emmd13's review against another edition
5.0
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It had an intriguing plot, with many twists and turns once inside. I'll admit, I saw the biggest of them coming from a mile away, but it definitely wasn't anything like I'd expected once I learned the details. So, major points for that. Leo's tattoo and the intricacy surrounding it were very well thought out. I would simply love to see a sketch of it in person or, better yet, on Leo! I loved learning more about Leo and Evie's story as the book progressed and I was silently rooting for them all the way! I'm a sucker for happy endings.
Like Leo would say, Evie has something special. She sees past the darkest parts of a person to the little places deep inside them that have little to no light. She slowly nurtures that little piece of light until it shines brightly. She has a calm, loving, yet determined spirit that fights for what she wants. I loved how she interacted with Leo and did exactly as he needed. And in return, he was everything she needed, as well...
I look forward to reading Leo's Chance once I have the time and expect it to be just as good, if not better!
***
Now, here's my favorite parts from the whole book: the epilogue from Leo's point of view.
Everyone tells a story about themselves in their own head. That story makes you who you are, dictating all your actions and all your mistakes. If your own story is filled with guilt and fear and self-hatred, life can look pretty miserable.
But, if you're very lucky, you might have a person who tells you a better story, one that takes up residence in your soul, speaking louder than the woeful tale of which you've convinced yourself. If you let it speak loudly within your heart, it becomes your passion and your purpose. And this is a good thing, the best of things. Because it is the very definition of love, nothing less.
....
All the world's a circus. Sometimes you choose your act and sometimes it's assigned to you. I had roamed the arena for far too long, roaring and bellowing, believing that I wasn't brave enough to leap through the fire. But all along, she had stood there, constant and calm. "I can't make the fire go away," she had seemed to say. "I can't guarantee you won't get burned. But I can hold this hoop for you, I can remain steady and strong, because I believe in you. Because you are mine."
And in the end, I had jumped. And the other side was just as glorious as her eyes had promised.
Like Leo would say, Evie has something special. She sees past the darkest parts of a person to the little places deep inside them that have little to no light. She slowly nurtures that little piece of light until it shines brightly. She has a calm, loving, yet determined spirit that fights for what she wants. I loved how she interacted with Leo and did exactly as he needed. And in return, he was everything she needed, as well...
I look forward to reading Leo's Chance once I have the time and expect it to be just as good, if not better!
***
Now, here's my favorite parts from the whole book: the epilogue from Leo's point of view.
Everyone tells a story about themselves in their own head. That story makes you who you are, dictating all your actions and all your mistakes. If your own story is filled with guilt and fear and self-hatred, life can look pretty miserable.
But, if you're very lucky, you might have a person who tells you a better story, one that takes up residence in your soul, speaking louder than the woeful tale of which you've convinced yourself. If you let it speak loudly within your heart, it becomes your passion and your purpose. And this is a good thing, the best of things. Because it is the very definition of love, nothing less.
....
All the world's a circus. Sometimes you choose your act and sometimes it's assigned to you. I had roamed the arena for far too long, roaring and bellowing, believing that I wasn't brave enough to leap through the fire. But all along, she had stood there, constant and calm. "I can't make the fire go away," she had seemed to say. "I can't guarantee you won't get burned. But I can hold this hoop for you, I can remain steady and strong, because I believe in you. Because you are mine."
And in the end, I had jumped. And the other side was just as glorious as her eyes had promised.
aurelyah's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 Stars. I wanted to love this--it has all of my favorite elements, but it just didn't work for me. I have many friends who loved it, and given the book's overall rating, I think I'm in the minority here.
Spoiler
I liked Evie a lot, but I felt she was coddled or maybe condescended to by her friends. It's hard to put it in words. The tone of the advice given didn't work for me. Maybe it was just that the same thing kept happening over and over, with Evie getting the same advice. *Sigh* /rambleclaudtxr's review against another edition
3.0
Really tried to enjoy this book especially after so many great reviews and honestly this book had a lot of potential. BIG SPOILERS ....
Spoiler
Jake is really Leo and although we find out at the end his reasons for doing what he did there was a few things that annoyed me that i went from giving it 4 stars to 31- at the very beginning he gets pissed at Evie bc he assumes she's not a virgin (bc they promised to wait for each other ) meanwhile he tells her that he's been with so many women.
2- He takes her virginity without telling her first about who he really is knowing very well that she had saved herself for "Leo" but now is falling in love with "jake" after only knowing him for a few days and since she believes Leo is dead she sleeps with Jake but that fact that he knows this is all a lie he should have told her the truth.
