laurendavies443's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I LOVED this book, I literally didn’t want to put it down. The story was so captivating and I really enjoyed the twists!! I would definitely recommend this book.
However, there are some trigger warnings but they knowing them spoils the twists.
However, there are some trigger warnings but they knowing them spoils the twists.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Pedophilia, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Death, and Incest
micalacagle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Death, Suicide, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Trafficking
hailsatan's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Kidnapping, Rape, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, Hate crime, Pedophilia, and Police brutality
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Hate crime, Incest, Police brutality, and Kidnapping
katelynmill2's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
4.5
Look up trigger warnings.
I think this one of the better Colleen Hoover books I’ve read but it didn’t sweep me off my feet the way some of her other books have. It was sad at times, but I didn’t cry (even though I sure wanted to and at times I had a couple tears working their way up). I think the main reason it’s not a 5 star read for me is because it was just kinda.. predictable? I kind of knew a lot of the big “reveals” because of the foreshadowing. For example,
The first third of the book is spent building up Sky’s life and watching her make friends with Breckin and Holder. But once things speed up, Breckin and Six aren’t mentioned again until the last like 40 pages (this is a 406 page book, btw).
There were some problematic things in this book, like how Holder (and Sky) didn’t like crying because it was weak. I know this is realistic and toxic masculinity and all that but I just felt like it was such a useless theme to hold onto throughout the book (especially when both of the main characters went through a lot and really needed to feel their emotions.) It felt like it was used to connect the characters, too. Like Sky would try not to cry and then Holder would be like “it’s ok to be weak in front of me.”
Not to mention how Holder practically demanded she get on birth control and Sky had nothing more to say than “ok, I’ll get on it but you could ask nicely?”
Some people think this book felt far fetched but I didn’t. Things like this happen all the time in real life, as sad as it is to say.
However, I did really love the themes in this book. The idea that three people can experience the same thing and react in completely different ways (and I appreciated how none of the ways were judged.) I also loved how it indirectly talked about having an inner child, and how your experiences don’t define you, the way you react does. I liked how it talked about still finding the courage to smile even after everything you’ve been through and how important it is.
I think it’s hard to read about but I think it a real look on trauma and the many ways someone can handle trauma. It alludes to PTSD and disassociating, even though those two things are never specifically named.
Overall, I really did like this book and I actually do love the main characters, regardless of the fact that it doesn’t seem like I do.
I think this one of the better Colleen Hoover books I’ve read but it didn’t sweep me off my feet the way some of her other books have. It was sad at times, but I didn’t cry (even though I sure wanted to and at times I had a couple tears working their way up). I think the main reason it’s not a 5 star read for me is because it was just kinda.. predictable? I kind of knew a lot of the big “reveals” because of the foreshadowing. For example,
Spoiler
Sky doesn’t really ever want sex and disassociates when men kiss and touch her. Was definitely a red flag and confirmed my later suspicions. In the first flashback chapter, it says how as a child she was afraid of the doorknob turning at night. I put two and two together.The first third of the book is spent building up Sky’s life and watching her make friends with Breckin and Holder. But once things speed up, Breckin and Six aren’t mentioned again until the last like 40 pages (this is a 406 page book, btw).
There were some problematic things in this book, like how Holder (and Sky) didn’t like crying because it was weak. I know this is realistic and toxic masculinity and all that but I just felt like it was such a useless theme to hold onto throughout the book (especially when both of the main characters went through a lot and really needed to feel their emotions.) It felt like it was used to connect the characters, too. Like Sky would try not to cry and then Holder would be like “it’s ok to be weak in front of me.”
Not to mention how Holder practically demanded she get on birth control and Sky had nothing more to say than “ok, I’ll get on it but you could ask nicely?”
Some people think this book felt far fetched but I didn’t. Things like this happen all the time in real life, as sad as it is to say.
However, I did really love the themes in this book. The idea that three people can experience the same thing and react in completely different ways (and I appreciated how none of the ways were judged.) I also loved how it indirectly talked about having an inner child, and how your experiences don’t define you, the way you react does. I liked how it talked about still finding the courage to smile even after everything you’ve been through and how important it is.
I think it’s hard to read about but I think it a real look on trauma and the many ways someone can handle trauma. It alludes to PTSD and disassociating, even though those two things are never specifically named.
Overall, I really did like this book and I actually do love the main characters, regardless of the fact that it doesn’t seem like I do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Bullying
Moderate: Kidnapping, Sexual content, and Rape
Minor: Sexism, Addiction, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
hiraeth_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
i don't even know where to start with this book. one thing is sure and that is that i need a break from colleen hoover books, i can't do it anymore.
i honestly don't even want to go into it because it's mostly the usual stuff wrong with her books - problematic display of relationships and mental illnesses, toxic masculinity, token non-straight characters, her trying to be funny but failing, the mc being not like other girls etc. i know it's one of her earlier works but it's honestly scary how she hasn't changed/learned from some things. and can you imagine this being marketed as a young adult novel?? with very triggering sexual content, abuse, suicide etc.?? reading this was a roller coaster of being weirded out, cringing, rolling my eyes and just getting angry. especially the last quarter is just pure trauma porn and i almost dnf'ed it. wtf colleen.
do not recommend. 🙃
i honestly don't even want to go into it because it's mostly the usual stuff wrong with her books - problematic display of relationships and mental illnesses, toxic masculinity, token non-straight characters, her trying to be funny but failing, the mc being not like other girls etc. i know it's one of her earlier works but it's honestly scary how she hasn't changed/learned from some things. and can you imagine this being marketed as a young adult novel?? with very triggering sexual content, abuse, suicide etc.?? reading this was a roller coaster of being weirded out, cringing, rolling my eyes and just getting angry. especially the last quarter is just pure trauma porn and i almost dnf'ed it. wtf colleen.
do not recommend. 🙃
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Body horror
Moderate: Death of parent, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Rape, Kidnapping, Grief, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Sexism, and Suicide
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Misogyny, Addiction, and Alcoholism
carolineporterfield's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Minor: Abandonment and Addiction
zoemain's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.5
This book was absolute garbage! I cannot believe I’m saying this about a Colleen Hoover book, because I loved every minute of “Verity” and “It Ends With Us”, but HOOVER, what went wrong here?!
