Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Addicted to You

y'all... i ate this UP. my jaw DROPPED in chapter 1 when he kissed her and then asked her if she blew some guy, i knew i was SOLD on this.

this relationship is giving me exactly the angst i need - first with the OBVIOUS pining and cluelessness to each others' feelings because the love between them is so real and tangible, but also bc their addictions and self-destructive tendencies are so strong. the side characters are so loveable as well - connor and rose. connor is my fav, he's a real one. i could predict some of the things coming (ryke) but i enjoyed it.

i went into it thinking this would be a soap-ish rich bitch drama, which it kind of is, but they're fairly down to earth (considering everything) relatable characters. there's something about this relationship that anchors them and makes me love them and root for them, flaws and all.

i'm hoping at the end when all is said and done, lily and lo give me couple goals.

“Just repeat this phrase whenever you feel the urge to jump some other guy’s bones.” His mouth brushes my ear. “Loren Hale fucks better.”

Content Warnings

laruru's review against another edition

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challenging emotional medium-paced

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

3.5

The Addicted/Calloway Sisters series has been on my TBR for a while and I finally picked up the first book. Sometimes I'm in the mood for a book that's easy to binge and similar to the Magnolia Parks books - toxic relationship, drama, stupid rich people, braindead entertainment - and Addicted to You definitely falls under these categories.

The book was easy to binge and somewhat entertaining. I was never fully invested in Lily & Lo, they're so bad for each other and I didn't want to root for them as a couple. Lily started to annoy me towards the end, girl had me rolling my eyes and face palming. I liked the introduction of Connor and Ryke, if the entire book was just Lily & Lo off in their own world I think I would've DNF'd.

I'm not itching to start the second book, but will probably come back to this series whenever I need a palette cleanser.

