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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
You should have a box of tissues handy when you read this emotional and powerful book. Although there was a lot of sadness in the stories of Blythe and Chris, there was love and healing too. This is the first book I read by Jessica Park and I’m certainly a new fan.
Blythe was a character I really connected with. From the beginning, you can see her struggles to feel anything since a tragedy that left her and her brother orphaned. Her relationship with her brother is strained and the only way she knows how to cope is drinking and steering clear of emotional attachments.
Blythe meets Chris and his endearing siblings and she finally starts to gain a sense of belonging. However, Chris and his family have their own dark pasts and they each have their own set of self-destructive tendencies. Chris and his family were very likable and I loved how they adopted Blythe. Sabin was a personal favorite and he added a lot of comic relief to heavier moments.
The relationship between Chris and Blythe is complicated from the get go and they go through a lot of ups and downs. I loved how their lives intersected even when they weren’t together and I really could feel the strong feelings they had for each other. They felt more like two halves of a whole than merely a pair of lovers.
My only dislike of the book was the religious debates and the disdain that the characters express over Estelle’s zealous belief in God. It’s just a personal preference for me, but I prefer books that don’t touch on religion and politics. The pacing was also just okay for me. I found some parts slow-moving and others rushed.
A very good read overall and the rave reviews are definitely deserved. It was great to read a standalone with an ending that tied up everything nicely. I’d love to see a few spin-off stories from the book especially from the siblings’ point of views.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this novel for review!
Blythe was a character I really connected with. From the beginning, you can see her struggles to feel anything since a tragedy that left her and her brother orphaned. Her relationship with her brother is strained and the only way she knows how to cope is drinking and steering clear of emotional attachments.
Blythe meets Chris and his endearing siblings and she finally starts to gain a sense of belonging. However, Chris and his family have their own dark pasts and they each have their own set of self-destructive tendencies. Chris and his family were very likable and I loved how they adopted Blythe. Sabin was a personal favorite and he added a lot of comic relief to heavier moments.
The relationship between Chris and Blythe is complicated from the get go and they go through a lot of ups and downs. I loved how their lives intersected even when they weren’t together and I really could feel the strong feelings they had for each other. They felt more like two halves of a whole than merely a pair of lovers.
My only dislike of the book was the religious debates and the disdain that the characters express over Estelle’s zealous belief in God. It’s just a personal preference for me, but I prefer books that don’t touch on religion and politics. The pacing was also just okay for me. I found some parts slow-moving and others rushed.
A very good read overall and the rave reviews are definitely deserved. It was great to read a standalone with an ending that tied up everything nicely. I’d love to see a few spin-off stories from the book especially from the siblings’ point of views.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this novel for review!
Jessica herself recommended this book to me.
The parent loss, and even one parent passing due to an aneurysm (Jessica hadn’t known that that was how I lost my dad) was shockingly comforting to read.
Even when the book got heavy, it was exactly what I needed. I’m so happy that she recommended it!
The parent loss, and even one parent passing due to an aneurysm (Jessica hadn’t known that that was how I lost my dad) was shockingly comforting to read.
Even when the book got heavy, it was exactly what I needed. I’m so happy that she recommended it!
Four stars because of the predictability. The writer has to know that it wasn't a surprise, right? Anyway, that annoyed me. But, this book has MANY five star moments. I looooooove the characters in this book. Love them.
i randomly read this at work because i was so incredibly NOT BUSY. I didn't have any other books with me, and it was on my phone.
this is pretty much an example of why i don't like some new adult books. the characters were SO ANNOYING. The main character made me want to pull my hair out. I found myself skimming most parts because it was just "WOE IS ME" the whole time. I didn't find it uplifting at all. And the twist? I saw it coming from a mile away. Personally I don't recommend this, but alot of people seem to really like this!
this is pretty much an example of why i don't like some new adult books. the characters were SO ANNOYING. The main character made me want to pull my hair out. I found myself skimming most parts because it was just "WOE IS ME" the whole time. I didn't find it uplifting at all. And the twist? I saw it coming from a mile away. Personally I don't recommend this, but alot of people seem to really like this!
At first, it seemed like this would be a 5* book. It had so much potential: an interesting main character, Blythe, who was grieving for the loss of her parents in a very realistic way, there were the amazing Shepherd siblings you'd love to be friends with and last but not least there was Chris who I could not help but fall in love with too.
However, in the middle of the book, something changed. The steamy scenes between Chris and Blythe were VERY hot, but I thought it was sometimes too explicit. Also, those scenes started to drag and were often too long. I felt that those scenes undermined the issues both Blythe and Chris struggled with. The ending was also not that surprising, you could feel what was going to happen 100 pages before the end.
However, there were still some parts I really liked! Sabin is an amazing character and the conversations between him and Blythe were often very funny. Overall, a good book, but not one I would recommend. If you like these types of books, I would recommend Colleen Hoover's books!
However, in the middle of the book, something changed. The steamy scenes between Chris and Blythe were VERY hot, but I thought it was sometimes too explicit. Also, those scenes started to drag and were often too long. I felt that those scenes undermined the issues both Blythe and Chris struggled with. The ending was also not that surprising, you could feel what was going to happen 100 pages before the end.
However, there were still some parts I really liked! Sabin is an amazing character and the conversations between him and Blythe were often very funny. Overall, a good book, but not one I would recommend. If you like these types of books, I would recommend Colleen Hoover's books!
Let me preface this by saying I am a fan of Jessica Park. I loved 180 Seconds and the Flat Out Love series but my god this book was terrible. It’s not that it’s written terribly nor is it the worst book I’ve ever read it’s just the story is just... ugh.
The flow of the book is so strange, the whole time I was wondering what the point of it was. It’s all over the place. It was way too contrived and unbelievable I honestly hated it and feel like it was such a waste of time to read.
None of the characters have any chemistry, they’re all annoying and have no depth. Chris is by far the worst, i hated him from the beginning. Wah wah he has trauma. Well he’s a straight up a$$hole and treats Blythe like crap. He’s a typical college bro jerk. Go to therapy Chris. In fact, every character in this book needs therapy. Just ugh. Don’t read this.
The flow of the book is so strange, the whole time I was wondering what the point of it was. It’s all over the place. It was way too contrived and unbelievable I honestly hated it and feel like it was such a waste of time to read.
None of the characters have any chemistry, they’re all annoying and have no depth. Chris is by far the worst, i hated him from the beginning. Wah wah he has trauma. Well he’s a straight up a$$hole and treats Blythe like crap. He’s a typical college bro jerk. Go to therapy Chris. In fact, every character in this book needs therapy. Just ugh. Don’t read this.
After reading Flat-out-Love and Flat-out-matt Jessicca Park is basically an instant buy for me. Left Drowning is for a much older audience but Park never fails to amaze me with her way with words.
Its such a good book. I love it.
Its such a good book. I love it.
OK so I have read this book four times now. I can't stop!! I love Blythe and Chris so much. Read this book with a open mind. You won't be sorry!
If you didn't believe in a higher power before, you definitely will after reading this book. loved the message it delivered!