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glorysibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, and Cursing
Minor: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Gaslighting
natashau_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Vomit, and Pregnancy
theluminarylibrary'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? It's complicated
4.5
Domestic Violence, Miscarriage, Child abuse, mentions of child SA
This story was everything I need a slow burn, YA romance to be!
First, I have to talk about the characters. Shannon was much more likable than I anticipated her being in the beginning. She very much had a "not like other girls" vibe going. In fact, I believe at some point, she actually said that. I was annoyed. And then we are constantly reminded on just how teeny, tiny, fragile she is. It annoyed me. However, I found myself sympathizing with her so much that I stopped caring. This girl is going through hell at school and hell. She just can't catch a break. I can't expressed how much I wanted her to STAND THE FUCK UP for herself. And in the end (view spoiler) And Johnny is every nice under the surface jock I've ever read about, but it worked for him. He applied the pressure to himself, and beneath the veneer was such low self-worth that I understood it. The best friends were amazing. Gibsie was a riot. I could read about him all day and I wish we had gotten his POV. He's hilarious. I also loved Claire and Lizzie. They are so different but the two of them together are such a good balance. I would have loved to have seen Lizzie with Shannon's father just once. I don't think he would have made it out alive. (And good riddance!!).
The plot itself was all about the romance and Johnny's injury. I thought that would make for a looong 600 pages but it really didn't. It did get repetitive, but they were so cute that I didn't mind. Also this one is a slow burn. Like the slowest of the slow burns, so be prepared for that. There's also the side plot of Shannon and her father. I hate her father, I do. But her mother makes me rage on an entirely different level. She actively choose this horrible man over her own children in the vilest of ways. Honestly, don't care if he beats her. Rough as that is, and I never condone domestic violence, in this case I wouldn't mind. (view spoiler) She can go straight to hell along with him.
With the way the story ended, I am super eager to move on to the next book as soon as it arrives. :)
Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual assault
imaginationindex's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I highly stress checking out the trigger warnings for this book. The e-copy I read provided a good overview but it’s always a good idea to give a quick Google. I personally would also recommend this to readers who understand the subject matter before diving in AND you are at least 16+.
Not even the shy new girl at Tommen College. Life has never been easy for Shannon Lynch. She arrives mid-way through the school year praying for a fresh start, but on her very first day at the prestigious private school, she comes into contact with the notorious Johnny Kavanagh.
- I’ve been searching for “that” slow burn read for some time now and I have to say… this was like a blast from the past angst-fanfic era!! While Shannon and Johnny almost check that box of star-crossed lovers without crossing into the insta-love territory. I also appreciate a good opposites attract pairing (though we didn’t dip our toe into enemies to lovers pairing)
- Irish slang and even better, Irish slang in 2004 (genuinely curious how the audio book reads 👀) Bonus points for the glossary at the beginning.
- Speaking of 2004, the playlists provided… what a time to be alive
- Johnny’s parents even with their limited appearances
- The Age Gap - there is no avoiding it! Right at the top- if she’s 15 going on 16, and he’s 17 going on 18, there are concerns. Yeah, 16 and 18 isn’t “that” far apart for some but one is still a minor and one is an adult at the end of the day.
- This story was so much longer than it needed to be, which came down to two reasons for me. 1) The amount of telling v showing. Even when we read the scene from Shannon’s POV, Johnny had to repeat the story, or vice versa. That’s too much retelling for me. And 2) the second guessing and repetition. I do understand Shannon’s trauma and needing to question her situation, but for other characters, it was clear the first time! I think we caught it the first time!
- Johnny, as attractive and protective he is made out to be, is indecisive as heck. Sends Shannon on a rollercoaster of emotion with hot and cold feelings, and if he’s so focused on becoming the Rugby star he wants to be, WHY go out drinking and fighting left and right?? (I know teenagers but still… emotional rollercoaster)
- A lotta 🍆 talk, which on one hand part of the plot but also… just ALOT
- Shannon’s parents
But if you told me you are in a specific mood for angsty romance, where the beautiful, popular boy protects and defends the shy, innocent girl resulting slow burn and them saving each other that gives ye olde Wattpad days reading under the covers at 2am cause you just can’t put it down… then yes, this might work for you.
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
_b0ok_l0v3r's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Drug use, Miscarriage, Rape, Blood, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
ellssss'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: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Medical content, and Pregnancy
bellaperegrino's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
her in any way shape or form
im utterly amazed by it and i would totally recommend it if you can deal with hard subjects
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
autumnatically'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
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
jnterhune's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Medical content, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Enjoyed, i wouldn’t read again necessarily but did have a good time reading and dying to know what happens, excited to continue reading defiantly check triggers if your someone that watches stuff like thataveryturner's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
mention of child rape briefly.