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ri_ri 's review for:
Bad Reputation
by Krista Ritchie, Becca Ritchie
♾ stars
I’m feeling overwhelmed right now after reading Willow and Garrison’s story. It’s the feeling I always get whenever I read any Addicted series book. Somehow, all along the way, they have given me so much. I have cried with them, and I have laughed with them. It’s the best feeling—like I’ve known these people my whole life.
This is the cutest and most wholesome book in the Addicted world. The story was perfect, and being a lover girl, I adored their relationship so much. The good girl and bad boy trope was perfect in this one. Willow and Garrison are so cute and adorable. The moment I read about them, I knew they were going to be the cutest couple in the Addicted world. Their friendship and character development have always intrigued me because Willow was a girl who enjoyed silence and liked being alone, whereas Garrison was a boy with troubles and many friends—who could never see himself alone without them. But his friends were all shitheads, and they deserved what happened to them. This book had a found family trope because they both lost part of their family but found each other and the Core Six. It really was heartwarming.
The story is told in alternate timelines—the past, when they were teenagers, and the present, when they are in their twenties and in a long-distance relationship. It may be frustrating for some, but I loved it because I got to see how their relationship evolved from strangers to friends to lovers. The slow burn and the tension between Willow and Garrison were just perfect, simmering all throughout their story. The pacing was smooth and perfect because this book allowed me to read more about their friendship—how it developed slowly and steadily into love, something more beautiful and pure. Those stolen glances, quick brushes, sweet hugs, arcade dates, and late-night conversations about the TV shows and comics they love had my heart melting.
Willow Hale is a shy, introvert girl, a comic lover, and a risk-taker. She doesn’t make many friends, enjoys silence, and hates being in huge groups. Willow may be shy and reserved, but she is also strong and courageous. She left her home just so she could connect with her older brother, Lo, when she found out the truth after 17 years of living without him. Her character is so relatable on so many levels, and she is my precious girl. I loved her friendship with Daisy too—they both needed each other, and despite being polar opposites, their bond is so strong. She is my comfort character, the risk-taker and challenge seeker. The way she loves and believes in Garrison is everything. She may be shy and reserved, but once she has something on her mind, she will do anything to make it happen. Hales are always like that.
“Time. Distance. It has nothing on fate. You have my whole heart, Garrison Abbey. You had my heart since that day in the comic book shop.”
We’re smiling. We’re crying.
“And I’m ready,” she says, “for forever with you.”
Garrison Abbey is a nerd boy who loves games—and Willow. This man is goddamn intimidating with his bad-boy persona, all those tattoos, his skilful sarcasm, and his hot-as-hell good looks. But he’s so gentle with his girl, Willow, and that is just way too charming. He is a bad boy in every sense, but he has a story to tell—a very broken and heart-shattering one. I knew he was a bad boy, but he was misunderstood and had troubles in his life with his older brothers and friends. He’s just a misunderstood bad boy who deserves every happiness this world has to offer. I love how he loves and cares for Willow, how he’s the cutest dork only for her. I felt all the butterflies in my stomach every time he called Willow my girl. I hate his family with all my heart. It literally broke me to read about how his brothers treated him. He’s so precious, and I wish I could protect him from the cruel world. And the way he asked before giving Willow her first-ever hug, how he always sought her consent—it was everything. Also, the scene where he was doing his daughter’s hairstyle had my heart melting.
“Wherever you are, no matter if it’s right next to me or a thousand miles away,” I say, “I’m tied to you with a tread that can’t break. We’re connect by some thing stronger than time or place.”
Garrison and Willow are so perfect for each other. They were born to love and heal each other. Two teenagers who found each other when they were lonely and at the lowest points of their lives, but somehow, they comforted each other and found solace in their friendship. Their relationship was slow, and I liked how Garrison never pressured Willow for anything. He’s such a gentleman, I swear. The giddiness I felt every time I read their sweet and heartwarming moments—it was a pleasure falling in love with them as they fell for each other. They had me giggling, squealing, laughing, and crying in the end. The way Garrison made Willow feel like she is courageous and capable of anything, and the way she made him feel like he’s not a bad person, that he deserves her and all the happiness in the world—they are perfect and everything to me.
