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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
Beware, all who are considering reading this book (mild spoilers ahead, but for things you'll find out for yourself early on in the book):
1) There is no world that exists in which I would consider this a slow burn. There is attraction at first sight (for... reasons?), and almost insta-feelings. I won't spoil how early they get together, but it is early. Whatever PR person decided to market this as a slow burn is on my shit list.
2) If you like repetitive writing and cringey inner dialogue that makes you say, "I don't think anyone talks like that in real life," this is the book for you!
3) This book perpetuates two of my least favorite romance tropes, ones that I consider borderline dangerous and irresponsible -
a) The magical soulmate trope, in which someone just immediately UNDERSTANDS the other person without any work whatsoever. Dude, I'm sorry - he went from not even fully understanding what sex is to just magically being able to tell what you like the most in bed? If there are any young people reading this review, please for the love of god learn this from me now:
YOUR PARTNER WILL UNDERSTAND VERY LITTLE ABOUT WHAT YOU LIKE, SEXUALLY AND EMOTIONALLY, AND HOW YOU FEEL, SEXUALLY AND EMOTIONALLY, WITHOUT YOU TELLING THEM. MAGICAL PARTNERS WHO MAGICALLY UNDERSTAND YOU INSIDE AND OUT WITHOUT YOU TALKING TO THEM ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE THINKING INSIDE AND OUT DO NOT EXIST. (As far as I know.) Please don't think you haven't found "the one" if they can't read your mind. Develop strong communication practices early and often.
Archer and Bree weren't the most obnoxious example of "my new partner can read my mind!" syndrome. They did at least talk out some of their thoughts and feelings. But not nearly as much as I think they would have needed to in order to function as well as they immediately did as a couple. And *definitely* not in the bedroom.
b) The idea that the healing power of love can overcome trauma. SURE, sometimes finding someone who understands what you're going through and/or makes you feel safe can contribute to psychological healing. But nothing replaces the intervention of a trained mental health professional. Every single time Archer asked, "How am I ever going to do this/overcome this/etc, Bree?" her immediate answer should have been, "With therapy, Archer. Lots and lots of therapy with a very well-trained therapist."
And a few other things -
I just do not buy for one second that a traumatically injured 7 year-old, especially one whose mom was supposedly so beloved by an entire small town, is sent to live with a bachelor uncle with known mental health issues and everyone just thinks, "Well it's probably for the best if I don't get involved. Seems like he's in the best hands and what could I possibly do to help?" Just. Do. Not. Buy. It.
The sex scenes were fine. IMO, some were steamy, some were cringey, some were boring. But nothing to write home about.
All in all I'm very confused about why everyone was so obsessed with this book. It's fine. But anything I rush through so I can just be done with it already deserves only 3 stars from me
1) There is no world that exists in which I would consider this a slow burn. There is attraction at first sight (for... reasons?), and almost insta-feelings. I won't spoil how early they get together, but it is early. Whatever PR person decided to market this as a slow burn is on my shit list.
2) If you like repetitive writing and cringey inner dialogue that makes you say, "I don't think anyone talks like that in real life," this is the book for you!
3) This book perpetuates two of my least favorite romance tropes, ones that I consider borderline dangerous and irresponsible -
a) The magical soulmate trope, in which someone just immediately UNDERSTANDS the other person without any work whatsoever. Dude, I'm sorry - he went from not even fully understanding what sex is to just magically being able to tell what you like the most in bed? If there are any young people reading this review, please for the love of god learn this from me now:
YOUR PARTNER WILL UNDERSTAND VERY LITTLE ABOUT WHAT YOU LIKE, SEXUALLY AND EMOTIONALLY, AND HOW YOU FEEL, SEXUALLY AND EMOTIONALLY, WITHOUT YOU TELLING THEM. MAGICAL PARTNERS WHO MAGICALLY UNDERSTAND YOU INSIDE AND OUT WITHOUT YOU TALKING TO THEM ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE THINKING INSIDE AND OUT DO NOT EXIST. (As far as I know.) Please don't think you haven't found "the one" if they can't read your mind. Develop strong communication practices early and often.
Archer and Bree weren't the most obnoxious example of "my new partner can read my mind!" syndrome. They did at least talk out some of their thoughts and feelings. But not nearly as much as I think they would have needed to in order to function as well as they immediately did as a couple. And *definitely* not in the bedroom.
b) The idea that the healing power of love can overcome trauma. SURE, sometimes finding someone who understands what you're going through and/or makes you feel safe can contribute to psychological healing. But nothing replaces the intervention of a trained mental health professional. Every single time Archer asked, "How am I ever going to do this/overcome this/etc, Bree?" her immediate answer should have been, "With therapy, Archer. Lots and lots of therapy with a very well-trained therapist."
And a few other things -
I just do not buy for one second that a traumatically injured 7 year-old, especially one whose mom was supposedly so beloved by an entire small town, is sent to live with a bachelor uncle with known mental health issues and everyone just thinks, "Well it's probably for the best if I don't get involved. Seems like he's in the best hands and what could I possibly do to help?" Just. Do. Not. Buy. It.
The sex scenes were fine. IMO, some were steamy, some were cringey, some were boring. But nothing to write home about.
All in all I'm very confused about why everyone was so obsessed with this book. It's fine. But anything I rush through so I can just be done with it already deserves only 3 stars from me
i dont really understand the hype on this book tbh.. people always say this book is gut wrenching but i just fount this book boring
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This read had me on an emotional rollercoaster from the beginning and I managed to finish it in a day. Most of the characters felt very authentic to me and I loved the fact that amongst all the tragedy there were still typical "slice of life" relationship moments. And I appreciated the authenticity of healing together as well as apart.
I did however think that the female main characters journey with mental health is unrealistic, after severely struggling for months her symptoms abruptly stop and are rarely mentioned again? This detracted from what could have been a beautifully executed authentic story and was a flaw for me that I couldn't let go.
I did however think that the female main characters journey with mental health is unrealistic, after severely struggling for months her symptoms abruptly stop and are rarely mentioned again? This detracted from what could have been a beautifully executed authentic story and was a flaw for me that I couldn't let go.
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
Yes
Started off good but by page 300 I was ready for it to end
I'd give this like a 3.75 star. I got the recommendation from BookTok and it wasn't bad! It definitely didn't blow me away like it was suggested it would, but it's not bad
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
heartbreakingly great. cried a lot. really emotional but in a good way i guess
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Sexual assault, Grief, Car accident
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Rape, Terminal illness