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malaynachang 's review for:
Serenading Heartbreak
by Ella Fields
MY OPINION: ****
I think I've been going through an awful reading slump that's mainly due to a combination of school and lack of interest. However, this book was exactly what I needed to really start to enjoy reading again.
It gave me incredible Wattpad-vibes, which is something I can never complain about. I love the brother's-best-friend trope more than anything and this book was no exception. It also featured a love triangle that I thought I would hate but ended up really enjoying. Both boys were amazing and I can't imagine being put into her position and having to choose between them.
I love these Wattpad type books in which the characters make-up, break-up. The jealousy factor and the heartbreak factor is also something I love reading about because it makes it all the more heartwrenching and powerful. It's a guilty pleasure and these unrealistic, overdramatic relationships are definitely great for getting out of reading slumps.
Stevie was not the most likeable character for me but I did understand where she was coming from. As I said, I can't imagine having to choose between two boys that I loved equally for different reasons. I wish she would have been less fickle and back-and-forth wishy-washy between the two but I can't say that I blamed her. I think she also was able to be manipulated way too easy and had no qualms about forgiving Everett again and again and again. She also makes a lot of bad decisions that I couldn't help but shake my head at.
The first boy, Everett, is a childhood friend and her brother's best friend and bandmate. He's had a harsh childhood which has caused him to take up extreme levels of drinking. I hate to say this but I'm a sucker for this type of boy--a little toxic but nice to the one girl. I KNOW that it's a bad thing and I wouldn't ever allow myself to be manipulated like Stevie did in real life but in terms of a FICTIONAL sense I loved Everett. I hate to say it and I definitely do not condone the romanticization of this toxic relationship and toxic manipulation BUT I loved Everett.
The second boy, Aiden, was also ADORABLE and someone who you couldn't help but love. He's the epitome of nice boy-soft boy-golden-retriever-boy and you can't help but fall for his charms and his good heart. There were times when I was full Team Aiden and times when I was full Team Everett which I really thinks goes to show how well-written the relationships and the characters were in this book.
I do think Stevie made the right choice in the end, despite my love for the other boy. I also think the ending was a bit unrealistic but also it added to the happily-ever-factor that we all expected so I will forgive what happened.
I would like to point out that Stevie did not cheat on either of the boys when she was with either of them. However, I do think emotional cheating was a strong element in this book, as shown by the pain and heartbreak she caused both boys and they caused her. I liked how it was written in the book because people tend to ignore the fact that emotional cheating and emotional manipulation is a real thing.
The song lyrics and band-music element throughout this book were enjoyable and really added to the heartwrenching element, especially for those who were Team Everett. At times, the book did feel a little slow-going and there were a lot of plot twists that I felt were a bit outlandish or irrelevant but overall, I was captivated and finished this book in the span of one day. I would highly recommend this book if you are looking for a love-triangle, romantic, slightly toxic love story.
Main Character: Stevie
Sidekick(s): Everett, Aidan
Villain(s): Toxicity, manipulation, etc
Realistic Fiction Elements: This book was all very real to life.
I think I've been going through an awful reading slump that's mainly due to a combination of school and lack of interest. However, this book was exactly what I needed to really start to enjoy reading again.
It gave me incredible Wattpad-vibes, which is something I can never complain about. I love the brother's-best-friend trope more than anything and this book was no exception. It also featured a love triangle that I thought I would hate but ended up really enjoying. Both boys were amazing and I can't imagine being put into her position and having to choose between them.
I love these Wattpad type books in which the characters make-up, break-up. The jealousy factor and the heartbreak factor is also something I love reading about because it makes it all the more heartwrenching and powerful. It's a guilty pleasure and these unrealistic, overdramatic relationships are definitely great for getting out of reading slumps.
Stevie was not the most likeable character for me but I did understand where she was coming from. As I said, I can't imagine having to choose between two boys that I loved equally for different reasons. I wish she would have been less fickle and back-and-forth wishy-washy between the two but I can't say that I blamed her. I think she also was able to be manipulated way too easy and had no qualms about forgiving Everett again and again and again. She also makes a lot of bad decisions that I couldn't help but shake my head at.
The first boy, Everett, is a childhood friend and her brother's best friend and bandmate. He's had a harsh childhood which has caused him to take up extreme levels of drinking. I hate to say this but I'm a sucker for this type of boy--a little toxic but nice to the one girl. I KNOW that it's a bad thing and I wouldn't ever allow myself to be manipulated like Stevie did in real life but in terms of a FICTIONAL sense I loved Everett. I hate to say it and I definitely do not condone the romanticization of this toxic relationship and toxic manipulation BUT I loved Everett.
The second boy, Aiden, was also ADORABLE and someone who you couldn't help but love. He's the epitome of nice boy-soft boy-golden-retriever-boy and you can't help but fall for his charms and his good heart. There were times when I was full Team Aiden and times when I was full Team Everett which I really thinks goes to show how well-written the relationships and the characters were in this book.
I do think Stevie made the right choice in the end, despite my love for the other boy. I also think the ending was a bit unrealistic but also it added to the happily-ever-factor that we all expected so I will forgive what happened.
I would like to point out that Stevie did not cheat on either of the boys when she was with either of them. However, I do think emotional cheating was a strong element in this book, as shown by the pain and heartbreak she caused both boys and they caused her. I liked how it was written in the book because people tend to ignore the fact that emotional cheating and emotional manipulation is a real thing.
The song lyrics and band-music element throughout this book were enjoyable and really added to the heartwrenching element, especially for those who were Team Everett. At times, the book did feel a little slow-going and there were a lot of plot twists that I felt were a bit outlandish or irrelevant but overall, I was captivated and finished this book in the span of one day. I would highly recommend this book if you are looking for a love-triangle, romantic, slightly toxic love story.
Main Character: Stevie
Sidekick(s): Everett, Aidan
Villain(s): Toxicity, manipulation, etc
Realistic Fiction Elements: This book was all very real to life.