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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
First- look at this cover. It's so beautiful and colorful, then there is that ominous title that makes you think about the Lady Gaga song.
This book is not pretty. It's not beautiful. It's frustrating and complicated and nauseating. It made me angry because people like Gavin and The Giant exits and they usually get away with it. It made me want to cry because people like Grace exist and often they don't get help.
BR reminds me a bit of Girls made of Stars, because of the beautiful cover, the flawless writing style and the way it made me feel. Definitely a new favorite.
This book is not pretty. It's not beautiful. It's frustrating and complicated and nauseating. It made me angry because people like Gavin and The Giant exits and they usually get away with it. It made me want to cry because people like Grace exist and often they don't get help.
BR reminds me a bit of Girls made of Stars, because of the beautiful cover, the flawless writing style and the way it made me feel. Definitely a new favorite.
Not bad, but I couldn’t ignore some cringey tropes. Ahem:
- the LOVE INTEREST HAS A FEDORA! He’s always wearing a fedora! and it’s described as SEXY! I couldn’t not laugh at this. I struggled to take him seriously. And of course he carries a leather notebook with him everywhere.
- Direct quote: “No one can resist the power of the black fedora or that voice of yours.” I GAGGED. She calls him a ROCK GOD! So often!
- We got the glow in the dark star stickers on the ceiling, ladies and gents! Of course we do.
- And, of couse, a character says “Hey yourself” which NO ONE SAYS IRL but somehow everyone in YA novels say this? Interesting.
- the LOVE INTEREST HAS A FEDORA! He’s always wearing a fedora! and it’s described as SEXY! I couldn’t not laugh at this. I struggled to take him seriously. And of course he carries a leather notebook with him everywhere.
- Direct quote: “No one can resist the power of the black fedora or that voice of yours.” I GAGGED. She calls him a ROCK GOD! So often!
- We got the glow in the dark star stickers on the ceiling, ladies and gents! Of course we do.
- And, of couse, a character says “Hey yourself” which NO ONE SAYS IRL but somehow everyone in YA novels say this? Interesting.
brb currently crying in the club (metaphorically ofc bc #quarantine)
This is a very powerful story of romantic and familial relationships.
The writing style was unique for me. I think the second person point-of-view was effective in portraying Grace's perception of Gavin - both then and now. All the same, I was desperately wanting to know what Gavin was thinking throughout - what's going through his mind when he actually takes things too far, did he ever really care for Grace or was it just some big power trip...?
Even after things started spiraling down, there were times when I felt that he genuinely cared for her and I realized I was being sucked into the same illusion as Grace was. It was impossible to hate him - he's funny, charming, and sweet. He has a great relationship with his parents despite the "fallout" in the beginning of book and towards the end . There's just something about the broken boy persona he exudes that easily attracts Grace - and me.
The book jumps between time - not flashbacks exactly, but at the beginning of the book, Grace has already made certain decisions and has particular feelings regarding her relationship with Gavin, and she takes us back in time (around two years) where the craziness all began. The Grace now is different from the Grace then, and while we're pretty much told what becomes of their relationship, it doesn't take away the anticipation of the inevitable.
What I'd like to have seen more of: Gavin's character with respect to his parents. I just couldn't understand what the deal was between them. I'd say that parents, present or MIA, have the largest impact on a child's individuality. I have so many questions regarding Gavin's relationship with Grace from his parents' points of view.
Gavin seems to have a great relationship with his parents - and they have a great relationship with each other. Loving, indulgent, and homely, they give Grace fuzzy feelings of being welcomed into the family, not to mention that Grace considers them more dependable and trustworthy than the adults in her own life: a MIA, alcoholic father, an emotionally detached (and physically abusive - once) mother, and an absolute jerk of a stepdad.
I didn't get how Gav's parents, then, who sometimes seemed to be invested in their son's romantic lives, didn't realize what was going on, especially after what had happened with Gav's previous girlfriend Summer.
Not to mention, by the end of the book, Gavin has attempted suicide twice for two different girls, and his parents didn't react that way I'd thought they would.
Apart from the initial lovey-dovey romance, Grace's best friends are the highlight of the story. They're reasonable, supportive, smart, reliable, protective, and don't deal with BS. I'm not really a fan of the whole "chicks before [pr]icks" or "pals before gals" or whatever, but these friends are keepers.
This is a must-read. It might help in recognizing signs of "abuse" whether from someone else or even in yourself.