So putting aside the fact that Sky and Dean basically hook up while washing
SKY’S DAD’S
blood off of their bodies, because I don’t want to spoil any of the trashy plotline, there’s still a lot to address here.
For starters, the constant slut shaming throughout this novel is so weird! Sky adamantly declares every couple of pages that she is not a slut, lest the reader judge her harshly. The first thing Colleen wants you to know about Sky is that she is not a slut. In the span of first ten pages you’ll find these two quotes:
- “Despite what this may look like, I am not a slut. Unless, of course, the definition of slut is based on the fact that I make out with lots of people, regardless of my lack of attraction to them. In that case, one might have grounds for debate.”
- “This brings me back to the fact that, contrary to popular belief, I am not a slut. I’ve never had sex with any of the boys I’ve made out with, including the currently pouting Grayson.”
So putting aside the fact that Sky and Dean basically hook up while washing
Spoiler
blood off of their bodies, because I don’t want to spoil any of the trashy plotline, there’s still a lot to address here.
For starters, the constant slut shaming throughout this novel is so weird! Sky adamantly declares every couple of pages that she is not a slut, lest the reader judge her harshly. The first thing Colleen wants you to know about Sky is that she is not a slut. In the span of first ten pages you’ll find these two quotes:
- “Despite what this may look like, I am not a slut. Unless, of course, the definition of slut is based on the fact that I make out with lots of people, regardless of my lack of attraction to them. In that case, one might have grounds for debate.”
- “This brings me back to the fact that, contrary to popular belief, I am not a slut. I’ve never had sex with any of the boys I’ve made out with, including the currently pouting Grayson.”
So while we’re on the topic of girls hating girls, there are these hateful quotes as well:
- “Shayna/Shayla is everything I wish I were. Tall, voluptuous, and sun-kissed blonde…. maybe I don’t want to be that blonde.”
- “I just swiped my card and I’m almost positive she should be doing something on her end, but she’s too busy planning her wedding with this guy to remember she has a customer.”
- “Peppy, fake girls annoy the hell out of me.”
Also, Dean, the love interest, is a disaster. He’s, for one, a creep. Sky herself agrees. She states as much at the beginning of the book as Dean follows her to her car in the grocery store parking lot:
“There was something so disturbing about the way he looked at me. It was uncomfortable”.
Dean is also alarmingly possessive and violent:
- [After Dean refuses to leave Sky’s room, despite numerous requests for him to leave] “I don’t know if I should scream for help or rip off my clothes.”
- [After noticing Sky is wearing a new bracelet] “‘Where’d you get it?’ he says again, this time a little more demanding. His grip tightens around my wrist and he’s staring at me coldly, expecting an explanation. I pull my wrist away, not liking where this is going.”
- Dean: “‘I ever see him trying to touch you like he does and he’ll be reintroduced to my fist.'”
- “Shayna/Shayla is everything I wish I were. Tall, voluptuous, and sun-kissed blonde…. maybe I don’t want to be that blonde.”
- “I just swiped my card and I’m almost positive she should be doing something on her end, but she’s too busy planning her wedding with this guy to remember she has a customer.”
- “Peppy, fake girls annoy the hell out of me.”
Also, Dean, the love interest, is a disaster. He’s, for one, a creep. Sky herself agrees. She states as much at the beginning of the book as Dean follows her to her car in the grocery store parking lot:
“There was something so disturbing about the way he looked at me. It was uncomfortable”.
Dean is also alarmingly possessive and violent:
- [After Dean refuses to leave Sky’s room, despite numerous requests for him to leave] “I don’t know if I should scream for help or rip off my clothes.”
- [After noticing Sky is wearing a new bracelet] “‘Where’d you get it?’ he says again, this time a little more demanding. His grip tightens around my wrist and he’s staring at me coldly, expecting an explanation. I pull my wrist away, not liking where this is going.”
- Dean: “‘I ever see him trying to touch you like he does and he’ll be reintroduced to my fist.'”
But apparently Sky is okay with Dean’s aggression, because she partakes in it too:
- “Before [Dean] can leap across the table and beat the shit out of the guy, I do something that shocks even myself. I slap [Dean] as hard as I can across the face. He immediately pulls his hand to his cheek and looks at me, completely taken aback.”
Can I quickly mention that Sky and Dean had no real chemistry? They were so obviously just bonding over trauma.
I could keep quoting things what will make you gape down at your phone like “what the eff?” Or I could elaborate on the harmful stereotypes in this book, or I could attempt to summarise the wacky plot line, but I think you get the idea. Just don’t read this book!
But if you’re going to ignore my negative review, because after all, a lot of people seemed to like this book, at least don’t ignore my content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Violence
romanysky's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide attempt, Car accident, Death of parent, Homophobia, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Grief, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, and Sexual harassment
ferlo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Suicide, Rape, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
isabelv928's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Although I definitely saw parts of the ending coming, I didn't expect it to be quite so shocking. I was once again mind blown and heart aching over a Colleen Hoover book.
I thought it was really well written, although I did think it was slightly less gripping than her other books.
I thought it was really well written, although I did think it was slightly less gripping than her other books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Suicide
This book gets very intense, very quickly towards the end. I would take the content warnings and your current mental state into consideration when reading.