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A review by readingwithfefe
Where There's a Will by Jessie Walker
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
slow-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
5.0
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 3/5
Well you know the book is probably going to be good when it has you crying seconds into the PROLOGUE... Yeah.
I've seen so many people talking about how good this duet is and I have had it on my TBR for a pretty good while. Thanks to a group buddy read I joined in on I was forced to put my other reads aside and start on this (finally lol). To say that I am grateful for this group read is an understatement because if I had somehow missed out and never read this duet I would be so mad at myself, especially now that I know what I would have been missing.
I'm pretty blown away that this is the debut novel for this author because holy wow! I never really know what to expect when I'm aware it's an author's first book but this? This was not it... there's no way I could have guessed that the writing style and ability to transport me into the minds of these two main characters so thoroughly would come from these pages. I was not expecting their story to consume me the way that it did. There is so much angst and pain that at times it physically hurt to keep turning the page but when I tried to stop it actually hurt even more. I had to know what was going to happen next between them. I had to see how they were going to overcome the situation they were in. I needed to see both of them happy because JFC - they deserve to be happy, so damn happy!!
Now I did see a few reviews complaining about the boys being 11 when they had their big falling out and that some didn't feel like that age was old enough to feel the feelings that they felt and for it to lead to the grudge/rift between them for the next several years. It had me concerned that I wouldn't like the book as much as everyone said I would so if you find yourself in the same situation let me ease your mind - don't listen to them. Is there a possibility you will agree? Of course. But after reading the duet in its entirety before writing this review I can honestly say looking at the bigger picture and having all of the facts I don't see this as the big deal others made it out to be. You have to take into consideration the things that Way deals with on a daily basis. The emotional and mental trauma he is living through has him latching on to Will like he's a life jacket to keep him from drowning in his own personal daily hell. I'm sure in some ways this caused Way to lose bits of that childhood innocence that would normally keep others his age from developing the attachment he does. As for Will, well he seems to already be a tad more mature for his age than his peers so again I can see how it's possible for him to do the same just maybe in a different way. (haha no pun intended) And once you have all of the facts about what was really happening at the time of their falling out not just what you could see on the surface, you have to consider that Way's mind was looking for anything it could use to try and cope with what he was going through. So is it really that farfetched for his mind to twist those moments into anger and hatred to help him survive those next few years without Will? I don't believe it is. Besides, everyone's mental and emotional maturity differs to some degree, who are we to say it's unrealistic? Then at the very minimum, there's one simple fact we can't ignore - it's fiction! Just roll with it and enjoy the beauty of the story. If it bothers you that much just age them up in your mind to whatever age you think is acceptable and keep reading because the story is just too incredible not to.
Then of course there is the writing style that seems to take you and the character's pov you're reading and melds them together in a way that puts you standing there in their shoes. You can see what they see, smell what they smell, hear the same sounds, and feel your heart racing as if you were the one actually in the story. I also love how the use of music within the scenes was done where certain lyrics from the song that is mentioned is playing in that moment are used to describe what is happening as if the song was written specifically to describe this instance. I can no longer listen to those songs without seeing these scenes play out when I close my eyes and take in the music. Another element of the writing that had me connect with the characters so much is how their inner monologues are structured. The way their thoughts bounce around a little and they seem to be talking to themselves or joking with themselves as they narrate the events happening. Sometimes they even respond to other characters in the story in their heads differently than they do out loud the same way I'm sure a lot of us do in real life, or at least I do. Just one more example of how this book made me feel like it was my mind these thoughts were sweeping through.
I felt the spice level was pretty average and appropriate for this story as well considering the different levels of their relationship throughout the book. It may take some time before you get to the spicier stuff but don't worry there is plenty of teasing and tension that builds up along the way which just makes those heavier moments towards the end even more worth it. Plus, you can feel a lot more emotion swirling around those intimate scenes due to that build-up which puts more focus on the connection they share vs just throwing some sexy stuff into the story for smut's sake. Each time they let their walls down it's transformative for them both and not just "spice". There's trust, respect, safety, understanding... there's love plain and simple.
As for the contents of the story, they are pretty heavy. It deals with raw and painful things that so many people out there, unfortunately, face every day. It's dark and at times it will leave you feeling gutted and like your heart was ripped open left to bleed out on the floor. If you are someone who typically needs to check the trigger warnings before reading then this would absolutely be one I recommend reading through before starting.
Regardless this is one of those books that simply must be experienced. Especially if you're looking for a good cathartic crying session because trust me there are several chances for that to happen here. I mean I met every single one of them along the way with uncontrolled sobbing but I'm a huge softy when it comes to stuff like this so I'm not shocked. But I would be extremely surprised if you can read through this in its entirety without shedding a single tear. Also, you should probably go ahead and have book two queued up and ready because the second you close this one you will be jumping into the next - this ending is a punch to the gut and you will be dying to see what it means for these two moving forward.
Spice: 3/5
Well you know the book is probably going to be good when it has you crying seconds into the PROLOGUE... Yeah.
I've seen so many people talking about how good this duet is and I have had it on my TBR for a pretty good while. Thanks to a group buddy read I joined in on I was forced to put my other reads aside and start on this (finally lol). To say that I am grateful for this group read is an understatement because if I had somehow missed out and never read this duet I would be so mad at myself, especially now that I know what I would have been missing.
I'm pretty blown away that this is the debut novel for this author because holy wow! I never really know what to expect when I'm aware it's an author's first book but this? This was not it... there's no way I could have guessed that the writing style and ability to transport me into the minds of these two main characters so thoroughly would come from these pages. I was not expecting their story to consume me the way that it did. There is so much angst and pain that at times it physically hurt to keep turning the page but when I tried to stop it actually hurt even more. I had to know what was going to happen next between them. I had to see how they were going to overcome the situation they were in. I needed to see both of them happy because JFC - they deserve to be happy, so damn happy!!
Now I did see a few reviews complaining about the boys being 11 when they had their big falling out and that some didn't feel like that age was old enough to feel the feelings that they felt and for it to lead to the grudge/rift between them for the next several years. It had me concerned that I wouldn't like the book as much as everyone said I would so if you find yourself in the same situation let me ease your mind - don't listen to them. Is there a possibility you will agree? Of course. But after reading the duet in its entirety before writing this review I can honestly say looking at the bigger picture and having all of the facts I don't see this as the big deal others made it out to be. You have to take into consideration the things that Way deals with on a daily basis. The emotional and mental trauma he is living through has him latching on to Will like he's a life jacket to keep him from drowning in his own personal daily hell. I'm sure in some ways this caused Way to lose bits of that childhood innocence that would normally keep others his age from developing the attachment he does. As for Will, well he seems to already be a tad more mature for his age than his peers so again I can see how it's possible for him to do the same just maybe in a different way. (haha no pun intended) And once you have all of the facts about what was really happening at the time of their falling out not just what you could see on the surface, you have to consider that Way's mind was looking for anything it could use to try and cope with what he was going through. So is it really that farfetched for his mind to twist those moments into anger and hatred to help him survive those next few years without Will? I don't believe it is. Besides, everyone's mental and emotional maturity differs to some degree, who are we to say it's unrealistic? Then at the very minimum, there's one simple fact we can't ignore - it's fiction! Just roll with it and enjoy the beauty of the story. If it bothers you that much just age them up in your mind to whatever age you think is acceptable and keep reading because the story is just too incredible not to.
Then of course there is the writing style that seems to take you and the character's pov you're reading and melds them together in a way that puts you standing there in their shoes. You can see what they see, smell what they smell, hear the same sounds, and feel your heart racing as if you were the one actually in the story. I also love how the use of music within the scenes was done where certain lyrics from the song that is mentioned is playing in that moment are used to describe what is happening as if the song was written specifically to describe this instance. I can no longer listen to those songs without seeing these scenes play out when I close my eyes and take in the music. Another element of the writing that had me connect with the characters so much is how their inner monologues are structured. The way their thoughts bounce around a little and they seem to be talking to themselves or joking with themselves as they narrate the events happening. Sometimes they even respond to other characters in the story in their heads differently than they do out loud the same way I'm sure a lot of us do in real life, or at least I do. Just one more example of how this book made me feel like it was my mind these thoughts were sweeping through.
I felt the spice level was pretty average and appropriate for this story as well considering the different levels of their relationship throughout the book. It may take some time before you get to the spicier stuff but don't worry there is plenty of teasing and tension that builds up along the way which just makes those heavier moments towards the end even more worth it. Plus, you can feel a lot more emotion swirling around those intimate scenes due to that build-up which puts more focus on the connection they share vs just throwing some sexy stuff into the story for smut's sake. Each time they let their walls down it's transformative for them both and not just "spice". There's trust, respect, safety, understanding... there's love plain and simple.
As for the contents of the story, they are pretty heavy. It deals with raw and painful things that so many people out there, unfortunately, face every day. It's dark and at times it will leave you feeling gutted and like your heart was ripped open left to bleed out on the floor. If you are someone who typically needs to check the trigger warnings before reading then this would absolutely be one I recommend reading through before starting.
Regardless this is one of those books that simply must be experienced. Especially if you're looking for a good cathartic crying session because trust me there are several chances for that to happen here. I mean I met every single one of them along the way with uncontrolled sobbing but I'm a huge softy when it comes to stuff like this so I'm not shocked. But I would be extremely surprised if you can read through this in its entirety without shedding a single tear. Also, you should probably go ahead and have book two queued up and ready because the second you close this one you will be jumping into the next - this ending is a punch to the gut and you will be dying to see what it means for these two moving forward.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, and Death of parent