A review by katemc7
Unloved by Peyton Corinne

emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

Just WOW yall! I was really looking forward to this one with the hype that I have read and seeing some of the character art on Peyton's insta, but I was still absolutely blown away by this! We got snippets of Ro and Matt AKA Freddy in Unsteady which is kind of cool because this books timeline coincides with Unsteady. These two characters had been through SOOO much. Once again we are dealing with some HEAVY topics- death of a parent (not on page), gaslighting, anxiety, and Peyton once again handled them with such tenderness and rawness. We have Freddy who is the playboy of the group. He is who you got to to have a good time with no strings. We learn that Freddy is wearing a mask- he has so many layers beneath this mask. He carries so much shame and sadness with the passing of his mother and his actions- it was heartbreaking to read. Then we have Rosalie, Ro, who feels that she is a burden to her family. She doesn't want to bother anyone with conflict. She wants to be the perfect person so she is dating a complete jerk who gaslights her constantly. She has zero self-confidence. The way that Tyler treated her had me enraged. When these two meet and then become fast friends- I was rooting for them the whole time. Watching how their interactions slowly transformed from tutor x student to tender and vulnerable was perfection. I loved the Matty fell first but was once again heartbroken that he didn't think he was enough. When they finally came together- I was swooning the whole time. 

Ro is once again not sure if she is single. What she does know is that she is going to a party tonight with her roomie Sadie. She wants to let loose and have fun. So that's what she does. She ends up hanging out Matt Frederick, hockey extraordinarie, who she has had a crush on since forever. She jumps off a roof and swims in a pool. She sheds her shell for the night. And then she wakes up and remembers that she is his new tutor. She has to act professional. She has to remember that he doesn't care about her. But she does recognize that he needs help- he has dyscalculia and dyslexia. So she works with him how she can. She tries to determine what the best way for him to learn is all while they remain professional. But then they start seeing each other outside of this environment. They exchange numbers and light texts. He is so different from her on again off again BF Tyler. He is consistent. He shows up. He is carefree. But she starts to wonder if all of that is a mask. She sees snippets of a more vulnerable person and she wants to meet him. So when they decide to become friends- she's in. She wants to show him that he is deserving of someone fighting for him. She is angered at how he has been treated. Somehow she can't channel any of this energy towards herself but he does it for her. He shows up for her. He tries to show her how she deserves to be treated. And ever so slightly they flourish and open up together. They can't fight this connection anymore. A kiss leads to more. Matt makes her feel that how she feels is amazing. He shows her how to gain her confidence. So she continues to do the same for him. She just needs him to fully let her in because he has become her person. What they have is to beautiful for just friendship- she just hopes he sees it too. 

Matt AKA Freddy is living the life. Or at least that's how it looks on the outside. Inside- he has never felt like he is enough. He got burned BAD right after his mom passed away. So now he doesn't do strings. He has a good time and then goes back to his room where he is miserable alone. Until he meets her. Rosalie. And the first night they hang out she drunkenly tells him, he would be easy to love. He can't stop thinking about that. Could it be true? Could it be with her? He realizes she is his tutor and that he actually wants to come to his sessions now. She is trying new techniques and taking time with him that none of his tutors have before. She is still keeping him at a distance but he is patient. So when she starts opening up about her kind of BF- Matt decides that he is going to do everything in his power to show her what she deserves. Because she deserves the world. They keep saying they are just friends because they are both scared to ruin what they have. He has never felt this close to someone or like he can breakdown and cry and not be judged. He hasn't had someone advocate for him and make him feel less alone until her. He has never really talked about his mom or Archer until her. He definitely hasn't talked about the woman who broke him until her. And instead of leaving- she stays. So he does what he can't stop thinking about doing- he drops the mask and owns himself because he wants to be who she deserves. 

These two had to WORK towards their love. They had to literally break down some walls and fight for it. I was just blown away by their story and their journey to get to their HEA. Reading about Freddy's anguish was heartbreaking. Reading about how both of these beautiful souls were taken advantage of and treated they way they were was tragic BUT watching them come together and help repair each other was magical. 

Can I just also say that I LOVED getting more glimpses of our future MCs- I am looking at you Bennett. I can't WAIT to read about him and Paloma Blake of all people. Who I am assuming was sleeping in his bed while his service dog Seven was watching over her- SWOON. Bennett giving Ro advice on how to love someone just SIGH! I am also looking at you Toren with your Van Gogh tattoos. Peyton these teasers were amazing but also killed me. If you haven't picked up this series, I can't recommend it enough!!

Thank you to NetGalley and to Peyton for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!