To say that this couple is cute and adorable is an understatement because they were everything—and so much more. They have so many beautiful moments together in this book. When Garrison took Willow to prom, how he asked her before their first kiss, how he always took his time to make her feel comfortable, and the way he calls her my girl—all of it had me swooning and giggling. I loved how they cared for each other and found comfort in one another when they had no one else. I swear, they even made me cry so many times. Also, the way they handled long distance in this book was admirable. There was never any miscommunication between Garrison and Willow—they always shared their thoughts with each other, even when it was painful. They are soulmates in every definition. The purest and sweetest couple in the Addicted world.
I’ve always been intrigued by Garrison’s character ever since he made his first appearance in Addicted After All. But the moment he met Loren, and Lo gave him a chance, a chance to be a better person for himself—his whole life changed after that. He even reminds me of a 21-year-old who is messed up and doesn’t want anyone’s help, but Lo knew. He saw what Garrison was capable of. I love seeing how Lo made such a great impact on Garrison and Willow’s lives. And even Connor believed that Garrison had a talent for coding, and he gave him a purpose. I love Connor even more for this.
I loved the chosen family trope in this one because seeing Garrison finally having Lo, Ryke, and Connor as his older brothers—who would do anything for him, who would protect him at all costs—was everything for me. They let Garrison into their lives, and they all saw the good person beneath the layers of hatred and self-loathing emerge. Garrison deserves every happiness, and I’m so, so happy that they both got the family they deserved.
I loved all the interactions between Lo and Garrison, and the fact that Lo treats him as his little brother—that’s just everything. Willow got her own family too, one who loves her the way she is and accepts her for who she is. I also loved the girls’ squad in this and how they are always there for each other. I love them with every fibre of my being.
Their wedding scene and vows were everything, and I was crying at that scene because they deserved that and every happiness this world has to offer. And I would protect them with everything I have.
The epilogue was so perfect. They finally got their happy ending, and it was a damn perfect ending, with beautiful, specific details about how they are starting their family and thriving in both life and their careers. They even got their baby girl, and every scene where the three of them were together as a family was mesmerisingly beautiful. It was perfect.
We even got glimpses of Core Six too, with their children—which was everything I could ever ask for, you know! One thing I love about Krista and Becca Ritchie is that they always give us the perfect ending. Not open endings, but the ones where we know what they are doing, where they are now, and even how their kids are doing. That’s something I always admire about their writing.
I need more of Gillow because it’ll never be enough for me. Not when it comes to this couple and Core Six. It feels like they are a part of Core Six, a part of the Addicted world now that I’ve read their story. It’s Core Eight for me.
“There’s no one else. There will never be anyone else. Whatever it takes, wherever we are, it’s always been you.”
I’m feeling overwhelmed right now after reading Willow and Garrison’s story. It’s the feeling I always get whenever I read any Addicted series book. Somehow, all along the way, they have given me so much. I have cried with them, and I have laughed with them. It’s the best feeling—like I’ve known these people my whole life.
“Every part of you, even the parts you hate. I love those, too.”
This is the cutest and most wholesome book in the Addicted world. The story was perfect, and being a lover girl, I adored their relationship so much. The good girl and bad boy trope was perfect in this one. Willow and Garrison are so cute and adorable. The moment I read about them, I knew they were going to be the cutest couple in the Addicted world. Their friendship and character development have always intrigued me because Willow was a girl who enjoyed silence and liked being alone, whereas Garrison was a boy with troubles and many friends—who could never see himself alone without them. But his friends were all shitheads, and they deserved what happened to them. This book had a found family trope because they both lost part of their family but found each other and the Core Six. It really was heartwarming.
