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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is so self-indulgent. This is the Riverdale of books. Fine literature it is not. But it was really fun. Minus one star for that After-School Special ending and Useless Adult Syndrome.
amazing
I could not put the book down. The story line was so good and the endless amazing. I knew it would end the way it did
I could not put the book down. The story line was so good and the endless amazing. I knew it would end the way it did
In my opinion, this is the closest thing to the After series.
What in the Hardin did I just read?
This was absolutely wild. 30% in and I was hooked wondering what these characters would get up to next. It slowed down for me a bit towards the end, but was still entertaining.
My high school experience was so vanilla compared to this.
I absolutely recommend this to anyone who liked the After series.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book - I'm guessing it was a rerelease, but I don't know if there is anything different from when it was previously released.
What in the Hardin did I just read?
This was absolutely wild. 30% in and I was hooked wondering what these characters would get up to next. It slowed down for me a bit towards the end, but was still entertaining.
My high school experience was so vanilla compared to this.
I absolutely recommend this to anyone who liked the After series.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book - I'm guessing it was a rerelease, but I don't know if there is anything different from when it was previously released.
I couldn't put this book down. The rollercoaster of emotions I went through. I first came across L.J Shen from the Probably Smut BOTM - Feb's book was "Damaged Goods." I had never read any other of her works. Once I finished "Damaged Goods," I needed more to know about the rest of the family/friends. I was so skeptical at first. if I had to pick a sports romance, I'd go for hockey, but there is something about the characters she creates.
It's safe to say the last thing I did before my eyes finally shut was download Book #2 to start after work.
It's safe to say the last thing I did before my eyes finally shut was download Book #2 to start after work.
Thank you sourcebooks, bloom books & netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I did not know what to expect going into this book and I was pleasantly surprised! I really enjoyed the story and the back and forth between Daria and Penn. At the beginning, I was super confused with all the names being thrown around but I was still
intrigued to keep going! I really enjoyed the multiple POVs!!!! I can't wait to dive into the rest of this series!
If you're looking for a spicy romance filled with lots of drama and interesting characters, I would highly recommend this book!
Pretty Reckless: ★★★★☆ (4)
I did not know what to expect going into this book and I was pleasantly surprised! I really enjoyed the story and the back and forth between Daria and Penn. At the beginning, I was super confused with all the names being thrown around but I was still
intrigued to keep going! I really enjoyed the multiple POVs!!!! I can't wait to dive into the rest of this series!
If you're looking for a spicy romance filled with lots of drama and interesting characters, I would highly recommend this book!
Pretty Reckless: ★★★★☆ (4)
This was book #45 for Romanceopoly 2020.
Pack: Sun
Square: New View
Challenge: Read an enemies to loves new adult romance
Pack: Sun
Square: New View
Challenge: Read an enemies to loves new adult romance
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5 stars 🤷♀️
I really struggled with rating this one. I’ve loved every book I’ve read by this author, so of course my expectations were high. The thing is, I do love the Totholes just as much as their parents, it was just the story itself that I didn’t really love. I think the best format for this review is what went well, and what really... didn’t.
The good:
-The Totholes. They’re all strong, independent characters with their own personalities and interests. I’m genuinely excited for the stories surrounding the other characters. (This was the biggest strength of the book).
-Parts of the book were hilarious. Penn and Daria’s inner monologues were side-achingly funny, and some of the lines by other characters (looking at you, Gus) cracked me up.
-The problems Daria had with Mel. Parenting a teenager is hard. Being a teenager is harder. This came across as organic without reaching. Both were guilty of the demise of their relationship, as is normally the case.
-Jamie. He’s always been the perfect boyfriend, and now he’s a great father, too. *Swoon.*
The not good:
-So much unnecessary angst. The principal and the Adriana storylines were just too much for me, as was a lot of the Via situation. Seeing as this took up a lot of the book, it’s a big deal. I can handle angst, but this was just angst for the sake of angst, and it came across as only a disingenuous plot device
-The blatant rip-offs of popular aughts teen movies. What works in cinema, doesn’t work in a book that is trying to take itself seriously.
-I liked Penn and Daria as people, but I didn’t really feel their connection together. Not because Penn was a dick, even though he was, but because the transformation took place too quickly. Him wanting her, and then later him loving her. I know there’s a thin line between love and hate, but there’s usually more internal warfare going on when you fall for someone you’re supposed to hate.
-Considering Daria’s personality, she should’ve had more of a backbone. She gave in when she shouldn’t have, and stayed strong when it wasn’t really warranted.
The promise of something better bumped this up a half star from being average, but the book itself was exactly that. Seeing as this author has wrote some of my favorites, I’m disappointed, but hey- can’t win them all, right?
I really struggled with rating this one. I’ve loved every book I’ve read by this author, so of course my expectations were high. The thing is, I do love the Totholes just as much as their parents, it was just the story itself that I didn’t really love. I think the best format for this review is what went well, and what really... didn’t.
The good:
-The Totholes. They’re all strong, independent characters with their own personalities and interests. I’m genuinely excited for the stories surrounding the other characters. (This was the biggest strength of the book).
-Parts of the book were hilarious. Penn and Daria’s inner monologues were side-achingly funny, and some of the lines by other characters (looking at you, Gus) cracked me up.
-The problems Daria had with Mel. Parenting a teenager is hard. Being a teenager is harder. This came across as organic without reaching. Both were guilty of the demise of their relationship, as is normally the case.
-Jamie. He’s always been the perfect boyfriend, and now he’s a great father, too. *Swoon.*
The not good:
-So much unnecessary angst. The principal and the Adriana storylines were just too much for me, as was a lot of the Via situation. Seeing as this took up a lot of the book, it’s a big deal. I can handle angst, but this was just angst for the sake of angst, and it came across as only a disingenuous plot device
-The blatant rip-offs of popular aughts teen movies. What works in cinema, doesn’t work in a book that is trying to take itself seriously.
-I liked Penn and Daria as people, but I didn’t really feel their connection together. Not because Penn was a dick, even though he was, but because the transformation took place too quickly. Him wanting her, and then later him loving her. I know there’s a thin line between love and hate, but there’s usually more internal warfare going on when you fall for someone you’re supposed to hate.
-Considering Daria’s personality, she should’ve had more of a backbone. She gave in when she shouldn’t have, and stayed strong when it wasn’t really warranted.
The promise of something better bumped this up a half star from being average, but the book itself was exactly that. Seeing as this author has wrote some of my favorites, I’m disappointed, but hey- can’t win them all, right?