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twysbeek's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Rape, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Terrorism--public bombing is also present (not a spoiler as the book literally opens with this event)raisingself's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
- Parent loss
- Mental illness/Mood disorder
- S. Assault
- Child abuse
- Depictions of class and inequality
- Violence
- Infertility
All of the things are in this book but oddly it was not triggering. It was a slow burn storytelling of young people I'll equipped for life finding and loving each other. It is not a traditional romance novel, in that it feels too realistic. The main characters too flawed. The realities of life too difficult.
This a book that people will with like or hate. It slightly reminds me of a better version of Normal People by Sally Rooney, which I disliked but this for all of its intensity, sadness and slow inwinding, I did enjoy. The book ends with a dash of tender hoepfulness, which I appreciate.
Graphic: Alcoholism and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Drug use, Infertility, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Self harm, Toxic friendship, and Pandemic/Epidemic
cayv97's review against another edition
3.75
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Murder, and Alcohol
korinnagarcia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
lanaprice's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
There is so much trauma. So much trauma. I argue that it’s too much for one story. It’s masquerading as a “romance,” but the characters all have huge battles they are dealing with.
This is not the type story for someone who wants to escape. The relationship between the main characters is toxic and codependent. It is good to see that they grow from it as they age, but many of their characteristics makes them hard to like when they are younger.
If you are a fan of Colleen Hoover, then you might enjoy this book—without problematic practice of supporting Colleen Hoover.
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Suicide
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Sexual harassment
_treatyoshelves_'s review
4.0
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse and Rape
livinthebubble's review against another edition
2.0
Plot
Going into this, this is what I understood of the plot:
- a guy and a girl meet in uni, fall in love
- something happens, and they don't talk for years
- fast forward, they rekindle and happy ending for them
There are heavy topics thrown in (solely for impact imo). TW: alcoholism, assault, self-harm, terminal illness, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, death of a parent, infertility and cheating. As I said before, it sounded like a light-hearted story, but boy was I surprised when she out of nowhere describe in detail how she'd self-harm.
Characters
The story spans 20 odd years of the main characters' lives, but they meet when they are 18/19. I was that age not long ago (3/4 years ago to be exact), and I
Everything Benjamin did, she overthought to the extreme. All the problems the two had were because of her. Any one of them, you can trace back to her.
Benjamin, although sometimes badly, tried his best to communicate. He told her he was going to go home for a while, and since this is literally the year I was born, texting wasn't as popular as nowadays. Why does she assume the worst and cheat on him? No
The fact that she could be married to Thom, which in my opinion also deserved better, for a decade and yet always think of what could be with Benjamin. This woman had cheated on every man she dated during this book, whether emotionally or physically. For someone who was traumatized by her ex-Daniel cheating, she really followed in his footsteps.
Romance
For a book advertised as a romance, there was literally none to be found. The main characters had no chemistry, they kept saying they were soulmates yada yada, but they just felt like dumb naive teenagers in their first relationship (been there done that folks).
Ending
The ending is random and I hate open endings.
Overall, not for me, at all. Is there anything I liked? Well, Benjamin was wholesome but that's about it. I wouldn't recommend but if you enjoy books spanning most of the characters' lives and open endings, this might be for you.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Infertility, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent