Reviews

This follows a toxic relationship between the IT-girl Magnolia Parks and crush boy BJ Ballentine in London high society. The main crux of the story is two characters that continuously destroyed one another because they love each other so desperately, possessively, and jealously.

Think Gossip Girl vibes with quaint British call outs and stronger friendships.

This is not my usual read, but I’m on a bit of a romance audio bend after reading so many epic dark fantasy books.

This is definitely a guilty pleasure read, and even though I can’t say I ever agreed with any of the decisions the characters made, I have to say, I was addicted to them.

“He’s a time bomb for me, do you see now? That he’ll hurt me. He’ll always hurt me. I’ll never be safe with him, even if I’m always safe next to him.”

Even at the end of the book, I disliked the love interest and believed Magnolia always deserved better. ☕️

Magnolia dating Christian felt like a girl inserted into her favourite Y/N fan fiction.

Opens the door for me? Wow. Drinks from my water bottle? Wow. Ties his shoe? Wow. Breathes? Wow.

He was just over the top perfect, and yet, Magnolia is lusting after the destructive BJ.

I did quite like the language used even though I see some reviews saying it was simple and filled with errors. Maybe the audio version works better? Or perhaps I’m listening to a reworked edition after it gained traction. It was exaggerated and hyperbolic and be-all, end-all teen chic flic sweetheart movie. I ate it up.

One thing that I found problematic was the focus on nationality and skin colour and exoticness where ‘bronze’ and ‘dark’ and certain accents made someone seem more alluring and beautiful. It doesn’t matter that Magnolia is from Russia, it doesn’t allow her to think or comment on these things.

WARNING: ends on cliffhanger with literally nothing resolved.

agiecummings's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I’m still reeling from what I read in this book. I think, realistically, I know this couple (BJ and Magnolia) is not well. They are def toxic, but I think it so beautifully encapsulates what it feels like to be tethered to someone from your past that you love(d) even if you can’t explain why.

And this couple is a mess. It’s like Chuck and Blair meet Marianne and Connell with the backdrop of London high society new money. They’re the only people they can actually be with because they’re too fucked up to be with anyone else.

Also, low key? Justice for Tom. I need him to get his own book cause I want to know how his life turns out and that he finds his own happy ending. He deserves it.

I can’t put my finger on why I enjoyed this so much, but I’m very excited to read the rest of the series. I need to know what happens to them, and despite everything I’m rooting for them to find their footing. I feel like that is more a reflection on me than on the story, but that’s for me and my therapist to discuss. 🫠❤️

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