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3.23 AVERAGE
3.23 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
This was a traumatic read. It brought me to places I never wanted to re visit but in a way it was very cathartic. I wish it had more spice but that's me. The healing in this is very well done.
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
I received this book as an ARC and thought was a good book overall. I felt as if the climax of it was a bit rushed after a major turning point in the book. I did love that we got the full ending for the characters rather than assuming what was to happen. It was a good, easy standalone read though!! I would read more from this author!
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
Rose used to be a normal college student, worrying about studying for finals and wondering what the future would hold. But when she's attacked after her best friend's scrimmage, suddenly nothing is as it was and she has no idea if things will ever get better.
Atticus always noticed everything about Rose ever since they became close friends years ago. Suddenly, Rose was distant and secretive and especially jumpy about physical touch, and he's concerned. But she refuses to tell him what was going on.
When Rose reaches out to Atticus for support, and he learns exactly what happened to change his best friend, they both struggle to figure out how to move forward. And with their shifting feelings for each other and threats from outside forces, they'll need to figure out how far they'll go to protect each other. And just when everything seems to have gotten better, things will change forever.
***************
Written in alternating first-person POV, "It's Not All Roses" follows Rose and Atticus as they navigate life and love after a vicious attack makes trust hard and they learn just how far they are willing to go to protect the ones they love.
Thankfully, the author included a trigger warning list at the beginning of this story, so readers can go into the book with a clear idea of what all happens in this book. It's heartbreaking but so well-written.
Rose didn't have the best home life between her dad leaving her and her mom's barely disguised disdain. She has no place to turn when she's assaulted after her best friend, Atticus', scrimmage one night. Being threatened by her assailant and constantly being in his presence while keeping this massive secret, Rose slowly falls apart and her mental health takes an even worse turn. The author does a great job of describing her slow mental health plummet, the struggle of talking about her assault, and the massive undertaking involved in her recovery and healing. And that's not to mention the other horrible things that happen to Rose throughout the book. She's such a strong character, and she's just written so well and detailed in a way that readers will empathize with her.
Atticus was a supportive guy. He wants to make Rose feel safe and once he learns what happens to her, he undertakes a lot of responsibility in keeping her safe and operating under her new boundaries. He didn't need to make sure she was safe and he certainly didn't need to jeopardize his future to protect and help her, but he did it anyway because he's a good friend and a nice guy. The readers don't learn much about him in terms of his family life, but readers can respect him for being there for his friend. Atticus also had some things to deal with in terms of his guilt towards Rose for not being with her the night she was assaulted, and he carries that burden around unknowingly until he breaks down. Rose never blamed him or thought he should feel guilty, and he slowly realizes that he wouldn't have been able to predict or change things. This wasn't just a story about the strength of a survivor and their growth and healing, but also the strength of those around them and their own healing journies as they support the survivor (I hate using the word victim, so I've avoided using it as much as I can in this review).
The romance between Rose and Atticus was cute. It didn't start all that suddenly, they were friends before they became more. And it even took a while in this book before they were in a relationship, mainly due to the assault Rose experienced. Atticus respected her boundaries and operated at her speed, and that made this romance really wholesome. And with the ending of this book, readers aren't left in the dark about what happened to the couple (or their friends) in the future.
The conflict with Derek did progress a bit quicker than I would have liked and expected, and it was promptly concluded rather quickly as well. I wish there was less finality to the conclusion of his story and we could see him reap some other repercussions for his actions other than being kicked off the sports team (I'm thinking jail but that's just me). But the way his story concluded and what it meant for Rose and Atticus worked just as well.
Overall, this was a really good book. I couldn't put it down. The mental health representation and the journey of growing and healing after a traumatic event were really well-written. The romance was cute and progressed in a way that didn't make it feel odd, rushed, or weird. And the plot conflict and pacing were okay too, though there were some points where the story dragged and got a bit repetitive. I'd rate this book at a solid 4.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. I have purchased this book since.
Atticus always noticed everything about Rose ever since they became close friends years ago. Suddenly, Rose was distant and secretive and especially jumpy about physical touch, and he's concerned. But she refuses to tell him what was going on.
When Rose reaches out to Atticus for support, and he learns exactly what happened to change his best friend, they both struggle to figure out how to move forward. And with their shifting feelings for each other and threats from outside forces, they'll need to figure out how far they'll go to protect each other. And just when everything seems to have gotten better, things will change forever.
***************
Written in alternating first-person POV, "It's Not All Roses" follows Rose and Atticus as they navigate life and love after a vicious attack makes trust hard and they learn just how far they are willing to go to protect the ones they love.
Thankfully, the author included a trigger warning list at the beginning of this story, so readers can go into the book with a clear idea of what all happens in this book. It's heartbreaking but so well-written.
Rose didn't have the best home life between her dad leaving her and her mom's barely disguised disdain. She has no place to turn when she's assaulted after her best friend, Atticus', scrimmage one night. Being threatened by her assailant and constantly being in his presence while keeping this massive secret, Rose slowly falls apart and her mental health takes an even worse turn. The author does a great job of describing her slow mental health plummet, the struggle of talking about her assault, and the massive undertaking involved in her recovery and healing. And that's not to mention the other horrible things that happen to Rose throughout the book. She's such a strong character, and she's just written so well and detailed in a way that readers will empathize with her.
Atticus was a supportive guy. He wants to make Rose feel safe and once he learns what happens to her, he undertakes a lot of responsibility in keeping her safe and operating under her new boundaries. He didn't need to make sure she was safe and he certainly didn't need to jeopardize his future to protect and help her, but he did it anyway because he's a good friend and a nice guy. The readers don't learn much about him in terms of his family life, but readers can respect him for being there for his friend. Atticus also had some things to deal with in terms of his guilt towards Rose for not being with her the night she was assaulted, and he carries that burden around unknowingly until he breaks down. Rose never blamed him or thought he should feel guilty, and he slowly realizes that he wouldn't have been able to predict or change things. This wasn't just a story about the strength of a survivor and their growth and healing, but also the strength of those around them and their own healing journies as they support the survivor (I hate using the word victim, so I've avoided using it as much as I can in this review).
The romance between Rose and Atticus was cute. It didn't start all that suddenly, they were friends before they became more. And it even took a while in this book before they were in a relationship, mainly due to the assault Rose experienced. Atticus respected her boundaries and operated at her speed, and that made this romance really wholesome. And with the ending of this book, readers aren't left in the dark about what happened to the couple (or their friends) in the future.
The conflict with Derek did progress a bit quicker than I would have liked and expected, and it was promptly concluded rather quickly as well. I wish there was less finality to the conclusion of his story and we could see him reap some other repercussions for his actions other than being kicked off the sports team (I'm thinking jail but that's just me). But the way his story concluded and what it meant for Rose and Atticus worked just as well.
Overall, this was a really good book. I couldn't put it down. The mental health representation and the journey of growing and healing after a traumatic event were really well-written. The romance was cute and progressed in a way that didn't make it feel odd, rushed, or weird. And the plot conflict and pacing were okay too, though there were some points where the story dragged and got a bit repetitive. I'd rate this book at a solid 4.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. I have purchased this book since.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment
Minor: Death, Alcohol
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A contemporary, friends to lovers, fade to black romance. Is a standalone with Multiple POV's. HEA. Check the trigger warnings.
Wow. Where do I even start. This was an incredibly well written book and handled the sensitive topics wonderfully in my opinion. A fast, but heavy read.
The book follows Rosalind, a twenty year old college student with a great group of friends, but a not so great home life, and Atticus, the star basketball player on the college basketball team.
Rosalind (Rose) and Atticus (Attie)'s relationship was beautiful and was incredibly loving and deep, but not without problems. I loved their friend group and found family.
This book touches on, self-harm, attempted suicide, abandonment, neglect, abuse/assault, and other traumas.
Wow. Where do I even start. This was an incredibly well written book and handled the sensitive topics wonderfully in my opinion. A fast, but heavy read.
The book follows Rosalind, a twenty year old college student with a great group of friends, but a not so great home life, and Atticus, the star basketball player on the college basketball team.
Rosalind (Rose) and Atticus (Attie)'s relationship was beautiful and was incredibly loving and deep, but not without problems. I loved their friend group and found family.
This book touches on, self-harm, attempted suicide, abandonment, neglect, abuse/assault, and other traumas.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes