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kawehi1226's review against another edition
5.0
loved
I love Kristen’s books. This one is one of my favs so far. She never disappoints! She hits deep subjects but with truth, grace, and fire.
What’s next Kristen?
I love Kristen’s books. This one is one of my favs so far. She never disappoints! She hits deep subjects but with truth, grace, and fire.
What’s next Kristen?
lauren_soderberg's review against another edition
5.0
This novel packs a punch, literally and figuratively. I knew that once I got to TJ's story I would probably feel the most feels, and I was totally right. There are many emotional moments that are difficult to read. This is not a pretty novel; it discusses some really dark things, some really bleak things, which makes its redemptive arc all the more beautiful and satisfying.
I love when two characters who have experienced pain can come together and create something wonderful. And I love that this story does not hinge either character's redemption on the other. That, to me, creates an unhealthy dynamic. I like that we see both Carla and TJ heal and grow on their own, and that this personal growth helps them lift up each other.
I love when two characters who have experienced pain can come together and create something wonderful. And I love that this story does not hinge either character's redemption on the other. That, to me, creates an unhealthy dynamic. I like that we see both Carla and TJ heal and grow on their own, and that this personal growth helps them lift up each other.
eajohnston's review against another edition
4.0
4.25 STARS ⭐️
If there’s any fictional character that deserves a happily ever after, it is TJ Culter. He grew up with the worst of circumstances, turned to the worst vices, but he battled his way up to be the man that he was. Even with all of his demons, he still fought to stay sober. His story was just so tragic, but I’m so glad Carla found him and made him feel worthy of love.
Loved this book! Totally recommend.
If there’s any fictional character that deserves a happily ever after, it is TJ Culter. He grew up with the worst of circumstances, turned to the worst vices, but he battled his way up to be the man that he was. Even with all of his demons, he still fought to stay sober. His story was just so tragic, but I’m so glad Carla found him and made him feel worthy of love.
Loved this book! Totally recommend.
christieac's review against another edition
5.0
OH MY HEART! ♥️
Well this was an unexpected beautiful little read! I loved this story from the start! TJ! ♥️ This man! What a fighter!!!! MY HEART! ♥️
Well this was an unexpected beautiful little read! I loved this story from the start! TJ! ♥️ This man! What a fighter!!!! MY HEART! ♥️
stucknbooks14's review against another edition
5.0
Trigger Warnings include:
miscarriage, abuse, death, drug addiction
There’s a lot of heavy topics in this one, so make sure you read the blurb, trigger warnings, and maybe a couple reviews. Carla and TJ are both filled with heartbreak. Each of them struggling with different demons. And because TJ thinks he’s the worst demon of them all, he doesn’t think he deserves Carla’s light. But it’s her light that saves him, saves them both. There’s technically two meet cutes. They don’t realize the first one until after the second. TJ keeps his past locked down tight, and even though she’s curious, she never pushes him for information. She understands the line, and waits there patiently until he’s ready to let her across. TJ is convinced his past controls him, but there’s little things that say otherwise. Like his accomplishments with the gym, the people he helps. He’s Superman, even has the thick rimmed glasses. But even Superman needs helps sometimes, and Carla uses that opening! It’s good for her too; to focus on being there to help TJ in any way he’s willing to accept. Even if it’s just file folders and digital paperwork. My heart broke more each time we got one of TJ’s POV chapters. It’s a good thing he’s a cuddler, because I just wanted to hold him! The epilogue in his POV was beautiful.
My Favorite Quotes:
•”I’m not going to make you do anything you don’t want to do, but I can assure you: You’re going to want me to do all the things I’m going to do to you.”
•”You deserve everything good in this world.”
•”I want it all with you.”
•”You have me, TJ. I’m already yours.”
Make the playlist the author provides. It’s worth it!
6/10 Dirty Birdy
5/10 Sports Romance
6/10 Workplace Romance
Everything hurts if you give it the power to. You can wallow in it, or you can grow from it and move on.
You’re fucked up and that’s okay. We all are. Life fucks us all, one way or another. But that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. You don’t have to punish and isolate yourself. You’ve lost so much, but you still have people here who are counting on you.
You have it in you. We all do. But only some of us choose to use our strength. I want you to know that you have a choice. You always have a choice.
miscarriage, abuse, death, drug addiction
There’s a lot of heavy topics in this one, so make sure you read the blurb, trigger warnings, and maybe a couple reviews. Carla and TJ are both filled with heartbreak. Each of them struggling with different demons. And because TJ thinks he’s the worst demon of them all, he doesn’t think he deserves Carla’s light. But it’s her light that saves him, saves them both. There’s technically two meet cutes. They don’t realize the first one until after the second. TJ keeps his past locked down tight, and even though she’s curious, she never pushes him for information. She understands the line, and waits there patiently until he’s ready to let her across. TJ is convinced his past controls him, but there’s little things that say otherwise. Like his accomplishments with the gym, the people he helps. He’s Superman, even has the thick rimmed glasses. But even Superman needs helps sometimes, and Carla uses that opening! It’s good for her too; to focus on being there to help TJ in any way he’s willing to accept. Even if it’s just file folders and digital paperwork. My heart broke more each time we got one of TJ’s POV chapters. It’s a good thing he’s a cuddler, because I just wanted to hold him! The epilogue in his POV was beautiful.
My Favorite Quotes:
•”I’m not going to make you do anything you don’t want to do, but I can assure you: You’re going to want me to do all the things I’m going to do to you.”
•”You deserve everything good in this world.”
•”I want it all with you.”
•”You have me, TJ. I’m already yours.”
Make the playlist the author provides. It’s worth it!
6/10 Dirty Birdy
5/10 Sports Romance
6/10 Workplace Romance
Everything hurts if you give it the power to. You can wallow in it, or you can grow from it and move on.
You’re fucked up and that’s okay. We all are. Life fucks us all, one way or another. But that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. You don’t have to punish and isolate yourself. You’ve lost so much, but you still have people here who are counting on you.
You have it in you. We all do. But only some of us choose to use our strength. I want you to know that you have a choice. You always have a choice.
snewell47's review against another edition
3.0
I honestly struggled with what I wanted to rate this. I liked that it talked about deep struggles (addiction/abortion/etc) but I just couldn’t really connect with it :/
niemmx's review
4.25
⚠️⚠️⚠️ There's some heavy topics in this book though so look up trigger warnings if you're sensitive to it. ⚠️⚠️⚠️
The story follows Carla and TJ (his POVs are from his past). Carla's life was all going according to plan, until it didn't. Trying to move on, goes to visit her friend in NYC. Having a steamy one night stand with a muscular bad boy covered in tattoos definitely wasn't part of that plan; but maybe it was exactly what she needed👀. The tattood bad boy in question, TJ, is fighting his own demons. He's now a succesful MMA fighter with his own gym, but he was once a homeless drug addict who's lost it all. He uses his gym to help others who are struggling. I love the good girl x bad boy trope, it just always works. I loved how the author described TJ's struggles and fears and Carla didn't try to 'fix' him. I loved both TJ and Carla's characters. Man's got me giggling and kicking my feet 🤭.
The story follows Carla and TJ (his POVs are from his past). Carla's life was all going according to plan, until it didn't. Trying to move on, goes to visit her friend in NYC. Having a steamy one night stand with a muscular bad boy covered in tattoos definitely wasn't part of that plan; but maybe it was exactly what she needed👀. The tattood bad boy in question, TJ, is fighting his own demons. He's now a succesful MMA fighter with his own gym, but he was once a homeless drug addict who's lost it all. He uses his gym to help others who are struggling. I love the good girl x bad boy trope, it just always works. I loved how the author described TJ's struggles and fears and Carla didn't try to 'fix' him. I loved both TJ and Carla's characters. Man's got me giggling and kicking my feet 🤭.
amberg031's review against another edition
2.0
This book has an overall good storyline, however I feel the writing could have been better. The plot seemed to be rather rushed, I would have enjoyed it more if the author took the time to build the characters up along with their storyline.
hellodebbies's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Really enjoyed the book and the characters were interesting thanks to their backstories, I really enjoyed the different ends of people using drugs and/or being alcoholic. It was raw and real and the flashbacks show us how hard it's to be sober !
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Miscarriage
Minor: Abortion and Cancer