Scan barcode
booksadoodle's review
5.0
Not your typical romance. With themes of youth, first love, childhood trauma, PTSD, redemption, and forgiveness, this story is powerfully written to bring to life the tale of Andi Scott & Corey Johnson. Casey Dembowski does such a great job of pulling you in from the start and makes you feel fully invested in the characters. Definitely recommend! Thanks so much to the author & Goodreads Giveaways for the opportunity to win this book!
aldarakamey's review
3.0
This book is about a second chance love story, if you crave for this kind of stories you have to read this book.
purrfectpages's review
4.0
Andi Scott never thought there would a reason to return to her hometown, a place full of muddled memories and broken promises. But then her estranged father passes away. Suddenly, Andi finds herself reluctantly taking the journey back, hoping to put some much needed closure on that chapter of her life.
Once there, however, Andi is overcome with bittersweet feelings from her past. Walking through her childhood home conjures painful images of tiptoeing around her alcoholic father, while walking through town reminds her of special moments with her high school sweetheart, Corey Johnson.
Then she runs into Corey in present day. Shocked at how the past and present have collided in unexpected ways, Andi tries to make sense of the paths that brought each of them to where they are. Only the more Andi tries to understand the two most impactful men in her life, old wounds are reopened. Can Andi find it in her heart to forgive those who broke her heart, or more importantly, can she ever forgive herself?
The Corey Effect is a tender story about making peace with the past. Told in alternating timelines, the reader gets to see important events that took place and their long lasting repercussions. It also entertains the notion that true love can prevail with the passage of time and some patience.
Once there, however, Andi is overcome with bittersweet feelings from her past. Walking through her childhood home conjures painful images of tiptoeing around her alcoholic father, while walking through town reminds her of special moments with her high school sweetheart, Corey Johnson.
Then she runs into Corey in present day. Shocked at how the past and present have collided in unexpected ways, Andi tries to make sense of the paths that brought each of them to where they are. Only the more Andi tries to understand the two most impactful men in her life, old wounds are reopened. Can Andi find it in her heart to forgive those who broke her heart, or more importantly, can she ever forgive herself?
The Corey Effect is a tender story about making peace with the past. Told in alternating timelines, the reader gets to see important events that took place and their long lasting repercussions. It also entertains the notion that true love can prevail with the passage of time and some patience.
memull17's review
3.5
Andi returns to her hometown after the news of her estranged father passed away but the town and the people she left are not the same. So much has changed and it’s a lot for Andi to take in especially when she’s learned that her former boyfriend was now in business with her father even after everything he put her through. There’s a lot of emotional grief, hurts and regrets to shift through in this story especially for Andi.
My only real hang up with the story is how it seemed like everyone was pushing for Andi to just forgive her father as soon as she got there without any real time to process everything she learned especially after what she went through.
My only real hang up with the story is how it seemed like everyone was pushing for Andi to just forgive her father as soon as she got there without any real time to process everything she learned especially after what she went through.
trishaa_24's review
5.0
ENJOYABLE
As I start with the review, I wanted to inform you that this story moves from present to past and the Author has really done a very good job at making me read the past as well. Most of the books I read in my life, I tempt to quickly read the past part of the lead characters and rush with the story but in this book I took plenty of time to admire the bond the Hero (Corey) had with the Heroine (Andi/Andrea)
COREY - A perfect lover. Even though I didn't feel like he supported Andi at one point. I understood his emotions as well. How many ever females came in his life his heart only kept beating for her. Praise Andi for stealing his heart in the best manner anyone could.
ANDI - Okay! She's a strong female lead who initially covered up her father's faults but at last gave up when she couldn't tolerate him anymore. Her act was completely justified to me and every time she broke up with pain, my heart kept screaming for her. Her life was definitely not a bed of rose but the way she faced those thorns was admirable. She did the best by leaving Harry (Her boss & Her Ex) In the end, it would have definitely not been easy for Corey to watch all the HEA lives of her friend while she was still unsettled.
How could I not speak about Emily (Corey's kid), the seven year old is too cute to slip off from our eyes. The letters Corey wrote to Andi left me speechless.
Tropes:-
Strong Heroine
CEO Hero
Single parent
Small Town
Social Issues
The book is definitely a masterpiece with lots of emotions on sensitive topics like - Divorce, alcoholism, parenting and trauma. The author brought out all these issues in a detailed manner which still caught my interest as well.
Completely fell in love with the author's writing style. One of the best books I read so far which had brought out all the issues faced by the children due to their parents.
Thank you so much Hiddengems, Red Adept Publication and Casey Dembowski for giving me this e-book as a gift and I take it as my privilege to drop a review on this heart touching story.
As I start with the review, I wanted to inform you that this story moves from present to past and the Author has really done a very good job at making me read the past as well. Most of the books I read in my life, I tempt to quickly read the past part of the lead characters and rush with the story but in this book I took plenty of time to admire the bond the Hero (Corey) had with the Heroine (Andi/Andrea)
COREY - A perfect lover. Even though I didn't feel like he supported Andi at one point. I understood his emotions as well. How many ever females came in his life his heart only kept beating for her. Praise Andi for stealing his heart in the best manner anyone could.
ANDI - Okay! She's a strong female lead who initially covered up her father's faults but at last gave up when she couldn't tolerate him anymore. Her act was completely justified to me and every time she broke up with pain, my heart kept screaming for her. Her life was definitely not a bed of rose but the way she faced those thorns was admirable. She did the best by leaving Harry (Her boss & Her Ex) In the end, it would have definitely not been easy for Corey to watch all the HEA lives of her friend while she was still unsettled.
