I was so excited for this book and it was so disappointing.

When I was reading Bully I was soooo excited to see that Madoc was getting a book and that the FMC was a badass skater. I should not have had that high of expectations. I don't know if I'm growing out of Penelope's writing, or if it just wasn't good. But this book wasn't it. Now don't get me wrong, I didn't absolutely hate it and I read it fairly quickly but it was so mediocre.

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fr4n_m's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny medium-paced

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

4.75

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nikitanavalkar's review against another edition

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emotional sad tense medium-paced

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? It's complicated

4.0

Is Jared still the drama? I think he is. Okay fine, I just had to get that off my chest coz this book is really not about him except for some foolery here and there. Tate is still my B though.

I started this book enjoying Madoc and Fallon’s absolutely electric connection but not quite understanding their animosity and the reasons for it. But then bam we get hit by the secrets of their past and it makes so much sense! Madoc was kind of my favorite and became more so as we get to know him in this book especially because he’s obsessed with Vampire diaries, except when he’s being an overbearing douche. Okay maybe even then. I wasn’t mad at Fallon for her actions because goddarn with the things she went through she was way kinder than anyone had the right to expect and as messed up as you’d expect, but I also didn’t connect with her much. Also, I have to say OW drama doesn’t usually bother me especially when the mains are not officially together, but for once I need a man not to turn to other girls, while the girl goes celibate to get over each other. I know I know, this was 2014 and it’s gotten better since then, but some of Madoc’s choices stung me. The way she hurts him and the way he hurts her back to retaliate is almost too painful to bear, but neither can stay away from the other and that inexorable pull just brings them back together again and again. They’re ridiculously hot together too; I mean Jared and Tate are pretty hot, but man these two set some pages, and some public places on fire.

I was as engrossed by the dirty family drama of the Caruthers et al and the parents’ lived as I was by the romance. I love Madoc and Tate’s friendship in this one, and the closeness of their found family. But what I love the most was Jax there at the end, casually stealing the show from our two MCs. I think he’s my favorite now? One thing I can say reading this series is that these characters walked, so Devil’s Night could run, and I’m thankful for whatever seeds were sown (stylistically I mean) here so eventually Pen could craft the masterpiece that’s Thunderbay.

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mollydollydoodah's review against another edition

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dark emotional fast-paced

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

4.5

Super good, badass women. The plot was really interesting and I really enjoyed it.

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sidhewitch's review against another edition

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3.75

Audiobook Review. Dual Narration. Abby Craden did a fine job, despite the unfortunate 'Irish' accent that comes up a few times. Nelson Hobbs affected what almost sounded like a California surfer-dude accent, which was.. weird. It wasn't enough for me to DNF but definitely not my favorite.

So.. is it just this series that has a weird misogynistic problem, or is this a theme of the genre? Or the author? Like Tate before her, Fallon is set up opposite a "slutty mean girl" who is almost cartoonishly set on coming between her and her love interest, and who must be brought low by having her evil ways exposed to an audience so everyone can see how mean and slutty she is. It was off-putting, but it's also not even a main part of the central problem the couple faces and is once again largely introduced right near the end. And honestly, it was so unnecessary? We already had lots of reason to hate her. It felt like the book needed to make her extra bad, so that we excused the actions of the people around her who did nothing to stop her. Off-putting for me, and almost as dated as the musical references.

All that said and annoying as it was, that was a pretty small percentage of the book. What remains was a solid back and forth between the main characters, each with their own very understandable problems keeping them apart. While yes, a lot of this could have been solved by one honest conversation, you can understand why they don't have enough trust to be vulnerable and have that conversation. There is one issue between them I thought was extremely fumbled at the end, which is a shame because it could have been a much more emotionally impactful moment, but overall I found this one to be a real page-turner with only a few bits that dragged along the way.

So if you like the genre, don't mind that they're 18, and can overlook the brief flares of internalized misogyny, this one is a recommend. Check content warnings.

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