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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Mixed feelings but overall worth reading/listening.
As I started this book, I was in the 2-3 star range. It felt overly dramatic (which may have been partially due to the narrators) and somehow too simply written at the same time. Please never say “tongue darted out to wet her lips” more than once. Or never say it. Some of the supposed-to-be meaningful lines could be a bit trite. Donna’s character (I think that was her name) and the story behind the book store seemed under done. I get the symbolism of the book store and what it meant to Emma, but it could have used more development or attention.
However, the chemistry and development between Emma and Reed kept me listening. And the book got better. Even though I was having an occasional hard time with some of the execution of the writing, the story and the rest of the characters made me want to keep going. I really liked the way Reed respected Emma’s situation and led their relationship without rushing. The things he says to her
As I started this book, I was in the 2-3 star range. It felt overly dramatic (which may have been partially due to the narrators) and somehow too simply written at the same time. Please never say “tongue darted out to wet her lips” more than once. Or never say it. Some of the supposed-to-be meaningful lines could be a bit trite. Donna’s character (I think that was her name) and the story behind the book store seemed under done. I get the symbolism of the book store and what it meant to Emma, but it could have used more development or attention.
However, the chemistry and development between Emma and Reed kept me listening. And the book got better. Even though I was having an occasional hard time with some of the execution of the writing, the story and the rest of the characters made me want to keep going. I really liked the way Reed respected Emma’s situation and led their relationship without rushing. The things he says to her
This pains me. I DNF this book at >50% mark. Maybe I will one day, but I probably won’t. It just didn’t work for me. The author wrote well and I really enjoyed the narrator on Audible. The story had so much potential and everything I love in a book, but it just really fell short on keeping my attention. By the 50% mark I would expect to have more insight into the characters and what makes them tick, and I kept waiting for more from the FMC. Unfortunately, I still don’t know how or why the two MC’s are so into each other, they literally just hold hands, kiss, Emma pushes Reed away and then changes her mind and stays to hold hands some more, rinse repeat.
For such a damaged heroine, it just made the instalove vibes just not believable to me.
I really liked Reed, but it wasn’t enough for me to keep with it.
For such a damaged heroine, it just made the instalove vibes just not believable to me.
I really liked Reed, but it wasn’t enough for me to keep with it.
It was a good story. I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters. The emotional damage from Emma’s character, her challenges and hardships and what she went through to where she ended up. Lala’s loving strength and hilariousness, and Nora’s pure innocence. But ESPECIALLY loved Reed’s character ….oh god.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment
dark
emotional
fast-paced
I liked this book until like Chapter 25, but it was way too long. It had good push and pull for a while there and I really enjoyed it, but then Emma got annoying. I hate to say that. There are triggers in this book, I don’t remember them being mentioned in the audiobook. I dislike disliking any character that has had some serious sh*t happen to them. But our girl Emma was whinnnny and flakey. And I don’t know if it was Savannah Peachwoods narration or the actual character, but I could not do it any more. If it was like 15 chapters shorter and Emma was less of a waif - I might given it two stars.
We all need a Reed in our life. This mans is so patient and loving towards Emma, my traumatized heart melted.
This book took awhile to get through simply because I could put myself in many parts of Emma's traumas and childhood situations. It is just soooo good. It has it's tender moments and then bad assery strong independent women moments. It can be hard to really push through at first, but if you give it a chance the growth, love, and understanding between the two just ugh! I absolutely loved how Reed could see right through Emma's lies and kept pushing her to just keep lying. He never gave up on her once, even when his own heart was breaking at the hands of Emma.
I loved their sunrise dates. It was everything I needed a book to be.
This book took awhile to get through simply because I could put myself in many parts of Emma's traumas and childhood situations. It is just soooo good. It has it's tender moments and then bad assery strong independent women moments. It can be hard to really push through at first, but if you give it a chance the growth, love, and understanding between the two just ugh! I absolutely loved how Reed could see right through Emma's lies and kept pushing her to just keep lying. He never gave up on her once, even when his own heart was breaking at the hands of Emma.
I loved their sunrise dates. It was everything I needed a book to be.
Felt like really weird writing decisions about what was on the page vs. off. The writing would feel like it was leading up to a scene then just skip over it, and on the other side, the scenes we were getting were all started in the middle with no context or lead up. I know it's early, but I also felt like characters and places were introduced with very little description which made it hard to connect with the story at all.
LOVED this book. The story is believable and intense and the characters are real. Emma and Reed have amazing chemistry and even though it takes them a while to work through their speed bumps, it’s totally worth it in the end.
This book would be triggering for anyone who has been victim of SA. But the way the author portrays her experience feels raw, real, and believable. The story doesn’t solely revolve around this, but it is the main plot point. There is a lot of healing and comfort tied in too.
This is a story about overcoming trauma and choosing your own family. I’d happily read again.
This book would be triggering for anyone who has been victim of SA. But the way the author portrays her experience feels raw, real, and believable. The story doesn’t solely revolve around this, but it is the main plot point. There is a lot of healing and comfort tied in too.
This is a story about overcoming trauma and choosing your own family. I’d happily read again.