jessbrian4's review against another edition
3.0
mehhh
After reading Lolli’s story, I excitedly jumped into Parker’s. But, ugh, Kenra just got on my nerves and I had to speed read to get to the end bc I’m no quitter. I also wish, Say You Swear, with my all time favorite book boyfriend, had a bigger warning that it came after this series. Hard to read certain parts bc I knew what was coming. My fault, wish I realized this series came before.
After reading Lolli’s story, I excitedly jumped into Parker’s. But, ugh, Kenra just got on my nerves and I had to speed read to get to the end bc I’m no quitter. I also wish, Say You Swear, with my all time favorite book boyfriend, had a bigger warning that it came after this series. Hard to read certain parts bc I knew what was coming. My fault, wish I realized this series came before.
yeriwithaj_'s review
4.0
One hell of an angst ride.
Parker Baylor is swoon-worthy for sure. The man made my heart sing.
I didn't love let alone like Kenra at first. I mean the girl was hot and cold and hot and cold. Her behavior gave me whiplash.
Not everything was what I thought it would be with this story. The humor and easy going friendship was there. I got to see a side of Parker and Lolli (Kalani from Fumbled Hearts, if you haven't read that yet what...the...fuck...are...you waiting for?) their friendship was always just theirs, special, unexplainable, unique, true and honest.
This story was a series of ups and downs, lefts and rights. I couldn't get enough and even shed a tear here and there. Meagan Brandy is one excellent writer.
I hope to see more of the rest of the characters but most definitely more of Payton. I bet hers is gonna be one hell of a story.
Parker Baylor is swoon-worthy for sure. The man made my heart sing.
I didn't love let alone like Kenra at first. I mean the girl was hot and cold and hot and cold. Her behavior gave me whiplash.
Not everything was what I thought it would be with this story. The humor and easy going friendship was there. I got to see a side of Parker and Lolli (Kalani from Fumbled Hearts, if you haven't read that yet what...the...fuck...are...you waiting for?) their friendship was always just theirs, special, unexplainable, unique, true and honest.
This story was a series of ups and downs, lefts and rights. I couldn't get enough and even shed a tear here and there. Meagan Brandy is one excellent writer.
I hope to see more of the rest of the characters but most definitely more of Payton. I bet hers is gonna be one hell of a story.
melissamay94's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
sammybee1828's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Self harm
batam's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
natneedsbooks's review against another edition
2.0
**Spoilers**
The whole time I was reading I just kept screeching out loud "what an idiot I hate her." Sorry, but true. By the end of the book I was able to muster up a bit of sympathy for Kenra, but not much. She chose him! Right from the beginning... right there at the pool party. She has an immediate connection with Parker, but when her BFF tells her he's not going to make her popular and she needs to be with Kellan she goes straight for him in the pool WTH. And yes, eventually he lays down threats she can't get away from, but she puts up with a lot of crap way before that. He cheats on her with before mentioned Best Friend, she sees it, and she still takes him back. No. Just no.
So I spent most of this book mad that Kens was so weak and pathetic. Parker is perfect and wonderful and so soft hearted and loves so deeply and I wanted better for him.
.
Two stars because Meagan is a great writer. I may not have liked the story she told, but the writing pulled me in and had me feeling the emotions from the page.
And of course Lolli and Parker's relationship deserves a star all of it's own. I want a best friend like that!! Someone so loyal and understanding. Of course Parker being willing to throw it all away so easily at the end made me beyond mad but I'm trying not to focus on that because he's so good to her for everything else.
I'm really surprised I'm in the minority here. Maybe my expectations are just too high but I could not accept the things Kenra did. She was weak and selfish. If she was truly going to take that crap from Kellan she needed to stay away from Parker!
