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toddie09's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
blessedwannab's review against another edition
4.0
Another solid story from Sarina Bowen. I can't wait for the second one!
Full review on Birdie Bookworm!
Full review on Birdie Bookworm!
hayleysnextpage's review against another edition
3.75
"You can do anything, baby. I only hope I'm allowed to stick around and watch."
- MM romance
- Escape a cult together
- Best friends to lovers
- Forced proximity (roommates)
- No breakup
- Dual POV
- Narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Dake Bliss
Premise: you escape a cult with your best friend… and it turns out your feelings for him weren't as one-sided as you always thought. Now you have to build a new life together.
This was a very quick listen. I liked the relationship between Josh and Caleb and how they cared for each other. I liked Josh's character growth and seeing him find his true calling outside the cult. I really liked Maggie and Daniel and how they so earnestly opened their home to Caleb and Josh. I also liked Mr. George Washington – what a man!
I think I just expected more angst because, you know, they literally escaped a cult! It was also quite insta-love with zero tension, which was a personal letdown. I'm a slow-burn girlie to my core, and this was quite heavy on the spice from the get-go.
- MM romance
- Escape a cult together
- Best friends to lovers
- Forced proximity (roommates)
- No breakup
- Dual POV
- Narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Dake Bliss
Premise: you escape a cult with your best friend… and it turns out your feelings for him weren't as one-sided as you always thought. Now you have to build a new life together.
This was a very quick listen. I liked the relationship between Josh and Caleb and how they cared for each other. I liked Josh's character growth and seeing him find his true calling outside the cult. I really liked Maggie and Daniel and how they so earnestly opened their home to Caleb and Josh. I also liked Mr. George Washington – what a man!
I think I just expected more angst because, you know, they literally escaped a cult! It was also quite insta-love with zero tension, which was a personal letdown. I'm a slow-burn girlie to my core, and this was quite heavy on the spice from the get-go.
negatronica's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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
3.5
florm's review against another edition
3.0
3,5 estrellas.
Todavía sigo un poco dudosa de si me gustó este libro. Pero tengo que admitir que me desvelé toda la noche por querer terminar esta historia, es super atrapante.
Habiendo leído antes la segunda parte nunca espere que éste tomo estuviera tan cargado de angst, pero debería habérmelo imaginado porque los protagonistas pertenecen a un culto religioso. Hay mucho sufrimiento, muchas injusticias que me hicieron sufrir porque son cosas que pasan en la vida real y desearía que no existieran.
En cuanto a la relación de los personajes principales, por momentos me gustó un montón pero hubo veces en que creía que Caleb no amaba tanto a Josh, o al menos no tan profundamente como este último lo hacía por él. Pero obviando esto último, me encanto ver como los protagonistas se van acostumbrando al mundo normal y a crecer como personas.
Y obviamente voy a seguir leyendo a Sarina Bowen porque cada vez me gustan más sus historias m/m, espero siga sacando más.
Todavía sigo un poco dudosa de si me gustó este libro. Pero tengo que admitir que me desvelé toda la noche por querer terminar esta historia, es super atrapante.
Habiendo leído antes la segunda parte nunca espere que éste tomo estuviera tan cargado de angst, pero debería habérmelo imaginado porque los protagonistas pertenecen a un culto religioso. Hay mucho sufrimiento, muchas injusticias que me hicieron sufrir porque son cosas que pasan en la vida real y desearía que no existieran.
En cuanto a la relación de los personajes principales, por momentos me gustó un montón pero hubo veces en que creía que Caleb no amaba tanto a Josh, o al menos no tan profundamente como este último lo hacía por él. Pero obviando esto último, me encanto ver como los protagonistas se van acostumbrando al mundo normal y a crecer como personas.
Y obviamente voy a seguir leyendo a Sarina Bowen porque cada vez me gustan más sus historias m/m, espero siga sacando más.
ruthiedr89's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Homophobia, Sexual content, Abandonment, Death of parent, Sexism, Gaslighting, Bullying, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Grief, Misogyny, and Outing
Moderate: Rape, Pedophilia, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
kle105's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a complex read. With two boys escaping a life of a religious cult and marrying those they don't love. Josh has always loved his best friend Caleb, and when he gets kicked out of the cult he is afraid he has lost Caleb forever. Caleb isn't going to let Joshua go it alone. He meets Joshua a day later and they go on a cross country trip to meet an ex-member who promises to help those who escape.
The road trip leads them to discover not only about those they can trust but also discover the love they have for each other. They face challenges along the way but at least they have each other.
The road trip leads them to discover not only about those they can trust but also discover the love they have for each other. They face challenges along the way but at least they have each other.
serkonos's review against another edition
The gender roles in this one made me way too uncomfortable to finish. Josh has spent his life having his masculinity called into question, which is one thing, but then to have him strictly on the bottom, leave him a stay at home boyfriend, and have him turn out to be oh so shockingly good at all the stereotypically feminine tasks -- that's real gross. Had to call it quits when he 'slaps' another character where every other man is described as throwing punches. No thank you. If I wanted a bad M/F romance, I would've just done that instead of slogging through whatever this was.
Also was not a fan of these two virgins from the most sheltered life imaginable going from 0-100 and having anal sex without any prep. That legitimately had me in stitches -- in what world would that end well? And with these characters in particular? I don't regret dropping this book one bit.
Also was not a fan of these two virgins from the most sheltered life imaginable going from 0-100 and having anal sex without any prep. That legitimately had me in stitches -- in what world would that end well? And with these characters in particular? I don't regret dropping this book one bit.