“You’re not dead yet, you know that, right?”
“Do I?”
How many skeletons will I tattoo on my body before I agree with her? Don’t know.
I hold my wrist out to her, palm up. We’ve done this enough that she gets it. She places two fingers to my pulse.
Our eyes don’t break. “Garrison Abbey, you are definitely alive.”
Only around you.
The story is told in alternate timelines—the past, when they were teenagers, and the present, when they are in their twenties and in a long-distance relationship. It may be frustrating for some, but I loved it because I got to see how their relationship evolved from strangers to friends to lovers. The slow burn and the tension between Willow and Garrison were just perfect, simmering all throughout their story. The pacing was smooth and perfect because this book allowed me to read more about their friendship—how it developed slowly and steadily into love, something more beautiful and pure. Those stolen glances, quick brushes, sweet hugs, arcade dates, and late-night conversations about the TV shows and comics they love had my heart melting.
“I know her well. I know that she’s pretty shy and reserved. Our relationship moved slow from the start. Like the slowest I’ve ever had. And there wasn’t one day where I wanted to press fast-forward and speed up. She’s also the best I’ve ever had. In everything.”
Willow Hale is a shy, introvert girl, a comic lover, and a risk-taker. She doesn’t make many friends, enjoys silence, and hates being in huge groups. Willow may be shy and reserved, but she is also strong and courageous. She left her home just so she could connect with her older brother, Lo, when she found out the truth after 17 years of living without him. Her character is so relatable on so many levels, and she is my precious girl. I loved her friendship with Daisy too—they both needed each other, and despite being polar opposites, their bond is so strong. She is my comfort character, the risk-taker and challenge seeker. The way she loves and believes in Garrison is everything. She may be shy and reserved, but once she has something on her mind, she will do anything to make it happen. Hales are always like that.
“Time. Distance. It has nothing on fate. You have my whole heart, Garrison Abbey. You had my heart since that day in the comic book shop.”
We’re smiling. We’re crying.
“And I’m ready,” she says, “for forever with you.”
Garrison Abbey is a nerd boy who loves games—and Willow. This man is goddamn intimidating with his bad-boy persona, all those tattoos, his skilful sarcasm, and his hot-as-hell good looks. But he’s so gentle with his girl, Willow, and that is just way too charming. He is a bad boy in every sense, but he has a story to tell—a very broken and heart-shattering one. I knew he was a bad boy, but he was misunderstood and had troubles in his life with his older brothers and friends. He’s just a misunderstood bad boy who deserves every happiness this world has to offer. I love how he loves and cares for Willow, how he’s the cutest dork only for her. I felt all the butterflies in my stomach every time he called Willow my girl. I hate his family with all my heart. It literally broke me to read about how his brothers treated him. He’s so precious, and I wish I could protect him from the cruel world. And the way he asked before giving Willow her first-ever hug, how he always sought her consent—it was everything. Also, the scene where he was doing his daughter’s hairstyle had my heart melting.
“Wherever you are, no matter if it’s right next to me or a thousand miles away,” I say, “I’m tied to you with a tread that can’t break. We’re connect by some thing stronger than time or place.”
Garrison and Willow are so perfect for each other. They were born to love and heal each other. Two teenagers who found each other when they were lonely and at the lowest points of their lives, but somehow, they comforted each other and found solace in their friendship. Their relationship was slow, and I liked how Garrison never pressured Willow for anything. He’s such a gentleman, I swear. The giddiness I felt every time I read their sweet and heartwarming moments—it was a pleasure falling in love with them as they fell for each other. They had me giggling, squealing, laughing, and crying in the end. The way Garrison made Willow feel like she is courageous and capable of anything, and the way she made him feel like he’s not a bad person, that he deserves her and all the happiness in the world—they are perfect and everything to me.
He asks, “Can I hug you, Willow?”
