A review by carinascatsandchapters
Blurry Messes (Scarred Hearts Duet, #1) by Holly Caste

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Well I could cry over how much I love this book. And I did. On a plane. This book really hit me, and honestly made me think of a time in my own life that I am so happy to be on the other side of. 

Ellie is such a complex character and I find that I identify with her in a few ways. Having an ex who consistently played mind games or blamed me for things entirely not my fault, the experience of panic attacks, and even all the way to struggles with self harm. She is kind, yet will defend those she cares about to the end of the earth. She is strong, yet insecure. She loves HARD. She is learning to love herself. 

Hunter is dick. I literally hated him since the beginning and made an annotation tab key labeled “ick” just for him. I ran out of sticky notes for that color. And that doesn’t even include the ones I marked under “mad”. Ellie deserves better, she just sadly didn’t know what better looked like. I resonate with that too. 

Mateo. Oh Mateo. What a beautifully flawed character. He is the broody bad boy that has a damaged past that we all love to love. He has a heart of gold under his tattooed exterior and rough past. He helps teach Ellie how to love herself instead of trying to “fix” her. He is patient. He is kind. He is a caretaker. He is the definition of going through a shitty situation and coming out the other side better, even if the sharp edges still cut through sometimes. 

The chemistry between Mateo and Ellie throughout the book is truly beautiful. From the formulation of their friendship, to the start of a friends-with-benefits, to a relationship they show so much love and kindness to each other even in times of fear and uncertainty. They listen and let the other be vulnerable and it is truly beautiful. They even have some AMAZING 🌶️🌶️ (🗄️☕️🚪, iykyk). 

Due to the cliffhanger at the end I am PROMPTLY picking up the second book and thank goodness I’m currently on a plane and have more time to simply enjoy their story.
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