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readwithria's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I enjoyed Ana Huang’s writing style, and I wasn’t expecting a lighthearted story by any means, but the story lot of this book was wild. There was so much going on, and I felt like it was to the detriment of the actual romance.
There are quite a few things I wish had been different. I don’t think Alex needed to be as “morally grey” as he was in order to be a grumpy asshole set on revenge. I think that a lot of the boundaries he crossed were excessive to the point of creepy. I have more specific thoughts as well, but I’m trying to keep this spoiler free.
What I very much appreciate was the content warnings page! There were a few of the less spoiler-y CWs listed, and then a QR code to a more comprehensive list. While I think this is an amazing idea, when I scanned the QR code it lead to a broken webpage. However, once I was on her site it was very easy to find the Content Warnings page, and they were pretty accurate. I think a few things were missing, but the biggest things were all there. I know that some people view CWs/TWs as spoilers, so having that extra layer between letting you know there are sensitive topics covered and telling you what they are was a great way of delivering them.
I would consider reading more of the series, but only from the library. 3.5 stars.
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexual content, Cursing, Death, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Stalking
Minor: Suicide
karla205's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
lizgom's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Personally I wasn’t a fan of Alex, but considering his character was meant to be messed up, he served his purpose 100%.
Ava was great to a fault and as a fellow people pleaser, it kinda started to bug me how relatable it was to think “damn she’s so dumb, but I would’ve done the same.” Overall it’s a good, quick read.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Child death, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Child abuse, and Death of parent
kiwij96's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Honestly, the book was fine, nothing special. It dragged on towards the end when all of the trauma was revealed through flashbacks and revenge on family members happened. It definitely could have finished like 6 chapters earlier with Ava knowing her self worth and leaving. All that character development went out of the window in the greater scheme of things.
Alex is a controlling and manipulative psychopath who has a highly inflated ego and his internal monologue is just how self important and rich he is. It never failed to make me roll my eyes in disgust. Like dude get a life honestly.
Also the references to very clearly stolen Tumblr posts, pop culture, and frequent immaturity of the the girls in the book was often cringeworthy.
Would I continue the series? Probably. Would I read this book again? No.
Graphic: Sexual content, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Child death, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Death, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Murder, Suicide, and Fire/Fire injury
jodytownend27's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Gaslighting, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Violence, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Toxic relationship
meganrey1's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Child abuse, Murder, Sexual content, Blood, Death, Body horror, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, and Torture
tina_lou_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
chandlerwood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
Graphic: Sexual content, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Suicide, Kidnapping, Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
makenna_reads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Stalking and Child death
lunayin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Sexual content, Gun violence, Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Physical abuse, and Kidnapping