I breathe deeply, pushing up my glasses. “I’m not that good at hugging.”
“You don’t have to be good at hugging. I’d still want to hug you.”
“Why?” I whisper. His aquamarine eyes skim my cheek, my neck, “…because I think you may be the best friend I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a lot and spent a shit ton more days and months and years with them than the short time I’ve spent with you.”
To say that this couple is cute and adorable is an understatement because they were everything—and so much more. They have so many beautiful moments together in this book. When Garrison took Willow to prom, how he asked her before their first kiss, how he always took his time to make her feel comfortable, and the way he calls her my girl—all of it had me swooning and giggling. I loved how they cared for each other and found comfort in one another when they had no one else. I swear, they even made me cry so many times. Also, the way they handled long distance in this book was admirable. There was never any miscommunication between Garrison and Willow—they always shared their thoughts with each other, even when it was painful. They are soulmates in every definition. The purest and sweetest couple in the Addicted world.
“You’re my girl,” he says. “I’ve got your back. Always.”
“It’s just me and her. It’s been us for a while, and I’m not letting her go. Against better judgment. Against all odds. I’m not leaving this girl.”
I’ve always been intrigued by Garrison’s character ever since he made his first appearance in Addicted After All. But the moment he met Loren, and Lo gave him a chance, a chance to be a better person for himself—his whole life changed after that. He even reminds me of a 21-year-old who is messed up and doesn’t want anyone’s help, but Lo knew. He saw what Garrison was capable of. I love seeing how Lo made such a great impact on Garrison and Willow’s lives. And even Connor believed that Garrison had a talent for coding, and he gave him a purpose. I love Connor even more for this.
Lo says deeply, “One day at a time. Can you do that with me?”
One day at time. I’d reject that fantasy under different stipulations. I’m not made to be by myself. Not wired that way.
And that’s okay, I think.
Because he’s not just saying one day at a time. It’s one day at a time with him.
With someone. Not alone. Okay.
I loved the chosen family trope in this one because seeing Garrison finally having Lo, Ryke, and Connor as his older brothers—who would do anything for him, who would protect him at all costs—was everything for me. They let Garrison into their lives, and they all saw the good person beneath the layers of hatred and self-loathing emerge. Garrison deserves every happiness, and I’m so, so happy that they both got the family they deserved.
Lo scoots nearer. “You’ll be okay,” he breathes. “You won’t see it today, maybe not even tomorrow, but one day, you’ll wake up and you’ll want to live.”
I loved all the interactions between Lo and Garrison, and the fact that Lo treats him as his little brother—that’s just everything. Willow got her own family too, one who loves her the way she is and accepts her for who she is. I also loved the girls’ squad in this and how they are always there for each other. I love them with every fibre of my being.
“Connor, Ryke, and Lo—they protect me all the time. They care about me when they don’t have to. These are three brothers that I’d never trade in, never swap out, and even though we’re not blood related, I know they’re mine.”
Their wedding scene and vows were everything, and I was crying at that scene because they deserved that and every happiness this world has to offer. And I would protect them with everything I have.
The epilogue was so perfect. They finally got their happy ending, and it was a damn perfect ending, with beautiful, specific details about how they are starting their family and thriving in both life and their careers. They even got their baby girl, and every scene where the three of them were together as a family was mesmerisingly beautiful. It was perfect.
“It’s not every day you meet someone that understands the things you love, but somehow I’ve crossed paths with someone who really does.”
We even got glimpses of Core Six too, with their children—which was everything I could ever ask for, you know! One thing I love about Krista and Becca Ritchie is that they always give us the perfect ending. Not open endings, but the ones where we know what they are doing, where they are now, and even how their kids are doing. That’s something I always admire about their writing.
I need more of Gillow because it’ll never be enough for me. Not when it comes to this couple and Core Six. It feels like they are a part of Core Six, a part of the Addicted world now that I’ve read their story. It’s Core Eight for me.