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courtney_saba's review
5.0
Based on a seriously toxic relationship. Something different than most YA novels that tend to focus on family issues, the loveydoveyness of teen romance, and glossing over red flags and the consequences from ignoring serious issues. I enjoyed it just because it was dark and different. I was there with the heroine the whole time, and I truly felt everything she was going through. Sometimes I would even agree with her choices and then look back and think, "wow, I've been through something similar and didn't really know it was toxic at the time." Hindsight is seriously 20/20. Well written. Realistic relationship troubles. True portrayal of toxic situations and that not all abuse is physical. A real gem in showing that not all relationships are happy or can be saved. Definitely a compelling read.
astraia_sun's review
5.0
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. This book was like a sucker punch. So many of Grace's words could have been mine. While reading this book, I kept thinking to myself "This author has been in an emotionally abusive relationship. She has to have been. This is so real". And I was right. I was also in an emotionally abusive relationship, though it took me awhile to realize that. Though it didn't take me as long to realize that I was constantly unhappy with someone who should have made me happy.
Demetrios skillfully shows how a smart girl like Grace could fall for someone like Gavin, someone who exhibited clear warning signs that he wasn't all right. But Grace thought he was hot, and he was tragic, and thought that was beautiful. He made her feel special, like he was the only one who truly got her, and he knew how to manipulate her to make it feel like only he could save her from her hard life. That's how it goes. It felt honest to me that Grace would fall for him because of how he'd "save" her and how he made it seem like he was the only one who could really love him.
And how it was great at first, but after awhile it wasn't. While my own "Gavin" had a completely different personality than book Gavin (my ex was on the other extreme end of "emotional" from Gavin... as in he pretty much had none while Gavin had too much), the manipulation and mind games and "tests" and ultimatums were all too familiar. It broke my heart to read Grace falling for it every time, because I did too.
This book spoke to me. It was well-written, and it was an excellent view of someone trapped in a relationship that she knows is toxic and damaging but who feels she has no choice but to stay in because so much of other peoples' happiness is riding on it, and because she felt it was her only escape from her abusive home life. She felt as if her own happiness was incidental, even if it wasn't explicitly said. I highlighted so many lines in this book, either because they showed how abusive Gavin was, or because I felt exactly like Grace when I was 22 and in love with someone who hurt me, though thankfully I didn't fall as deeply as Grace did.
This book doesn't pull any punches. There's sex, drinking, and very clear depictions of abuse. But it's honest and important. I especially appreciate that the author included resources for anyone who may be in an abusive relationship.
I'm very glad that this book showed that not all abuse is physical.
Wow. This book was like a sucker punch. So many of Grace's words could have been mine. While reading this book, I kept thinking to myself "This author has been in an emotionally abusive relationship. She has to have been. This is so real". And I was right. I was also in an emotionally abusive relationship, though it took me awhile to realize that. Though it didn't take me as long to realize that I was constantly unhappy with someone who should have made me happy.
Demetrios skillfully shows how a smart girl like Grace could fall for someone like Gavin, someone who exhibited clear warning signs that he wasn't all right. But Grace thought he was hot, and he was tragic, and thought that was beautiful. He made her feel special, like he was the only one who truly got her, and he knew how to manipulate her to make it feel like only he could save her from her hard life. That's how it goes. It felt honest to me that Grace would fall for him because of how he'd "save" her and how he made it seem like he was the only one who could really love him.
And how it was great at first, but after awhile it wasn't. While my own "Gavin" had a completely different personality than book Gavin (my ex was on the other extreme end of "emotional" from Gavin... as in he pretty much had none while Gavin had too much), the manipulation and mind games and "tests" and ultimatums were all too familiar. It broke my heart to read Grace falling for it every time, because I did too.
This book spoke to me. It was well-written, and it was an excellent view of someone trapped in a relationship that she knows is toxic and damaging but who feels she has no choice but to stay in because so much of other peoples' happiness is riding on it, and because she felt it was her only escape from her abusive home life. She felt as if her own happiness was incidental, even if it wasn't explicitly said. I highlighted so many lines in this book, either because they showed how abusive Gavin was, or because I felt exactly like Grace when I was 22 and in love with someone who hurt me, though thankfully I didn't fall as deeply as Grace did.
This book doesn't pull any punches. There's sex, drinking, and very clear depictions of abuse. But it's honest and important. I especially appreciate that the author included resources for anyone who may be in an abusive relationship.
I'm very glad that this book showed that not all abuse is physical.
emilye3's review
4.0
4.5
This book was really hard to read, not because it was bad but because of the relationship between Grace and Gavin and Grace and her family. There is so much mental abuse and even some physical abuse and even rape. Going into this you know it’s going to get bad but I wasn’t sure what to expect. I found myself going through every emotion and yelling in my head at Grace and Gavin and Graces family especially her mother. It’s hard to get all my thoughts together for this review but I feel more knowledgeable after reading this book. It allows you the chance to see through a victims perspective and even though sometimes I didn’t understand her actions or lack of actions I was still right there going through the motions with Grace, and waiting for her to be even more brave and finally end all of these toxic relationships. This book isn’t a light read and as mentioned above there are some trigger warnings but if you like hard hitting contemporary then I believe this is a great book for you.
