if you want an "easy" or light romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, Rape, Infidelity, Alcohol, Addiction, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
crinkledmochi's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I AM GUTTED AND AT A LOSS FOR WORDS THIS IS TRULY A MASTERPIECE
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
icarusfallstan's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have many feelings about this book, I'm all over the place attempting to figure out if I really liked or hated this story, but I will say this book was too addicting to not put down I read it in one sitting.
Jamie and Brecks (B) are the most toxic people I’ve ever read about, but somehow I still found myself rooting for this couple, hoping they would find their way to each other after every heartbreak. This book has something I love, messy characters and non-stop drama filled with so much angst, it perfectly encapsulates the trope: right person, wrong time. It was heartbreaking to watch them miss their opportunity, trying to figure out each other and themselves. The chemistry, tension and smut were so well-written it nearly made me excuse their horrible behaviour. Although I don’t particularly like these characters separately, I loved them together.
The writing was great, it created such an immersive experience and though the extended metaphor for whiskey was a great touch, I felt like it was too overdone. The author did a great job incorporating certain analogies of alcohol into the book, but it became too frequent and that made some parts near the ending feel melodramatic at times. The frequent comparisons to whiskey and addiction became too overbearing, I feel like some parts could’ve been removed and still have just as much impact. The letter aspect in the last chapter also threw me off and felt like it could’ve integrated throughout the way better than it was as it became too much of a cliché.
I wish the characters held themselves accountable more. The book brushed over some aspects where B could’ve been held accountable and possibly learn from her mistakes, but instead it's all avoided and skipped as if everything sorted itself out. Therefore, it was hard for me to believe that they matured and developed as people or in any way whatsoever because they were making the same mistakes they did at 17 years old. They knew what they did was bad, they knew what their toxic tendencies were but still couldn't figure out how to solve their issues? I just don't understand how someone could be so self-aware but yet unaware????
I still gave this book four stars because despite how idiotic B and Jamie acted, I still wanted them to get together, their chemistry was that well written. Especially this scene:
Jamie and Brecks (B) are the most toxic people I’ve ever read about, but somehow I still found myself rooting for this couple, hoping they would find their way to each other after every heartbreak. This book has something I love, messy characters and non-stop drama filled with so much angst, it perfectly encapsulates the trope: right person, wrong time. It was heartbreaking to watch them miss their opportunity, trying to figure out each other and themselves. The chemistry, tension and smut were so well-written it nearly made me excuse their horrible behaviour. Although I don’t particularly like these characters separately, I loved them together.
The writing was great, it created such an immersive experience and though the extended metaphor for whiskey was a great touch, I felt like it was too overdone. The author did a great job incorporating certain analogies of alcohol into the book, but it became too frequent and that made some parts near the ending feel melodramatic at times. The frequent comparisons to whiskey and addiction became too overbearing, I feel like some parts could’ve been removed and still have just as much impact. The letter aspect in the last chapter also threw me off and felt like it could’ve integrated throughout the way better than it was as it became too much of a cliché.
I wish the characters held themselves accountable more. The book brushed over some aspects where B could’ve been held accountable and possibly learn from her mistakes, but instead it's all avoided and skipped as if everything sorted itself out. Therefore, it was hard for me to believe that they matured and developed as people or in any way whatsoever because they were making the same mistakes they did at 17 years old. They knew what they did was bad, they knew what their toxic tendencies were but still couldn't figure out how to solve their issues? I just don't understand how someone could be so self-aware but yet unaware????
I still gave this book four stars because despite how idiotic B and Jamie acted, I still wanted them to get together, their chemistry was that well written. Especially this scene:
“I hate you!” I spat, spinning in place and charging back toward him a few steps. “Go back inside, I’m sure Angel is waiting.”
“Oh, she is.” He grinned, walking with me a few steps more when I started back toward the car. “And I intend to make her wait. All night long. Remember how fun that always was? Making you wait until you couldn’t stand it anymore?” His breath was hot on my neck even as we walked, and though my fists clenched in anger, my thighs clenched in memory. “Making you squirm under my hands, my mouth…”
“Fuck you, Jamie.”
He laughed. "Goddammit, you drive me crazy. You literally make me insane."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Alcohol
Minor: Rape
tianareads's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
If you value your sanity, stay away.
This book evoked a deep rage within me. I was screaming for a good 90% of the book.
I hate love triangles. Absolutely hate them. Imagine my surprise when I go into this book and there’s not only one love triangle, not two love triangles, but FOUR. FOUR. There’s also lots of cheating in this book. I don’t like cheating meaning I don’t like this book. The whole thing is of a shitshow honestly.
I also did not like the characters. They were so stubborn and inconsiderate of the people around them. They could have avoided all of this if they weren’t so stupid.
You know what, I didn’t even like the ending. After all that the author put us through, she could’ve given us a little more at the end.
Rating: 2.5/5
This book evoked a deep rage within me. I was screaming for a good 90% of the book.
I hate love triangles. Absolutely hate them. Imagine my surprise when I go into this book and there’s not only one love triangle, not two love triangles, but FOUR. FOUR. There’s also lots of cheating in this book. I don’t like cheating meaning I don’t like this book. The whole thing is of a shitshow honestly.
I also did not like the characters. They were so stubborn and inconsiderate of the people around them. They could have avoided all of this if they weren’t so stupid.
You know what, I didn’t even like the ending. After all that the author put us through, she could’ve given us a little more at the end.
Rating: 2.5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcohol
More...