The whole time I was reading I just kept screeching out loud "what an idiot I hate her." Sorry, but true. By the end of the book I was able to muster up a bit of sympathy for Kenra, but not much. She chose him! Right from the beginning... right there at the pool party. She has an immediate connection with Parker, but when her BFF tells her he's not going to make her popular and she needs to be with Kellan she goes straight for him in the pool WTH. And yes, eventually he lays down threats she can't get away from, but she puts up with a lot of crap way before that. He cheats on her with before mentioned Best Friend, she sees it, and she still takes him back. No. Just no.
So I spent most of this book mad that Kens was so weak and pathetic. Parker is perfect and wonderful and so soft hearted and loves so deeply and I wanted better for him.
.
Two stars because Meagan is a great writer. I may not have liked the story she told, but the writing pulled me in and had me feeling the emotions from the page.
And of course Lolli and Parker's relationship deserves a star all of it's own. I want a best friend like that!! Someone so loyal and understanding. Of course Parker being willing to throw it all away so easily at the end made me beyond mad but I'm trying not to focus on that because he's so good to her for everything else.
I'm really surprised I'm in the minority here. Maybe my expectations are just too high but I could not accept the things Kenra did. She was weak and selfish. If she was truly going to take that crap from Kellan she needed to stay away from Parker!
shreeyasbookshelf's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
afolske's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book as an ARC and this is my voluntary review..
I really enjoyed reading this book. While it was a little long for the storyline, I loved how all of the characters jived together. The main focus is on Parker & Kenra, who have been friends for several years. While they aren't trying to hide their friendship, they do enjoy their "secret" time together, hanging out & laughing, being completely at ease with each other. Over the years of their friendship, Kenra has a boyfriend (Kellan) who she is on & off with before finally getting engaged to him. Parker is in love with Kenra & she goes crawling to him every time she's upset, lonely, etc. but as soon as Kellan calls, she goes running back. Parker is obviously heartbroken every time she does this but he loves her so much that he's willing to wait for her to "choose" between him and Kellan. But, is there more that meets the eye when it comes to Kenra & Kellan's relationship, or is she truly torn between the two men in her life? Will Parker get his girl or will Kenra break his heart for good?
There are also a bunch of side stories going on throughout the book, which allows to meet and get updates on other characters. I love that part of the storyline! I did tend to forget throughout the book that these are young adults/teenagers because they do act older & are more mature than most their age.
Aside from thinking that the storyline was dragged out a little, the only other "complaint" I have would be that we really didn't get to see into the future more in the Epilogue. It was only 6 mos between the events that happened & the continuum of the story. I would've liked to see more of where their lives are a couple of years down the road.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series & I hope we get more stories of all the characters from this book in the next one.
I really enjoyed reading this book. While it was a little long for the storyline, I loved how all of the characters jived together. The main focus is on Parker & Kenra, who have been friends for several years. While they aren't trying to hide their friendship, they do enjoy their "secret" time together, hanging out & laughing, being completely at ease with each other. Over the years of their friendship, Kenra has a boyfriend (Kellan) who she is on & off with before finally getting engaged to him. Parker is in love with Kenra & she goes crawling to him every time she's upset, lonely, etc. but as soon as Kellan calls, she goes running back. Parker is obviously heartbroken every time she does this but he loves her so much that he's willing to wait for her to "choose" between him and Kellan. But, is there more that meets the eye when it comes to Kenra & Kellan's relationship, or is she truly torn between the two men in her life? Will Parker get his girl or will Kenra break his heart for good?
There are also a bunch of side stories going on throughout the book, which allows to meet and get updates on other characters. I love that part of the storyline! I did tend to forget throughout the book that these are young adults/teenagers because they do act older & are more mature than most their age.
Aside from thinking that the storyline was dragged out a little, the only other "complaint" I have would be that we really didn't get to see into the future more in the Epilogue. It was only 6 mos between the events that happened & the continuum of the story. I would've liked to see more of where their lives are a couple of years down the road.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series & I hope we get more stories of all the characters from this book in the next one.