bookwormbetty's review against another edition
5.0
I finished this book but had to take some time to gather myself. Talk about the emotional ringer. Holy smokes. This book will give you the best book hangover, The angst on a scale of 1-10 is a 15. This is way more than what you think when you read the blurb, it is so much so. While the blurb is intriguing, it sells the book short, IMO. This book deals with such heavy topics such as mental illness, and suicide, as well as true and everlasting love. Yes its a tear jerker, but there is HEA so keep that in mind.
Carian Cole can write a book that stomps all over your heart, puts in back in and you thank her for it. This book was just what I was looking for. The pacing is wonderful, it takes place over a decade, and you really get to see the development of the characters and how they are, why they are like that, and so much more. This book will change you, and change how you look at certain subjects. This wasn't just a romance book, it was a learning experience.
Carian Cole can write a book that stomps all over your heart, puts in back in and you thank her for it. This book was just what I was looking for. The pacing is wonderful, it takes place over a decade, and you really get to see the development of the characters and how they are, why they are like that, and so much more. This book will change you, and change how you look at certain subjects. This wasn't just a romance book, it was a learning experience.
rockchickchickyrock's review against another edition
5.0
Omg! This is a real emotional rollercoaster of a book. But it has a lot of heart and substance. I have to admit I wasn't a fan of Blue to start with. But once I understood what his issues were, I couldn't help but root for him and Piper.
safehavenmeka's review against another edition
5.0
I truly loved this story. It was deep and gives a glance at how people with mental illness and drug abuse are struggling day to day but they can make it with the right support in their lives. It spoke to me. I love Carian Cole. I am a first-time reader of this author. It was the best decision EVER
pattymac61's review against another edition
5.0
This by far is one of my favorites of 2018. I’m not a big crier reading books unless they really pull that emotion from me, and this book did, plus a lot of other emotions. Blue/Evan and Piper want a different kind of couple they are, and there journey wasn’t easy at all. There story is emotional in good and bad ways, but in the end well I’m not going to tell you the end you have to read this book you wouldn’t be sorry!
mrose21's review against another edition
3.0
Quick Info
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?: No
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Blue/Evan
Piper
----------------------------------
What happens?
Piper is a stuck in a secretarial role working her butt off to keep herself occupied. She eats her lunch at a park and meets the beautiful tattooed musician disturbing her peace with his music. Intrigued by this tattooed stranger she befriends him and his dog and begins to realise that the world is slightly darker than she has always seen.
This begins to a decade long love affair with both Piper and Blue unable to let each other go.
Final thoughts
This is so instant love. I avoid YA because its usually riddled with it but sadly this has it too. I appreciated the author's trigger warning at the beginning of this book and I took that into account so I'm badly rating this or really averagely rating this because it is an average book to me. I don't want to say romantic because this isn't a romantic book I didn't feel all happy they got their act together or had sex for her first time in a park? It was weird and if I'm honest creepy not sexy and hot as it was meant to be.
The drugs and drinking don't bother me, just gives the character a flaw so more realistic but I just didn't like Blue. He was really weird even from the beginning and I wasn't invested in their weird relationship working out - it didn't even bother me that he was homeless; didn't bother me at all however he was homeless because he was a drifter and he didn't plan to stay around so you know this isn't going to go well. Its going to be bad.
I can't recommend this but if you do want something with a lot of emotional trauma this book may be up your street it just wasn't in mine.
Would I read again?: No thanks
Would I read this author again?: Maybe
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?: No
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Blue/Evan
Piper
----------------------------------
What happens?
Piper is a stuck in a secretarial role working her butt off to keep herself occupied. She eats her lunch at a park and meets the beautiful tattooed musician disturbing her peace with his music. Intrigued by this tattooed stranger she befriends him and his dog and begins to realise that the world is slightly darker than she has always seen.
This begins to a decade long love affair with both Piper and Blue unable to let each other go.
Final thoughts
This is so instant love. I avoid YA because its usually riddled with it but sadly this has it too. I appreciated the author's trigger warning at the beginning of this book and I took that into account so I'm badly rating this or really averagely rating this because it is an average book to me. I don't want to say romantic because this isn't a romantic book I didn't feel all happy they got their act together or had sex for her first time in a park? It was weird and if I'm honest creepy not sexy and hot as it was meant to be.
The drugs and drinking don't bother me, just gives the character a flaw so more realistic but I just didn't like Blue. He was really weird even from the beginning and I wasn't invested in their weird relationship working out - it didn't even bother me that he was homeless; didn't bother me at all however he was homeless because he was a drifter and he didn't plan to stay around so you know this isn't going to go well. Its going to be bad.
I can't recommend this but if you do want something with a lot of emotional trauma this book may be up your street it just wasn't in mine.
Would I read again?: No thanks
Would I read this author again?: Maybe
lisamh68's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the story. It was really long and I felt they spent more time apart then together. So many wasted years.
kallison25's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.5
4.5 stars!
Ya'll, I did not expect to love this as much as I did, but this was a RIDE! Blue and Piper had me upset, irritated, and ready to throw in the towel, but I was continually turning the page - hoping that somehow, someway, they would make it out together. I loved the way the author wrote these 2 people - flawed and beautiful at the same time. There was so much pain but also so much to say about love and life. The way mental health and addiction was tackled was great, and I closed this book feeling completely satisfied with the result. I will say that the book was a tad too long, and the spice was a little cringe, so I dropped the rating just a bit. But overall, well worth it!
Ya'll, I did not expect to love this as much as I did, but this was a RIDE! Blue and Piper had me upset, irritated, and ready to throw in the towel, but I was continually turning the page - hoping that somehow, someway, they would make it out together. I loved the way the author wrote these 2 people - flawed and beautiful at the same time. There was so much pain but also so much to say about love and life. The way mental health and addiction was tackled was great, and I closed this book feeling completely satisfied with the result. I will say that the book was a tad too long, and the spice was a little cringe, so I dropped the rating just a bit. But overall, well worth it!
lucy_qhuay's review against another edition
5.0
My first book by Carian Cole and it was beautiful! I loved everything from the writing, to the worldbuilding, the characters and their trajectories. Just marvellous! Emotionally draining as well, though.
I loved how unique Blue was, how tortured and broken, while at the same time so sweet and tender. Of course Piper would fall irrevocably in love and so did I. I admired her immensely for never giving up on him, because he sure made it difficult. Their love story was beautiful and excruciating and I wish they hadn't had to face so many losses. They deserved all the happiness in the world.
I commend the author for choosing the topic of mental illness and realistically portray all the struggles involved, not only for the mentally ill person, but to everyone involved.