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erica_reads01's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My immediate reaction when I finished this book was that I don’t know how I feel. The story was beautifully written but it’s a horrible, traumatic story. There are multiple point of views which help to articulate how the two main characters feel and how others perceive them and the situation. You feel sympathy for people you don’t want to sympathize with and I think there’s an unnecessary level of shock value. It’s highly controversial and it didn’t have to be, but I’ll certainly be thinking about it for a while. And it gets people talking about it whether they’re defending or criticizing it. It’s not a love story. But it could have been. And I would have loved it if it were. In many ways I think the story could have been beautiful and uplifting if it were about a girl and a boy of similar age in similar life circumstance. I would have loved the ending if that were the case. Instead when Kellen and Wavy end up together, part of me wanted them to go their separate ways. I think realistically they would have never lasted. Kellen is described as slow and uneducated. He’s rough and likes to fight and doesn’t think much about his actions. He’s described like a boy personality wise and physically portrayed like a big scary man. But he doesn’t grow up, and in the end Wavy does grow. What happens when she outgrows him? Will she ever? Or will she feel bonded by the trauma they endured? Did he prevent her from living a better life and meeting people her own age or were her home circumstances so messed up that she would have never gotten out? Could something worse have happened to her if he didn’t step in? Did he help her or hurt her? He did both.
This is not an age gap romance. This is not a happy love story. This is about a girl who’s had a really tough life and the people who either take advantage of her or try to help her. Her aunt was portrayed like a villain for the way in which she tried to help. She was an antagonist but her opinions and feelings on their inappropriate relationship was probably the only realistic one. I don’t think the time period or the circumstances justify what kellen does. Wavy wasn’t mature for her age. Parentification forced her to grow up and care for others in a way no child should have to. And she was a child. In the end I felt such a strong emotional connection to her and wanted her and her brother to find happiness. I couldn’t put this book down. I read it in less than two days but I’ll be thinking about it a lot longer.
This is not an age gap romance. This is not a happy love story. This is about a girl who’s had a really tough life and the people who either take advantage of her or try to help her. Her aunt was portrayed like a villain for the way in which she tried to help. She was an antagonist but her opinions and feelings on their inappropriate relationship was probably the only realistic one. I don’t think the time period or the circumstances justify what kellen does. Wavy wasn’t mature for her age. Parentification forced her to grow up and care for others in a way no child should have to. And she was a child. In the end I felt such a strong emotional connection to her and wanted her and her brother to find happiness. I couldn’t put this book down. I read it in less than two days but I’ll be thinking about it a lot longer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, and Rape
Moderate: Addiction, Mental illness, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Bullying and Suicidal thoughts
chelseajene's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
The only reason it gets a one is bc the writing is good
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Murder
This book should really come with at least a few trigger warnings. While the writing was really good the story was rough. It starts with an 8yo girl who has drug dealer parents, meets a 21yo that works for her dad and the two basically fall in love. While Kellen tries hard to wait for wavy to be of age I cannot get passed that Kellen says at one point, he rubber necked wavy the day he met her, which was when she was 8! The book acknowledges that it’s wrong but then also tries to portray that the love between wavy and Kellen isn’t sexual but is actual love even though Kellen’s first reaction to wavy was rubber necking, that in itself is sexual especially to an 8yo! but also sorta feels like it’s trying to glorify and normalize these types of relationships. I wouldn’t have read this if I knew about the 8yo and 21yo! Also a lot of other trigger warningsjnblmnop's review
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, and Murder
shemcgee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
Potential spoilers!
I would not consider this a romance. This is a beautifully written but terrible story. Our FMC Wavy is a young girl from an abusive family who forms an unlikely friendship with her father's associate that turns romantic while she is still underage. It's heartbreaking and while some have said they found themselves rooting for this unlikely couple to make it, I found myself grieving the life Wavy deserved. She didn't get what she deserved as a child, so I can see thinking that she should get what she wants as an adult, could even understand wanting that for her. However, I still think that the author wanted you to realize that while Wavy was extremely smart and mature for her age she still wasn't grown when they entered into the beginning of a sexually intimate relationship. She knew what she wanted, but should not have been granted it at that age because she wasn't old enough to understand consent. I have no doubt that Kellen loved her, and protected her in many ways, but not in every way. He still did the wrong thing by taking advantage of her. I know it's been a common occurrence throughout the ages for men to marry girls while they're in their early to mid teen years, and there have been many points throughout history when it's been considered normal; however, normal doesn't mean right. Kids need a chance to be kids. Wavy never got a chance for a safe childhood so in some ways it's like she never really grew up. She experienced so much trauma. So did Kellen. I don't think the author was trying to make you sympathize with or understand pedophilia, I think she was just trying to tell a story of two very complicated people in who loved each other in complicated ways that were definitely not always the right ways. They found a way to be a bright spot for each other in the darkness, and yet I think if anything, the author has shown us that sometimes, love just isn't enough to make a situation right. You might find yourself wishing for peace for them, but wondering if they do get peace, will that be enough for either of them to heal? Both of them are broken, albeit in different ways. Definitely a book that makes you think and certainly not a book for everyone. A troubling read that I would read again.
