darcyclow 's review for:

Time of Your Life by Jessa Hastings

3.75

fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This was a lot different than I thought it would be, I feel way differently about the character than I thought I would, but this story has so much potential.

The thing I don’t understand about myself is that Jessa does something when she writes about love that I usually hate and makes it so I don’t buy the feelings the characters supposedly have for each other. She tells us how in love they are without really showing us or giving us any reasons why. I truly could not tell you why Joah and Ysolde love each other, but goddamit I believe they do wholeheartedly. However, if you asked me if I think they should be together I’d tell you no. I’d even go as far as to tell you I don’t want them to be together right now. That’s where the potential lies though, Joah has so much growing up to do and I think that’s why this is going to be a series bc you can’t wrap this up in one or even two books.

In this book, Joah is straight up toxic, but I think he’s supposed to be. My understanding of Jessa’s writing in the past is that she’s never romanticized toxicity, despite her male leads definitely being so in past books. Before her characters get a happy ending (if they ever do, not something Jessa promises), they have to complete their redemption arc, which I think is her plan with Joah bc oh my does he ever need one.

I’m excited to see where she goes with this, but this book was definitely the groundwork, so while I enjoyed it, I need more.