borderlinesc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“I’m nineteen! I’m an adult! I can do what I want!” “No, Dandelion, you’re an emotionally stunted child! You were shot, your friends were killed, you watched our mom die right in front of you. He took advantage of you and nothing you say can convince me otherwise.”
i’ve been trying to think of a cohesive way to put my thoughts into words and actual sentences but i cant, so you’re getting a list instead.
what i loved:
- the way dani and ansel’s friendship progressed
- how this author and characters confronted the ethics of dani’s relationship with lachlan
- grief, ptsd, depression, the whole 9 yards lol
Also kinda spoiler/plot point:
i’m trying to think of things i particularly disliked and honestly not much lol? very very little nitpicks to the point where i couldn't knock this down a star, so.
read this, absolutely read this. ive read so many age gap novels but this is definitely in my top 3 and it ain’t number 3.
Spoiler
i’ve always wanted to read an age gap book where the fmc leaves/separates from the mmc and goes off to just, explore the world and life for a little while. and i got that here. the chapters where dani is with ansel just traveling the world are my favoritei’m trying to think of things i particularly disliked and honestly not much lol? very very little nitpicks to the point where i couldn't knock this down a star, so.
read this, absolutely read this. ive read so many age gap novels but this is definitely in my top 3 and it ain’t number 3.
“I’m trying. One day at a time. One step. One moment. The past doesn’t have to be an anchor, it can be your wings.”
snowifrost's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
froggie_alex's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kodom251999's review against another edition
5.0
This book really fit the times we live in where no place is perfectly safe. I really didn’t worry about my kids at school, but it was something they were taught what to do in that situation.
Dani was scarred from her experience. Her mother died trying to protect her and her students. Her view as a survivor truly opened my eyes because she’s right. We remember the victims, but not those who survived. I loved that that she connected with Lachlan. It wasn’t the perfect situation. I was waiting on the twist, and I cried hard during it. I didn’t expect that!
Dani spent some time figuring herself out. I thought it was perfect. Can we please get an Ansel and Seth book? I mean something has to be going on with Seth!
OMG.... when she finally goes to see Sage. I was so glad when that door opened. I was ready to beg for Sage’s book. I loved that he gave Lachlan a hard time. I just loved this book. This author truly made me think about this one.
Dani was scarred from her experience. Her mother died trying to protect her and her students. Her view as a survivor truly opened my eyes because she’s right. We remember the victims, but not those who survived. I loved that that she connected with Lachlan. It wasn’t the perfect situation. I was waiting on the twist, and I cried hard during it. I didn’t expect that!
Dani spent some time figuring herself out. I thought it was perfect. Can we please get an Ansel and Seth book? I mean something has to be going on with Seth!
OMG.... when she finally goes to see Sage. I was so glad when that door opened. I was ready to beg for Sage’s book. I loved that he gave Lachlan a hard time. I just loved this book. This author truly made me think about this one.
disturbedvalkyrie's review against another edition
4.0
- Forbidden romance (studentXguidance counselor)
- Age gap
- Slow burn from hell
I listened to this book on Audible and it was worth every single hour spent listening or obsessing over the material while I was at work. As the drama began to unfold towards the end, my stomach churned with worry. As the hero made the heroine smile, I smiled too.
Our heroine was a very co-dependent individual, but I am extremely glad she learned to heal eventually. My favorite aspect of this novel pertains to Ansel’s friendship. If I didn’t love age gap/forbidden romances so much, I would have rooted for Ansel.
I do wish I would have seen more of the hero and heroine’s relationship grow, but they did find their HEA nonetheless.
Read it. It’s worth it.
PSA: Even if it is studentXteacher, it is legal.
- Age gap
- Slow burn from hell
I listened to this book on Audible and it was worth every single hour spent listening or obsessing over the material while I was at work. As the drama began to unfold towards the end, my stomach churned with worry. As the hero made the heroine smile, I smiled too.
Our heroine was a very co-dependent individual, but I am extremely glad she learned to heal eventually. My favorite aspect of this novel pertains to Ansel’s friendship. If I didn’t love age gap/forbidden romances so much, I would have rooted for Ansel.
I do wish I would have seen more of the hero and heroine’s relationship grow, but they did find their HEA nonetheless.
Read it. It’s worth it.
PSA: Even if it is studentXteacher, it is legal.
sandizzlereads's review against another edition
5.0
Sweet Dandelion by Micalea Smeltzer is more than a must read it is a required read!
With this one book, my FIRST book by Micalea I have become a fan. Which means I will be diving in headfirst into her backlist. I need to read them ALL.
Dani is a survivor, she just doesn’t realize just how strong she is. This is her story and it is heartbreaking at points, and simply magical in others.
This book could be preachy and condescending but it is NOT, it has been written with heart and emotion. I feel like Micalea has left it all on the page for us to do more than simply enjoy. This book is an experience and I can’t wait to read more of her books and see if the rest are just as good. Something tells me that they are.
So bottom line, if you have not read Sweet Dandelion you need to. It’s definitely going on my Top Reads of 2023!
With this one book, my FIRST book by Micalea I have become a fan. Which means I will be diving in headfirst into her backlist. I need to read them ALL.
Dani is a survivor, she just doesn’t realize just how strong she is. This is her story and it is heartbreaking at points, and simply magical in others.
This book could be preachy and condescending but it is NOT, it has been written with heart and emotion. I feel like Micalea has left it all on the page for us to do more than simply enjoy. This book is an experience and I can’t wait to read more of her books and see if the rest are just as good. Something tells me that they are.
So bottom line, if you have not read Sweet Dandelion you need to. It’s definitely going on my Top Reads of 2023!
leahslibrary_'s review against another edition
5.0
“Sometimes we have to hurt to be reminded that the best things in life bring us joy and pain.”
Something about this author’s writing just instantly draws me in. I fell hard for this story! Throw in age gap and a forbidden romance and I’m done for. This book was incredible from start to finish!
Dandelion’s story is one of survival, pain, loss, healing, and love. Not only is her taboo relationship with her school counselor raw and beautiful, but the secondary relationships with her brother and her friends are equally amazing. I seriously cannot praise this book enough.
“May you always be as free as the birds, as wild as the flowers, and untamed as the sea.”
Something about this author’s writing just instantly draws me in. I fell hard for this story! Throw in age gap and a forbidden romance and I’m done for. This book was incredible from start to finish!
Dandelion’s story is one of survival, pain, loss, healing, and love. Not only is her taboo relationship with her school counselor raw and beautiful, but the secondary relationships with her brother and her friends are equally amazing. I seriously cannot praise this book enough.
“May you always be as free as the birds, as wild as the flowers, and untamed as the sea.”