The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
kessie1503's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Where to begin. The voice of the main character was repetitive, daft, and whiney. The plot had some hope but did not need so many pages to get through it. Character development was brushed over and we never really got to see the work the characters put in to change. It was 'they left for a while, now they are back happy and healthy.'Â
Even Angelina's time in rehab was glossed over.
 now, Aydens suicide is the most poorly handled part of this story. The way this book handles it was terrible. The only part the author got right was the blaming oneself for missing signs. That was it. The "suicide note/video" organised to be shown 5 years later was the most ridiculous part of the whole story because it tied the whole suicide part of the story up in a neat little bow. Anyone who has experienced the suicide of a loved one knows that there are no neat little bows. It somewhat romanticised it which is the last thing this world needs.
<\spoiler>
Now for the less intense but still annoying aspects that bothered me...
Why did Devin call her Ange and Ayden call her Lina? Nothing was special about either Nickname although both were better than baby doll. I still don't understand why Devin called her that. Angel was a missed opportunity.Â
I did not need the history of every person the FMC interacted with. I don't care about the older lady working in the diner. It wasn't relevant to the story. There was one point where I was asking myself "who is Jim" because so many people had been introduced with similar names and some would pop again and some would never be heard from again. Waste of words and a waste of my time.
I also did not need to know every small action the FMC did. For example. She left a note on the counter for her mum... okay.... how was this relevant to the plot?
If this book had be shortened by about 25-30% I could have forgiven the rest, except maybe the neat little bows.Â
Even Angelina's time in rehab was glossed over.
 now, Aydens suicide is the most poorly handled part of this story. The way this book handles it was terrible. The only part the author got right was the blaming oneself for missing signs. That was it. The "suicide note/video" organised to be shown 5 years later was the most ridiculous part of the whole story because it tied the whole suicide part of the story up in a neat little bow. Anyone who has experienced the suicide of a loved one knows that there are no neat little bows. It somewhat romanticised it which is the last thing this world needs.
<\spoiler>
Now for the less intense but still annoying aspects that bothered me...
Why did Devin call her Ange and Ayden call her Lina? Nothing was special about either Nickname although both were better than baby doll. I still don't understand why Devin called her that. Angel was a missed opportunity.Â
I did not need the history of every person the FMC interacted with. I don't care about the older lady working in the diner. It wasn't relevant to the story. There was one point where I was asking myself "who is Jim" because so many people had been introduced with similar names and some would pop again and some would never be heard from again. Waste of words and a waste of my time.
I also did not need to know every small action the FMC did. For example. She left a note on the counter for her mum... okay.... how was this relevant to the plot?
If this book had be shortened by about 25-30% I could have forgiven the rest, except maybe the neat little bows.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Suicide, Addiction, and Miscarriage
kaylani_simplyme's review against another edition
3.0
So many thoughts and so little emotions.Â
This book was such a let down for me. I have been looking forward to trying one of this authors work for quite some time and I was just not overly impressed. This book just missed the mark for me on so many levels.Â
I think my general disinterest starting with the fact the for majority of the book this is set in high school. I'm not a huge fan of smutty romance books set in the age group. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with 17 years old having sex if its consensual and safe however I just don't want to read about it. In most cases I don't find it hot or sexy.Â
Once we eventually switched over to the college timeline I was already just not super invested in the characters. I had a hard time remembering which boy was which and their current relationship with the main character. They were very different boys however sometime I would be reading about one of them and catch myself asking wait which one is this. Not the best thing to do especially when you are supposed to be rooting for a specific relationship to become a thing.Â
Other than my lack of interest in the characters I just felt the pacing was a little bit weird and left me checking to see how much longer until the book was over. This book also has a ton of trigger warnings that I was not aware about before starting, but nothing that I was overly put off by. Just surprised. This story all together was a sad story to read but I just couldn't find it in myself to feel a single bit of emotion regarding all the horrific things that happened towards the end of this book. (and as an emotion bitch who also happens to be 7 months pregnant, and literally cries at everything!! That is saying something)Â
I did enjoy the dedication that the main love interest had for Angie and his unwavering commitment for their future. I love seeing that in a hero so that was quite refreshing. I do think the harder topic that were broached and or discussed in heavy detail were a bit heavy handed. I can obviously acknowledge that there are many individuals that have experienced what Aiden goes through in this book I don't know it just didn't work for me in this story. Not to discount anyone that has gone through that and made those same choices but as a reader, regarding a fictional story, I didn't understand it.Â
I'm really bummed I didn't love this one because I did get a special edition in a book box that is absolutely stunning but I don't see myself ever revisiting this book or really recommending it in the future. I will however, try something else by this author at another time.Â
This book was such a let down for me. I have been looking forward to trying one of this authors work for quite some time and I was just not overly impressed. This book just missed the mark for me on so many levels.Â
I think my general disinterest starting with the fact the for majority of the book this is set in high school. I'm not a huge fan of smutty romance books set in the age group. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with 17 years old having sex if its consensual and safe however I just don't want to read about it. In most cases I don't find it hot or sexy.Â
Once we eventually switched over to the college timeline I was already just not super invested in the characters. I had a hard time remembering which boy was which and their current relationship with the main character. They were very different boys however sometime I would be reading about one of them and catch myself asking wait which one is this. Not the best thing to do especially when you are supposed to be rooting for a specific relationship to become a thing.Â
Other than my lack of interest in the characters I just felt the pacing was a little bit weird and left me checking to see how much longer until the book was over. This book also has a ton of trigger warnings that I was not aware about before starting, but nothing that I was overly put off by. Just surprised. This story all together was a sad story to read but I just couldn't find it in myself to feel a single bit of emotion regarding all the horrific things that happened towards the end of this book. (and as an emotion bitch who also happens to be 7 months pregnant, and literally cries at everything!! That is saying something)Â
I did enjoy the dedication that the main love interest had for Angie and his unwavering commitment for their future. I love seeing that in a hero so that was quite refreshing. I do think the harder topic that were broached and or discussed in heavy detail were a bit heavy handed. I can obviously acknowledge that there are many individuals that have experienced what Aiden goes through in this book I don't know it just didn't work for me in this story. Not to discount anyone that has gone through that and made those same choices but as a reader, regarding a fictional story, I didn't understand it.Â
I'm really bummed I didn't love this one because I did get a special edition in a book box that is absolutely stunning but I don't see myself ever revisiting this book or really recommending it in the future. I will however, try something else by this author at another time.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Suicide, Death, and Addiction
Minor: Child abuse, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, and Child death
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