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A review by readingwithfefe
Was I Ever Free by Naomi Loud
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 5/5
I am so freaking obsessed with this author and this series! Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest right away lol! Moving on...
This story follows Lucy (Lenix's younger sister from book two) who is learning to live in a world outside of the cult she was raised in. With so much that she wants to see and experience, she plans a road trip across the country mapped out with all the places she wants to go. With her sister not wanting her to travel alone Lenix and her husband Connor elect his cousin Bastian into tagging along with her. Bastian has perfected keeping his walls up around others never letting anyone get close. However, with each day that passes another destination is checked off the list as Lucy blossoms into who she was always meant to be and Bastian takes it upon himself to help her experience even more than she planned. The only problem is, Bastian is finding it difficult to keep her from freeing not only her own heart but his as well.
Naomi's writing style is addictive with words flowing effortlessly, painting scenes so beautiful it will have you feeling all of the feels. Naomi also does an amazing job of diving into the human mind giving us a crystal clear picture of the characters' internal battles and desires. It will have you so invested in the characters you momentarily forget that they are fictional. The pacing is spot on as well giving moments that make you swoon, moments that have you fighting back tears, and moments that leave you needing to catch your breath. Because the spice... yeah, the spice is HOT! The way these scenes are described will have you fanning yourself and your heart skipping a beat! They are just so well written and never feel out of place or unnecessary. Trust me I'd agree to be Bastian's student ANY day of the week lol!!
One of my favorite things about this book though is how it tackles some heavier themes like the pursuit of true happiness, struggles with addiction and PTSD, societal expectations, and the choices we make in our own quest for freedom and independence. They are woven into the story so seamlessly that it will have you reflecting on your own life choices and the limitations we put on ourselves. You will feel like you know these characters inside out and find yourself easily relating to their struggles and their dreams. I'm telling you the character development is off the charts making this book unputdownable.
It's an incredible ride of emotions and unforgettable romance. I'm not going to lie I'm a little sad that this series has come to an end but I'm even more excited to see what Naomi has up her sleeve next. Whether you're looking for a thought-provoking read, a deep love story, or just want to get swept away in a captivating story this book is a must-read! So grab yourself a copy, get cozy, and prepare for a journey of love and self-discovery!
**Also, I encourage you to heed the content warnings for this book. It does have some moments that get pretty dark and could potentially be triggering for some readers.**
Spice: 5/5
I am so freaking obsessed with this author and this series! Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest right away lol! Moving on...
This story follows Lucy (Lenix's younger sister from book two) who is learning to live in a world outside of the cult she was raised in. With so much that she wants to see and experience, she plans a road trip across the country mapped out with all the places she wants to go. With her sister not wanting her to travel alone Lenix and her husband Connor elect his cousin Bastian into tagging along with her. Bastian has perfected keeping his walls up around others never letting anyone get close. However, with each day that passes another destination is checked off the list as Lucy blossoms into who she was always meant to be and Bastian takes it upon himself to help her experience even more than she planned. The only problem is, Bastian is finding it difficult to keep her from freeing not only her own heart but his as well.
Naomi's writing style is addictive with words flowing effortlessly, painting scenes so beautiful it will have you feeling all of the feels. Naomi also does an amazing job of diving into the human mind giving us a crystal clear picture of the characters' internal battles and desires. It will have you so invested in the characters you momentarily forget that they are fictional. The pacing is spot on as well giving moments that make you swoon, moments that have you fighting back tears, and moments that leave you needing to catch your breath. Because the spice... yeah, the spice is HOT! The way these scenes are described will have you fanning yourself and your heart skipping a beat! They are just so well written and never feel out of place or unnecessary. Trust me I'd agree to be Bastian's student ANY day of the week lol!!
One of my favorite things about this book though is how it tackles some heavier themes like the pursuit of true happiness, struggles with addiction and PTSD, societal expectations, and the choices we make in our own quest for freedom and independence. They are woven into the story so seamlessly that it will have you reflecting on your own life choices and the limitations we put on ourselves. You will feel like you know these characters inside out and find yourself easily relating to their struggles and their dreams. I'm telling you the character development is off the charts making this book unputdownable.
It's an incredible ride of emotions and unforgettable romance. I'm not going to lie I'm a little sad that this series has come to an end but I'm even more excited to see what Naomi has up her sleeve next. Whether you're looking for a thought-provoking read, a deep love story, or just want to get swept away in a captivating story this book is a must-read! So grab yourself a copy, get cozy, and prepare for a journey of love and self-discovery!
**Also, I encourage you to heed the content warnings for this book. It does have some moments that get pretty dark and could potentially be triggering for some readers.**
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Incest, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Rape