A review by skys_library
Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings

challenging emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 OMG this book has just ripped me apart. I have felt every possible emotion throughout this book and have been staring into space since, I am not okay. These characters are so toxic for each other but also so perfect for each other at the same time, it's literally insane just how much and how much I need them to just be. The way they hurt each other just to justify the way's they feel is so heart-breaking to watch, especially as we see both of their internal monologues, so we know just how much they love each other. I was not expecting that at the end like, seriously how on earth could the author do that a) to these characters and b) to us as readers, like to write the characters like she did throughout the book and then throw that spanner into the works, was just diabolical. The writing was so good, I was absolutely hooked in to the story and the world, hooked into the drama because let's be honest there is so much fucking drama just between our main characters, let alone every other character, who needs a soap opera when you've got Magnolia Parks. Every time I felt the slightest bit happy, Jessa Hastings would just rip the rug right out from under me. The dual POV was absolutely perfect for this book and really gave it that added layer. I cannot wait for the rest of this series, I need to know what happens after how that book ended because I have been left speechless.