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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is not to be read lightly. The narrative voice is very real and honest and the subject matter is focusing on something that is very important and often dismissed. But it's also very heavy and I have to admit that I got physically uncomfortable reading it. Maybe it's because I actually know people who act the way Gavin does, and have heard the excuses that Grace makes. I've even felt some of the things she's felt. So yeah, this is an important book but it's one you kind of have to prepare yourself for before going into it.
Before I talk more about it, one thing I wish was done a bit differently was Grace's home situation. I kind of wish it was a bit more average. She was already being physically and emotionally abused before Gavin got in the picture. I know that kind of stuff happens but I also know from experience that one can have a perfectly happy home life and still get caught up in someone who manipulates you and tries to make you feel like you need to isolate yourself for their sake. But I get why the author did it: she was showing how even though Grace could see the abuse that was happening around her in her home life and happening to her mother, she couldn't see it when it was happening in her love life because of Gavin.
But yeah, this book is really important to read. While I can't say I was in Grace's exact situation, I could definitely relate to some of her feelings. And I feel like that's the important take-away from this book, for other girls or guys in similar situations to see themselves through Grace and to understand that what they're going through is abuse and they don't have to keep taking it. And, most importantly, that they shouldn't feel responsible for another person's actions. I'd almost recommend using this as a tool since sometimes it's easier for abuse victims to hear this sort of stuff from strangers rather than from friends and family.
So yeah, this is a pretty intense book. But it's one that needs to be checked out.
Before I talk more about it, one thing I wish was done a bit differently was Grace's home situation. I kind of wish it was a bit more average. She was already being physically and emotionally abused before Gavin got in the picture. I know that kind of stuff happens but I also know from experience that one can have a perfectly happy home life and still get caught up in someone who manipulates you and tries to make you feel like you need to isolate yourself for their sake. But I get why the author did it: she was showing how even though Grace could see the abuse that was happening around her in her home life and happening to her mother, she couldn't see it when it was happening in her love life because of Gavin.
But yeah, this book is really important to read. While I can't say I was in Grace's exact situation, I could definitely relate to some of her feelings. And I feel like that's the important take-away from this book, for other girls or guys in similar situations to see themselves through Grace and to understand that what they're going through is abuse and they don't have to keep taking it. And, most importantly, that they shouldn't feel responsible for another person's actions. I'd almost recommend using this as a tool since sometimes it's easier for abuse victims to hear this sort of stuff from strangers rather than from friends and family.
So yeah, this is a pretty intense book. But it's one that needs to be checked out.
Quite The Novel Idea ~ Novel Ink
4.5 stars
Heather Demetrios has a way with words that just gets me every time. Her books just really pack a punch and aren't afraid to tell it like it is. She picks tough topics and really goes all the way with them. And while I adored her other two contemporary novels... this one got to me the most because Bad Romance hit me on such a personal level that it just about knocked me off my feet. So before I go curl up in bed and weep, I'll tell you why you should absolutely read this book.
First, can I just flail about how amazing the writing is? Because holy cupcakes. It is downright gorgeous and delicious and it makes me jealous because I want to write like this. This is goals people. Actual goals. The story is written from Grace's perspective, as if she's telling it to Gavin. I really loved this. I'm very picky about books with a sort of 2nd person POV, but this one was done in such a way that it didn't bother me one bit. It fit the story perfectly and it got me sucked in so hard right from the start. I think this would also be an amazing audiobook experience. Just throwing it out there. Audiobook lovers, try this book and let me know if I was right.
This book is a very personal one to Heather and I could feel that. How she wrote about Grace's toxic relationship with Gaven felt SO real and it was SO perfectly done that it was almost suffocating because it wasn't that long ago that I got out of my own bad romance. I could relate to Grace A LOT. I understood why it was so hard for her to end her relationship because I've been there. It took me YEARS to take that step. It's unbelievably hard but it's absolutely worth it, trust me. So I really felt for Grace. I cried for her and I smiled for her and I wept for her because I was her not too long ago.
But I also have to give the book props for making Gavin a character that's easy to fall for. He's not likeable. At all. I hated him the whole time, but I understood why Grace got sucked into this relationship because chances are, if I'd been in her shoes (and I have been) I would be sucked in too. Her home life is so horrible (mine wasn't), so having someone come along that treats you like you're the whole world to them and who makes you feel adored... Yeah, I get that. But then things turn sour pretty fast and I loved how Heather grasped the subtlety in that change. How it slowly because a horrible, toxic romance that Grace couldn't get out of.
I do want a thousand cheers for Nat and Lys, Grace's best friends. YAS to awesome, supportive, kick-ass best friends. They were always there for her and I loved both of them. They were the best. I'm still not sure how I feel about Grace's mom?? Like... I feel like things got a bit left open with that storyline in the end. I want to know if she's still with that horrible stepdad. I want to know if she's okay. But then... I guess in a way it's also kind of perfect that it ended the way it did? Because life is like that too. It doesn't all just wrap up with a magical bow and everyone lives happily ever after. But I still want to know.
Bad Romance is an unflinchingly honest, sad, and yet hopeful story that hit me right in the feels. I absolutely recommend it if you're a fan of YA Contemporary. Definitely a 2017 must read.
