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danniella_may's review
funny
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Having really enjoyed other Emily McIntire books I thought this was going to be another enjoyable one.
The timeline jumps quite a bit in the first part of the book which made it difficult to hold my attention. The second part of the book just grated on me. There is so much focus on Chase's flaws and we never touch on Alina's, especially not her ability to project her insecurities on to others or her inability to have a conversation which could ultimately stop her deciding she knows everything without all the facts. Nevermind she gets uppity about people bot twlling her stuff yet the issue is she's so wrapped up in her own world she doesn't actually even really take time to find out what's going on with anyone else.
I found it quite hard getting through the pace of this book, it really dragged for me. I don't find myself in a rush to read the rest of the series but may get to it one day.
The timeline jumps quite a bit in the first part of the book which made it difficult to hold my attention. The second part of the book just grated on me. There is so much focus on Chase's flaws and we never touch on Alina's, especially not her ability to project her insecurities on to others or her inability to have a conversation which could ultimately stop her deciding she knows everything without all the facts. Nevermind she gets uppity about people bot twlling her stuff yet the issue is she's so wrapped up in her own world she doesn't actually even really take time to find out what's going on with anyone else.
I found it quite hard getting through the pace of this book, it really dragged for me. I don't find myself in a rush to read the rest of the series but may get to it one day.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic friendship, Drug abuse, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Death of parent, Addiction, Alcohol, and Car accident
Moderate: Infertility and Infidelity
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
kyriannaj's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Great first book of the year to read. At first I was frustrated having to read 100+ pages of the main characters and how their relationship developed over childhood. But after finishing? It's amazing. You really see the development, especially of Chase. Sometimes it can be hard to do a grovelling/apology/second chance and make it feel like the person has genuinely changed, but seeing the past transform into the present makes it clear as day that Chase had put in the work. Seeing the roles change between Chase and Alina from childhood to adulthood was incredibly sweet, watching them both take care of one another through their dark times. The way they support, love, and let each other grow is amazing and I feel it's rare to find books that do it so well. I also adore how the ending isn't 100% happy. Yes, the couple ends up together and gets their happily ever after, but everything in life isn't fixed. Relationships are still damaged, people are still growing and learning, and change takes time. But it ends with hope that these characters will be okay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, Alcohol, Child abuse, Mental illness, Cursing, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Car accident, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Infertility, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Infidelity
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