zozo_reads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
It was okay. Wasn’t invested in any characters. The plot was okay but nothing happened really until the end. The guy in it was creepy. Quick fun read but won’t finish the rest of the series :(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Toxic relationship
tonylovd's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
2.0
not for me, very twilight-esque, if you're into that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Fatphobia and Death of parent
Minor: Eating disorder
emilylovesgoodbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Stalking
Moderate: Murder, Death of parent, and Eating disorder
teagstime's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
This was a reread for me, bc I originally read Hush, Hush in 2010 when I was 10 or 11… Back then I gave this book 4 stars, so ! Things are definitely different now to say the least.
Honestly the only things I liked about this book were Patch (he was an interesting lil asshole & had some good moments) and Jules (who was hardly even around and had minimal dialogue) 😅
Meanwhile Nora and Vee were two of the worst characters ever,, they made me go through the 5 stages of grief just about every time they spoke or did anything at all.... I was this 👌 close to becoming a misogynist by the end OTL
The twist at the very end was actually pretty good (which is why I'm giving 1.5★ instead of 1)! But most of the book felt convoluted and unimportant, and Nora's thoughts / actions were sooooo stupid for a smart girl (allegedly). Idk ! The ‘romance’ was rushed and didn't feel natural either-- I still don't understand why Patch was in love with her, as she didn't do anything the whole book except be dumb and flip between thinking he's a psycho stalker killer / suddenly feeling like he's safe to be around w no explanation 😔 And for that matter, idk why Nora even likes Patch bc he spends > the first half of the book being a total creepy asshole to her? We get it girlie, you think he’s hot… now please go to your therapy sessions I’m begging you OTL
My friends and I legit had to rewrite the plot in our final book club discussion to cope with how much it frustrated us. There were a few good ideas scattered around here and there but ! Overall disappointing and bad :(
Honestly the only things I liked about this book were Patch (he was an interesting lil asshole & had some good moments) and Jules (who was hardly even around and had minimal dialogue) 😅
Spoiler
After the Chauncey reveal, he actually shot up in approval for me and my friends. He wasn’t even completely in the wrong here ! His life fr sounded like it sucked! Justice for Chauncey Q_QMeanwhile Nora and Vee were two of the worst characters ever,, they made me go through the 5 stages of grief just about every time they spoke or did anything at all.... I was this 👌 close to becoming a misogynist by the end OTL
Spoiler
Elliot also disappointed me, but mostly bc I wish he had gaslight gatekeep girlbossed a bit more instead of becoming a cartoon supervillain the MOMENT Nora started investigating him. Like. Cmon dude you’re supposed to be charmingThe twist at the very end was actually pretty good (which is why I'm giving 1.5★ instead of 1)! But most of the book felt convoluted and unimportant, and Nora's thoughts / actions were sooooo stupid for a smart girl (allegedly). Idk ! The ‘romance’ was rushed and didn't feel natural either-- I still don't understand why Patch was in love with her, as she didn't do anything the whole book except be dumb and flip between thinking he's a psycho stalker killer / suddenly feeling like he's safe to be around w no explanation 😔 And for that matter, idk why Nora even likes Patch bc he spends > the first half of the book being a total creepy asshole to her? We get it girlie, you think he’s hot… now please go to your therapy sessions I’m begging you OTL
My friends and I legit had to rewrite the plot in our final book club discussion to cope with how much it frustrated us. There were a few good ideas scattered around here and there but ! Overall disappointing and bad :(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual harassment
vmpalauf's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Getting past the toxic relationship, I think the angels' world and their intrigues are really interesting and well developed!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
skymunozz's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Death, Death of parent, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Torture, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Gun violence, Gaslighting, Car accident, Body shaming, and Blood
thecourtofreading's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"all this time i've hated myself for it. i thought i'd given it up for nothing. but if i hadn't fallen, i wouldn't have met you."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Stalking and Death of parent
Minor: Eating disorder and Fatphobia
syrenhug's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I read this book years ago and I remember liking it, but obviously, you revisit stuff and you don't always feel the same. It's part of growing.
Wildly enough, I still really like this book. I'm thinking about reading the whole series. Maybe.
Anyway here are my thoughts:
Not him gaslighting her lol
This book is so obviously not a romance. It's a warning, it's a red flag. Stalking, being touched without permission, and having someone continuously come on to you when you've expressed your discomfort, are all awful/gross violations. But, unfortunately, they are behaviors that are deemed (lightly) acceptable under the patriarchy. And young women have come to normalize and accept them as just part of being interested in men (because it's moreso men who are getting away with this stuff). And, in this case, Nora finds these red flags kind of attractive. She wants to know more. I've met people like this - usually, they have their own issues. I find that pitfall very interesting.
I love demon/angel/fallen angel stuff. It's always cool to get a perspective on vice/virtue that is rooted in religion (with a huge emphasis on Biblical knowledge). I enjoy how awful Patch is. But he's honest. Mostly. In the end, at least.
So I didn't enjoy this as a romance, I enjoyed this as a cautionary tale, something full of tropes, cliches, and teenage awkwardness. Also a cool plotline. It should have just been about that, honestly.
Wildly enough, I still really like this book. I'm thinking about reading the whole series. Maybe.
Anyway here are my thoughts:
Not him gaslighting her lol
This book is so obviously not a romance. It's a warning, it's a red flag. Stalking, being touched without permission, and having someone continuously come on to you when you've expressed your discomfort, are all awful/gross violations. But, unfortunately, they are behaviors that are deemed (lightly) acceptable under the patriarchy. And young women have come to normalize and accept them as just part of being interested in men (because it's moreso men who are getting away with this stuff). And, in this case, Nora finds these red flags kind of attractive. She wants to know more. I've met people like this - usually, they have their own issues. I find that pitfall very interesting.
I love demon/angel/fallen angel stuff. It's always cool to get a perspective on vice/virtue that is rooted in religion (with a huge emphasis on Biblical knowledge). I enjoy how awful Patch is. But he's honest. Mostly. In the end, at least.
So I didn't enjoy this as a romance, I enjoyed this as a cautionary tale, something full of tropes, cliches, and teenage awkwardness. Also a cool plotline. It should have just been about that, honestly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent, Eating disorder, and Fatphobia
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