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bookishperseus's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child death, Mental illness, Death, and Abandonment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Rape, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Grief, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
msmolls's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
amazing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Death
38threads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It is so satisfying when a slow-burn romance finally comes to fruition. The 3rd act crisis soon to follow that won't let you put the book down and the happily ever after we all silently asked for at the end. I just wish that it happened faster. There were chapters that felt like a copy and paste of a previous section when the story could have easily progressed further. Granted, the timeline aspect could not have moved any faster but the activities could have been bumped up a couple of weeks/months. Other than that, great story, great themes, great characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Sexual assault
yliana's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really loved this book. the concept of getting to know someone by spending literally all of your weekend with them but only every two weeks is so interesting. I loved getting to know jolene and Adam and I also liked how their lives were kind of on two sides of the same coin. it was heartbreaking seeing how little jo thought of herself and watching her backtrack when Adam tried to tell her how much he loved her.
I think the way that Jo's grooming was so well written. I was screaming at her to see the red flags from the very beginning but as I read her reasons for interacting with guy, I could understand where she was coming from. I think it's really important to understand a person's reasons for being blind to red flags, it makes it a lot easier to start to figure out the ways that we can help people who are going through things like this. she was hurting so badly and unfortunately he was the only one there that she felt she could rely on in a way. he also very easily used jo's shared interests to manipulate her and for those of us on the outside, it's really easy to say that she's just being a dumb teenager. we can obviously see that she's not an idiot. it's beyond easy for people to be manipulated when they are in pain. if more people see that, victims would most likely feel better about telling their stories instead of hiding them out of shame. it was so hard seeing jolene going through that and I really loved how shelly stood by her side instead of leaving her to deal with it alone. yeah, I just think that it was very well written and with so much empathy and understanding too.
Adam also dealt with so much, the poor thing T-T
god, everyone in this book was just so emotionally broken but their growth and friendship was *chef's kiss*
Adam also dealt with so much, the poor thing T-T
god, everyone in this book was just so emotionally broken but their growth and friendship was *chef's kiss*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Death
Minor: Car accident
botch's review against another edition
emotional
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Grief, Emotional abuse, Death, and Child death
rachelcotter1's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, and Toxic friendship
anniereads221's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Child abuse, Violence, Vomit, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Grief, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Death
salemwitchtrials's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
SPOILERS AHEAD!
As a child of divorce with a habit of daydreaming, I was incredibly excited to pick this one up simply because at a younger age, I fantasized about falling in love with some random boy while jumping between parents. To struggle with a broken home during your formative teen years leaves you with scars, that which we see very clearly shown through Jolene. I connected strongly with both her and Adam, knowing how difficult it can be to come of age while trying/yearning for a happy family. Though I know that a teenaged Salem would easily rate this book five stars, it felt a bit off at certain points. The pacing went from agonizingly slow to all of a sudden so much happening at once. At times, the dialogue between Jo and Adam didn't feel like a couple of fifteen year olds. While understanding the plot point of an older gentleman taking advantage of Jo's vulnerability and lack of true paternal figures, I felt as though Guy's whole thing was extra. I mean, Adam and Jeremy going over and beating up this thirty y/o man as if Adam hadn't been this shy thing for half of the book was so weird! Had it been left out, I think I would have been left satisfied with a sweet story about these two teens struggling in their own way and coming together while healing. For 85% of the story, I was convinced their tale would end when Adam's parents got back together. Thoroughly surprised when that wasn't the case! I would have enjoyed a bit more on the legalities with Jo convincing her parents of giving her exactly what she wanted (i.e. the Lexus, film school, etc.) and maybe even a bit more into either her and Shelly or giving her parents a piece of her mind. I can't say I didn't enjoy this book but I do think it could have been better.
As a child of divorce with a habit of daydreaming, I was incredibly excited to pick this one up simply because at a younger age, I fantasized about falling in love with some random boy while jumping between parents. To struggle with a broken home during your formative teen years leaves you with scars, that which we see very clearly shown through Jolene. I connected strongly with both her and Adam, knowing how difficult it can be to come of age while trying/yearning for a happy family. Though I know that a teenaged Salem would easily rate this book five stars, it felt a bit off at certain points. The pacing went from agonizingly slow to all of a sudden so much happening at once. At times, the dialogue between Jo and Adam didn't feel like a couple of fifteen year olds. While understanding the plot point of an older gentleman taking advantage of Jo's vulnerability and lack of true paternal figures, I felt as though Guy's whole thing was extra. I mean, Adam and Jeremy going over and beating up this thirty y/o man as if Adam hadn't been this shy thing for half of the book was so weird! Had it been left out, I think I would have been left satisfied with a sweet story about these two teens struggling in their own way and coming together while healing. For 85% of the story, I was convinced their tale would end when Adam's parents got back together. Thoroughly surprised when that wasn't the case! I would have enjoyed a bit more on the legalities with Jo convincing her parents of giving her exactly what she wanted (i.e. the Lexus, film school, etc.) and maybe even a bit more into either her and Shelly or giving her parents a piece of her mind. I can't say I didn't enjoy this book but I do think it could have been better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
Minor: Death
xoxlululuxox's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
In this book we follow two teens, Jolene and Adam, and their budding relationship that grows as they make their way through their own personal traumas.
If you want to sob and feel the angst this book is exactly what you want.
Adam is dealing with his parents separating, and Jolene the emotional abuse both her separated parents put her through. As they meet the two teens slowly form a bond and become each other's safe spaces.
I found this book wonderfully written, with each and every emotion you can expect to feel delivered like a blow to the stomach each time something occurs. Both main characters truly make you feel their emotions along with them, and as the story unfolds.
Both Adam and Jolene are beautiful characters. Adam is the sweetest boy and Jolene a tough/mean girl with a heart that just needs a little healing. They are both so different and yet so realistic, it's fantastic.
I truly enjoyed, and cried throughout, this book.
If you want to sob and feel the angst this book is exactly what you want.
Adam is dealing with his parents separating, and Jolene the emotional abuse both her separated parents put her through. As they meet the two teens slowly form a bond and become each other's safe spaces.
I found this book wonderfully written, with each and every emotion you can expect to feel delivered like a blow to the stomach each time something occurs. Both main characters truly make you feel their emotions along with them, and as the story unfolds.
Both Adam and Jolene are beautiful characters. Adam is the sweetest boy and Jolene a tough/mean girl with a heart that just needs a little healing. They are both so different and yet so realistic, it's fantastic.
I truly enjoyed, and cried throughout, this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Death, Child death, Grief, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Physical abuse, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
sophiegs's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault