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nicola949's review
Part of Love is Always Write - Volume 1
While I think it is great the author has tackled a really sensitive and important issue such as abuse, I found this story a bit lacking. Perhaps a longer novel would have more adequately addressed some of the issues such as how Alex recovered from his long-term trauma as the ending seemed a little unrealistic. I was also a little confused as to Alex's ADHD and why no one accepted him because of this. From the way the story was written he actually seemed a bit slow and emotionally backward. This is why I found the earlier scenes when he meets Drew a bit unrealistic. Drew, a university student studying law, did not behave and respond to Alex as I would have expected. The dialogue was also unnatural. However I still enjoyed the story and the Australian setting, although some references and slang may confuse a global audience. Finally, got to like a book that includes eating Tim Tams!
While I think it is great the author has tackled a really sensitive and important issue such as abuse, I found this story a bit lacking. Perhaps a longer novel would have more adequately addressed some of the issues such as how Alex recovered from his long-term trauma as the ending seemed a little unrealistic. I was also a little confused as to Alex's ADHD and why no one accepted him because of this. From the way the story was written he actually seemed a bit slow and emotionally backward. This is why I found the earlier scenes when he meets Drew a bit unrealistic. Drew, a university student studying law, did not behave and respond to Alex as I would have expected. The dialogue was also unnatural. However I still enjoyed the story and the Australian setting, although some references and slang may confuse a global audience. Finally, got to like a book that includes eating Tim Tams!
crtsjffrsn's review
3.0
The connection between the MCs and their relationship? 4 stars
The surrounding story? 2 stars
Average for overall rating? 3 stars
I really did enjoy the interactions between Alex & Drew. The two of them on their own and their relationship - those were some real high points in this story. I found myself rooting for them and hoping they would all work out.
The background behind all of that, though, was really jarring. Yes, this story contains difficult subject matter. But it seems just sort of 'there' in the story. The characters don't really deal with it. When it call comes out in the open, there are tears from some, but Alex himself just seems nonchalant. He just says what happened, shrugs if off, and then is instantly over most of it? I like dynamic characters but the changes he goes through in terms of his self-esteem and the processing of what he's dealt with just doesn't seem to ring true.
In the end, the book is enjoyable. And I'd probably recommend it to people who can handle the content. And it is possible to look past those other things to focus on the romantic relationship in the story and revel in the love and sweetness.
Content warnings:rape, physical abuse, violence, child abuse, neglect, long-term abuse, verbal abuse, bullying
The surrounding story? 2 stars
Average for overall rating? 3 stars
I really did enjoy the interactions between Alex & Drew. The two of them on their own and their relationship - those were some real high points in this story. I found myself rooting for them and hoping they would all work out.
The background behind all of that, though, was really jarring. Yes, this story contains difficult subject matter. But it seems just sort of 'there' in the story. The characters don't really deal with it. When it call comes out in the open, there are tears from some, but Alex himself just seems nonchalant. He just says what happened, shrugs if off, and then is instantly over most of it? I like dynamic characters but the changes he goes through in terms of his self-esteem and the processing of what he's dealt with just doesn't seem to ring true.
In the end, the book is enjoyable. And I'd probably recommend it to people who can handle the content. And it is possible to look past those other things to focus on the romantic relationship in the story and revel in the love and sweetness.
Content warnings:
maya56's review
4.0
Very difficult subject matter. On the one hand, I'm surprised at how 'distanced' I felt from the characters, especially since the story is written in first person. (My first thought was, "Where's the rage?" But then, contemplating events in my own life, I realized that the anger is kept well buried and suppressed.) On the other hand, had that distance not been there, I'm not sure I could have continued reading about Alex's neglect and abuse.
On a lighter note, poor Freckles is in he/she limbo! ;)
On a lighter note, poor Freckles is in he/she limbo! ;)
regencyfan93's review
3.0
The writing was lush and at times felt like too much sex and not enough character growth. Alex's situation was horrific, yet I didn't sense any mental health issues that I expected. Only an unwillingness to have oral or anal sex.
The episodes of ADHD surprised me. Having known people with ADHD, that is a way of interacting with the world, not a person prone to episodes.
The episodes of ADHD surprised me. Having known people with ADHD, that is a way of interacting with the world, not a person prone to episodes.
ktomp17's review
3.0
Very touching story showing how life really can get better. Loved how accepting Alex's parents were, even if at times it felt a bit too accepting. I was waiting for mom to tell them "that's OK, we'll talk when you are done having sex". I also wasn't fond of how much Alex seemed to pressure Drew, especially knowing his history of sexual abuse. I realize it is hard to truly delve into that with a short story but he kept saying (along the lines of) "try it and you'll like it". Well, he had been forced to try it often and it seemed insensitive to make him work through that so quickly.
n_hasek's review
3.0
I liked this. The only issues I have with this are that the entire story was too short, would skip forward at random times, and would transition to other scenes rapidly, leaving much more to be desired in details. For a short story, it wasn't bad. I read at the end of the document that the author says he may expand it to novel length. I say go for it!
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