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paperbacksandsnacks's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I picked this book up and then didn’t put it down until hours later when I’d finished it. Are you JOKING? I didn’t sleep!
This is my first Jennifer Hartmann and definitely won’t be the last. The writing style was so so beautiful and poetic. I was emotional the whole way through, seeing the way Halley fought so hard to overcome her harrowing childhood and the way she found a family after all that time. The message of finding the joy in all the little moments (blips) was so poignant too. Capture moments always ❤️
I loved the characters so much, and I was rooting for them all. But the love between Reed and Halley was so palpable I honestly just wanted to wrap them both up and assure them it was all gonna be okay and that they’d be okay in the end. I was also so tense because I just kept waiting for their secret to be revealed and I was preparing for the heartbreak. Just super emotive and deep writing. It felt like more than just an age gap romance. Lots of beautiful quotes and life lessons within.
The warnings for this book are severe. If any theme of abuse is too much for you then I wouldn’t read this. It’s so so sad and doesn’t hide a single reality so please be careful with your hearts ❤️
*I have put adult/minor relationship in the warnings as in this book the FMC starts out being 17 (although the relationship doesn’t fully begin here) for where I live, and the state the story is set this age is legal but I wanted to just put that out there for those of you who may feel differently*
This is my first Jennifer Hartmann and definitely won’t be the last. The writing style was so so beautiful and poetic. I was emotional the whole way through, seeing the way Halley fought so hard to overcome her harrowing childhood and the way she found a family after all that time. The message of finding the joy in all the little moments (blips) was so poignant too. Capture moments always ❤️
I loved the characters so much, and I was rooting for them all. But the love between Reed and Halley was so palpable I honestly just wanted to wrap them both up and assure them it was all gonna be okay and that they’d be okay in the end. I was also so tense because I just kept waiting for their secret to be revealed and I was preparing for the heartbreak. Just super emotive and deep writing. It felt like more than just an age gap romance. Lots of beautiful quotes and life lessons within.
The warnings for this book are severe. If any theme of abuse is too much for you then I wouldn’t read this. It’s so so sad and doesn’t hide a single reality so please be careful with your hearts ❤️
*I have put adult/minor relationship in the warnings as in this book the FMC starts out being 17 (although the relationship doesn’t fully begin here) for where I live, and the state the story is set this age is legal but I wanted to just put that out there for those of you who may feel differently*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Car accident, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Animal death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
bookswithvicky's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I love this story so much! It will break you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
anca_s_books's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
#Review: *Older* - Jennifer Hartmann [18+]
5/5✨
3.5/5🌶️
Oh, my God! This book was wayyy different from everything I've read so far 💙. Thank you so much Jennifer Hartmann and ValentinePR for this copy🫶🏼. Some parts in this book may affect people, touching home violence subjects, abuse and abandonment.
Halley is a young girl who isn't in the best situation. She lives in an abusive house, as her father is often putting his misery on her, by beating her. All this sad baggage makes Halley look older than she actually is, but more beautiful and different at the same time.
Only one night changes everything for Halley and Reed. They have build a strong connection by sharing a beautiful moment together before knowing everything about eachother. Life is definitely not easy for them when Reed learns about her age, also after Halley finds out that he is her best friends dad.
After that moment the slow burn between them was built so damn good. The ideea of this forbidden relationship made me have that knot in my heart. At first, it made me judge them for this forbidden connection but I've started changing my mind with every page I read. The angst was at the highest level and affected me so much, feeling every emotion at the same time with the characters.
I loved the progress Halley did throughout the years and how she fought with her demons. She faced so many rough things that it was impossible to not be affected somehow. But in all those grey and black shades, color starts to slip in and slowly healing her scars.
This book will definitely remain in my heart! 💙 The author writes so beautiful and I'm looking forward to reading the other books I have in my library by her 😊.
Book tropes:
#ForbiddenLove
#SecretRomamce
#AgeGap
#Angst
#Banter
#FathersBestFriend
#CloseProximity
#DualPov
#Violence
5/5✨
3.5/5🌶️
Oh, my God! This book was wayyy different from everything I've read so far 💙. Thank you so much Jennifer Hartmann and ValentinePR for this copy🫶🏼. Some parts in this book may affect people, touching home violence subjects, abuse and abandonment.
Halley is a young girl who isn't in the best situation. She lives in an abusive house, as her father is often putting his misery on her, by beating her. All this sad baggage makes Halley look older than she actually is, but more beautiful and different at the same time.
Only one night changes everything for Halley and Reed. They have build a strong connection by sharing a beautiful moment together before knowing everything about eachother. Life is definitely not easy for them when Reed learns about her age, also after Halley finds out that he is her best friends dad.
After that moment the slow burn between them was built so damn good. The ideea of this forbidden relationship made me have that knot in my heart. At first, it made me judge them for this forbidden connection but I've started changing my mind with every page I read. The angst was at the highest level and affected me so much, feeling every emotion at the same time with the characters.
I loved the progress Halley did throughout the years and how she fought with her demons. She faced so many rough things that it was impossible to not be affected somehow. But in all those grey and black shades, color starts to slip in and slowly healing her scars.
This book will definitely remain in my heart! 💙 The author writes so beautiful and I'm looking forward to reading the other books I have in my library by her 😊.
Book tropes:
#ForbiddenLove
#SecretRomamce
#AgeGap
#Angst
#Banter
#FathersBestFriend
#CloseProximity
#DualPov
#Violence
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Physical abuse, and Abandonment
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