This book was really hard to read, not because it was bad but because of the relationship between Grace and Gavin and Grace and her family. There is so much mental abuse and even some physical abuse and even rape. Going into this you know it’s going to get bad but I wasn’t sure what to expect. I found myself going through every emotion and yelling in my head at Grace and Gavin and Graces family especially her mother. It’s hard to get all my thoughts together for this review but I feel more knowledgeable after reading this book. It allows you the chance to see through a victims perspective and even though sometimes I didn’t understand her actions or lack of actions I was still right there going through the motions with Grace, and waiting for her to be even more brave and finally end all of these toxic relationships. This book isn’t a light read and as mentioned above there are some trigger warnings but if you like hard hitting contemporary then I believe this is a great book for you.
rachcannoli's review against another edition
5.0
Oof, this book is so heavy and difficult to read. The strength of this book is the POV and how you can tell from the beginning it's told from a future perspective. I think it's really the only way to get through this book because you know there's hope and a light at the end of the tunnel. If it was told in a linear fashion where you weren't sure if she made it out or got away, it'd be truly unbearable. I love how she refers to her abuser as 'you' in such an accusatory way that he deserves and like naming him as little as possible takes away his power. But it also shows how terrified she is of him and how that fear still lingers. I also love her interjections throughout the story, especially during the good days so you know how self aware she is.
The whole story is a honest and frankly at times too realistic portrayal of abusive relationships. It shows how it never starts out so bad because that's how they hook you, but there are subtle red flags from the beginning that grow huge when you're in too deep. It's really hard to get through because I just wanted to reach in and pummel this guy or shake some sense into the protagonist, but I think that's entirely the point.
It's a good read, but definitely difficult. I'd also caution if you've been through abuse or suicidal tendencies. It doesn't romanticize in any way, but it could definitely come off as triggering if read in the wrong mental state. I do wish there was more time shown of Grace's after period and more on her plans with recovery or new life without him. Overall though a powerful read of a difficult and unfortunately not uncommon circumstance.
The whole story is a honest and frankly at times too realistic portrayal of abusive relationships. It shows how it never starts out so bad because that's how they hook you, but there are subtle red flags from the beginning that grow huge when you're in too deep. It's really hard to get through because I just wanted to reach in and pummel this guy or shake some sense into the protagonist, but I think that's entirely the point.
It's a good read, but definitely difficult. I'd also caution if you've been through abuse or suicidal tendencies. It doesn't romanticize in any way, but it could definitely come off as triggering if read in the wrong mental state. I do wish there was more time shown of Grace's after period and more on her plans with recovery or new life without him. Overall though a powerful read of a difficult and unfortunately not uncommon circumstance.
cmsmith's review
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
I could have done without the cheesy Rent and Lady Gaga bits, but overall a powerful story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Suicide, and Physical abuse
kikaa's review
5.0
I needed to read this. I just turned 30, and unfortunately it has opened my eyes to alot of things I ignore in my relationship.
daniellereadslikealot_'s review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I 100% bought this book because of the title (Bad Romance by Lady Gaga is in my top five favorite songs of all time) and I knew it’d be an emotional book, but I was not expecting how much I’d love it. I think this is probably one of the best books on abusive relationships I’ve ever read. The subtle growing of Gavin’s possessiveness and control over Grace was masterfully done. It happens in a way that you don’t really notice until you REALLY do and then you see the rose colored glasses come off and the red flags are as bright as can be. I loved how the author showed Grace’s inner conflict and confusion, even at the beginning before things escalated and also once things came to that final straw. I thought the way the book highlighted how hard it can be to leave a relationship like this was so important. I do kind of wish we would have gotten more closure with Grace and her mom. I thought that storyline was really important and overall well done. Honestly this whole book is an incredibly important one that I think everyone should read (if they’re in the right mental health space for it).
CW: suicide attempts, body shaming, mention of an eating disorder, child abuse, emotional abuse, rape, suicidal thoughts
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Rape, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Body shaming and Eating disorder
itscassreads's review
5.0
This was one of those books that changed my view on a lot of things. One being, you never truly know how a book will end no matter how you are feeling at the beginning or middle of the story. The second being, love can be bad love even when it feels like great, star crossed, goo goo eyed love. And thirdly, Heather always seems to write gut wrenching, truly beautiful, raw and honest stories. I’m so glad I read this, I’m so glad I got to experience another beautiful executed dark-ish? contemporary. P.S please read the author’s note, and ensure that this story while beautiful, has a few trigger warnings.
*SPOILER ALERT*
Suicide
Self Harm
Sexual Abuse
Relationship abuse
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars
*SPOILER ALERT*
Suicide
Self Harm
Sexual Abuse
Relationship abuse
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars