lalalostyou's review against another edition
2.0
read this cause of “the obsession”, which is one of my personal favorite books. i was misled 😭 it reads like a middle grade book, but it contrasts heavily with the darker themes so it makes for a really weird reading experience. there’s not much to this book. there’s no solid character arc or moral of the story. one thing i will is that this was easy to read.
idk_indigo's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
peytondenise's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
cassie_ellie's review against another edition
4.0
Characters were great and well-formed if a little predictable: best friend who the protagonist doesn't believe, best friend's brother who is obviously a better fit, parents who "just don't get it", boyfriend who has family problems. Even the ex-boyfriend is a little bit of a cut-out. That being said, I did like all of them, and none of them felt too forced. I even liked the side characters (LOVED OJ).
The atmosphere was really good. Everything felt so real and detailed...even the bits that I definitely don't know anything about, dad. These parts were also surprisingly funny before inevitably turning much darker (which makes it seem worse).
I really, really liked the writing style. It was very easy to read and get into. It was also good that it was in first person narrative rather than third person because it meant that we could properly see and even feel the confusion and desperate need to believe that everything was alright rather than just being told it.
A bit like the characters, the plot was pretty predictable until after the dance, which I'm not sure I liked. There are also other moments that I didn't particularly buy.
Characters - 8/10
Atmosphere - 9/10
Writing style - 10/10
Plot - 7.5/10
Intregue - 9/10
Logic - 8/10
Enjoyment - 10/10
The atmosphere was really good. Everything felt so real and detailed...even the bits that I definitely don't know anything about, dad. These parts were also surprisingly funny before inevitably turning much darker (which makes it seem worse).
I really, really liked the writing style. It was very easy to read and get into. It was also good that it was in first person narrative rather than third person because it meant that we could properly see and even feel the confusion and desperate need to believe that everything was alright rather than just being told it.
A bit like the characters, the plot was pretty predictable until after the dance, which I'm not sure I liked. There are also other moments that I didn't particularly buy.
Characters - 8/10
Atmosphere - 9/10
Writing style - 10/10
Plot - 7.5/10
Intregue - 9/10
Logic - 8/10
Enjoyment - 10/10
foxy's review against another edition
4.0
TW: domestic abuse
This book greatly highlights the effects of an abusive relationship on a teenage girl. I saw A LOT of myself in Betts and how oblivious she was to the abuse and how desperate she was for Aiden’s love. This is something that unfortunately a lot of young girls feel when experiencing an abusive relationship. Also, the friendship dynamic is hella fine 👌 I loved how Jo stuck up for her best friend and wouldn’t let Betts push her away.
Some things I didn’t like however, was the dynamic between Cicily and Betts because it seemed to me that Betts hated her for no damn reason. I also didn’t like how the author felt the need to add the possibility of
(SPOILER: Betts having a relationship in the near future, I wish she would have just let Betts be single with no prospect of a future relationship any time soon).
Other than that this is a good short novel you can read in one sitting.
This book greatly highlights the effects of an abusive relationship on a teenage girl. I saw A LOT of myself in Betts and how oblivious she was to the abuse and how desperate she was for Aiden’s love. This is something that unfortunately a lot of young girls feel when experiencing an abusive relationship. Also, the friendship dynamic is hella fine 👌 I loved how Jo stuck up for her best friend and wouldn’t let Betts push her away.
Some things I didn’t like however, was the dynamic between Cicily and Betts because it seemed to me that Betts hated her for no damn reason. I also didn’t like how the author felt the need to add the possibility of
(SPOILER: Betts having a relationship in the near future, I wish she would have just let Betts be single with no prospect of a future relationship any time soon).
Other than that this is a good short novel you can read in one sitting.
heatherhy01's review against another edition
4.0
I am a sucker for any type of book that deals with physical/emotional abuse. Having had a bad relationship in my younger years, I feel that I can relate to the characters in a way that someone whom had never experienced this type of thing would not be able to.
I really liked Betts and felt that she was really just trying to find herself and had a lot of self esteem issues when Aiden walked into her life. Their relationship in the beginning was kind of "story book" like and it was easy to see the tell tale signs that things would go south quickly. I LOVED her best friend Jo! She was the type of friend that no matter what, she had your back. If you were being stupid, she would let you know and no matter how much you hated her, she always had your best interest at heart! Although the story line was about Aiden/Betts, a major point in the story was Betts and Jo's friendship. It was kind of refreshing to have that aspect and not have the entire story a romance. Jo's brother, Eric was very sweet too and although he seemed more like a side character, he really did have a lot to do with the turn the story had taken.
The ending seemed a bit rushed to me and there was not really a big climax. The story seemed to linger for a few chapters until Betts finally made up her mind. Which honestly, it didn't feel like she wrestled with herself too much over.
Although, I was not a huge fan of the ending, I still very much enjoyed the book itself and thank Edelweiss and the publisher for the review copy.
I really liked Betts and felt that she was really just trying to find herself and had a lot of self esteem issues when Aiden walked into her life. Their relationship in the beginning was kind of "story book" like and it was easy to see the tell tale signs that things would go south quickly. I LOVED her best friend Jo! She was the type of friend that no matter what, she had your back. If you were being stupid, she would let you know and no matter how much you hated her, she always had your best interest at heart! Although the story line was about Aiden/Betts, a major point in the story was Betts and Jo's friendship. It was kind of refreshing to have that aspect and not have the entire story a romance. Jo's brother, Eric was very sweet too and although he seemed more like a side character, he really did have a lot to do with the turn the story had taken.
The ending seemed a bit rushed to me and there was not really a big climax. The story seemed to linger for a few chapters until Betts finally made up her mind. Which honestly, it didn't feel like she wrestled with herself too much over.
Although, I was not a huge fan of the ending, I still very much enjoyed the book itself and thank Edelweiss and the publisher for the review copy.
thevillainschronicles's review against another edition
"I couldn't think about fear, pain, hurt, guilt, sadness, anger or love, couldn't allow myself to feel any of it. Because if I felt any of that, I risked also feeling the horrible, unwelcome, and unspeakable thing that had snaked beneath it the moment he'd turned away: relief."
DISCLAIMER: as someone who's personally encountered emotional/ physical abuse, I will not be an objective, critical reviewer in this critic.
FOR FANS OF GIRL MADE OF STARS AND IT ENDS WITH US:
Always, Forever, Maybe is about this 17-year-old bored teenage girl who's always been pampered and protected by her controlling family her entire life. She can't do anything but school-work-home without her parents knowing. That is, until, one day at her job, she encounters charming Aiden who simply sweeps her off her feet. They fall hopelessly in love, but things are going a little to fast. And they might be spending too much time together. And maybe Aiden doesn't like to see Bee with other boys. Or with her best friend. Or with her family. Soon, their love turns into obsession, but Bee still believes that Aiden is the greatest thing that happens to her, even if he puts her in danger. How will be Bee finally realize that her relationship isn't as perfect as it seems?
I found this book in the 'new releases' section and never heard of it. I thought the idea of this book interesting as it seems to be a crossover between Girl Made Of Stars and It Ends With Us but for teens. Since the rise of bad boy books on wattpad and in paperback, I felt like our generation was taking a real step backwards with romance. I often find myself disagreeing with the main romance in YA, finding it obsessive, and unhealthy. I thought this book will set things straight in the YA BadBoy genre. I think it did.
I think the romance really begins as something nice anyone could envy, and slowly grows into something darker and more unhealthy. I like the fact that it wasn't abusive from the beginning and that we got to see the good side of their relationship, so we could understand why Bee stayed in this relationship. I think that's something a lot of books about abuse can't seem to do properly. They seem to antagonize the abuser way too much and make the abused a weak, needy thing. I personally believe it's morally grey and we need more morally grey books about that kind of stuff.
However, Always Forever Maybe still has a long way to go. I think up until the half of the book, this was a 5/5 stars read, but then the characters seemed to become more stereotypical and it became kind of difficult to side with the main character and go through the same heartache as she did. I also think this book lacked character development, I thought it was going to come by the end of the book maybe (we like to get to know our character through the book) but it didn't come. I think the most important thing about emotional and physical abuse is how the mind believes what's happening is okay, which has to do with family, mostly and how we were raised. The way our parents valorise us can make us a victim or an abuser. We only believe that this kind of relationship is what we deserve if we grew up believing it.
Like I said, this review is based on personal experiences and observations, but I would recommend this book if you're looking for a deeper contemporary for your summer to jazz up a little.
DISCLAIMER: as someone who's personally encountered emotional/ physical abuse, I will not be an objective, critical reviewer in this critic.
FOR FANS OF GIRL MADE OF STARS AND IT ENDS WITH US:
Always, Forever, Maybe is about this 17-year-old bored teenage girl who's always been pampered and protected by her controlling family her entire life. She can't do anything but school-work-home without her parents knowing. That is, until, one day at her job, she encounters charming Aiden who simply sweeps her off her feet. They fall hopelessly in love, but things are going a little to fast. And they might be spending too much time together. And maybe Aiden doesn't like to see Bee with other boys. Or with her best friend. Or with her family. Soon, their love turns into obsession, but Bee still believes that Aiden is the greatest thing that happens to her, even if he puts her in danger. How will be Bee finally realize that her relationship isn't as perfect as it seems?