Content Warnings

asuwysh's review

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emotional medium-paced

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

4.5

Content Warnings

sssar_'s review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

aaand we're done with the first book of the addicted world.
I don't really have anything to say in the plot, I think it was very interesting and by the end of the book it depicted well how both Lily and Lo are destructive together in those conditions. The story is well performed and it's only the first book so despite expecting to be left with questions I'm not, it's just pure waiting to see what will happen next with Lo and Lily. I loved how they showed us Lily's relationships and LOREN'S, LIKE, I LOVE ALL OF HIS RELATIONSHIPS. Whether it's Lily,Rose,Connor or Ryke their all top notch!! it's rare for me to be satisfied about these things, especially as a side characters lover.
I don't have much to say about their characters and rn we've gone through their addiction(I guess?) so I'm kind of curious about what will be going on with the next book since their five if I'm not wrong. What I mean is that the development can't really be talked about cuz it's like we're going through a stage and in the next book it'll be another. Either way I'm keeping their characters'reviews for the last book or the other one if there's something important I'll feel like mentioning.
~~~~
Fav character: Loren.
Fav side character: Rike.
Fav plotwist: Rike's intentions (?not sure how to phrase it without spoilers).
Fav chaps:14,21,28,32
Fav quotes and scenes in the spoiler section ⬇️

Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Abandonment and Sexual content

“In this moment, I’m yours.”“And as your boyfriend,” he murmurs, “I really hate to share.”/ “You’re a permanent fixture in my life. You’re not going anywhere.” /“Did you feel like you couldn’t talk to me?” “Things were changing,” “I know I can be a royal asshole. But I love you. You’re my best friend and the only person I’ve ever told that I have a problem. It doesn’t matter if we’re in a fucking fake relationship. We’re supposed to talk to each other. Come to me before you go off the deep end, okay?” / “I’m here for you. Always.” /“You know you can tell me anything, Lil. I’m not going anywhere.” / “I’m clearly an option, and yet you still can’t ask me. I don’t fucking get it. Am I that revolting to you? You would rather go through withdrawals and bang some asshole than sleep with me?”/ “Have you ever thought about it?” “Have you ever thought about me inside you?” “Have you ever thought about us together?” ”Together?” “Where I don’t share you with any other man.”All the time. “Yes.” “If I could be enough to fill you, would you let me?” “Yes.” “Then let me try,” he says, his hand cupping my face. “Let me try to be enough for you.” /“I didn’t know you wanted to…you never said anything,” I stumble.“How the hell could you not know?” “I’m dirty,” I refute, hot tears brimming. “You don’t want me.”His face twists in pain. “I don’t think that. Neither should you.” His lips graze my neck and then find my ear. “Lil, I want you to ask me. I need you to.” “Help me” /“I thought it was part of the lie. I thought you were just pretending.” How could I know that he wanted more?“I’ve never pretended, Lil. We’ve been together, even if you thought it was some fucking lie. We just weren’t having sex.” He stares at his glass. “On bad days, I’d touch you more than I should, I admit. Like when Daisy spent the night, but I was hoping you’d finally open your eyes and realize that I was there. You didn’t have to suffer or go be fulfilled by some other guy. I was right in front of you.” /“I want to love you more than I love this”—he waves his bottle—“and I don’t know how else to do it unless there’s something to lose.” /“I’ll have three chicken tacos. She’ll take beef with extra lettuce.” He knows my order by heart, not surprising since we eat here regularly, but now that we’re together, it seems sexier.“You want hot sauce on those chicken, right?” “No, not today.”I frown. “You always get hot sauce.” “And you hate spicy food.” WhaaatOhhhh. It clicks. He plans to kiss me sometime soon. That, I like./ And honestly…” His eyes dart between Lo and me with a growing smile. “Fizzle and Hale Co., you both still haven’t realized who I am. And I have a good feeling you wouldn’t give a shit if you knew.” / “How about this?” His husky, low voice takes my breath. “Just repeat this phrase whenever you feel the urge to jump some other guy’s bones.” His mouth brushes my ear. “Loren Hale fucks better.” /“I know you’re not really writing an article, so you don’t need to ask these things.” “I fucking know that, Lily. I’m asking because I’m genuinely curious. No offense, but I care about your boyfriend more than I care about you.” “Are you sure you don’t have a crush on him?” “Seriously, Lily?” “What? It’s an honest question. You’re obsessed with Lo.” “I’m not obsessed. Don’t use that word. I’m just curious. I want to know him. Why do I have to be in love with him to want such a thing?” “I don’t know. It’s weird.” /Ryke refuses to back down. He meets Lo’s challenge, not deterring from his sharp gaze. He even goes one step further and sets a gentle hand on the back of Lo’s neck. “I’m sorry,” Ryke breathes with so much hurt that it takes me by surprise. “I’m so fucking sorry, Lo. I’m here for you now. Whatever you’re going through, I may not have experienced it, but I’m right here.” / “I love you, but I want to love you enough that I never choose alcohol over you. Not even for a moment. I want to be someone you deserve. Who helps you rather than enables you, and I can’t begin to do that until I get help for myself.” / “I’ll always be yours. No distance or time apart will change that, Lily. You need to believe that.” /“Wait for me.” The words come out choked and pained. “I need you to wait for me.” .

graceheartsbooks's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

4.0

I didn’t think I’d like this book as much as I did. For context: I’m asexual and don’t like sex myself I worried reading about a sex addict wouldn’t be my cup of tea lol

But I kept playing reviews for this series on YouTube in the background so I got curious. I also finished it in two days so clearly it had an affect over me.

(Though piece of advice for anyone getting into this series: maybe get it digitally first to protect your wallet, haha)

This is my first Krista and Becca Richie and I think I will definitely be continuing this series.

Despite its premise of a sex addict and an alcoholic getting together, it’s not as bad as it sounds.

Lily and Loren are childhood friends and have been pretending to be dating for three years while in college as to hide their addictions from their wealthy families (mostly Lily’s as her sisters are the other MCs). And despite it being a slippery slope to portray this kind of thing as it can easily be romanticized but in my opinion this book doesn’t do that.

In her narration, Lily knows both she and Loren have a problem but feels that if they tell anyone else about their addictions that they’ll just get hate for it. Lily also has some troubling views on what her addictions makes her and that she’s sending the ‘wrong signals’ after a certain incident but other the course of the book she slowly realizes that these thought patterns are damaging.

Ultimately what I love about this book is the acknowledgment that despite the assumption many people have: love doesn’t fix everything. When Loren and Lily officially became a couple, they start to realize that their addictions do in fact harm other people, including each other, despite not telling anyone, and that they need to accept that they both need professional help. It’s going to be hard but I think they can make it (at least I assume they do as there’s a trilogy spanning their love story in this series)

Also I appreciate that there’s a line about Lily going to a clinic every few months to make sure she doesn’t have STDs or a pregnancy scare from all the sex she’s having. I don’t know how much it would have bothered others but it would’ve bothered me as not mentioning that would’ve been unrealistic.

(And as a comic book geek, the references are noted and appreciated lol)

And lastly, a spoiler:

On a less serious note: the reveal that Loren and Ryke are half-brothers made my jaw drop. Talk about a plot twist😱

Content Warnings

kenzieburke's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I don’t even know what to say.

A emotional rollercoaster I wasn’t expecting. Like it’s very weird to like giggle and laugh one minute, to sobbing the next, and yet I don’t regret a single part of this reading journey and wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

I feel like it was a great introduction to the series and cast of characters, as well as a great beginning love story and healing journey for both Loren and Lily. I am very eager to see what happens next.

And the twist?! The twist that I should’ve expected considering all things but still was floored when it occurred. Brava. Made me gasp, scream and cry.

Content Warnings

hollymileham's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

absolutely love this series already, fake relationship and famous people? say less...

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