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iamsammie27's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Car accident, Mental illness, and Child death
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Cancer, and Medical content
Minor: Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cancer, Gaslighting, and Stalking
bekwink's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
This book essentially is what young girls should stay away from.
I'm not sure how to even discuss my feelings on this book without having spoilers, so SPOILERS::
People who haven’t been in abusive relationships may read this, see their real life partners having similar attributes to Braden, and think their story will end up like Braden and Joss. The reality is that when someone shows signs like Braden- AKA ignoring all the personal boundaries that Joss is setting, and forcing her hand in every direction, it is not healthy.
I think this book could have worked if they wouldn’t have made Braden “never give up” so aggressively. It could have been more of a “I love you. And I know you’re afraid to say it back, but I think you love me too. So when you are ready, if ever, I will be here because I think we are worth it. But if not then I’ll have to learn to live with that.” BAM. lol
I mean, at least give Joss some sort of sense of agency in these situations. Let her regret her decision when she goes home and he finally lets her go. Then she can come back and make the choice without anyone holding her hand to the fire. He literally ignored her when she said over and over again that she didn’t want to be with him. Even when she admitted that she liked him (after he lied about sleeping with someone to make her jealous) she was still adamant about breaking up with him. And he straight up is like “Nope I don’t accept it” like “lol I’m so random not letting you have a say in our relationship:P”
Even if you're pretty certain that someone is lying, maybe even to themselves, about their feelings, they still have a right to make the call about the relationship. They still get to break up with their partner if they want to. They have the right to make that mistake, if it even ends up being a mistake.
DON'T EVEN get me started on Joss' therapist being like #teamBraden. So that was super hard to get passed.
With all that being said, I know that this is a mature book. For mature people. So, for people who have a grasp on what is a real healthy relationship, I think it's okay to read because it’s fiction and the majority of people are critical readers. So, if this is a fantasy for you, where this stuff *in theory* is cute, then go for it. I just happened to find it hard to get through. Thus the rating.
For the record, to any young people who aren't as experienced(I didn't learn this lesson until I was 19), in reality men who behave like this aren’t soul mates who are looking out for us and know what we feel before we feel it. It’s actually gas lighting and brain washing. Trust your gut. Don't let someone tell you that your feelings aren't what you believe them to be. You know yourself better than anyone. And if someone really loves you, they will never do things to make you feel uncomfortable and question your basis in reality.
Erotica level: 4/5
I'm not sure how to even discuss my feelings on this book without having spoilers, so SPOILERS::
People who haven’t been in abusive relationships may read this, see their real life partners having similar attributes to Braden, and think their story will end up like Braden and Joss. The reality is that when someone shows signs like Braden- AKA ignoring all the personal boundaries that Joss is setting, and forcing her hand in every direction, it is not healthy.
I think this book could have worked if they wouldn’t have made Braden “never give up” so aggressively. It could have been more of a “I love you. And I know you’re afraid to say it back, but I think you love me too. So when you are ready, if ever, I will be here because I think we are worth it. But if not then I’ll have to learn to live with that.” BAM. lol
I mean, at least give Joss some sort of sense of agency in these situations. Let her regret her decision when she goes home and he finally lets her go. Then she can come back and make the choice without anyone holding her hand to the fire. He literally ignored her when she said over and over again that she didn’t want to be with him. Even when she admitted that she liked him (after he lied about sleeping with someone to make her jealous) she was still adamant about breaking up with him. And he straight up is like “Nope I don’t accept it” like “lol I’m so random not letting you have a say in our relationship:P”
Even if you're pretty certain that someone is lying, maybe even to themselves, about their feelings, they still have a right to make the call about the relationship. They still get to break up with their partner if they want to. They have the right to make that mistake, if it even ends up being a mistake.
DON'T EVEN get me started on Joss' therapist being like #teamBraden. So that was super hard to get passed.
With all that being said, I know that this is a mature book. For mature people. So, for people who have a grasp on what is a real healthy relationship, I think it's okay to read because it’s fiction and the majority of people are critical readers. So, if this is a fantasy for you, where this stuff *in theory* is cute, then go for it. I just happened to find it hard to get through. Thus the rating.
For the record, to any young people who aren't as experienced(I didn't learn this lesson until I was 19), in reality men who behave like this aren’t soul mates who are looking out for us and know what we feel before we feel it. It’s actually gas lighting and brain washing. Trust your gut. Don't let someone tell you that your feelings aren't what you believe them to be. You know yourself better than anyone. And if someone really loves you, they will never do things to make you feel uncomfortable and question your basis in reality.
Erotica level: 4/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Emotional abuse
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