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kkeraunos's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD- and it also made no sense why i got SO invested in all of the characters, just for my heart to get broken RIGHT at the end :(
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
sadgrrrlreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
my life is ruined
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Cancer, Pedophilia, and Terminal illness
triple_m's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
I…. think I hated this book? I read it quickly and I thought the writing was pretty good but I hate almost everything about the story. Salem is very ~quirky~ and ✨not like other girls✨ with her Diet Coke addiction and dislike of shopping.
She’s also ✨not like other girls✨ in that she fully cheats on her very nice and loving boyfriend! 🤪 On a real note, it’s fine that her and Caleb were growing in different directions, not many people stay with their high school sweetheart. The issue is that she recognized her crush way before she committed the act of cheating, there was no reason not end things with Caleb sooner.
About the abuse, I think Salem and her sister are way too well adjusted considering they were sexually assaulted by their father. Obviously Salem still has some flashbacks and nightmares but idk. Also, it’s COMPLETELY fair to question why the mom didn’t leave the dad when SHE KNEW. Because he threatened them? Okay? Go to the police. I know it’s not black and white but I can’t imagine her knowing what he was doing in their room with the girls and not feeling sick towards the mother too.
The twist— Forrest’s death was so fucking uncalled for. I didn’t cry because I only wasn’t invested in the child and I just didn’t think the author would kill a 6 year old, so I was mostly in shock. And what was the reason? For the sequel of this book? I just didn’t see the purpose. Forrest’s death doesn’t add anything to the story it just makes it a bummer with no pay off.
The very last scene— Salem is pregnant and I honestly wonder if she planned it. I mean, she was on birth control and had sex several times throughout this story, but the one time she has sex when ML (forgot his name) when he’s withdrawing and giving up on the relationship and she ends up pregnant. Suspicious.
This whole book is whatever and not worth the read unfortunately. Will not be reading the second one.
She’s also ✨not like other girls✨ in that she fully cheats on her very nice and loving boyfriend! 🤪 On a real note, it’s fine that her and Caleb were growing in different directions, not many people stay with their high school sweetheart. The issue is that she recognized her crush way before she committed the act of cheating, there was no reason not end things with Caleb sooner.
About the abuse, I think Salem and her sister are way too well adjusted considering they were sexually assaulted by their father. Obviously Salem still has some flashbacks and nightmares but idk. Also, it’s COMPLETELY fair to question why the mom didn’t leave the dad when SHE KNEW. Because he threatened them? Okay? Go to the police. I know it’s not black and white but I can’t imagine her knowing what he was doing in their room with the girls and not feeling sick towards the mother too.
The twist—
The very last scene—
This whole book is whatever and not worth the read unfortunately. Will not be reading the second one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
noveltay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I didn’t like how this book was written at first. It took me quite a few chapters to enjoy the way it was written. But once I started getting giddy about Thayer & Salem, I enjoyed it from then on out.
The age gap is odd to me, but something I could look over for the plots sake. I did think he showed a huge paternal role with the gifts and protectiveness of her!
Check the TW before reading. Death, abuse, sexual assault, adult/minor, etc are all mentioned even if it’s brief!
The age gap is odd to me, but something I could look over for the plots sake. I did think he showed a huge paternal role with the gifts and protectiveness of her!
Check the TW before reading. Death, abuse, sexual assault, adult/minor, etc are all mentioned even if it’s brief!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Cancer, Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Grief
Minor: Sexual violence, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Rape
cinderellasbookshelf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
2.0
I understand the hype, but this really wasn’t for me and it’s not because of the ending. I did not like the writing despite a few lines here and there. It also felt longer than it should be.
I don’t mind the age gap trope, but this one made me cringe because of Thayer. Salem is young and precocious. So, I understood her actions even though I didn’t like it. Thayer however, is an adult. He did a lot of kind things for Salem, but in terms of his obvious attraction for her, he seemed wildly irresponsible and immature for a thirty-something year old.
Will I still read the next book? Yes, but because I want to know how it ends and hope that it’s better than this one.
Definitely read the trigger warnings because those parts were heavy even when it’s mentioned or implied.
I don’t mind the age gap trope, but this one made me cringe because of Thayer. Salem is young and precocious. So, I understood her actions even though I didn’t like it. Thayer however, is an adult. He did a lot of kind things for Salem, but in terms of his obvious attraction for her, he seemed wildly irresponsible and immature for a thirty-something year old.
Will I still read the next book? Yes, but because I want to know how it ends and hope that it’s better than this one.
Definitely read the trigger warnings because those parts were heavy even when it’s mentioned or implied.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Cancer, and Child death
lostinpaperbacks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
it was good, however, i was expecting more. i didn't cry when forest died and i wanted to so bad i just didnt feel as connected with the characters the plot was average and the book didn't really stand out too much for me. it also was the excessive amount of unimportant details that ruined it for me.i dont really care how many pancakes he made for her or how he bent down to tie her shoe, it just makes the book repetitive and boring. i also hate how Salem did Caleb dirty. he was actually a sweet boyfriend and didn't deserve it, i would have been more comfortable if she would have broken up with him first </spoiler > ALSO PLEASE READ THE TWS *THIS IS NOT A SOFT BOOK LIKE BIRTHDAY GIRL OR ANY OF THE SORT.*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Cancer, Child death, Death of parent, Death, and Grief
andreaortiz's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Child abuse
psyched_np's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Absolutely heartbreaking. Have the tissues ready.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Alcohol, Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Death, Death of parent, Incest, Pedophilia, and Sexual content
khloereads86's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-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
2.0
I really didn’t feel anything from this book. Usually with a good romance book I catch myself smiling at their interactions or swooning over something the mmc says to her, but I never felt that here. It’s not even the age gap so much that I would have a problem with if I had felt like the characters actually really connected at all, but they didn’t seem to. The whole drama with Caleb seemed a bit ridiculous, and I don’t understand why she wouldn’t just break up with him instead of cheating. I thought it was ok enough for maybe 3 stars until the last 10% of the book, and now I’m not even sure I want to give it even this.
What kind of book uses a child’s death so lightly? As a plot device to cause problems in the relationship?! I was honestly a little disgusted that this was where the author went with it. Then Thayer and Caleb fighting made me roll my eyes. That final plot twist of “oh look, I’m pregnant!” finally put the nail in the coffin.
It honestly just felt like the author threw as much drama and tragedy into the book as possible
• Abusive father who died of cancer
• Mother gets cancer
• Sister’s toxic relationship
• Cheating on Caleb
• Forrest’s death
• More Caleb vs Thayer drama
• Accidental pregnancy
• Abusive father who died of cancer
• Mother gets cancer
• Sister’s toxic relationship
• Cheating on Caleb
• Forrest’s death
• More Caleb vs Thayer drama
• Accidental pregnancy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Child death, Cursing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Rape, Cancer, Child abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
ashmc2017's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Physical abuse, and Cancer