I would not consider this a romance. This is a beautifully written but terrible story. Our FMC Wavy is a young girl from an abusive family who forms an unlikely friendship with her father's associate that turns romantic while she is still underage. It's heartbreaking and while some have said they found themselves rooting for this unlikely couple to make it, I found myself grieving the life Wavy deserved. She didn't get what she deserved as a child, so I can see thinking that she should get what she wants as an adult, could even understand wanting that for her. However, I still think that the author wanted you to realize that while Wavy was extremely smart and mature for her age she still wasn't grown when they entered into the beginning of a sexually intimate relationship. She knew what she wanted, but should not have been granted it at that age because she wasn't old enough to understand consent. I have no doubt that Kellen loved her, and protected her in many ways, but not in every way. He still did the wrong thing by taking advantage of her. I know it's been a common occurrence throughout the ages for men to marry girls while they're in their early to mid teen years, and there have been many points throughout history when it's been considered normal; however, normal doesn't mean right. Kids need a chance to be kids. Wavy never got a chance for a safe childhood so in some ways it's like she never really grew up. She experienced so much trauma. So did Kellen. I don't think the author was trying to make you sympathize with or understand pedophilia, I think she was just trying to tell a story of two very complicated people in who loved each other in complicated ways that were definitely not always the right ways. They found a way to be a bright spot for each other in the darkness, and yet I think if anything, the author has shown us that sometimes, love just isn't enough to make a situation right. You might find yourself wishing for peace for them, but wondering if they do get peace, will that be enough for either of them to heal? Both of them are broken, albeit in different ways. Definitely a book that makes you think and certainly not a book for everyone. A troubling read that I would read again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Racial slurs, Racism, and Vomit
veronikarae's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a difficult topic to read and hard to fully grasp in my reflection. You fall in love so easily with the main characters that it’s difficult when faced with the content and inappropriateness of their relationship. It makes you feel empathy for people in hard situations and gives you a new perspective on them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, and Rape
roundtoread's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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
Omg WHAT did I just read!! Loved this book to the first 19 pages where the grandma said
“I don’t mean to be cruel, but they were drooling vegetables.”
And to were the author includes the title in the book !!!
And to were the author includes the title in the book !!!
Wavy from the start was this little trama forced girl that didn’t deserve what she got but DAMN this book is a eye opener on the back of the book it says “Love knows no boundaries” and taht is very true in this book - love taht shouldn’t be
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
jegulus4life's review against another edition
It was a free book on audible so I didn’t really know anything when I started it at first I was sure that it wasn’t going to go where it went. apparently I naively thought a familial bond was what the relationship was and just became more and more shocked. Once I got about half way through it became very clear this grooming/p*do thing was what the author intended. I looked up the book because I genuinely thought I must be missing something as surely the book would eventually condemn the relationship. It look me a while to even find anyone saying anything about the ages and when I did most people said it it doesn’t shift and show how inappropriate, unethical, and frankly disgusting it is so I immediately returned it. Don’t be tricked by the star ratings on goodreads ect. ig this is a lesson to look up books before I read them
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Murder
erica_reads_things's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An intensely fascinating read that really centers human beings and their flaws, survival in the midst of intense abuse, and love and connection that troubled individuals still deserve to have.
There are many reviews that I have seen that reduce this to a " groomer pedophile book", and I have to disagree. We clearly see Kellan's perspective because it is written. We clearly see Wavy's perspective because it is written. This book highlights how complicated human emotions can be and are, especially amongst families and communities that have been deeply traumatized. Traumatized people sometimes make choices that others don't understand; that maybe aren't healthy or "right", but what they feel they and those in their lives need.
This book made me feel a lot of things: uncomfortable, sad, hopeful, weepy. For that, I'd call this a win. It's understandibly not for everyone though, so check triggers.
There are many reviews that I have seen that reduce this to a " groomer pedophile book", and I have to disagree. We clearly see Kellan's perspective because it is written. We clearly see Wavy's perspective because it is written. This book highlights how complicated human emotions can be and are, especially amongst families and communities that have been deeply traumatized. Traumatized people sometimes make choices that others don't understand; that maybe aren't healthy or "right", but what they feel they and those in their lives need.
This book made me feel a lot of things: uncomfortable, sad, hopeful, weepy. For that, I'd call this a win. It's understandibly not for everyone though, so check triggers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Car accident, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Classism
julieslifelately_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
oriana095's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail