A review by laksita
The Cornerstone by Kate Canterbary

dark fast-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? Yes

2.0

This book was so triggering.

1.)

I am not sure what the purpose of making Shannon a child rape victim at the hands of HER OWN FATHER if it was just going to get glossed over. Like excuse me?? What THE FUCK WAS THAT?? What do you mean NONE OF HER SIBLINGS KNEW AND YOU ENDED THE BOOK WITTH THEM STILL NEVER FINDING OUT??? WHAT?? Like I’m sorry but I thought telling her siblings would have been her character development—as a way of her finally leaning on her siblings instead of the other way around—but noooo it didn’t happen??? At this point I’m just HOPING that this gets properly resolved in Erin’s book, because maybe one of the reasons she and Shannon had a falling out had something to do with Shannon being their own father’s rape victim and somehow Erin unknowingly triggered Shannon’s trauma. AND THAT IS JUST ME BEING OPTIMISTIC. The fuck…

2.) Will saying he was not misogynistic only to proceed saying a lot of misogynistic shit throughout the book.

Also I’m sorry but he was a fucking creep?? Breaking and entering into Shannon’s apartment??? He had red flags by the BOATLOAD but I guess a lot of women find this romantic. Couldn’t be me. Can’t relate.

3.) The military propaganda was so strong with this one. I wanted to throw up every time. But I HAD to endure this book just so I could finish the whole series. 

My thing is if the book hadn’t had all the triggering elements I’ve mentioned above, the romance aspect was not that bad.

I mean, the way Will tried to make Shannon understand that her male siblings were GROWN ASS MEN and therefore didn’t need her taking care of them anymore; the way Will took care of her by cooking for her, cleaning her apartment, picking her up, etc because no one ever took care of her. It was okay. It’s just that everything else made this book so unbearable and triggering to read.