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thesmutsister_emma's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I Now Have "Empire State of Mind" Sick in My Head and It Won't Get Out
I honestly don't know whether this one or Twisted Lies was more of a favorite of mine. I certainly enjoyed Dante more than Christian which was surprising, and my level of relation to Vivian hurt like a mofo. Enough generics though, let's dive into it.
The Characters
Vivian: Whew, girlie pop. Here we go. I truly have a hard time when it comes to characters I relate to in terms of personal or family life. It always hits so much harder than all the others, and boy did this one hit hard. The way Vivian's mother talked to her about her weight, eating habits, dress code, all of it. It was all too familiar. And the way Viv dealt with it? I get it. I do. It's all too familiar with me and my mother, except my mother has even less "reason" to be able to do it.
Family talk aside, Viv was honestly such a bad ass throughout the whole book and the face that she continued to pursue her dreams, even after Dante came in on a damn bull dozer was so admirable.
Dante: I wish I knew the words I had for this man other than "oh my heart. He honestly was the biggest simp and I loved it so much about him. He is what I want, just maybe without the meanness at the beginning. The things he is willing to do for family while also knowing where those lines need to be drawn *ahem*, Viv's family made my heart so happy. Yes, he's a vindictive shit but who wouldn't be??
Things I Loved
I loved the way Viv did NOT just allow this man to walk back into her life. While it got on my ever-loving nerves and pissed me off to no end, it also was very healthy of her to not allow him to take advantage of her. She honestly was such a strong and unproblematic FMC who didn't get on my nerves and I loved her so much.
Things I Didn't Love
This is definitely contradictory to my last statement but the only thing I can think I didn't like from this book was the fact that Viv didn't take him back sooner. It hurt my poor heart so much. I also wish we could have seen more of the statement piece that Dante's brother helped her pick out.
The Final Verdict
If y'all do not RUN to read this book, I will be sorely disappointed in you. Very much "y'all better some up here and get one of these" "what's that?" "a chicken salad" vibes.
I honestly don't know whether this one or Twisted Lies was more of a favorite of mine. I certainly enjoyed Dante more than Christian which was surprising, and my level of relation to Vivian hurt like a mofo. Enough generics though, let's dive into it.
The Characters
Vivian: Whew, girlie pop. Here we go. I truly have a hard time when it comes to characters I relate to in terms of personal or family life. It always hits so much harder than all the others, and boy did this one hit hard. The way Vivian's mother talked to her about her weight, eating habits, dress code, all of it. It was all too familiar. And the way Viv dealt with it? I get it. I do. It's all too familiar with me and my mother, except my mother has even less "reason" to be able to do it.
Family talk aside, Viv was honestly such a bad ass throughout the whole book and the face that she continued to pursue her dreams, even after Dante came in on a damn bull dozer was so admirable.
Dante: I wish I knew the words I had for this man other than "oh my heart. He honestly was the biggest simp and I loved it so much about him. He is what I want, just maybe without the meanness at the beginning. The things he is willing to do for family while also knowing where those lines need to be drawn *ahem*, Viv's family made my heart so happy. Yes, he's a vindictive shit but who wouldn't be??
Things I Loved
I loved the way Viv did NOT just allow this man to walk back into her life. While it got on my ever-loving nerves and pissed me off to no end, it also was very healthy of her to not allow him to take advantage of her. She honestly was such a strong and unproblematic FMC who didn't get on my nerves and I loved her so much.
Things I Didn't Love
This is definitely contradictory to my last statement but the only thing I can think I didn't like from this book was the fact that Viv didn't take him back sooner. It hurt my poor heart so much. I also wish we could have seen more of the statement piece that Dante's brother helped her pick out.
The Final Verdict
If y'all do not RUN to read this book, I will be sorely disappointed in you. Very much "y'all better some up here and get one of these" "what's that?" "a chicken salad" vibes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
krystalframe's review against another edition
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Misogyny
crinkledmochi's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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? Yes
3.5
thought this was a cute read, my only gripe is that there were so many time skips throughout the book, it was just unnecessary at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Classism
Minor: Misogyny