4.5 stars
Heather Demetrios has a way with words that just gets me every time. Her books just really pack a punch and aren't afraid to tell it like it is. She picks tough topics and really goes all the way with them. And while I adored her other two contemporary novels... this one got to me the most because Bad Romance hit me on such a personal level that it just about knocked me off my feet. So before I go curl up in bed and weep, I'll tell you why you should absolutely read this book.
First, can I just flail about how amazing the writing is? Because holy cupcakes. It is downright gorgeous and delicious and it makes me jealous because I want to write like this. This is goals people. Actual goals. The story is written from Grace's perspective, as if she's telling it to Gavin. I really loved this. I'm very picky about books with a sort of 2nd person POV, but this one was done in such a way that it didn't bother me one bit. It fit the story perfectly and it got me sucked in so hard right from the start. I think this would also be an amazing audiobook experience. Just throwing it out there. Audiobook lovers, try this book and let me know if I was right.
This book is a very personal one to Heather and I could feel that. How she wrote about Grace's toxic relationship with Gaven felt SO real and it was SO perfectly done that it was almost suffocating because it wasn't that long ago that I got out of my own bad romance. I could relate to Grace A LOT. I understood why it was so hard for her to end her relationship because I've been there. It took me YEARS to take that step. It's unbelievably hard but it's absolutely worth it, trust me. So I really felt for Grace. I cried for her and I smiled for her and I wept for her because I was her not too long ago.
But I also have to give the book props for making Gavin a character that's easy to fall for. He's not likeable. At all. I hated him the whole time, but I understood why Grace got sucked into this relationship because chances are, if I'd been in her shoes (and I have been) I would be sucked in too. Her home life is so horrible (mine wasn't), so having someone come along that treats you like you're the whole world to them and who makes you feel adored... Yeah, I get that. But then things turn sour pretty fast and I loved how Heather grasped the subtlety in that change. How it slowly because a horrible, toxic romance that Grace couldn't get out of.
I do want a thousand cheers for Nat and Lys, Grace's best friends. YAS to awesome, supportive, kick-ass best friends. They were always there for her and I loved both of them. They were the best. I'm still not sure how I feel about Grace's mom?? Like... I feel like things got a bit left open with that storyline in the end. I want to know if she's still with that horrible stepdad. I want to know if she's okay. But then... I guess in a way it's also kind of perfect that it ended the way it did? Because life is like that too. It doesn't all just wrap up with a magical bow and everyone lives happily ever after. But I still want to know.
Bad Romance is an unflinchingly honest, sad, and yet hopeful story that hit me right in the feels. I absolutely recommend it if you're a fan of YA Contemporary. Definitely a 2017 must read.
It seems so easy on the outside, to say BREAK UP WITH HIM!!! The most important thing this book did was show how difficult that really is and the importance of having people who say it anyways.
Wow! This book is really heavy and it hit some personal stuff I didn't expect it would. I'm so grateful that this book is out there in the world to say CHOOSE YOURSELF. I really hope that by people supporting people, we will be able to save others from suffering through abusive relationships in all forms.
Wow! This book is really heavy and it hit some personal stuff I didn't expect it would. I'm so grateful that this book is out there in the world to say CHOOSE YOURSELF. I really hope that by people supporting people, we will be able to save others from suffering through abusive relationships in all forms.
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A good book for high school girls to help them recognize "bad" romance! When you start reading about Gavin, you think you have found a new book boyfriend. But like the frog in tepid water that is slowly brought to a boil, we see the relationship between Gavin and Grace change into something controlling and dangerous. This is a great read for teens experiencing first love. As "newbies" to the game, we often don't see harmful aspects of our relationships. Seeing them through an honest depiction in a book could help young people extricate themselves from something bad before too much harm has been wrought. We see a lot of books about abusive marriages or adult relationships, but few about teens. Recommend to readers who like realistic fiction and "darker" relationship books. Pair with Bitter End by Jennifer Brown.
Haven't read a book like this one before. It was so good. So absolutely enthralling. I lost sleep over this one and when it was over I was depressed. I'm definitely going to read more from this author. Her words get right to the bone. Being in an abusive relationship is one of the most insidious situations. Ms. Demetrios did a phenomenal job at depicting the insanity of vacillation. This is one I'll read again.
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
"With your lips on mine, your song still in my ears, I forget that I never said yes, that all of it-the dance, us-was a foregone conclusion. You told me to be your girlfriend. You didn't wait for me to answer about prom. I gave you my heart on a silver fucking platter and you ate it, piece by bloody piece."
Ah this book made me so emotional. It was incredibly well written, heartbreaking, and realistic. It shows how anyone, especially one from a broken home, can so easily fall into an abusive relationship and have a hard time coming out. I loved how cringeworthy this book was and I finished it too fast. One of my favorites this year.
Ah this book made me so emotional. It was incredibly well written, heartbreaking, and realistic. It shows how anyone, especially one from a broken home, can so easily fall into an abusive relationship and have a hard time coming out. I loved how cringeworthy this book was and I finished it too fast. One of my favorites this year.