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jen1804's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Damon has obviously committed a lot of really bad shit and we cannot excuse some of his behaviour, but this book does an excellent job of exploring his past trauma and layering the reasons behind his decisions. It is heartbreaking to read at times, nobody deserves the childhood that he had.
I absolutely adore his and Winter’s story, the secrecy of their earlier relationship when Winter didn’t know who he was, because he was scared she would hate him if he revealed his identity which is heartbreaking, but the scenes were so beautiful - the driving of the car, the motorcycle ride. I also love that they have this back story from when they were kids, with the fountain and the tree house and how it all comes full circle when they’re older.
I really loved the internal struggle between Winter and Damon, with the slow burn enemies to lovers and them finally giving into each other. I think it made it spicier at times too. I love that they are both each other’s downfalls and yet each other’s saviours. Damon’s confession of his feelings toward Winter was so beautiful. And the fucking poem behind her name and then his tattoo of the decaying snowflake, omg send help I am dead. And the note he leaves her in fucking braille. Stop it!
The disability of Winter being blind is really beautifully explored in this book actually and I just loved it so freaking much. The descriptions of her listening to the rain, the snow, chef’s kiss, her feeling her sandpaper markers on the floor so that she can still dance and do what she loves. There’s kind of a story within this story of self acceptance and how Winter loves how her other senses are enhanced, she also doesn’t let it stop her from doing anything. There are definitely times when her blindness is taken advantage of don’t get me wrong, but I loved how Winter had people who were there for her and took care of her, being her eyes for her when she needed.
Add to the story how Damon finally gets his group of friends back and my heart is happy, thank god because by the end of book 2 I was feeling sad for him, he needs them! Though perhaps he defo needed to do more grovelling than he did…
I loved the further layers about Damon and Will’s friendship too. I think the scene of the car underwater and Will essentially having a panic attack as it brought back the trauma of drowning in the first book was really beautifully done too, with him being calmed by both Damon and Winter. And Damon’s inner turmoil about what his friend has been through knowing that he’s responsible.
Overall a really good book with some extremely complex themes. It’s not a 5/5 for me but it gets a well rounded 4.
Satisfactory ending? Yes.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Medical content, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
dianasofia8's review against another edition
- 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: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
jlaz_13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Abandonment
Moderate: Infidelity, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Pregnancy
coligmueller's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
lenavejar's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Domestic abuse, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
lilydoyle6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Kidnapping
thxrsdays'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
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Kidnapping
mc10's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I loved Damon. I knew he was going to be redeem and I hope we would get reasons behind his actions. I liked that we saw that through his thoughts and some of is interactions but I also wanted him to open up a bit and explain himself to his chosen family. I loved him and Will and I loved him and Winter, and even Winter by herself. I don't know if the author did a good job of narrating her perspective but I just felt so much empowering from her. I know I don't like that word, and those type of characters that are really in your face about how badass they are. Maybe because I don't feel a lot like that. I still liked how there were no limits to her and how Damon helped her.
I can't believe we didn't get more scenes about what went down with Will and Damon, though. I was really hoping that would happen and when it did I just loved that they had each other even when they wanted someone else. At leas it wasn't all shallow. Loved them.
And I can't believe Penelope went for the domesticity right away with Kai and Damon. I like the happy ever after but not right now. They're so young. Not that they can't want that, it just makes me think about what I would want if I were them and children just scare me. I hope we get their stories and I know thy will be kinky and a handful with the parents they have. They all deserve to have crazy children with all the stuff they do without thinking of the consequences. They're entitled and they know it and enjoy it. It's a good fantasy and makes good material for a story but, man, I would hate them in real life.
Ans this is the review I write when I know no one is going to read it.
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Kidnapping