3- At the 86% when she finally sits down after running away from him to hear what he had to say for lying to her about who he is and why he never contacted her for 8 years. The first thing they do before even saying anything is have sex....REALLY I get you have loved him for years but after being lied to this entire time that's what she does before even getting some answers... PATHETIC
serat0nin's review against another edition
emotional
fast-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
4.5
boudiegirl's review against another edition
When I learned that this was a series of romance books inspired by astrology signs, I HAD to start reading!
Leo is the first book and I loved it! I love the buildup of the story and everything ahhhh. I won’t spoil anything haha but it made me laugh and even tear up a little bit
Leo is the first book and I loved it! I love the buildup of the story and everything ahhhh. I won’t spoil anything haha but it made me laugh and even tear up a little bit
amythesnake's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Okay so I love Mia and she does no wrong for me but I have to be honest, this book had me wondering if it’s even written by her up untill I realized that it was her first novel and also written in 2013 when wattpad stories were all the hype then things made sense to me.
This book had the potential to be good but failed,I will say it was enjoyable nonetheless hence the three stars but it was one big cliche. From the male MC lying , favoring himself and saying all the cliche toxic phrases and “alpha” toxic male would say, to the gay bestfriend. Also Evie wasn’t that great either I felt uncomfortable because I imagined her as a child the whole time. And when it comes to the plot, it was the most predictable thing from the very first page so when the writer made the revelation look like a huge surprise it was in fact an eye-roll worthy moment because really? Am I supposed to be shocked? I knew all of this from page one so yeah I love Mia and every single book I read by her but this one is a huge disappointment
This book had the potential to be good but failed,I will say it was enjoyable nonetheless hence the three stars but it was one big cliche. From the male MC lying , favoring himself and saying all the cliche toxic phrases and “alpha” toxic male would say, to the gay bestfriend. Also Evie wasn’t that great either I felt uncomfortable because I imagined her as a child the whole time. And when it comes to the plot, it was the most predictable thing from the very first page so when the writer made the revelation look like a huge surprise it was in fact an eye-roll worthy moment because really? Am I supposed to be shocked? I knew all of this from page one so yeah I love Mia and every single book I read by her but this one is a huge disappointment
tab2004's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't enjoy this one as much as its sequel Leo's Chance because it was only from Evie's POV and honestly at times she seemed too perfect. That being said I think the author does a good job of keeping both books copacetic with each other, especially as they run completely parallel and always match up. Not easy to do. Usually the virgin/man whore trope bugs the shit out of me but it didn't in this one. Though I do agree with others, she did jump into bed with him quickly for a virgin. And he fed her a lot of bull she accepted. I think having her be a bit more suspicious probably would have felt more authentic but I guess that was just not who Evie was, she was positive almost too a fault.
amyl00wh00's review against another edition
4.0
Similar reading: Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
[bc:Hopeless|15717943|Hopeless (Hopeless, #1)|Colleen Hoover|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1353489892s/15717943.jpg|21389085]
[bc:Hopeless|15717943|Hopeless (Hopeless, #1)|Colleen Hoover|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1353489892s/15717943.jpg|21389085]
kodom251999's review against another edition
5.0
This book was amazing! Featuring foster homes and abuse, and a girl who turns into a woman still believing the best in those she loves. Leo's journey back to Evie took 8 years. Years she believed he betrayed her, but he lived in abuse and loneliness... Funny how you can have people around and be lonely. Anyway, I highly recommend!
atwade's review against another edition
5.0
Reread 11-09-2021:
I absolutely adore Mia Sheridan. I love the way she writes, her stories are always unique. Leo is a super quick and easy read and also Mia Sheridans debut novel! So happy she wrote this book/series.
Leo’s story is so heartbreaking but I love them together.
Read 08-31-2020:
I’ll admit I did shed a few tears while I read this... I read it literally in one sitting. I didn’t want to put it down and I was a little surprised honestly. I really don’t think I would change anything about this. When the truth was revealed it was definitely tough and I really felt for him. Life doesn’t always work out the way we want it to but I’m glad it worked out in the end for them. Can’t wait to read Leo’s chance now hehe
I absolutely adore Mia Sheridan. I love the way she writes, her stories are always unique. Leo is a super quick and easy read and also Mia Sheridans debut novel! So happy she wrote this book/series.
Leo’s story is so heartbreaking but I love them together.
Read 08-31-2020:
I’ll admit I did shed a few tears while I read this... I read it literally in one sitting. I didn’t want to put it down and I was a little surprised honestly. I really don’t think I would change anything about this. When the truth was revealed it was definitely tough and I really felt for him. Life doesn’t always work out the way we want it to but I’m glad it worked out in the end for them. Can’t wait to read Leo’s chance now hehe