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upallnightbookaddict's review against another edition
4.0
This is another book I put off because there was so much raving over it. Actually, there was a lot of differing opinions on both sides. I couldn't decide if I wanted to give it a shot or not. I am glad I did.
I will admit, I have a couple of conflicting thoughts on this book. It is about a group of high school kids. Admittedly, these characters are very well developed, and I found myself drawn to them and their personalities. The conflicting thing for me is their age versus their "maturity". In some ways, it left me felt a little conflicted.
Even though some things in this book were a little over the top, but it just worked given the story and characters. The idea that these three boys pretty much run everything in Brayshaw is a bit much, but it worked for me. In some ways, it is very much real in life, just maybe not with high school boys.
I was so consumed by this story and all of its layers. I found myself constantly thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. I needed to read it, finish it. This was a great read for me while I was on vacation. It consumed me and now I can't wait for the next book. I need more.
Back to the characters. These characters are everything. They are witty, strong, independent. They couldn't have been more well developed. I felt their chemistry and closeness vividly. They worked so well together, especially with Raven on their side.
This isn't your typical young adult book. This book is so much more. It definitely doesn't fit the mold of the YA genre, and I loved it for that reason. It was so raw and real. I highly recommend it.
I will admit, I have a couple of conflicting thoughts on this book. It is about a group of high school kids. Admittedly, these characters are very well developed, and I found myself drawn to them and their personalities. The conflicting thing for me is their age versus their "maturity". In some ways, it left me felt a little conflicted.
Even though some things in this book were a little over the top, but it just worked given the story and characters. The idea that these three boys pretty much run everything in Brayshaw is a bit much, but it worked for me. In some ways, it is very much real in life, just maybe not with high school boys.
I was so consumed by this story and all of its layers. I found myself constantly thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. I needed to read it, finish it. This was a great read for me while I was on vacation. It consumed me and now I can't wait for the next book. I need more.
Back to the characters. These characters are everything. They are witty, strong, independent. They couldn't have been more well developed. I felt their chemistry and closeness vividly. They worked so well together, especially with Raven on their side.
This isn't your typical young adult book. This book is so much more. It definitely doesn't fit the mold of the YA genre, and I loved it for that reason. It was so raw and real. I highly recommend it.
fsmeurinne's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely amazing, this is the type of books I fall in love with and never let go. I can't wait for the next book. Wish for the audiobooks soon as well. I need this sexy guys talking to me.
sunshineinpages's review against another edition
4.0
I don’t ever read high school books but after reading Say You Swear I *had* to read Meagan Brandy’s other books.
This book has me hooked. This is one of those books where things aren’t always clear and the characters’ motives aren’t explained and it pulls you in looking for explanations and needing to know what’ll happen next.
I love a loyalty trope, and the brotherhood between Maddoc, Captain, and Royce is *chef’s kiss*.
These three boys basically run the town. Their family founded the town, and it reads a big like a mafia book. I’m still trying to understand the whole dynamics of how three teenagers run the town to the point they even control the school principal, but maybe this will be explored in the sequels.
Now let’s talk about Raven. She’s tough, she’s feisty, she’s independent, she doesn’t take shit from anyone… and she annoys the hell out of me, but in a way that makes sense. She trusts nobody and is constantly making stupid decisions on her own “because I do what I want”. It’s annoying, but it makes sense considering how she was raised - or to be more accurate, the way she had to raise herself because of the shit her mother puts her through.
On to some negatives. The cabin scene made absolutely no sense and felt like the author just wanted to throw in some spice. They needed to keep her quiet, they could have held her down and covered her mouth or something. The almost-threesome just didn’t make sense and did not fit at all with Maddoc’s possessive alphahole character. The boy throws a fit anytime someone even looks her way, you think he’s going to be okay with them kissing and touching her, regardless of the circumstances?
Half the time I have no idea what’s going on and I find myself rereading paragraphs, as things are often unclear and the author also often doesn’t write names and you have to guess who’s speaking. There are a *lot* of typos throughout the book, I noticed this with Say You Swear as well, I’m not sure if the lack of clarity on what’s happening / who’s talking is intentional or if it just wasn’t caught in editing.
This book has me hooked. This is one of those books where things aren’t always clear and the characters’ motives aren’t explained and it pulls you in looking for explanations and needing to know what’ll happen next.
I love a loyalty trope, and the brotherhood between Maddoc, Captain, and Royce is *chef’s kiss*.
These three boys basically run the town. Their family founded the town, and it reads a big like a mafia book. I’m still trying to understand the whole dynamics of how three teenagers run the town to the point they even control the school principal, but maybe this will be explored in the sequels.
Now let’s talk about Raven. She’s tough, she’s feisty, she’s independent, she doesn’t take shit from anyone… and she annoys the hell out of me, but in a way that makes sense. She trusts nobody and is constantly making stupid decisions on her own “because I do what I want”. It’s annoying, but it makes sense considering how she was raised - or to be more accurate, the way she had to raise herself because of the shit her mother puts her through.
On to some negatives. The cabin scene made absolutely no sense and felt like the author just wanted to throw in some spice. They needed to keep her quiet, they could have held her down and covered her mouth or something. The almost-threesome just didn’t make sense and did not fit at all with Maddoc’s possessive alphahole character. The boy throws a fit anytime someone even looks her way, you think he’s going to be okay with them kissing and touching her, regardless of the circumstances?
Half the time I have no idea what’s going on and I find myself rereading paragraphs, as things are often unclear and the author also often doesn’t write names and you have to guess who’s speaking. There are a *lot* of typos throughout the book, I noticed this with Say You Swear as well, I’m not sure if the lack of clarity on what’s happening / who’s talking is intentional or if it just wasn’t caught in editing.
slsteele's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
carlanicole's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kippins's review against another edition
4.0
I read these books in this series one straight after the other so my review for all three will be the same since it was basically one big book!
Sweet Jesus the DRAMA!!! Please leave any reality expectations firmly at the door!
This was an absolute train wreck of a series but I couldn’t for the life of me tear myself away!
Oddly enough Maddoc wasn’t my favourite and that’s why there’s no five stars here! I even feel wrong giving it 4 but to be fair I couldn’t do anything but dive into the next book and feel completely bereft not that it’s over.
All I will say is this! Oh Captain my Captain! He was my absolute hero!
Sweet Jesus the DRAMA!!! Please leave any reality expectations firmly at the door!
This was an absolute train wreck of a series but I couldn’t for the life of me tear myself away!
Oddly enough Maddoc wasn’t my favourite and that’s why there’s no five stars here! I even feel wrong giving it 4 but to be fair I couldn’t do anything but dive into the next book and feel completely bereft not that it’s over.
All I will say is this! Oh Captain my Captain! He was my absolute hero!
tonireads_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kindlewithluu's review against another edition
4.0
Loved every second of it. The found family, the drama, the romance, and the badass FMC, it was a breathe of fresh air in a book. I haven’t enjoyed a ya dark romance like this since stay with me series! Definitely recommend.
Omg can we talk about that cliff hanger???
Omg can we talk about that cliff hanger???
annareadsalotforfun's review against another edition
Maybe some other time. This is very dark and doesn’t seem like my cup of tea.