Reviews with content warning for Addiction - The Words

I loved this book, loved Lennon, couldn’t help but love Phoenix - even when he made mistakes. I would have given this a five star but I was sad that we didn’t see the outcome of Lennon’s plan at the end or Phoenix reaction to what she was prepared to do for him. Highly recommend anyway!

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acourtofstarsandmoons's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was an enjoyable book but for many reasons it doesn’t hit higher than 3.5 for me.

One being the first 20% of the book, with Lennon’s insecurities a huge aspect of the book, was very very triggering for me. Being a bigger, bullied girl myself everything she said rang true - a little too true. Though I liked her mini glow up after the four year time jump it also felt a little gut wrenching for me. It was good for the character to become confident but it made me feel just that little bit shittier. But that’s a me problem.

I liked that this book straddled the line of dark/toxic and light. I’ve read much much worse than this in terms of dark and toxic but this still had elements of it that allowed me to be drawn in while also providing a strong emotional background that I don’t always read.

This book didn’t shock me with any of its ‘twists or turns’ but that also isn’t the goal of this novel. It’s a romance through and through, not a mystery.

I would recommend people read this book, it was emotional, the spice was great, there’s a HEA. I would just advise any curvy girls out there struggling as much as I still am with my insecurities, shame and self-hatred proceed with caution. This one hit me a lot.

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rubellaface's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I have so many quotes highlighted in this book. Phoenix guts me. Lennon's story hits close to home as well.

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bbygirl21's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is an amazing book. The first 20 chapters were a bit slow for me and took a bit for me to get through them. Probably because I knew something bad was gonna happen to split the characters up. But when that happened and things started picking up I absolutely loved this book.

I really love characters for the most part as well. Each one has their asshole moments except for maybe the girls. I mean they can get pretty frustrating at times. But they didn't really do anything that's really mean(aside from the bullies like Sabrina and one of the groupies). The guys on the other hand, they're always being rude in some way, but for the most part they all care about the girls to some extent.

I did almost cry at multiple parts of this book. It was sad reading about Lennon Father. I loved how close Lennon is with her dad. And to see her struggle with his diagnosis throughout this book and watch him slowly deteriorate in front of her was heartbreaking.

One thing I really loved about this book was that Lennon really made Phoenix work for her forgiveness and that she didn't get back with him easily. This was really slow paced in every way. And while they may have sex together often they don't actually get together until near the end. Phoenix really had to work for Lennon's trust forgiveness and love again. Which was a great thing about this book. While I don't mind an easy forgiveness in a book when it makes the story fast, it's nice to read a book once in a while where the characters make reach other work for it.

It's safe to say I'd absolutely recommend this book. I was very hesitant to read this for to the fact I heard there was a cheating element to this story and I don't really like when the MC's cheat. But I actually really enjoyed this book. It is pretty slow going at first like I said, bit once you get through those first 20 chapters, everything from that point on is pretty go go go and there's hardly any breaks. There's always something happening. But that's another thing I loved about this book.

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beautyandthebookworms's review against another edition

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4.75

somewhere in the 4+ star range ⭐️ close to 5 stars tho

~

✨two words: TRAUMA & DRAMA

~

(may edit later)

💙this is fast and nonstop pace book—although the book is long, it never felt like it

💙the book starts out with the main characters in their senior year of high school~ they connect through the fmc tutoring the mmc

💙then it jumps to 4 years later

💙it’s basically a ‘does he even know I exist’~to friends~to lovers~to enemies~to lovers

💙okay also this book in general is a WILD ride —reference the emphasis of ***trauma*** and ***drama*** a LOT happens and a LOT can be triggering so please read w/ caution (ie: child abuse, body dysmorphia, binge eating, bullying, drug use, addiction, grief, etc)

💙with all that being said, I cried cuz sad, but also giggled out loud more than once, and also CRIED for TEN mins at one part (this was at an endearing gesture, not a bad part) so this book gives you a lot of feels and books that make me feel so much are in a league of their own

💙you will get so much angst, great main and side characters… I got fully lost in this & didn’t wanna leave

➖things I’m docking points for➖

🖤I can’t remember what exactly—but it was in the beginning, when they’re still in high school, that the way that Lennon’s body was approached…I don’t know. There’s no way she’s the only plus sized person at the school and they bullied and ostracized her for her weight so badly and…I’m not sure. Just some part of the approach on it felt slightly off.

🖤it is a second chance romance & while it’s totally understandable that there’s mixed feelings about reconnecting & what not, it did bother me how hot and cold it could get abruptly if that makes sense—just like a lil bit…it wasn’t a big issue

🖤the ending did not feel complete & I was left wanting more. I know the book is already long af but the epilogue was like so quick & didn’t give us enough in my opinion. Like it was headed in the right direction, one quick 3 month jump and only like the smallest glimmer—what all happened!!! give us a novella for more or something 😭

~

✨I obviously have so much to say & I LOVED this book & I can’t wait to read more by the author, I’ll keep singing praises about this book & highly recommend y’all read it!!

~

🎧listened to audio & narrators were so good! 🎧

Content Warnings

alilbitofeveryth1ng's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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unicornofthesea's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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