I found this book in the 'new releases' section and never heard of it. I thought the idea of this book interesting as it seems to be a crossover between Girl Made Of Stars and It Ends With Us but for teens. Since the rise of bad boy books on wattpad and in paperback, I felt like our generation was taking a real step backwards with romance. I often find myself disagreeing with the main romance in YA, finding it obsessive, and unhealthy. I thought this book will set things straight in the YA BadBoy genre. I think it did.
I think the romance really begins as something nice anyone could envy, and slowly grows into something darker and more unhealthy. I like the fact that it wasn't abusive from the beginning and that we got to see the good side of their relationship, so we could understand why Bee stayed in this relationship. I think that's something a lot of books about abuse can't seem to do properly. They seem to antagonize the abuser way too much and make the abused a weak, needy thing. I personally believe it's morally grey and we need more morally grey books about that kind of stuff.
However, Always Forever Maybe still has a long way to go. I think up until the half of the book, this was a 5/5 stars read, but then the characters seemed to become more stereotypical and it became kind of difficult to side with the main character and go through the same heartache as she did. I also think this book lacked character development, I thought it was going to come by the end of the book maybe (we like to get to know our character through the book) but it didn't come. I think the most important thing about emotional and physical abuse is how the mind believes what's happening is okay, which has to do with family, mostly and how we were raised. The way our parents valorise us can make us a victim or an abuser. We only believe that this kind of relationship is what we deserve if we grew up believing it.
Like I said, this review is based on personal experiences and observations, but I would recommend this book if you're looking for a deeper contemporary for your summer to jazz up a little.
midnightbookgirl's review against another edition
3.0
*** received a listeners copy for booksellers from Libro fm***
A very quick read that goes from meet cute to nightmare.
I liked this book, and I especially liked the supporting characters. I felt like the book could have had more meat to it, maybe had Aiden and his family more fully fleshed out. But all in all I enjoyed this take on an abusive relationship and hope it helps teens to recognize the warning signs.
A very quick read that goes from meet cute to nightmare.
I liked this book, and I especially liked the supporting characters. I felt like the book could have had more meat to it, maybe had Aiden and his family more fully fleshed out. But all in all I enjoyed this take on an abusive relationship and hope it helps teens to recognize the warning signs.
daylafm's review against another edition
3.0
I received an eGalley via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review
Trigger warning: This book contains emotional and physical abuse.
Always Forever Maybe by Anica Mrose Rissi was, to be completely honest, really hard to read. It was addicting, but hard to read because of the perspective that we're reading the story from. The protagonist, Bee, is extremely unreliable and if it weren't for some issues with the pacing, the questionable conclusion, the short length of this book, and how everything tied up conveniently, this would have packed an even stronger punch.
I think the believability aspect of this was mostly the length of time that the story took for this troubled relationship to flourish. I, fortunately, do not have experience with an abusive relationship, so take what I'm saying with a grain of salt. For me, the story was hindered by the pacing. Yes, abusive relationships will change the victim of the abuse and their perspective of the life they've lived before the "romance" will also change, but I wish we would have gotten a bit more time for the narrator to fully show the extent of Aidan's control. And because of this, my main complaint regarding pacing is that because we didn't spend enough time seeing Aidan's controlling personality apart from glimpses of it, the effect was made a bit weaker.
That being said, however, this was still a really difficult and disturbing book to read. But I think rather than the things Aidan said and did (except for the obvious, because without even having read the synopsis, I knew this story would lead to where it eventually did lead), it was the way that Bee changed and reacted to him being in her world. In my opinion, Bee's change was the most terrifying aspect of this book. She is so impressionable and so in control of everything that it was almost a relief for her to be in a situation where the control wasn't in her hands.
Bee and her relationship with Jo, her best friend, was one that gave me hope that somewhere out there, someone has a similar observant friendship. She was probably one of my favourite characters in this book, if not my favourite.
To be honest, I kind of loved how the author included POC characters and LGBTQ+ situations without making it seem like she was checking off a bingo card, like so many authors have in the past--patting their own backs for being so inclusive.
My complaints all deal with, again, the pacing and the ending.
is a little unnecessary.
Is this a favourite read? No. Is it a jarring read? Yes, very, very jarring simply because of its unapologetic dive into an abusive relationship. The first person narrative and unreliable storytelling makes this book both addictive and disturbing.
This is an important read because, as a friend said when I discussed this book with her, it gets a conversation started. The unreliable and biased voice of Bee is something that might help others see, but still not entirely understand that sort of situation. Also, how hard it can be to rationalize beyond the bubble the abuser has created for their victim.
One of the great things awaiting the reader at the end, however, are the resources for anyone who is, has, or might know someone in an abusive relationship.
Happy reading!
Trigger warning: This book contains emotional and physical abuse.
Always Forever Maybe by Anica Mrose Rissi was, to be completely honest, really hard to read. It was addicting, but hard to read because of the perspective that we're reading the story from. The protagonist, Bee, is extremely unreliable and if it weren't for some issues with the pacing, the questionable conclusion, the short length of this book, and how everything tied up conveniently, this would have packed an even stronger punch.
I think the believability aspect of this was mostly the length of time that the story took for this troubled relationship to flourish. I, fortunately, do not have experience with an abusive relationship, so take what I'm saying with a grain of salt. For me, the story was hindered by the pacing. Yes, abusive relationships will change the victim of the abuse and their perspective of the life they've lived before the "romance" will also change, but I wish we would have gotten a bit more time for the narrator to fully show the extent of Aidan's control. And because of this, my main complaint regarding pacing is that because we didn't spend enough time seeing Aidan's controlling personality apart from glimpses of it, the effect was made a bit weaker.
That being said, however, this was still a really difficult and disturbing book to read. But I think rather than the things Aidan said and did (except for the obvious, because without even having read the synopsis, I knew this story would lead to where it eventually did lead), it was the way that Bee changed and reacted to him being in her world. In my opinion, Bee's change was the most terrifying aspect of this book. She is so impressionable and so in control of everything that it was almost a relief for her to be in a situation where the control wasn't in her hands.
Bee and her relationship with Jo, her best friend, was one that gave me hope that somewhere out there, someone has a similar observant friendship. She was probably one of my favourite characters in this book, if not my favourite.
To be honest, I kind of loved how the author included POC characters and LGBTQ+ situations without making it seem like she was checking off a bingo card, like so many authors have in the past--patting their own backs for being so inclusive.
My complaints all deal with, again, the pacing and the ending.
Spoiler
Rather than leaving Bee to heal and learn that she can be on her own, there is the promise of a future romance. Yes, it's a much healthier romance and it was kind of alluded to the eventual pairing of these two, but I find that the parallels of the two relationships fails because rather than the reader being left with the idea that Bee can and will have a future for healing, they're left with yet another promise of a relationship--like the beginning of the novel. Yes, she tells him that she's not ready, but the fact that he will be "waiting"is a little unnecessary.
Is this a favourite read? No. Is it a jarring read? Yes, very, very jarring simply because of its unapologetic dive into an abusive relationship. The first person narrative and unreliable storytelling makes this book both addictive and disturbing.
This is an important read because, as a friend said when I discussed this book with her, it gets a conversation started. The unreliable and biased voice of Bee is something that might help others see, but still not entirely understand that sort of situation. Also, how hard it can be to rationalize beyond the bubble the abuser has created for their victim.
One of the great things awaiting the reader at the end, however, are the resources for anyone who is, has, or might know someone in an abusive relationship.
Happy reading!
justmekendra's review against another edition
4.0
This was a hard-hitting topic book. It's about a first real relationship, which has no expectations, turn into something it never should.
When your first relationship starts, you have no idea what to expect. You don't see the red flags, you don't see what's not ok or inappropriate. You expect it to be unicorns and rainbows. Betts's first relationship was anything but.
There is so much wrong with this book, but it's more so because it's raw, it's important, it's all the best kind of wrong to make it so right. It makes you realize how vulnerable teenagers can be.
The characters were a perfect blend of 'love is blind' and best friends forever. Jo and Betts were the absolute drives for the story. Sure, the relationship with Aiden was front and center, but without Jo, it was just another love story gone bad. The friendship was vital to the story, and it made it that much better to read.
Parts of this book will tear your heart open. Its force is brutal and stunning, but it's what many readers need to hear.
When your first relationship starts, you have no idea what to expect. You don't see the red flags, you don't see what's not ok or inappropriate. You expect it to be unicorns and rainbows. Betts's first relationship was anything but.
There is so much wrong with this book, but it's more so because it's raw, it's important, it's all the best kind of wrong to make it so right. It makes you realize how vulnerable teenagers can be.
The characters were a perfect blend of 'love is blind' and best friends forever. Jo and Betts were the absolute drives for the story. Sure, the relationship with Aiden was front and center, but without Jo, it was just another love story gone bad. The friendship was vital to the story, and it made it that much better to read.
Parts of this book will tear your heart open. Its force is brutal and stunning, but it's what many readers need to hear.