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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
I absolutely loved this book! The writing style was unique and the way the story unfolded was beautiful. Its definitely a must read!
This was a difficult book to read. It’s so well written which, given the subject matter, makes it very painful and scary. I’m lucky enough to have never been in a relationship like this. I almost quit reading several times. I don’t know that I could have finished it if that was something I’d experienced. This is going to stick with me for a long time.
*Let's out a deep breath*
Holy. Fucking. Cow.
"Intense" is an understatement for what this book is.
I am not normally one for trigger warnings, but if you are sensitive to content featuring emotional manipulation, suicide, abuse, or parental neglect, I would suggest you avoid this book. If you are feeling at all depressed or mentally unstable, I would also suggest that you stay away.
I will echo the sentiments of my fellow reviewers by stating that this is a tough read. There are many uncomfortable topics broached in this book and they will make you angry. They will make you angry either because you relate to it...or you just want to shake and slap so many people in this book.
This story is ultimately about a girl that falls for the wrong boy. Sound familiar?
It is written in the second person, as Grace, our main character, is essentially writing to Gavin himself, chronicling their tumultuous history together, at the same time, bringing us in to her home life which is full of neglectful, emotionally abusive, unstable parents.
Oh boy guys, did this make me mad. And I was mad for SO many different reasons.
Mad at Grace for being so blind to the manipulative tactics that Gavin used on her.
Mad because even after she wisened up to the toxic behavior, she still continued to make excuses for him and choose him over everyone else.
Mad because Grace allowed her self to be made so small and worthless by Gavin. She gave up on her dreams for him.
Mad because she looked at his possessive, controlling jealousy as love, and did not listen to her best friends and sister who saw this and tried to protect her or the sweet boy that truly loved her.
Mad because Gavin's parents are so ridiculously blind to who their son is, and would rather blame girls for his self-destructive behavior
Mad because Grace's mother essentially threw away the health and happiness of her two daughters to start over with a man who treats her and her daughters poorly. Who controls every aspect of the household and belittles them every chance he gets. Mad because she is not strong enough to do what is right and leave.
Mad because her mother's mental health is left unchecked and is, in turn, hurting her daughter.
But most of all...mad because no matter how awful Gavin is to her, no matter how toxic or possessive, she always caves. She always goes to him. He always gets his way.
There was literally a point in this book, near the end, where I put it down and was like "NO! WHAT THE FUCK IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?!?! HE IS GETTING EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTS!!
I cannot believe the amount of emotions this book took me through. This was not an enjoyable read. At all. In fact, I often had to set it down and do something else because of the darkness it caused. But it is an important one, and I hope that many teenage girls read this and realize what is and is not "love."
This is a story I will probably remember for the rest of my life, even though it is not necessarily something new. Or original. It is something that has been experienced and told countless times. But the raw and honest way it was written, an own-voices tale of just what it feels like to be caught in this cycle you just can't get out of...what so powerful.
Highly recommend.
Holy. Fucking. Cow.
"Intense" is an understatement for what this book is.
I am not normally one for trigger warnings, but if you are sensitive to content featuring emotional manipulation, suicide, abuse, or parental neglect, I would suggest you avoid this book. If you are feeling at all depressed or mentally unstable, I would also suggest that you stay away.
I will echo the sentiments of my fellow reviewers by stating that this is a tough read. There are many uncomfortable topics broached in this book and they will make you angry. They will make you angry either because you relate to it...or you just want to shake and slap so many people in this book.
This story is ultimately about a girl that falls for the wrong boy. Sound familiar?
It is written in the second person, as Grace, our main character, is essentially writing to Gavin himself, chronicling their tumultuous history together, at the same time, bringing us in to her home life which is full of neglectful, emotionally abusive, unstable parents.
Oh boy guys, did this make me mad. And I was mad for SO many different reasons.
Mad at Grace for being so blind to the manipulative tactics that Gavin used on her.
Mad because even after she wisened up to the toxic behavior, she still continued to make excuses for him and choose him over everyone else.
Mad because Grace allowed her self to be made so small and worthless by Gavin. She gave up on her dreams for him.
Mad because she looked at his possessive, controlling jealousy as love, and did not listen to her best friends and sister who saw this and tried to protect her or the sweet boy that truly loved her.
