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hapalyn's review against another edition
Graphic: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
kamrynkoble's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I just didn’t connect with the characters. It didn’t even bother me that they were such a toxic mess, that’s fine. But I just didn’t find myself rooting for their relationship at all. It felt like a lot of random one-shot scenes about characters without much of an overarching plot. That’s fine when I really connect with the characters, but this one just fell short for me.
I also didn’t like all these random people conveniently swooping in to save the day for no reward in return. I called the one “twist” from a light year away because it just made absolutely no sense that it would be anything else.
I’m still open to giving these authors another go to see if I like a different title better. I don’t know. I really wanted to love this one and I wish I would’ve been hooked/emotionally invested like a lot of the other reviewers.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Minor: Body shaming and Infidelity
debosmitathereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
Minor: Infidelity
ephemeral_remi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Alcohol
ariana_m's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
I read this in less than 24 hours, more like less than 16 hours to be more exact. I finally got into it after consecutively avoiding for a year and a half. The gossip girl vibes are definitely present throughout this too. Anyways this was kind of rough for me to get into in the beginning. I read the first few chapters and went back and forth contemplating if I should dnf or not but I'm glad I pushed through. The writing style threw me off a bit because it's not the best in all honesty but it was still good for what it is.
First impressions of Lily and Lo in terms of likability is that I don't like them. It's hard to" like" them because of what they are doing to and for each other. I do have empathy for them. I know that everything will be okay eventually and I can see the potential they have but still. I believe in them though. I want to see them get through this. They are a very toxic couple but despite everything you see how much they care about each other which I loved.
I knew that this was going to be about addiction obviously but I didn't think it was going to be like THAT. Especially the last few chapters of the book. Those last few chapter made me feel emotional pain that I haven't felt in the longest time while reading lol. I love how everyone was introduced in the first book, I thought the rest of the characters would have been introduced as the series goes on but I was wrong. I already know Rose and Connor are going to be my favorites. Rose is my favorite so far. I love them already. How am I going to make it through 9 more books??
I will say, I can understand why people don't like this.
I have so much more to say but overall I think it was okay for what it is. I liked it mostly if you can even say that since it's two people battling addiction. I will be continuing with the rest of books.
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Infidelity and Sexual harassment
meeklovestoread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Okay I'm really surprised by this book. I've been putting it off since I've heard about it on the book side of social media for about a year now. It has alot of popularity, but all the tropes I heard people listing weren't favorites of mine. Plus the main thing that made me put this book off for so long was that I heard it depicts a toxic relationship. And I personally loathe reading about toxic relationships.
However, I've finally conformed. It's been on my reading list for a while so I finally decided to pick it up and I can say that I'm pretty surprised on how much I enjoyed it.
Don't get me wrong the relationship between the main characters Lily and Lo is nothing to emulate your relationship after. But in my opinion their relationship is more so "dysfunctional" rather than flat out toxic. Throughout the book both parties have displayed on numerous occasions how much they care, love, and appreciate one another. (the shower scene) They have the potential for an honest, heartfelt, and healthy relationship.
However like I stated previously, their current relationship is nothing to emulate your romantic relationships on. They enable each other's addictions with knowledge that it's not gonna help them out in the long run.
Lo also becomes desensitized to Lily's actions as well.
Lo can be pretty nasty towards Lily especially when she tries to interfere with his drinking. And when they do start dating for real Lo literally expects Lily to cheat on him because Lily is constantly fighting her sexual compulsions in order to stay celibate/monogamous to Lo. Of course in a healthy relationship you shouldn' t have to constantly worry that your partner is being unfaithful. And the fact that Lo has a tendecy to be pretty hot and cold with Lily (one minute he's a sweetheart, the next a dickhead) is a big red flag. Also Lo's aggressive tendencies are not ideal either (he doesn't hit her at all; there is no physical abuse depicted in this book; he just always has a tendecies to pick up fights with other people). He's just very immature and lacks ambition. They both defintely have alot of growing and maturing to do before they can reach consummate and stability in their lives and relationship.
So dysfunctional and unhealthy. Like I said nothing to aspire to, but definitely not damaged beyond repair. Plus they do seem to be trying to fix themsleves towards the end of the book. And I think that maybe what the writers' objectives are. To showcase the ugly parts of their relationship so they can commence on the journey towards healing. At least that's what I hope the other books are about.😅
Also, I actually like how the authors depicted their addictions and them as characters. Lily being all shy and introverted with a sex addiciton and Loren battling his was really well depicted. And her inner dialogue that she has with herself where she talks about on herself for having her addiction, her social anxiety, and her friendship with Lo, and their background was very entertaining to read about. I was really it was dual POV.
Oh and we also got to meet the future characters of this book series which was cool. So here are my first impressions:
Connor - superficial privileged prick who says out of pocket and insensitive comments and thinks he's above everyone else due to his wealth and intelligence, but deep down has a decent, loving heart (he's okay but certainly my least favorite out of the bunch)
Rose - superficial mean judgmental privileged girl, but the way she scares about Lily and her family warms my heart (also I have to admire how unapologetically smart she is)
Ryke - nosy, but really means well; I liked him and I admired how much he stood up for girls (didn't appreciate him the comment he made about Lily's weight though) so far he's my favorite guy
I'm more into plot driven books so it took me a while to get through this because a whole lot of nothing was happening. So this is definitely a character based book. I think when it was around the 70-80% mark was when I started to feel it just a little bit (it was still entertaining though) and because I read this as in e-book it did take me quite a while to get through this, but I surprisingly enjoyed the read and will be continuing on with the second book.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Vomit, and Abandonment
Minor: Body shaming, Infidelity, and Suicidal thoughts
ellasommers's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I don't know what I was expecting, but it definitely did not deliver. Also, the twist was obvious from a mile away.
I think I was swayed by those that said they loved the couple. I've read darker romances before and they've been meh to okay so I figured, maybe this is the one. It was not the one.
Moderate: Addiction, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Pregnancy, Outing, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Classism
readwithmechey's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
I love Lily and Loren so much. Their friendship from the start screamed soul mates to me, even when they were suppose to be pretending, it was all too real. I love the side characters just as much (maybe not Ryke, I’m still mad at him), they were all so dynamic and beautifully written. The protectiveness of Rose of Lily touch something in my heart that I just knew if she were to confide in Rose (like she did) she would be accepted and without judgment.
I really don’t know how to formulate any consistent thoughts and feelings besides that I NEED to see where the rest of this story goes! What happens to Lo and Lily? What about Connor and Rose? What about their relationship now that Rose has to take care of Lily? I even care about Ryke! How is he doing now that he has a brother in his life that he’s having to take care of in a rehab facility because of their shitty father? I need the answers to these.
I will say the reason I gave this story a 4 stars out of 5 (sadly couldn’t give it a 4.75 like i wanted) was in the middle with the whole Ryke situation it started to lose track for me and I felt there was a lull but it instantly picked up and I devoured the last 150 or so pages nonstop.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
smasson13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I already loved Lily and Lo, so I'm glad that I still do! It's really neat to see how it all started.
The whole situation with Ryke though felt very random and unbelievable, there was probably a less abstract and more realistic way for him to wiggle into their lives.
The romance was not a spicy as their later books, the pace felt a little slow, but overall was still a great book. The best thing about this book over the sequels is that there are actual problems and real angst. Much appreciated.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, and Sexual violence