How could I not speak about Emily (Corey's kid), the seven year old is too cute to slip off from our eyes. The letters Corey wrote to Andi left me speechless.
Tropes:-
Strong Heroine
CEO Hero
Single parent
Small Town
Social Issues
The book is definitely a masterpiece with lots of emotions on sensitive topics like - Divorce, alcoholism, parenting and trauma. The author brought out all these issues in a detailed manner which still caught my interest as well.
Completely fell in love with the author's writing style. One of the best books I read so far which had brought out all the issues faced by the children due to their parents.
Thank you so much Hiddengems, Red Adept Publication and Casey Dembowski for giving me this e-book as a gift and I take it as my privilege to drop a review on this heart touching story.
a_stylish_bookworm's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Don't let this cute cover fool you. I was expecting a rom com and fun and flirty like the author's last book. This book takes on a more series tone in dealing with death of an estranged parent and the effects of alcoholism. I love the flash back of Corey and Andi and their relationship. I love how tender Corey was in high school and grown into an amazing adult. Andi had so much issues to unpack and I felt her pain the journey.
Thank you @letstalkbookspromo for a copy of the book.
Thank you @letstalkbookspromo for a copy of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Death of parent
transportedlfl's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Corey Effect is a second chance romance told in dual timelines. Andrea learns of her abusive father's death and decides to return to his hometown for closure. Her childhood sweetheart Corey is still there and asks her to stay for a week.
I found the two timelines well done. The switches between them and overall pacing helped to tell the story. The book was considerably deeper than I expected from either the cover or synopsis. The characters are nuanced, both imperfect and real. And there are difficult traumas for them to handle.
It's difficult to describe my takeaways. This was a very emotional book with so many people making so many poor choices. I recommend it for all those who like complicated stories.
Thank you to the author and Let's Talk Books for the complimentary book. These opinions are my own.
CW: alcoholism, abuse
I found the two timelines well done. The switches between them and overall pacing helped to tell the story. The book was considerably deeper than I expected from either the cover or synopsis. The characters are nuanced, both imperfect and real. And there are difficult traumas for them to handle.
It's difficult to describe my takeaways. This was a very emotional book with so many people making so many poor choices. I recommend it for all those who like complicated stories.
Thank you to the author and Let's Talk Books for the complimentary book. These opinions are my own.
CW: alcoholism, abuse
casperea's review
5.0
This book is so good!
The Corey Effect by Casey Dembowski was an unexpected read. The cover, title, and description had me believe that this was your typical rom-com. Boy was that the wrong assumption to make. This book is filled with heavy content that should come with a trigger warning before reading. With that being said, I absolutely loved this book and will be thinking about it for sometime.
Trigger Warning:
1. Alcoholism
2. Physical and verbal abuse
While The Corey Effect covers some hard topics, I loved that Dembowski did not shy away from the hard realities, Corey and Andi endured as individuals and a couple. I loved the raw, gritty look at life and love. This was beautifully done and I felt Colleen Hoover vibes from her bestseller It Ends With Us.
I would love to analyze this further, but to do so would give too much of the plot away. All I can say is I thought this was an amazing book! I highly recommend it and wholeheartedly believe it would make for a top notch book club pick.
Special thanks to NetGalley.com and Red Adept Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback.
The Corey Effect by Casey Dembowski was an unexpected read. The cover, title, and description had me believe that this was your typical rom-com. Boy was that the wrong assumption to make. This book is filled with heavy content that should come with a trigger warning before reading. With that being said, I absolutely loved this book and will be thinking about it for sometime.
Trigger Warning:
1. Alcoholism
2. Physical and verbal abuse
While The Corey Effect covers some hard topics, I loved that Dembowski did not shy away from the hard realities, Corey and Andi endured as individuals and a couple. I loved the raw, gritty look at life and love. This was beautifully done and I felt Colleen Hoover vibes from her bestseller It Ends With Us.
I would love to analyze this further, but to do so would give too much of the plot away. All I can say is I thought this was an amazing book! I highly recommend it and wholeheartedly believe it would make for a top notch book club pick.
Special thanks to NetGalley.com and Red Adept Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback.
rva_reader's review
5.0
4.5 rounded up
I thought this was a great second-chances romance. I read it in a day. It was sweet but also serious. I loved the character development and flashback scenes. I thought the two timelines worked well.
*Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.
I thought this was a great second-chances romance. I read it in a day. It was sweet but also serious. I loved the character development and flashback scenes. I thought the two timelines worked well.
*Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.
cassies_books_reviews's review
4.0
Ten years ago Andi Scott was determined to leave her past behind which includes her high school sweetheart Corey. After the death of her estranged father Ryan. Andi returns to her home to attend the funeral, she’s overwhelmed with past memories. She’s soon shocked to discover that Corey is still in her hometown and to make matters even harder he is the cofounder of a local business with her father before he passed. We soon learn of Andis past with her father, who was an alcoholic and what led to her building walls around her heart and difficulty trusting people. Throughout her stay and as she begins to spend more time with Corey she learns more about her father and the changes he made. It’s hard for Andi to understand her father changing because Corey witnessed Andi and what she went through in the past with her father. We watch Andi as she faces her past and other family members and deciding if she can move forward and maybe get a second chance with Corey. This book was so much deeper than I expected and it wasn’t always a light hearted read, I do want to add a trigger warning of emotional abuse and alcoholism.