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dreamypageturner's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Pedophilia, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Domestic abuse, Death, Sexual violence, Rape, Murder, Child death, Misogyny, Gore, Cursing, Confinement, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Body horror, Blood, Pregnancy, Bullying, Violence, Incest, Grief, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abortion, Addiction, Alcoholism, Forced institutionalization, Sexism, Torture, Self harm, Car accident, and Drug abuse
Minor: Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, and Trafficking
unicornofthesea's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gun violence, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Car accident, Trafficking, Rape, Child abuse, and Violence
Minor: Bullying, Classism, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Cancer
vicktorea'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
3.5
PLEASE CHECK THE CWs/TWS for this before reading - I believe the author provides them on her website!
okay we're doing one of these breakdown reviews today:
what I liked
-the male narration was chef's kiss, simply bc of the accent - droolfest 🤤
-came with CW (this is kinda bare minimum now - like this should be something authors provide automatically - but I liked that the author provided a website for people to go to if they wanted to check in-depth CWs so as to not potentially spoil the plot for others who don't need CWs. i also liked that she provided helplines for those who may need them).
-the overall plot/setting - I feel like the author did a good job setting the tone and atmosphere, esp with the Irish setting. I can't quite explain what I'm trying to say but I liked the vibes I was getting. The plot also shed light upon some very serious and sad issues. It was a bit difficult and times listening to what happened to the characters in the past but it felt like care and attention was put into this, which I appreciated.
-i loved the MMC. damaged to the bone but I also loved that the author wrote him as emotional as he was. he openly cried at times and that feels like such a rare occurrence so I appreciated it - it really humanized him and I liked feeling the vulnerability from him.
-the epilogue (surprisingly) - thank GOD there was no dreaded (for me) pregnancy trope!!! it actually showed the two characters doing their best to heal from their traumas and not just magically living happily ever after.
- the bitchass (ex) bf was done and dusted fairly early on!! i was nervous i'd have to sit through several chapters of his nonsense before he was finally taken out
what I didn't like
- the fmc at times - she was always calling herself useless and worthless and while I get where those feelings were coming from she'd say this about herself for situations out of her control. i also didn't like her narration - it sounded too juvenile but the narrator did a great job at the Irish accents (I couldn't tell which accent [American vs Irish] was her real accent).
- the pacing - it was a bit off for me. there's a time jump and the MMC and FMC are reunited fairly quickly and it's just them together for a while trying to navigate what to do with their lives.
overall, a good read! i didn't love it but def enjoyed aspects of it! excited to try Praying For Rain by this author next!
Graphic: Sexual violence, Child abuse, Murder, and Rape
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Pedophilia, and Grief
Minor: Kidnapping
karina_dreamsinwords'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
4.0
“He’d found the strength to destroy the men who’d hurt us, and if that made him the Devil, then I would gladly burn in hell by his side.”
I quite enjoyed this gripping, hauntingly tragic, action packed story!
At the start of this book we follow Darby as a young girl when she forms an unlikely friendship with Kellen, a mute known as the devil’s son, during summer trips to see her grandfather on his sheep farm in Ireland. With each summer visit, the pair grow closer while searching the woods for fairies and finding solace in the others’ company. After a tragedy and years later, Darby returns to the Irish village engaged to another man & unsure of what feelings reuniting with her old friend will bring to light.
This story starts off a bit slower as we learn about the back story and what led to Darby & Kellen to form such a strong bond as children. There are some dark moments that happen to both MC’s as kids that are revealed as the story unfolds which was just heartbreaking to read. I have to say that there’s just something beautiful about seeing two pained souls find their way back to their first love🥹
I was rooting for Darby and Kellen the whole way through! They were respectful of each other & mutually understood that touch alone was sacred, especially given their traumas.
I also want to mention the Author’s note. It was fascinating to learn about the history behind this tale and I appreciate BB’s honesty in telling this story.
**Please be kind to yourself & check the content warnings before jumping in because this does cover some dark subject matter— mainly child abuse, SA, ptsd, & domestic violence.
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Gun violence
Minor: Suicide attempt and Adult/minor relationship