Scan barcode
daniobsessivelyreads's review against another edition
5.0
I'm so happy I finished this series. I was going to stop after the third book. But the amount of growth and development these characters go through is monumental. They are both so young when they meet. Their relationship is so toxic, and they were in a vicious repetitive cycle of verbal abuse, breaking up, and getting back together.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Spoilers.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The amount of time it takes for these two to work on themselves first and then come together as a couple feels more true to life than most of the romance series I have read. Most romance novels, the couples meet, fight, and then get their HEA before the end of the first book.
This series had me looking back on my past toxic relationships and how this series is sooooo much more true to life.
This was a very difficult series to read, because of all the back and forth and verbal abuse. But it was all worth it, for the amount of work the characters put in to be better people for each other.
This series is not for the faint of heart. If you want a short sweet romance, this is not it. If you want something that's more nitty gritty and true to life, then you've come to the right place.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Spoilers.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The amount of time it takes for these two to work on themselves first and then come together as a couple feels more true to life than most of the romance series I have read. Most romance novels, the couples meet, fight, and then get their HEA before the end of the first book.
This series had me looking back on my past toxic relationships and how this series is sooooo much more true to life.
This was a very difficult series to read, because of all the back and forth and verbal abuse. But it was all worth it, for the amount of work the characters put in to be better people for each other.
This series is not for the faint of heart. If you want a short sweet romance, this is not it. If you want something that's more nitty gritty and true to life, then you've come to the right place.
theromanceescapebookclub's review against another edition
5.0
Almost finished the series
I have almost finished the series and have Loved it and can't wait to read more from this author And see what the rest of her books have in store
I have almost finished the series and have Loved it and can't wait to read more from this author And see what the rest of her books have in store
novellaofmon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This was a breath of fresh air in contrast to all the other books of the series. This is where you REALLY start to see both character's development and growth, and its the kind that is so subtle you don't really notice it until you kinda just actually notice it (i mean this in the best way possible). While approaching the ending, it was a little bit disappointing with all the time skips. To me, at the time, it felt lazy, but in hindsight, I probably wouldn't have had it any other way. I appreciate that we got an insight into the relationship's later years as well rather than just ending it on some ambiguous note. Todd's ability to give these character's a voice and build a world that you become so familiar with makes it possible for me to say, yes, I would read this entire series again.
levans0816's review against another edition
5.0
Great series
After finishing the entire after series within a month, I have to say it’s one of my favorite young adult romances. Everyone wants a love like Hardin & Tessa, maybe not with all the drama, but that never-ending, til-death-do-us-part kind of love. The perfect soulmates kinda love. Couldn’t put them down once I started.
After finishing the entire after series within a month, I have to say it’s one of my favorite young adult romances. Everyone wants a love like Hardin & Tessa, maybe not with all the drama, but that never-ending, til-death-do-us-part kind of love. The perfect soulmates kinda love. Couldn’t put them down once I started.
hgmcghee19's review against another edition
4.0
I can’t believe it’s over. It ended kind of fast, but I unapologetically was addicted to this series. I won’t say it was worth much, but it was addictive.
annsephine's review against another edition
3.0
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this series.
please, don't think that because of my rating I love this book or the characters or that I approve what they did.
1- this is a super toxic relationship. period. i think this book can make a huge (negative) impact in teenagers. I know that I would *love* this book in my 14-16. And I know it's a 18+ book, but nonetheless the way this relationship was portraited was awful even for someone older. i really hated the relationship, the bet thing, Hardin's past. everything. I really think this series can be absolutely danger to young people.
2- I absolutely hate Hardin in the first three books. we have a redemption arc in this book, but I don't think it's enough. we just see him "better", I wish we could see more of this development, for both of the characters tbh. I think the most problematic thing about this book is that it's "easy" to change. almost all the bad characters became someone "good", positive and helpful. I really believe in second chance, but please, don't fool yourself thinking that you can change him.
3- It's very hard for me to give the 3-star rating, but I'm just rating this book *alone*. the first three are garbage to me. but this book. idk. I cried (yeah I cry a lot) so a had to add a star in the rating. I felt a lot like Tess in the first books and I had a relationship a little similar (without the lies/bet and the abusive things) but I felt some things she felt and I'll be lying if I didn't give a 3-star rating. (minor spoiler - I like the time they spent alone, it's much better than in the previous books) I really like the way some things happened, and I think if this book were a standalone, with just the "enemies to lovers" and yeah they could be a yoyo couple but without all the HUGE lies, bets, all the problematics in the previous (and some in this) books I could rate this book a solid 4 stars. maybe even a 5 star depending on the plot.
but it's not. it's a very dangerous and misleading series. please, if you are thinking about reading this series. don't. just don't. especially if you are young. and I'm saying this because I can only imagine what this book could do to me in my teens. I really think that Anna doesn't support toxic/abusive relationship and I think this book could be a way of her trying to make it better for the previous books.
please, don't think that because of my rating I love this book or the characters or that I approve what they did.
1- this is a super toxic relationship. period. i think this book can make a huge (negative) impact in teenagers. I know that I would *love* this book in my 14-16. And I know it's a 18+ book, but nonetheless the way this relationship was portraited was awful even for someone older. i really hated the relationship, the bet thing, Hardin's past. everything. I really think this series can be absolutely danger to young people.
2- I absolutely hate Hardin in the first three books. we have a redemption arc in this book, but I don't think it's enough. we just see him "better", I wish we could see more of this development, for both of the characters tbh. I think the most problematic thing about this book is that it's "easy" to change. almost all the bad characters became someone "good", positive and helpful. I really believe in second chance, but please, don't fool yourself thinking that you can change him.
3- It's very hard for me to give the 3-star rating, but I'm just rating this book *alone*. the first three are garbage to me. but this book. idk. I cried (yeah I cry a lot) so a had to add a star in the rating. I felt a lot like Tess in the first books and I had a relationship a little similar (without the lies/bet and the abusive things) but I felt some things she felt and I'll be lying if I didn't give a 3-star rating. (minor spoiler - I like the time they spent alone, it's much better than in the previous books) I really like the way some things happened, and I think if this book were a standalone, with just the "enemies to lovers" and yeah they could be a yoyo couple but without all the HUGE lies, bets, all the problematics in the previous (and some in this) books I could rate this book a solid 4 stars. maybe even a 5 star depending on the plot.
but it's not. it's a very dangerous and misleading series. please, if you are thinking about reading this series. don't. just don't. especially if you are young. and I'm saying this because I can only imagine what this book could do to me in my teens. I really think that Anna doesn't support toxic/abusive relationship and I think this book could be a way of her trying to make it better for the previous books.
cala_p's review against another edition
5.0
I think this was one of the best in the series for it showed the growth of all the characters. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: to accurately hate or love this series, one must read them all to get the whole story. Because I agree with everyone else; in the previous books, Hardin is controlling, manipulative, and a plain ol’ d*ck. He’s made for readers to hate him, yet find him endearing. So by the time this book happens, the characters take true breaks from one another, come back to admit faults in which Hardin realizes his wrongs. Months pass, years, months. Hardin has been in therapy and both have kept in contact but lived separate lives. So by the time the end happens, both have matured way past book 1, Hardin realizes all his faults and knows what not to do and how to keep anger in check, etc. Both grow so much that you can’t help but feel happy for their HEA. It’s shorter than the others but I found to be the ideal length. No unnecessary fighting dragged on. It was fight, separate, forgive. Essentially.
Overall this is a pretty good series. I had my reservations but now that I have read them all I see how good it truly is. As much as I want to read Before to see Hardin’s POV of After, i have to take a break from this series to review another book. I think my head needs a break from Hardin and Tessa anyway to remember them in the final good days, rather than the manipulation and fighting we’re about to see again from inside his head.
Overall this is a pretty good series. I had my reservations but now that I have read them all I see how good it truly is. As much as I want to read Before to see Hardin’s POV of After, i have to take a break from this series to review another book. I think my head needs a break from Hardin and Tessa anyway to remember them in the final good days, rather than the manipulation and fighting we’re about to see again from inside his head.
olivartk21's review against another edition
5.0
The first book ever to make me cry. I felt it coming up and felt it in my heart. Loved the ending!
donna6146's review against another edition
emotional
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5