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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Initial reaction: didn’t quite live up to the hype.
I went in essentially blind, having heard how good it was but nothing of what it was about. And gosh my heart was twisted up inside the whole time but mostly because it was a little predictable, I knew what was going to go wrong without any spoilers. Now, was it good? Yes. Easy to read? Yes. Did it make me think? Yes. Am I looking forward to reading the sequel? Yes.
I hope it empowers women to be brave and bold. There are more important things in life than love, although, given it’s nature, it’s hard to give up, hard to imagine life without it and that’s exactly why women (and men) stay with their abusers. Even at the very end, Lily is struggling. And her story is fictional, but there are too few success stories like this. And Lily even had the safety net of Atlas to fall back on. She left and drew her lines all on her own but she had already known what it was like to be loved properly and she subconsciously knew she had that to fall back on. She also overwhelmingly had supportive people in her life, no one who was telling her to take Ryle back. Would she have been as brave to leave without the support of others? Would any of us?
So maybe I didn’t like it because I was expecting a beautiful love story and this is far from it. It’s ugly and painful. If I had known the theme going in, maybe I would have liked it more and I don’t necessarily think that would have ruined it for me because, like I said, it was already predictable.
Looking forward to reading some of Colleen Hoovers others.
I went in essentially blind, having heard how good it was but nothing of what it was about. And gosh my heart was twisted up inside the whole time but mostly because it was a little predictable, I knew what was going to go wrong without any spoilers. Now, was it good? Yes. Easy to read? Yes. Did it make me think? Yes. Am I looking forward to reading the sequel? Yes.
I hope it empowers women to be brave and bold. There are more important things in life than love, although, given it’s nature, it’s hard to give up, hard to imagine life without it and that’s exactly why women (and men) stay with their abusers. Even at the very end, Lily is struggling. And her story is fictional, but there are too few success stories like this. And Lily even had the safety net of Atlas to fall back on. She left and drew her lines all on her own but she had already known what it was like to be loved properly and she subconsciously knew she had that to fall back on. She also overwhelmingly had supportive people in her life, no one who was telling her to take Ryle back. Would she have been as brave to leave without the support of others? Would any of us?
So maybe I didn’t like it because I was expecting a beautiful love story and this is far from it. It’s ugly and painful. If I had known the theme going in, maybe I would have liked it more and I don’t necessarily think that would have ruined it for me because, like I said, it was already predictable.
Looking forward to reading some of Colleen Hoovers others.
I can’t believe how good this book is. It was hard to put down! I have noticed that newer books include trigger warnings on the first couple pages, and that wouldn’t hurt in this scenario.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have mixed feelings about this book.
On one hand, the writing isn’t particularly strong. There are moments where the dialogue feels forced or unnatural, and some of the characters’ actions don’t quite reflect how people behave in real life. I think stronger editorial support could have helped Hoover smooth out those rough patches and bring more realism to the story.
That said, I appreciate what the book tries to do. It sheds light on the complexities of domestic violence in a way that’s accessible to a wide audience. While Ryle is presented in an idealised light in some respects, the story doesn’t ultimately excuse his actions or offer him a way out of accountability. That was important, and it left an impact.
So while I didn’t love the writing, I do respect the message. It’s a book that might resonate more for its emotional weight and subject matter than for its literary quality.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence
All it takes is 15 seconds to change everything about a person, oh my heart. This book was one for the tears, so much pain and strength for the characters.
This story had such a powerful message, and finding out at the end that it meant so much to the author and her own mother’s experience just made the story so much more.
Naked truths aren’t always pretty, and this book was full of them.
I really loved this book, my lip was trembling and my heart felt heavy, but this really was a great read.
This story had such a powerful message, and finding out at the end that it meant so much to the author and her own mother’s experience just made the story so much more.
Naked truths aren’t always pretty, and this book was full of them.
I really loved this book, my lip was trembling and my heart felt heavy, but this really was a great read.
I don’t even know where to begin. This book had my emotions all over the show. Almost every fibre of me wanted Lily to forgive Ryle and take him back because he loved her so much and they were amazing. But the rest of me knew it was better she wasn’t with him and that she was truly supposed to be with Atlas. I love her character development. I love how strong she was and that eventually she stuck to her guns.
This was an incredible book. I did not put it down. I think it’s the fastest i’ve ever read a book. I wish i could see into the rest of Lily and Emerson’s life.
10/10 would recommend.
This was an incredible book. I did not put it down. I think it’s the fastest i’ve ever read a book. I wish i could see into the rest of Lily and Emerson’s life.
10/10 would recommend.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
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
emotional
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes