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crystalmackey's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Sexual content, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Drug abuse
Minor: Abandonment and Child abuse
amg_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Story 3.5 ⭐️
Audio 5 ⭐️
This was my second time reading this and I definitely enjoyed it more the second time around.
I still feel that it would’ve been nice if it was a little longer because it felt a bit rushed but I really liked the story this time around.
The audio was great, absolutely recommend
Audio 5 ⭐️
This was my second time reading this and I definitely enjoyed it more the second time around.
I still feel that it would’ve been nice if it was a little longer because it felt a bit rushed but I really liked the story this time around.
The audio was great, absolutely recommend
ashleigh22's review against another edition
5.0
amazing
I read this book in one day, which I never really do, because I literally couldn’t put it down. The stories behind these characters are so beautiful and captivating it’s insane.
I read this book in one day, which I never really do, because I literally couldn’t put it down. The stories behind these characters are so beautiful and captivating it’s insane.
briochebun's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
୨୧ Unwanted ୨୧
╰┈➤ [3 out of 5 ☆’s.]
❝𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬.❞
ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝
I was super excited to read this story — the synopsis made it sound like the angsty book of my dreams — but it ended up falling a bit flat for me (unfortunately). :(
I wish that this book had been longer — and that Frankie + Arlo had more of a slow burn romance where we got to see them pine for one another for a little while longer before getting together.
I think that it’s difficult to tackle a book with this subject matter in under 300 pages. I just wanted more. Others who aren’t fans of slow burn romances might feel differently though!
╰┈➤ [3 out of 5 ☆’s.]
❝𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬.❞
ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝
I was super excited to read this story — the synopsis made it sound like the angsty book of my dreams — but it ended up falling a bit flat for me (unfortunately). :(
I wish that this book had been longer — and that Frankie + Arlo had more of a slow burn romance where we got to see them pine for one another for a little while longer before getting together.
I think that it’s difficult to tackle a book with this subject matter in under 300 pages. I just wanted more. Others who aren’t fans of slow burn romances might feel differently though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Abandonment, Child abuse, and Grief
Minor: Physical abuse
evethingiread's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the premise and the idea of this series more than this book itself. I think I like the group enough to continue with the series and find out what happens to everyone.
My problem with this book might be wholly the narrator of the audiobook, but I think the writing didn’t help. It was soooo hard to differentiate Arlo and Frankie’s pov! So I kept repeating certain parts because I wasn’t sure who was saying it.
The other issue I had, is that not a lot happens on the page between Arlo and Frankie. All we know is that they are inlove. But I don’t think we see that. And when they’re together, we don’t see it. Which is very frustrating!
I kept waiting for them to talk about what happened when Frankie left. It just doesn't feel like we got enough of that story. Like something was missing.
the last few chapters were very emotional and I really can't wait to see the other characters in their own books.
My problem with this book might be wholly the narrator of the audiobook, but I think the writing didn’t help. It was soooo hard to differentiate Arlo and Frankie’s pov! So I kept repeating certain parts because I wasn’t sure who was saying it.
The other issue I had, is that not a lot happens on the page between Arlo and Frankie. All we know is that they are inlove. But I don’t think we see that. And when they’re together, we don’t see it. Which is very frustrating!
I kept waiting for them to talk about what happened when Frankie left. It just doesn't feel like we got enough of that story. Like something was missing.
the last few chapters were very emotional and I really can't wait to see the other characters in their own books.
1bookobsessionconfessions's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 STARS
This is a soul stirring and incredibly touching story. I think the sensitive subject matter was handled with great respect and care.
Frankie and Arlo grew up together in a group home/foster care.
Along with Frankie’s biological brother and two other fellow foster kids they formed a family when they turned of age. Frankie took care of the younger ones and quite frankly Arlo as well… as best he could at his young age.
I love this “chosen” family, they are an amazing group and I adore them all. The love and devotion they have for each other is so beautiful.
Frankie and Arlo were each other’s first love. Young and feeling unwanted they were each other’s everything until addiction became an issue for Arlo. It became the cause of their separation.
For 4 years Frankie has made a life for himself in Seattle separate from his L.A. family. A sudden emergency in the family brings Frankie back to Los Angeles and facing Arlo after their devastating past.
The story has serious and heavy subject matter that the author writes in a way that’s not dreary or overwhelming. There’s angst and pain, but the characters interactions are mostly positive so it lightens the darker, painful aspects.
I enjoyed the journey of these beautiful and resilient characters. I absolutely love them.
I loved the maturity that the characters handled their pasts and mistakes with. It was refreshing and made the characters even more admirable.
The uncertainty and longing mixed with past pain and concerns make for an interesting reunion between the characters. The love and attraction isn’t gone, they have a lot of things to emotionally “unpack “ though.
Their story is heart wrenching and heart warming at the same time.
The secondary characters are just as lovable and I can’t wait for more of them in books to come.
This is a really heart achingly beautiful story and there’s wonderful chemistry and steam. I think the depth of their connection makes them so hot together.
I loved it and I can’t wait for more in the series.
This is a soul stirring and incredibly touching story. I think the sensitive subject matter was handled with great respect and care.
Frankie and Arlo grew up together in a group home/foster care.
Along with Frankie’s biological brother and two other fellow foster kids they formed a family when they turned of age. Frankie took care of the younger ones and quite frankly Arlo as well… as best he could at his young age.
I love this “chosen” family, they are an amazing group and I adore them all. The love and devotion they have for each other is so beautiful.
Frankie and Arlo were each other’s first love. Young and feeling unwanted they were each other’s everything until addiction became an issue for Arlo. It became the cause of their separation.
For 4 years Frankie has made a life for himself in Seattle separate from his L.A. family. A sudden emergency in the family brings Frankie back to Los Angeles and facing Arlo after their devastating past.
The story has serious and heavy subject matter that the author writes in a way that’s not dreary or overwhelming. There’s angst and pain, but the characters interactions are mostly positive so it lightens the darker, painful aspects.
I enjoyed the journey of these beautiful and resilient characters. I absolutely love them.
I loved the maturity that the characters handled their pasts and mistakes with. It was refreshing and made the characters even more admirable.
The uncertainty and longing mixed with past pain and concerns make for an interesting reunion between the characters. The love and attraction isn’t gone, they have a lot of things to emotionally “unpack “ though.
Their story is heart wrenching and heart warming at the same time.
The secondary characters are just as lovable and I can’t wait for more of them in books to come.
This is a really heart achingly beautiful story and there’s wonderful chemistry and steam. I think the depth of their connection makes them so hot together.
I loved it and I can’t wait for more in the series.
canibefictionaltoo's review
4.5
The angst.
The emotion.
The tension.
The SLOW BURN.
I just ravaged this in one sitting and I don't know what to do now
The emotion.
The tension.
The SLOW BURN.
I just ravaged this in one sitting and I don't know what to do now
jankben's review
I didn't like the 2 MC's. Got tired of waiting for an explanation for why Frankie deserted his whole found family for 4 years, not just Arlo.
kaydanielsromance's review against another edition
5.0
A very emotional, second chance at life, at romance, at a new beginning.
Unwanted isn't just a story about foster kids finding love, or finding support, or their new family. It's a combination of all of that plus it's a deep look into the heart of addiction and forever journey on the road to recovery.
I've shared before that I will read anything and jump into any trope, I basically have zero limitations when it comes to reading romance. However, like any human being there is one topic that can sometimes push me just a little too far and that is drug abuse. My family has lived through this nightmare with my brother and it never fails to reopen those wounds again every single time. So while I gripped the pages and prepared my heart to read Unwanted, I am proud to say that Marley Valentine wrote a beautiful story that didn't cut open old wounds, but instead filled my heart with overwhelming love. She captured the heartbreak during addiction and poured out the guilt and shame that both men felt during that dark time. It's easy to forget that drug abuse is a shame spiral that only gets worse to hide a bigger issue. Everyone's issue is different, but at the heart of addiction there is always one and Marley doesn't gloss over it or take this issue casually.
What I appreciated more was how this book tackled recovery. It was a beautiful reminder that every addict and their support people eventually find a point where they are filled with pride and love and that everyday is a process and everyday is still a journey. While love doesn't fix every problem, nor should it be to an addict, it's a hug, or a safety net, or a reminder to your loved one that you are there for support. Marley couldn't have written a better roadmap for the emotional journey of addiction, with a side story of romance, than she did in this book.
Let me take just a moment to talk about the actual romance because it is integral, but it also feels like a side character to everything else. Arlo and Frankie's love is a second chance romance, but it is steeped in heartbreak and history. They grew up in the foster system and fell down the addiction road together, but when it came to getting out Frankie did and Arlo took a darker path. Unwanted contains all of their foster siblings and several real life issues that makes this a very touching story. While this could have been overwhelming with so many secondary characters it actually wasn't and I'm looking forward to returning to this world and reading more about each one.
I know I hardly touched on the romance aspect in this review, but like I said, it was seamless and just blended into everything else. It's hard to dissect when it's connected to the darkness and light of everything else so I'll let you discover their second chance and encourage you into reading this story instead.
Unwanted isn't just a story about foster kids finding love, or finding support, or their new family. It's a combination of all of that plus it's a deep look into the heart of addiction and forever journey on the road to recovery.
I've shared before that I will read anything and jump into any trope, I basically have zero limitations when it comes to reading romance. However, like any human being there is one topic that can sometimes push me just a little too far and that is drug abuse. My family has lived through this nightmare with my brother and it never fails to reopen those wounds again every single time. So while I gripped the pages and prepared my heart to read Unwanted, I am proud to say that Marley Valentine wrote a beautiful story that didn't cut open old wounds, but instead filled my heart with overwhelming love. She captured the heartbreak during addiction and poured out the guilt and shame that both men felt during that dark time. It's easy to forget that drug abuse is a shame spiral that only gets worse to hide a bigger issue. Everyone's issue is different, but at the heart of addiction there is always one and Marley doesn't gloss over it or take this issue casually.
What I appreciated more was how this book tackled recovery. It was a beautiful reminder that every addict and their support people eventually find a point where they are filled with pride and love and that everyday is a process and everyday is still a journey. While love doesn't fix every problem, nor should it be to an addict, it's a hug, or a safety net, or a reminder to your loved one that you are there for support. Marley couldn't have written a better roadmap for the emotional journey of addiction, with a side story of romance, than she did in this book.
Let me take just a moment to talk about the actual romance because it is integral, but it also feels like a side character to everything else. Arlo and Frankie's love is a second chance romance, but it is steeped in heartbreak and history. They grew up in the foster system and fell down the addiction road together, but when it came to getting out Frankie did and Arlo took a darker path. Unwanted contains all of their foster siblings and several real life issues that makes this a very touching story. While this could have been overwhelming with so many secondary characters it actually wasn't and I'm looking forward to returning to this world and reading more about each one.
I know I hardly touched on the romance aspect in this review, but like I said, it was seamless and just blended into everything else. It's hard to dissect when it's connected to the darkness and light of everything else so I'll let you discover their second chance and encourage you into reading this story instead.