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nebulots's review against another edition
3.0
this book is a difficult read. I probably wouldn't have read it if I had known what it was about going in.
jeni_lin's review against another edition
1.0
Should have just focused on the main heroine’s family instead of the dumpster fire “relationship”. Portrayed a rightfully protective caregiver as irrational and insane. Emphasized the child heroine as the one taking full control of an inappropriate relationship with an adult man with a criminal history of violence. Extremely disappointed and upset by the message being sent. The enjoyable parts were the ones focusing on the heroine’s relationship with her family.
blurrypetals's review against another edition
1.0
I genuinely don't know how I'm supposed to react right now. I am of two minds about this book and I think that's why I'm having a difficult time expressing my opinion.
A large part of me wants to rate this a 1 of 5, stamp it as romanticizing a pedophilloic relationship and go take a shower to wash away how gross so much of this book made me feel at points.
Then there's a part of me that's like, "Dude, it's obviously not as surface level as it seems," and then the first part is like, "Yeah man, I get it, but there is a young girl in this book performing sexual and romantic acts she is neither physically nor mentally ready for," and then the second part is like, "Okay sure, obviously, but her relationship with Kellan is way more complicated than that," and then―well, we would be here all night if I narrated my inner monologue about this book like that any further. You get the point.
I just hate thinking about the morals of this book, even though that's what it wants me to do, just not the way I'm doing it, I don't think. This book wants me to see a sweet relationship that the world doesn't understand because the world doesn't understand how they take care of each other, and I see that part, I really do. There are plenty of passages where I really bought into the platonic love that was between the two of them―the philia, the storge. But of course, it morphed into eros and that is where we get into the real meat and potatoes of how absolutely fucked this book is.
It is very, very well written and I understood what it was trying to say for the most part, but I could not get on board with it. I can't get on board with the idea of a 13-year-old girl, groomed (whether Kellen knew he was grooming her or not, he was still grooming her) since she was 7 or 8, having not just a romantic relationship with a 20-something-year-old man, but an extremely sexual relationship with said man. I can't find that wholly sweet. I can't forego certain things. It makes me feel gross.
I will say, if this book was your damn shit, that's, like, fine. If you like the message and the way it was presented, I accept that and do not judge you for it. I just can't get with you on this one and I'm perfectly okay with that.
A large part of me wants to rate this a 1 of 5, stamp it as romanticizing a pedophilloic relationship and go take a shower to wash away how gross so much of this book made me feel at points.
Then there's a part of me that's like, "Dude, it's obviously not as surface level as it seems," and then the first part is like, "Yeah man, I get it, but there is a young girl in this book performing sexual and romantic acts she is neither physically nor mentally ready for," and then the second part is like, "Okay sure, obviously, but her relationship with Kellan is way more complicated than that," and then―well, we would be here all night if I narrated my inner monologue about this book like that any further. You get the point.
I just hate thinking about the morals of this book, even though that's what it wants me to do, just not the way I'm doing it, I don't think. This book wants me to see a sweet relationship that the world doesn't understand because the world doesn't understand how they take care of each other, and I see that part, I really do. There are plenty of passages where I really bought into the platonic love that was between the two of them―the philia, the storge. But of course, it morphed into eros and that is where we get into the real meat and potatoes of how absolutely fucked this book is.
It is very, very well written and I understood what it was trying to say for the most part, but I could not get on board with it. I can't get on board with the idea of a 13-year-old girl, groomed (whether Kellen knew he was grooming her or not, he was still grooming her) since she was 7 or 8, having not just a romantic relationship with a 20-something-year-old man, but an extremely sexual relationship with said man. I can't find that wholly sweet. I can't forego certain things. It makes me feel gross.
I will say, if this book was your damn shit, that's, like, fine. If you like the message and the way it was presented, I accept that and do not judge you for it. I just can't get with you on this one and I'm perfectly okay with that.
chloealiz's review against another edition
3.5
I was completely hooked at the beginning but the age difference really got to me.
annasbookjungle's review against another edition
frustrated with the teachers and schools lack of action when noticing signs of abuse and neglect.
queenofgotham's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jenniferhorn's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
price_phx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Beautifully written story. Controversial topic for many, make sure to read the content warnings before you decide to read it or not.
znygren's review against another edition
3.0
This was a hard read for me. It was uncomfortable start to finish. I don’t feel satisfied or left having any resolution after reading the book….