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firequeen_ash23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved the characters, well most of them and thought the author did a great job with writing about the trauma and the healing.
I honestly wasn't sure if this book was going to be a HEA especially with all the stuff that happens to Cora and Dean. They go through a very traumatic event and aren't sure if they're going to survive or not. It's a very emotional book. I think the way the author turns the book around and is able to show what love should be when it's healthy was beautiful.
I know I cried a time or two because the book just spoke to me in a way you want your romantic type of books to do. I think the author did a fantastic job at makin the readers experience several different emotions throughout the book which in my opinion is the best because if I'm not feeling sad, angry, happy and overjoyed at one point in the book, was it really that good? I need my books to connect to my emotions and feelings. That's how I know I really enjoyed the book.
Not to mention after everything that Dean and Cora experienced together, they deserved a HEA. I was also glad that Mandy got her happy ending as well.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Confinement, Cursing, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, and Suicide
Minor: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
amy_mhairi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Physical abuse, Murder, Alcohol, Rape, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Cursing, Confinement, Kidnapping, Torture, Suicide attempt, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, and Vomit
sa3's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicide, Sexual assault, Murder, and Mental illness
emilyreadstoomuch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Graphic: Physical abuse, Infidelity, Gore, Gun violence, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Murder, Misogyny, Violence, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Drug abuse, Grief, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Cursing, Confinement, Blood, Animal cruelty, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Torture, Rape, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Miscarriage, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
juliereadsromance's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
First 25%: shoot it in my veins, I’ve never felt so alive.
Second 25%: still buzzed
Third 25%: I’m dragging. The novel is now just sad which is appropriate for the plot. But, the come down from the adrenaline of the first half is a bummer.
Fourth 25%: I’m glad I’m getting to see the HEA, but I’m also happy I’m done with the book.
This was a five star read for many readers I follow here on GR, so it seems like a lot of other readers didn’t find that the second half of the book slowed down too much.
Importantly, this book gives a meaningful portrayal of PTSD and the characters’ challenging recovery from trauma.
I thought that the FMC’s parents and sister didn’t seem to understand the gravity of the sexual abuse Cora endured. And that was weird.
There are ALOT of potential triggers in this book, so def check the author’s warnings before!
Graphic: Sexual assault, Infidelity, Murder, Mental illness, Violence, Confinement, Suicide attempt, Addiction, Death, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Gore, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual violence
mana_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Sexual violence, Confinement, Torture, and Sexual assault
Minor: Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Animal death, and Panic attacks/disorders
amandasreads6149's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Kidnapping, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, and Rape
alyssadorn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Okay, jokes aside, this book made me viscerally feel things. Despair, hope, connection with the characters. The moments of shared trauma were handled so well, too; I’m glad the rape scenes weren’t detailed or explicit, just having us as readers focus on what Cora focused on— not the actual act. It was more moving than I expected, and overall a really good book. Beautiful and heartbreaking and healing.
I will say at times, especially on page 2, it was a little girl-shamey toward Mandy, with Cora’s comparisons between the two of them feeling a bit “I’m not like other girls”- coded.
Definitely check the content warnings.
Graphic: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Grief, Death, Violence, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, and Self harm
Minor: Miscarriage
emmab_124's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Self harm, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Animal death, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
siffpedersen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Alcohol, Grief, Miscarriage, Violence, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Suicide attempt