kalarosereads's review against another edition
3.0
Please read all trigger warnings before reading this book!!
This was one of those books that I had to sit with for a few days before I wrote a review, there was a lot to unpack and it ended on a very emotional point. I felt like the pacing was a bit quick and I wish we would have gotten some more detail and time to absorb some of the plot points, it seemed a little rushed at times to get to the big parts but they didn't hit as well as they could have because of the pacing. I also found it difficult to connect with the characters fully as we didn't know much about them beyond surface level details that were presented to us, we didn't see inside their heads as much as I would have preferred.
The love story had a similar feel to me, it felt rushed on the pacing and I was surprised at how quickly they just fell into a relationship with each other, considering the age gap and circumstances. Thayer's character was also a bit immature at times therefore the age gap didn't feel as obvious as I think it was intended to.
There is a lot of talk of trauma in this book, along with difficult family dynamics however there is not a lot of background and lead up to it or lot of closure on some of the points, again please read the trigger warnings before reading this book.
The ending for me came out of left field and even though at the beginning of "that" chapter I could feel something was going to happen I just kept wishing that I was wrong. My heart is absolutely destroyed and I was thrown for a loop as I didn't understand where the author was heading with the plot after the last few chapters occurred.
I do plan to continue reading the second book because of the major cliff hanger at the end and my curiosity needs to know what the author will have the characters do next.
This was one of those books that I had to sit with for a few days before I wrote a review, there was a lot to unpack and it ended on a very emotional point. I felt like the pacing was a bit quick and I wish we would have gotten some more detail and time to absorb some of the plot points, it seemed a little rushed at times to get to the big parts but they didn't hit as well as they could have because of the pacing. I also found it difficult to connect with the characters fully as we didn't know much about them beyond surface level details that were presented to us, we didn't see inside their heads as much as I would have preferred.
The love story had a similar feel to me, it felt rushed on the pacing and I was surprised at how quickly they just fell into a relationship with each other, considering the age gap and circumstances. Thayer's character was also a bit immature at times therefore the age gap didn't feel as obvious as I think it was intended to.
There is a lot of talk of trauma in this book, along with difficult family dynamics however there is not a lot of background and lead up to it or lot of closure on some of the points, again please read the trigger warnings before reading this book.
The ending for me came out of left field and even though at the beginning of "that" chapter I could feel something was going to happen I just kept wishing that I was wrong. My heart is absolutely destroyed and I was thrown for a loop as I didn't understand where the author was heading with the plot after the last few chapters occurred.
I do plan to continue reading the second book because of the major cliff hanger at the end and my curiosity needs to know what the author will have the characters do next.
gracierolin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Sexual assault, and Child death
christinemelv94's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
belle165's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
vane_reads95's review against another edition
5.0
“Wildflowers are strong. Resilient. They can grow under most conditions. I want to be like that.”
18-year-old Salem has just graduated high school but wonders how others have their future figured out because she certainly feels happy with her cat, living at her mom's house and working at her mom's story, with little to no plans in going to college, despite of multiple attempts to hop on the college route by her boyfriend Caleb. A new neighbor named Thayer who is 31 moves next door and seems to be angry at the world, and Salem aims to befriend him by bringing him cupcakes. Salem and Thayer are very aware of their age gap, but that doesn't make the attraction they have for each other vanish.
After I finish the book I grew a little anxious with that ending.. I don't understand why authors do this to us!!! Worth to mention that there are a few trigger warnings including abuse, death, and sexual assault.
I loved how real this felt, the story was written with characters that have flaws, have a dark past and I enjoyed how everything slowly came about. There is some spicey moments throughout the story but I think what outstands the most is the romance from the characters.
Salem and Thayer are both forced to experience trauma in a different way but nevertheless those events mark them for life. I appreciate how there wasn't much of a toxic relationship, and the fact that Caleb and Thayer are both so wonderfully qualified for Salem yet her heart only beats for Thayer and Thayer only. I feel like if I were in Caleb's shoes, I wouldn't have put up with so much but that guy is one in a million.
That slow burn was really killing me but what broke me the most was how I can see it being a real possibility that Thayer's actions are justified by grief, I mean it's REAL tough what he went through but really, after everything was fitting into pieces, I just couldn't.
Written in Salem's POV, I devoured every second of her relationship with Thayer because he sounds like the perfect man, I feel like if it was written in 2 POV everything would've been predictable.
There are a few spoilers, so skip them if you are not into spoilers.
*By 28% When the three of them are having dinner (Salem, Salem's mom and Thayer) and Salem just sends her mom up to bed just like that as if she's the parent. And I believe this was way before the mom was showing any signs of illness.
*I noticed a typo by 70% "I know, honey." She gives me hand a slight squeeze. I think she meant to say 'she gives MY hand a slight squeeze'
*I couldn't get over the "open your mouth" and he spits on her?? Idk? Is that attractive nowadays or am I boring???? Idk, many many thoughts on this lol
18-year-old Salem has just graduated high school but wonders how others have their future figured out because she certainly feels happy with her cat, living at her mom's house and working at her mom's story, with little to no plans in going to college, despite of multiple attempts to hop on the college route by her boyfriend Caleb. A new neighbor named Thayer who is 31 moves next door and seems to be angry at the world, and Salem aims to befriend him by bringing him cupcakes. Salem and Thayer are very aware of their age gap, but that doesn't make the attraction they have for each other vanish.
After I finish the book I grew a little anxious with that ending.. I don't understand why authors do this to us!!! Worth to mention that there are a few trigger warnings including abuse, death, and sexual assault.
I loved how real this felt, the story was written with characters that have flaws, have a dark past and I enjoyed how everything slowly came about. There is some spicey moments throughout the story but I think what outstands the most is the romance from the characters.
Salem and Thayer are both forced to experience trauma in a different way but nevertheless those events mark them for life. I appreciate how there wasn't much of a toxic relationship, and the fact that Caleb and Thayer are both so wonderfully qualified for Salem yet her heart only beats for Thayer and Thayer only. I feel like if I were in Caleb's shoes, I wouldn't have put up with so much but that guy is one in a million.
That slow burn was really killing me but what broke me the most was how I can see it being a real possibility that Thayer's actions are justified by grief, I mean it's REAL tough what he went through but really, after everything was fitting into pieces, I just couldn't.
Written in Salem's POV, I devoured every second of her relationship with Thayer because he sounds like the perfect man, I feel like if it was written in 2 POV everything would've been predictable.
There are a few spoilers, so skip them if you are not into spoilers.
*By 28% When the three of them are having dinner (Salem, Salem's mom and Thayer) and Salem just sends her mom up to bed just like that as if she's the parent. And I believe this was way before the mom was showing any signs of illness.
*I noticed a typo by 70% "I know, honey." She gives me hand a slight squeeze. I think she meant to say 'she gives MY hand a slight squeeze'
*I couldn't get over the "open your mouth" and he spits on her?? Idk? Is that attractive nowadays or am I boring???? Idk, many many thoughts on this lol
krystyn_reads's review against another edition
I couldn’t connect with the characters. Wasn’t a fan of the age of the FMC.
lenningmariah's review against another edition
1.0
A 17 year old and a 31 year olds love story?? This entire book made me nothing but uncomfortable.
Creepy vibes, no 31 year old should be falling in love with a god damn teenager. I got the "you're so mature for your age" vibes, and that is nothing but
Creepy vibes, no 31 year old should be falling in love with a god damn teenager. I got the "you're so mature for your age" vibes, and that is nothing but