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anne_reader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Violence, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
the_mad_writer's review against another edition
I tried again and still hated it just because of how it was written. I also had to put it down so many times because it was just too much.
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
Minor: Bullying, Infertility, and Vomit
emily_linn_26's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Violence, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Grief, Pregnancy, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Sexual assault
merylas's review against another edition
- 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
This is not a love story. This is not a love triangle, will they won’t they. This is a story about domestic abuse.
This is a story about being on the outside and adamantly thinking you’d do something but then reality makes you realize how hard and confusing that really is. Abusers don’t always start as abusers and people you wouldn’t expect can be abusers.
That said, this is a very powerful and well written story. I laughed, I cried, I loved, and I hated.
Things I didn’t love:
- Atlas asking how old Lily was (15 when he was 18), and waiting until she was 16 to have sex. This is never brought up in a sketchy way as Colleen wants you to love Atlas unconditionally, but him coming back on her birthday felt less romantic than she intended.
- I’ve read reviews that said Ryle’s abuse of the chair was foreshadowing of his abuse but that didn’t read to me. That read to me as Ryle letting off anger while alone (or at least he thought he was) at an inanimate object; he purposely chose to release pent up emotion in an environment that would not harm any living creatures. If this was intended as foreshadowing, it was not achieved.
- Atlas and Lily end up together in the epilogue. I think it was unnecessary. They had a bond formed from understanding and abuse; there is definite love there but just learning that they each are safe and successful was enough and could have led to an actual adult friendship.
- Not enough Devin. Loved him, and he could have been someone she leaned on more instead of Atlas (Colleen sort of explained it away but I didn’t really buy it… clearly only having Atlas was meant to show how in love she still is with him)
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Child death
Minor: Infertility
heyitsem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Rape, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Death of parent and Gun violence
marin_tpwk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
daybreakreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I had alarm bells going off immediately with the abusive character, but I love the depth the author eventually added to *all* of the characters, including the abusive one. When you find out the reasons why he is the way he is, it’s hard to not feel some level of sympathy for him, regardless of the fact that he’s just words on paper. Imagine him as a real human that charms you and makes you feel loved, and the story makes even more sense.
I personally would not recommend this one to anyone who is *currently* struggling with *any* mental illness issues, regardless of what they are, because it’s an in-depth look at flawed thought patterns across multiple characters and how they led to and enabled violence. That said, I was able to make it through it okay despite a prior PTSD diagnosis (among other things) related to something similar, and I really value and appreciate this for what it is. You’re an adult who can choose to do what you would like, but as someone who’s been there and managed to get better, I’d strongly and compassionately advise against it. That goes for anyone even with anxiety or depression who isn’t necessarily at risk for DV. Just my thoughts; keep it on your TBR to look forward to for when you’re doing better :)
Moderate: Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Pregnancy, and Rape
enchantingreads_rosyreviews's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Cycles exist because they are excruciating to break. It takes an astronomical amount of pain and courage to disrupt a familiar pattern."
My first CoHo book and it was a DOOZY, but I loved it! My family has a history of domestic violence survival and this book felt like a celebration to other survivors and their loved ones. The amount of strength Lily and others like her must find within themselves is awe-inspiring.
Hoover wrote a raw, grounded and realistic portrayal of an all-too-common situation. Watching Lily’s personal growth, especially when she is in conflict with herself, and wracking with the morally grey areas life forces us to face, are two elements which make this story uniquely captivating. This book is guaranteed to stay with you. This book was emotional, empowering, devastating, and left me conflicted at times. But all of these things are what make life beautiful. Without the tough times, the great ones are a little less shiny. I can't wait for the movie adaptation of this book!
When I tell you, this book grabbed hold of me and didn’t let go, I MEAN it! This is not some lovey-dovey romance book where they run off into the sunset together and live happily ever after. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pick it up! Instead, this is a grounded, authentic story which brings new meaning to the phrase “every rose has its thorns.”
"15 seconds. That's all it takes to completely change everything about a person. 15 seconds that we'll never get back."
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Gun violence, Abandonment, Bullying, Cursing, Grief, Child death, Death of parent, Rape, and Self harm
veritas19's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Cursing
Minor: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Infertility
sharu901's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent