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mandiisbooked08's review against another edition
5.0
I could not stop thinking about the first book in this series. I am grateful the author wrote a sequel to these characters as I needed closure into their story.
If you haven't read The Way I Used To Be, turn around and go home. You have to read that one before you get to this one.
I devoured this book. It is far lighter than its predecessor, but with dark clouds still following our main characters around. We see the impact that the events of the previous book have had on all of Edie's family and friends. None more so than her brother and Josh.
We get Josh's POV and it is not wasted. We get to dive further into his own trauma and the effect of always trying to be the pillar of strength, while his foundation is crumbling around him.
If the first book felt like suffocating, this book offers a breath. The characters find their voices and they figure out how to put one foot in front of the other. They choose to live.
I love the way the author is so honest and raw, but still is able to give the characters glimmers of light and hope. Healing comes in waves and she embraces that it is okay to not be okay.
If you haven't read The Way I Used To Be, turn around and go home. You have to read that one before you get to this one.
I devoured this book. It is far lighter than its predecessor, but with dark clouds still following our main characters around. We see the impact that the events of the previous book have had on all of Edie's family and friends. None more so than her brother and Josh.
We get Josh's POV and it is not wasted. We get to dive further into his own trauma and the effect of always trying to be the pillar of strength, while his foundation is crumbling around him.
If the first book felt like suffocating, this book offers a breath. The characters find their voices and they figure out how to put one foot in front of the other. They choose to live.
I love the way the author is so honest and raw, but still is able to give the characters glimmers of light and hope. Healing comes in waves and she embraces that it is okay to not be okay.
justinej's review against another edition
4.0
I was a bit scared I wouldn’t be able to connect as I read the first book 11 months ago, but I had no trouble to. Eden and Josh their characters are real, they’re flawed, at times you’re annoyed cause they don’t do what you want them to do, but it’s them.
I was also scared this would become a “without the other I won’t survive” story, and at the end it was not.
This was a great conclusion to the first book, and not simple dragged out to make money of it (which in my opinion has happened with other sequels in the past).
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“And for the first time, I think I understand - in my head and my heart - why we’re really doing this. For us.”
“It was like she was the only thing in color to me, everything else in my life felt so gray. […] It was that simple. I was sure. She was worth whatever risk came with trying. Then and now.”
I was also scared this would become a “without the other I won’t survive” story, and at the end it was not.
This was a great conclusion to the first book, and not simple dragged out to make money of it (which in my opinion has happened with other sequels in the past).
-
“And for the first time, I think I understand - in my head and my heart - why we’re really doing this. For us.”
“It was like she was the only thing in color to me, everything else in my life felt so gray. […] It was that simple. I was sure. She was worth whatever risk came with trying. Then and now.”
hatsxx's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
emily_rose_10's review against another edition
4.0
4.5⭐️
"It's okay. You can be messy. I don't mind,"
I am SO glad Josh + Eden got a second chance. This showed that even though Eden finally told everyone about her s@ everything's not going to go back to normal straight away. It showed the harsh and painful truth of a s@ trial.
Eden is one of the strongest characters I've ever read about. She had so much personal growth. Josh was so patient and understanding. Josh and eden also really became their true selves which was amazing to watch.I'm so beyond proud of them both.
This was dual POV which made it 100 times more painful. It felt so true and raw it felt like I knew these characters.
JOSH AND EDEN DESERVE THE WORLD!!
Thank you so much netgalley and rock the boat publications for letting me read this arc!
"It's okay. You can be messy. I don't mind,"
I am SO glad Josh + Eden got a second chance. This showed that even though Eden finally told everyone about her s@ everything's not going to go back to normal straight away. It showed the harsh and painful truth of a s@ trial.
Eden is one of the strongest characters I've ever read about. She had so much personal growth. Josh was so patient and understanding. Josh and eden also really became their true selves which was amazing to watch.I'm so beyond proud of them both.
This was dual POV which made it 100 times more painful. It felt so true and raw it felt like I knew these characters.
JOSH AND EDEN DESERVE THE WORLD!!
Thank you so much netgalley and rock the boat publications for letting me read this arc!
emily_rose_10's review against another edition
4.0
4.5⭐️
"It's okay. You can be messy. I don't mind,"
I am SO glad Josh + Eden got a second chance. This showed that even though Eden finally told everyone about her s@ everything's not going to go back to normal straight away. It showed the harsh and painful truth of a s@ trial.
Eden is one of the strongest characters I've ever read about. She had so much personal growth. Josh was so patient and understanding. Josh and eden also really became their true selves which was amazing to watch.I'm so beyond proud of them both.
This was dual POV which made it 100 times more painful. It felt so true and raw it felt like I knew these characters.
JOSH AND EDEN DESERVE THE WORLD!!
Thank you so much netgalley and rock the boat publications for letting me read this arc!
"It's okay. You can be messy. I don't mind,"
I am SO glad Josh + Eden got a second chance. This showed that even though Eden finally told everyone about her s@ everything's not going to go back to normal straight away. It showed the harsh and painful truth of a s@ trial.
Eden is one of the strongest characters I've ever read about. She had so much personal growth. Josh was so patient and understanding. Josh and eden also really became their true selves which was amazing to watch.I'm so beyond proud of them both.
This was dual POV which made it 100 times more painful. It felt so true and raw it felt like I knew these characters.
JOSH AND EDEN DESERVE THE WORLD!!
Thank you so much netgalley and rock the boat publications for letting me read this arc!
esther626's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75