Mad because Gavin's parents are so ridiculously blind to who their son is, and would rather blame girls for his self-destructive behavior
Mad because Grace's mother essentially threw away the health and happiness of her two daughters to start over with a man who treats her and her daughters poorly. Who controls every aspect of the household and belittles them every chance he gets. Mad because she is not strong enough to do what is right and leave.
Mad because her mother's mental health is left unchecked and is, in turn, hurting her daughter.
But most of all...mad because no matter how awful Gavin is to her, no matter how toxic or possessive, she always caves. She always goes to him. He always gets his way.
There was literally a point in this book, near the end, where I put it down and was like "NO! WHAT THE FUCK IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?!?! HE IS GETTING EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTS!!
I cannot believe the amount of emotions this book took me through. This was not an enjoyable read. At all. In fact, I often had to set it down and do something else because of the darkness it caused. But it is an important one, and I hope that many teenage girls read this and realize what is and is not "love."
This is a story I will probably remember for the rest of my life, even though it is not necessarily something new. Or original. It is something that has been experienced and told countless times. But the raw and honest way it was written, an own-voices tale of just what it feels like to be caught in this cycle you just can't get out of...what so powerful.
Highly recommend.
The thing about abusive relationships, is when you're in them, you don't see them as abusive. You don't see the red flags. It isn't until much later that you look back and see all the problems.
I loved Grace. I loved her character and I related to her. While her experiences far outweigh anything I've ever experienced, this was still an emotionally trying book to read. But at the same time, I couldn't put it down. Grace went from one toxic relationship, her home life with her mother and stepfather, aptly nicknamed "The Giant" and saw what appeared to be her knight in shining armor, Gavin. He stepped in and saved her from them, rescuing her from the burning car, only later realizing that he in fact WAS the burning car. But throughout everything, her friends telling her he wasn't a good person, even her stepfather reaching out to her to warn her about him, Grace continued to make excuses. On the surface, I wanted to be angry with Grace. I wanted to shake her awake and tell her she was making a horrible mistake. But I wasn't the one in that relationship, and looking at myself, having been there before, I know... I would have made those same excuses. I would have justified his behavior. I would have said he was just tired or sick or something else, that it wasn't really him.
There are so many trigger warnings in this book, so go into it with caution. But it's an important book and a story that needs to be told.
I loved Grace. I loved her character and I related to her. While her experiences far outweigh anything I've ever experienced, this was still an emotionally trying book to read. But at the same time, I couldn't put it down. Grace went from one toxic relationship, her home life with her mother and stepfather, aptly nicknamed "The Giant" and saw what appeared to be her knight in shining armor, Gavin. He stepped in and saved her from them, rescuing her from the burning car, only later realizing that he in fact WAS the burning car. But throughout everything, her friends telling her he wasn't a good person, even her stepfather reaching out to her to warn her about him, Grace continued to make excuses. On the surface, I wanted to be angry with Grace. I wanted to shake her awake and tell her she was making a horrible mistake. But I wasn't the one in that relationship, and looking at myself, having been there before, I know... I would have made those same excuses. I would have justified his behavior. I would have said he was just tired or sick or something else, that it wasn't really him.
There are so many trigger warnings in this book, so go into it with caution. But it's an important book and a story that needs to be told.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Such a brilliant book, like honestly one of my favourite reads and a book i recommend to every single person, because the signs are not always clear but this book taught me so much and showed me how easily you can't fall into such a trap with an awful person, it was a great read. Truly eye opening and inspiring, although immensely painful, every page so beautifully written it left me torn.
A powerful read, authentic and full of emotions. The second person, past tense narrative is really effective and so perfect for this book. It creates this dramatic and foreboding atmosphere that gave me chills.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5
I could cry right now... What a heavy, yet important, story. I was frustrated at times, but I guess that's how people close to victims of abusive relationships feel as well. Everyone knows it's a toxic situation and in the end, even the victim knows this, but it's just too difficult to get out of it, even though it seems easy to everyone else.
I could cry right now... What a heavy, yet important, story. I was frustrated at times, but I guess that's how people close to victims of abusive relationships feel as well. Everyone knows it's a toxic situation and in the end, even the victim knows this, but it's just too difficult to get out of it, even though it seems easy to everyone else.