The writing style was unique for me. I think the second person point-of-view was effective in portraying Grace's perception of Gavin - both then and now. All the same, I was desperately wanting to know what Gavin was thinking throughout - what's going through his mind when he actually takes things too far, did he ever really care for Grace or was it just some big power trip...?
Even after things started spiraling down, there were times when I felt that he genuinely cared for her and I realized I was being sucked into the same illusion as Grace was. It was impossible to hate him - he's funny, charming, and sweet. He has a great relationship with his parents despite the "fallout" in the beginning of book
Spoiler
when his parents found him after his suicide attemptSpoiler
when he tried to kill himself againThe book jumps between time - not flashbacks exactly, but at the beginning of the book, Grace has already made certain decisions and has particular feelings regarding her relationship with Gavin, and she takes us back in time (around two years) where the craziness all began. The Grace now is different from the Grace then, and while we're pretty much told what becomes of their relationship, it doesn't take away the anticipation of the inevitable.
What I'd like to have seen more of: Gavin's character with respect to his parents. I just couldn't understand what the deal was between them. I'd say that parents, present or MIA, have the largest impact on a child's individuality. I have so many questions regarding Gavin's relationship with Grace from his parents' points of view.
Spoiler
Gavin seems to have a great relationship with his parents - and they have a great relationship with each other. Loving, indulgent, and homely, they give Grace fuzzy feelings of being welcomed into the family, not to mention that Grace considers them more dependable and trustworthy than the adults in her own life: a MIA, alcoholic father, an emotionally detached (and physically abusive - once) mother, and an absolute jerk of a stepdad.
I didn't get how Gav's parents, then, who sometimes seemed to be invested in their son's romantic lives, didn't realize what was going on, especially after what had happened with Gav's previous girlfriend Summer.
Not to mention, by the end of the book, Gavin has attempted suicide twice for two different girls, and his parents didn't react that way I'd thought they would.
Apart from the initial lovey-dovey romance, Grace's best friends are the highlight of the story. They're reasonable, supportive, smart, reliable, protective, and don't deal with BS. I'm not really a fan of the whole "chicks before [pr]icks" or "pals before gals" or whatever, but these friends are keepers.
This is a must-read. It might help in recognizing signs of "abuse" whether from someone else or even in yourself.
You know when you finish a book and you immediately want to tell everyone you have ever known to read it? Yeah? That JUST happened to me.
First, I can’t stop singing Lady Gaga’s,
“Rah rah ah-ah-ah!
Ro mah ro-mah-mah” and I’m so happy Heather Demetrios paid homage to Mother Monster with her book. The song and title work so well with the story. I know Gaga would be proud.
You should know, I have avoided reviews of this book like the plague, even from my favorite spoiler-free reviewers. I didn’t want to have the slightest inkling about the plot, although it wasn’t necessary because the title gives readers enough of a clue. However, I’m still glad I went in blind to get the full effect of the story.
So, you ask, “Why on Earth would I want to read a story about a bad romance?” Ladies (and Gents), it’s not about want, but why you NEED to read this book.
After reading, the first thought that came to my mind was: “This needs to be required reading for high school girls.” At this young adult age, as women, we are most vulnerable to not understanding healthy love – especially if our parents have not modeled proper relationships for us. It’s easy to fall into the trap of a manipulative boyfriend. It’s easy to think your relationship is the end all, be all. It’s when these feelings are new and fresh and are magnified by our inexperience that we can become victimized. Everything feels better when you’re 17.
On the flip side, everything can feel worse too.
“Without you around, I can finally see all the ways you’d kept my heart shackled to yours.”
While I’ve never been in a romantic relationship as toxic as the one represented, I have felt the manipulation of a boyfriend, and like Grace in Bad Romance, I have felt the manipulation of my parents. Nothing can make a person question their sanity like being in a relationship with a narcissistic manipulator. I honestly felt as if I could have written several of the paragraphs within the book. Heather Demetrios saves her readers the trouble of the experience by allowing us to walk Grace’s shoes – Grace’s excruciatingly uncomfortable shoes. You will feel all the things – happiness, contentment, fury, sadness, anxiousness, and then some.
“It’s hard to write off your own flesh and blood, even when they take a jackhammer to your heart.”
I encourage women of all ages to read this book because awareness is prevention. Heed the advice rather than letting regret cloud your future. It doesn’t matter if someone is 14 or 45, this realistically fictional tale could be the wake-up call readers need.
The only part of this story that didn’t quite satisfy was the ending, which made me give this novel 4 stars. I felt as if it was slightly rushed and without giving anything away, I’ll have to suffice to say I wasn’t entirely convinced of Grace’s final situation. I needed just a little more. Despite the ending, however, Bad Romance is unquestionably worth reading! It is one of the most gut-wrenching books I’ve ever experienced and the topics at hand are some of the most important to me as a woman, mother, and friend. Please be encouraged by this review to pick up Bad Romance ASAP!
First, I can’t stop singing Lady Gaga’s,
“Rah rah ah-ah-ah!
Ro mah ro-mah-mah” and I’m so happy Heather Demetrios paid homage to Mother Monster with her book. The song and title work so well with the story. I know Gaga would be proud.
You should know, I have avoided reviews of this book like the plague, even from my favorite spoiler-free reviewers. I didn’t want to have the slightest inkling about the plot, although it wasn’t necessary because the title gives readers enough of a clue. However, I’m still glad I went in blind to get the full effect of the story.
So, you ask, “Why on Earth would I want to read a story about a bad romance?” Ladies (and Gents), it’s not about want, but why you NEED to read this book.
After reading, the first thought that came to my mind was: “This needs to be required reading for high school girls.” At this young adult age, as women, we are most vulnerable to not understanding healthy love – especially if our parents have not modeled proper relationships for us. It’s easy to fall into the trap of a manipulative boyfriend. It’s easy to think your relationship is the end all, be all. It’s when these feelings are new and fresh and are magnified by our inexperience that we can become victimized. Everything feels better when you’re 17.
On the flip side, everything can feel worse too.
“Without you around, I can finally see all the ways you’d kept my heart shackled to yours.”
While I’ve never been in a romantic relationship as toxic as the one represented, I have felt the manipulation of a boyfriend, and like Grace in Bad Romance, I have felt the manipulation of my parents. Nothing can make a person question their sanity like being in a relationship with a narcissistic manipulator. I honestly felt as if I could have written several of the paragraphs within the book. Heather Demetrios saves her readers the trouble of the experience by allowing us to walk Grace’s shoes – Grace’s excruciatingly uncomfortable shoes. You will feel all the things – happiness, contentment, fury, sadness, anxiousness, and then some.
“It’s hard to write off your own flesh and blood, even when they take a jackhammer to your heart.”
I encourage women of all ages to read this book because awareness is prevention. Heed the advice rather than letting regret cloud your future. It doesn’t matter if someone is 14 or 45, this realistically fictional tale could be the wake-up call readers need.
The only part of this story that didn’t quite satisfy was the ending, which made me give this novel 4 stars. I felt as if it was slightly rushed and without giving anything away, I’ll have to suffice to say I wasn’t entirely convinced of Grace’s final situation. I needed just a little more. Despite the ending, however, Bad Romance is unquestionably worth reading! It is one of the most gut-wrenching books I’ve ever experienced and the topics at hand are some of the most important to me as a woman, mother, and friend. Please be encouraged by this review to pick up Bad Romance ASAP!
This book was so good and has such a good message. It was perfectly frustrating and real.
“Before I break up with you, I want to reflect. I want to go back through us piece by piece. I want to remember why I was so ooey-gooey crazy in love with you. I want to know why it’s taken me this long to figure out that you’re poison.”
I’ve always had trouble understanding how some people are unable to recognize that their chosen partner is not what they thought. Whether they turn out to be vindictive or a cheater or basically unhinged. I always felt like there would be signs to clue you in.
This book opened my eyes to how easy it would be to not see what’s right in front of you. Or to ignore the bad for the times that it’s good because of factors outside the relationship. And how charm and charisma can maybe blind you to the darker parts of someone’s personality.
I’m so glad I read this book. It gave me a whole new perspective on something it turns out I was probably really ignorant about. I felt every one of Grace’s conflicting feelings. Really powerful read.
I’ve always had trouble understanding how some people are unable to recognize that their chosen partner is not what they thought. Whether they turn out to be vindictive or a cheater or basically unhinged. I always felt like there would be signs to clue you in.
This book opened my eyes to how easy it would be to not see what’s right in front of you. Or to ignore the bad for the times that it’s good because of factors outside the relationship. And how charm and charisma can maybe blind you to the darker parts of someone’s personality.
I’m so glad I read this book. It gave me a whole new perspective on something it turns out I was probably really ignorant about. I felt every one of Grace’s conflicting feelings. Really powerful read.
This is one of those books, like Speak, that aren't exactly fun and enjoyable, but are so, so necessary. If only every 14 year old had to read a book like this freshman year of high school in their English class!
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Mental illness