cait's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Minor: Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Classism, Grief, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Alcohol, Cursing, Drug use, Bullying, Infidelity, and Toxic friendship
lineyadamek's review
Spoiler
Even before the family ruination/deaths, Nash is the most self righteous asshole. Blaming a literal 15 year old for not reporting her father for embezzlement when he’s the one who had the ledger full of proof? Using the term “teeny boppers”.Clearly the mom and the “uncle” were the actual criminals, her dad is being framed or at least scapegoated.
The miscommunication between the characters, the tortured hero who is actually just a jerk who gives to charity, the “I’m so smart” FMC. All of it drove me crazy. Finally had to DNF when we’re forced to read through both Nash AND Emery’s thoughts on The Little Mermaid and how Ariel shouldn’t have changed herself for a man. Give me a break and get on with the story!!
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
shaayyyz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, and Bullying
chloecarr's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Grief
only_mer's review
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Rape, and Physical abuse
Minor: Blood
lexizee's review
- 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
romance tropes: best friend's brother, enemies-to-lovers, age gap (10 years)
book type: standalone
point of view: 1st person, dual
it's an okay story. it's slow-paced but it's easy to read (for me, at least) so it only took me a day to finish. though, the writing is kind of comes out as pretentious at some parts, especially with the use of these random words.
the characters were infuriating at first, but then they grow on you after and i began to like them.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual assault
adult/minor relationship:Spoiler
added this warning because it was mentioned at the later part of the book that emery's mother had a secret relationship (even considers him as her high school sweetheart) with her health when she was in high school (16 years old) and got pregnant with emerySpoiler
able attempts to sexually assault/rape emery when they were alone together during the cotillion, but thankfully she knees him down therecriticalbooks's review
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Classism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Grief, Sexual assault, and Car accident
bibliophilecrocodile's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The story is soo much more than what's described in the blurb.
This book was exactly what it said it was, dark, the characters never changed, as in they didn't magically turn from their dark, broody selves into this sweet person as soon as they fell in love, nope they stayed the same, and I thought that was neat.
The plot was like that of a thriller novel and although we could guess what could happen, it was still a lot engrossing.
And yes there were Manyyyyy sus parts where I was like, wtf am I reading, but overall, this was a good read, do mind the content warnings, because it was dark romance read.
The dual POVs worked out well. Although I think the book was a bit longer than it should have been, the middle bits got a bit long and deep, but it wasn't boring to read, so I don't mind. Overall I don't regret that I picked up this book, got to read something really unique after a while.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Body shaming, Chronic illness, Drug use, Eating disorder, Medical content, and Medical trauma