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fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Tbh meh,
I’ll be honest that the book has smthing abt it that makes you want to keep reading.
The cast is divers with different ethnicities, queer, disabled and plus-size ppl, which is a plus for the book.
The problem is honestly the writing.
It’s very much wattpad with the descriptions. The characters are complex but the writing just flattens them so much that they feel fake.
The chemistry and banter between the characters is good at times but there is no real development of GRADUALLY falling/developing feelings. It’s very much “i hate everything you stand for/i don’t trust you -to- you’re sweet, caring and i wanna spend all my time with you/i can’t seem to get enough of you”.
Plus the miscommunication and resulting toxicity is just annoying and honestly unnecessary, because the plot on it’s own would be enough.
It could have been obsession worthy but it sadly didn’t serve that.
With that i would give it between 3 and 3.75 stars… HOWEVER:
Why is it that a relationship between a 15 YEAR OLD AND A COLLEGE GRADUATE is NOT critiqued ???? That honestly just weird and disgusting. Plus said college graduate then works at their school and impregnates the girl. Fine she is 18 at that time, but they have been meeting/dating since she was 16/17.
Massive eww. No.
Maybe that plotline will continue in the following book, that still doesn’t excuse grooming a LITERAL CHILD. And the main characters just don’t acknowledge that in the book apart from talking abt how this could ruin their reputation.
Another thing is that drugs (including alcohol because it is a drug) are a bit too glamourized for my taste. And yes i get that James used them to escape his abusive homelife n shit. But still this is a somewhat YA-ish novel… stuff like that shouldn’t be so normal? Especially the intensity and frequency is just concerning.
That is why the final rating is so low
I’ll be honest that the book has smthing abt it that makes you want to keep reading.
The cast is divers with different ethnicities, queer, disabled and plus-size ppl, which is a plus for the book.
The problem is honestly the writing.
It’s very much wattpad with the descriptions. The characters are complex but the writing just flattens them so much that they feel fake.
The chemistry and banter between the characters is good at times but there is no real development of GRADUALLY falling/developing feelings. It’s very much “i hate everything you stand for/i don’t trust you -to- you’re sweet, caring and i wanna spend all my time with you/i can’t seem to get enough of you”.
Plus the miscommunication and resulting toxicity is just annoying and honestly unnecessary, because the plot on it’s own would be enough.
It could have been obsession worthy but it sadly didn’t serve that.
With that i would give it between 3 and 3.75 stars… HOWEVER:
Massive eww. No.
Maybe that plotline will continue in the following book, that still doesn’t excuse grooming a LITERAL CHILD. And the main characters just don’t acknowledge that in the book apart from talking abt how this could ruin their reputation.
Another thing is that drugs (including alcohol because it is a drug) are a bit too glamourized for my taste. And yes i get that James used them to escape his abusive homelife n shit. But still this is a somewhat YA-ish novel… stuff like that shouldn’t be so normal? Especially the intensity and frequency is just concerning.
That is why the final rating is so low