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tenderbench's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Violence, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Infertility
daisycantread24's review
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Blood, Suicide, Violence, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
kbairbooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
I have too much to say so I need to get this out of the way first. I am so unbelievably blessed to be a part of Amy’s arc team. I got an early copy of Keepsake in exchange for an honest review.
I am enraptured. I thought I saw someone say this as well, but the way this book broke me and then put me back together and gave me a kiss on the head was every f****** thing. I don’t even know how to describe how special this book was, how well it talked about grief, and how grief presents differently in different people. The difficulties of family and the tragedies we experience in life and the small moments that bring people together and the way hard conversations are necessary, but can also be healing and the hardest thing you’ve ever done at the same time. It was vulnerability and kindness and fear and failure and joy and elation and love and hurt and suffering all wrapped into one incredible story.
For the first 30% of the book I thought I wasn’t Vibing with the story. Keyword being I thought. It felt cold to me and I wasn’t connecting with the characters and I wasn’t sure how the story was going to go for me. But then the tables turned, and I’m not gonna spoil it here, but there was one specific moment that happened that completely changed the game for me. I loved, loved, loved seeing how the characters grew together, watched their love grow, their connections grow and it was just so beautiful. All the talk of therapy and healing and again it was just incredible. This is one of those books that’s going to stick with me long after I’ve read it and I am so thrilled and blessed to have been able to read it. Amy, I am in awe of you.
I am enraptured. I thought I saw someone say this as well, but the way this book broke me and then put me back together and gave me a kiss on the head was every f****** thing. I don’t even know how to describe how special this book was, how well it talked about grief, and how grief presents differently in different people. The difficulties of family and the tragedies we experience in life and the small moments that bring people together and the way hard conversations are necessary, but can also be healing and the hardest thing you’ve ever done at the same time. It was vulnerability and kindness and fear and failure and joy and elation and love and hurt and suffering all wrapped into one incredible story.
For the first 30% of the book I thought I wasn’t Vibing with the story. Keyword being I thought. It felt cold to me and I wasn’t connecting with the characters and I wasn’t sure how the story was going to go for me. But then the tables turned, and I’m not gonna spoil it here, but there was one specific moment that happened that completely changed the game for me. I loved, loved, loved seeing how the characters grew together, watched their love grow, their connections grow and it was just so beautiful. All the talk of therapy and healing and again it was just incredible. This is one of those books that’s going to stick with me long after I’ve read it and I am so thrilled and blessed to have been able to read it. Amy, I am in awe of you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Grief, Infertility, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, and Classism
Endometriosis rep, mental health/anxiety rep, grief, trauma, family, latine characterswhat_karla_reads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Mental illness, and Suicide
Minor: Emotional abuse
booksandcurlz's review
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-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
5.0
This story captured me from the first chapter. I loved Logan from the moment she was introduced and I loved Alvaro alias “El Toro” even more. The story doesn‘t just focus just on their romance, but on how much support there was between them, how they tagged team dealing with the Dash, Vienna, and Lachlan, as well as how they navigated the relationship with Alvaro’s parents. The mental health rep in this one is amazing, so relateable to those who suffer anxiety and depression. Especially since Logan carried a lot of insecurities around not being likable and screwing up and Alvaro was there every step just giving her words of encouragement and helping de-escalate when Logan’s anxiety would overtake her.
Let’s get to the good stuff shall we…
What I ♥️
♥️ Logan - there are so many parts of this FMC that I identify with. Her middle name was preparation and that is totally how I operate, when something unfamiliar gets thrown at me, I will basically stop my entire life to learn as much as possible, because I would rather be caught dead than unprepared. I also identify with her anxiety, with how her success is perceived by other people.
♥️ Alvaro “El Toro” - He is broken, hurt, has so much grief that I connect with, yet he is just so supportive of Logan, from getting his parents to stop fighting Logan for the kids, to co-parenting, to always having encouraging words for when Logan felt inadequate. He calls Logan Jefa, and after that he could do no harm.
♥️ The development of the family dynamics was amazing in this book, especially after everything that happened as well as the trauma and grief that everyone of these characters was processing throughout the book.
♥️ The tension - friends, the tension build up on this one was GOOD, real good.
Who is this for? If you like:
❤️🔥 Slow burn romance
✨ Legal guardians
🥊 Retired MMA fighter MMC.
♥️ Age gap (16 years)
✨ Forced Proximity
🛏️ One Bed
✨ Mental Health
And much, much more
I would like to thank the author Amy Oliveira for this eARC.
And much, much more
I would like to thank the author Amy Oliveira for this eARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Mental illness
Moderate: Infertility and Suicide
Minor: Domestic abuse
addydeejreads's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
- 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
4.75
I can say with 100% confidence that I haven't read a story by Amy Oliveira that I didn't like. She has explored romance in many ways and Keepsake is one of the darker stories told.
A story of loss at it's core and the ways in which that loss is processed. We get glimpses into each of these characters as their lives get upended and they need to figure out the changes that are happening and how to deal with them.
Sofia was a mom, a sister, a best friend, wife and daughter...but she couldn't stay. Now her family has to deal with the aftermath.
It's messy for sure and I loved every bit of it. Every time they messed up but didn't give up. every time the kids opened up just a little bit, every time Alvaro and Logan shared a look. Oof it tore at my heartstrings. And it was sexy as hell.
Mental health is a huge part of this story, and that's something I was so excited to see. Because this revolves around a latine family, I knew there was going to be some pushback and that resonated so much. Too proud to see the abuse, too proud to ask for help, too proud to admit mistakes. It was triggering but I also felt seen. It was approached with care and even if I didn't always agree with the decisions the characters made, I saw why those mistakes needed to be made and ultimately helped them to grow.
Dashiell. I've never liked a teenager so much in a book. I felt his loss, his need to be an adult and protect his siblings from harm. I also felt his resistance to the change, reluctance to let anyone in despite wanting to let them in.
SPOILER!
...
"He was pierced. He was pierced. He. Was. Pierced." Will forever live rent free in my mind.
Please check the content warnings as the topics discussed can and might be triggering to some. Take care of yourselves and your mental health.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A story of loss at it's core and the ways in which that loss is processed. We get glimpses into each of these characters as their lives get upended and they need to figure out the changes that are happening and how to deal with them.
Sofia was a mom, a sister, a best friend, wife and daughter...but she couldn't stay. Now her family has to deal with the aftermath.
It's messy for sure and I loved every bit of it. Every time they messed up but didn't give up. every time the kids opened up just a little bit, every time Alvaro and Logan shared a look. Oof it tore at my heartstrings. And it was sexy as hell.
Mental health is a huge part of this story, and that's something I was so excited to see. Because this revolves around a latine family, I knew there was going to be some pushback and that resonated so much. Too proud to see the abuse, too proud to ask for help, too proud to admit mistakes. It was triggering but I also felt seen. It was approached with care and even if I didn't always agree with the decisions the characters made, I saw why those mistakes needed to be made and ultimately helped them to grow.
Dashiell. I've never liked a teenager so much in a book. I felt his loss, his need to be an adult and protect his siblings from harm. I also felt his resistance to the change, reluctance to let anyone in despite wanting to let them in.
SPOILER!
...
"He was pierced. He was pierced. He. Was. Pierced." Will forever live rent free in my mind.
Please check the content warnings as the topics discussed can and might be triggering to some. Take care of yourselves and your mental health.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Death of parent, Grief, and Violence
bittersweetcritiques's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Violence, and Domestic abuse
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