Scan barcode
mariahlynnpeck's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-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
5.0
Not the typical romance story line. It honestly kept reeling me in and was so hard to put down. The way Bree sees so much potential in Archer. The way they love each other fiercely chefs kiss, even with the tears shed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Murder, Vomit, Death of parent, and Alcoholism
liad24's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Bullying, Death, Violence, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Vomit
beba_marie's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Domestic abuse
folkofthebook's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
And sometimes, that’s all it takes—one person who’s willing to listen to your heart, to the sound no one else has ever tried to hear.
i was in the mood for something romantic, a little dramatic and angsty, with some classic small town vibes, and this delivered.
archer and bree were very sweet. they were patient with each other's needs, were able to bond & comfort each other through their traumas, and seemed to be in sync (for the most part). archer managed to make me chuckle occasionally as well. most of the family drama was a bit predictable for me but still enjoyable. i didn't go in with super high expectations and this gave me what i expected for a contemp/dramatic romance.
It suddenly occurred to me that Archer Hale had taught himself an entire language, but hadn’t had a single person to talk to. Until me.
Loving another person always means opening yourself up for hurt. I don’t want to lose more than I already have, either, but isn’t it worth it? Isn’t it worth giving it a chance?
She asked me the sign for love and I spelled out your name.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death of parent, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Murder, Sexual assault, and Car accident
Minor: Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
alex_bousquet's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
2.75
It read like a YA book with some added sex scenes. Everyone says this book made them sob but maybe I'm cold as ice because at no point did I cry. I felt bad for what archer went through as a child yes, and bree witnessing her father's death. Insta-love trope. And the ending was so cliche and predictable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Car accident, Medical trauma, Ableism, Death, Grief, Alcoholism, and Sexual content
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, and Violence
cassiereadsbooks_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Drug abuse, Murder, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Mental illness, and Sexual assault
lindsaymck's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
This book is rare in the way it blends romance and mystery.
Bree’s connection to and desire to understand and love Archer is contagious and I credit that to powerful storytelling. The truths behind both Archer and Bree’s traumas are sprinkled throughout the book, but in a way that makes SO much sense. It is as if the reader is being told these painful stories as we gain the trust of the people sharing them. We learn of Bree’s experiences sooner because she is further along on her path to healing and she is able to support Archer in gradually revealing what happened to him and how it forever changed his life.
Archer experiencing new things for the first time (and Bree’s perspective about how honored and hungry she is for those “firsts”) is really original and incomparable to any other relationship I’ve read about. The way we see these “firsts” and the other pivotal moments of their relationship through both POVs is what I wish every author would do!
Two parts in particular will stay with me long after I close this book. The first:
“Bad things don’t happen to people because they deserve for them to happen. It just doesn’t work that way. It’s just… life. And no matter who we are, we have to take the hand we’re dealt, crappy though it may be, and try our very best to move forward anyway, to love anyway, to have hope anyway… to have faith that there’s a purpose to the journey we’re on. And try to believe that maybe more light shines out of those who have the most cracks.”
The second is when Bree shares with Archer how her mom’s embroidery helped give her perspective when life becomes chaotic.
“Sometimes I think of those little pieces of fabric whenever life feels messy and difficult to understand. I try to close my eyes and believe that even though I can’t see the other side right then, and the side I’m looking at is ugly and muddled, there’s a masterpiece that’s being woven out of all the knots and loose strings. I try to believe that something beautiful can result from something ugly, and that there will come a time when I’ll get to see what that is.”
This book is special and one that I know I will think about. The use of sign language and the author showing the difference between speech and sign by italicizing the signing was something I really appreciated and enjoyed. The ending was a TRIP, but no spoilers!
Bree’s connection to and desire to understand and love Archer is contagious and I credit that to powerful storytelling. The truths behind both Archer and Bree’s traumas are sprinkled throughout the book, but in a way that makes SO much sense. It is as if the reader is being told these painful stories as we gain the trust of the people sharing them. We learn of Bree’s experiences sooner because she is further along on her path to healing and she is able to support Archer in gradually revealing what happened to him and how it forever changed his life.
Archer experiencing new things for the first time (and Bree’s perspective about how honored and hungry she is for those “firsts”) is really original and incomparable to any other relationship I’ve read about. The way we see these “firsts” and the other pivotal moments of their relationship through both POVs is what I wish every author would do!
Two parts in particular will stay with me long after I close this book. The first:
“Bad things don’t happen to people because they deserve for them to happen. It just doesn’t work that way. It’s just… life. And no matter who we are, we have to take the hand we’re dealt, crappy though it may be, and try our very best to move forward anyway, to love anyway, to have hope anyway… to have faith that there’s a purpose to the journey we’re on. And try to believe that maybe more light shines out of those who have the most cracks.”
The second is when Bree shares with Archer how her mom’s embroidery helped give her perspective when life becomes chaotic.
“Sometimes I think of those little pieces of fabric whenever life feels messy and difficult to understand. I try to close my eyes and believe that even though I can’t see the other side right then, and the side I’m looking at is ugly and muddled, there’s a masterpiece that’s being woven out of all the knots and loose strings. I try to believe that something beautiful can result from something ugly, and that there will come a time when I’ll get to see what that is.”
This book is special and one that I know I will think about. The use of sign language and the author showing the difference between speech and sign by italicizing the signing was something I really appreciated and enjoyed. The ending was a TRIP, but no spoilers!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Gore and Grief
Minor: Rape and Alcoholism
ellie_girl2929's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
5.0
This is my new favorite book. The amount of times I laughed, my jaw dropped, and I sobbed. I never cried this much from a book. It was perfect<33
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual assault, Grief, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Car accident, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, and Emotional abuse
elisa_atkins's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Gun violence
brandie_abbie19's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, Sexual content, and Murder