A review by mrsxtremist
This Life and All the Rest by Brit Benson

dark emotional hopeful sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

 
This was my second & third Brit Benson books and I was honestly just as invested. She has an amazing talent for making her characters and their feelings relatable. 

These books will hit all the feels. I couldn’t put them down. I binged both books in just over 24 hrs because I just needed to be in this world with these characters.

Second chance books written like this (part in high school with angst and drama and falling in love) and then part as adults trying again are my JAM! Book 1 focuses on the start of their story in their final year of high school. Book 2 is a few years later when Lennon returns back home for the first time since leaving. 

I loved getting to know Lennon. As a chronic people pleaser myself who is slowly learning to put myself first I saw so much of “young me” in her. Macon was an interesting MMC for me. He was a great example of not judging someone because you don’t know what they are living with. I loved seeing his POV and his growth all through the books.


Troupes: second chance, enemies to lovers, best friends brother
Spice: 4/5  
Plot 5/5
Pace 4.5/5  
Character Personality 5/5
Character Growth 5/5 
Writing Style 5/5
World Building 5/5


Some spoilers below
My only real complaint is the miscommunication troupe but it was really well done here on LENNONS side (she TRIED reaching out and was told he didn’t want her)...Macon annoyed me though! I know he thought she had the letter but if he’d tried to reach out instead of just going to find her and actually talked to her they wouldn’t have wasted so many years. 


I wish Claire would feel HALF the pain she has caused. What a spoiled b*tch! I HATED her in book one as Lennon’s bff as she was a TERRIBLE selfish friend. I was SO SO happy when Lennon and Sam became friends. 

I wish that there was a bit more build up in book 2. More reconciling vs just jumping into bed together. But I love the angst and struggle haha. 
 
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