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justjennykate's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
michaela_s's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
WARNING FOR SLIGHT SPOILERS
also I'm sorry in advance because this might read as a little harsh...
For me this read as a Wattpad story that the author wrote and then wanted to add more depth to so made the characters traumatised. I mean Bree literally went from having PTSD flashbacks/panic attacks every morning to suddenly not having them basically ever again after one night talking to/crying with Archer - unrealistic when you really think about the severity of Bree's PTSD. Same thing with Archer. He's experienced a SUPER traumatic event, lost his ability to speak, and largely been raised by a very paranoid uncle (and has been left to deal with it all for years with no support system), then goes away (spontaneously and by himself) for three months and has become so much more comfortable and confident within himself and society? To me it just didn't add up enough to be realistic; author missed a chance to provide accurate representation I think (it was obvious both characters realistically needed professional help). On top of that, why did Phoebe even exist? Author was relatively consistent with mentioning her in the first third but even then it was just a "I fed her", "I let her out to do her business," "I put her in my bike basket," or "I let her down to find the pups." It just felt unnecessary, and then from then on she's barely mentioned other than a "had to go let Phoebe out" or something of the kind every now and then - it just felt silly when that was all that was really said about the dog; I mean the one description we got was that she had "white fluff". Having Phoebe just felt random and something the author HAD to keep coming back to (it read as if the author forgot she existed and then every now and then remembered so added in "Anne was with her" or something like that).
also I'm sorry in advance because this might read as a little harsh...
For me this read as a Wattpad story that the author wrote and then wanted to add more depth to so made the characters traumatised. I mean Bree literally went from having PTSD flashbacks/panic attacks every morning to suddenly not having them basically ever again after one night talking to/crying with Archer - unrealistic when you really think about the severity of Bree's PTSD. Same thing with Archer. He's experienced a SUPER traumatic event, lost his ability to speak, and largely been raised by a very paranoid uncle (and has been left to deal with it all for years with no support system), then goes away (spontaneously and by himself) for three months and has become so much more comfortable and confident within himself and society? To me it just didn't add up enough to be realistic; author missed a chance to provide accurate representation I think (it was obvious both characters realistically needed professional help). On top of that, why did Phoebe even exist? Author was relatively consistent with mentioning her in the first third but even then it was just a "I fed her", "I let her out to do her business," "I put her in my bike basket," or "I let her down to find the pups." It just felt unnecessary, and then from then on she's barely mentioned other than a "had to go let Phoebe out" or something of the kind every now and then - it just felt silly when that was all that was really said about the dog; I mean the one description we got was that she had "white fluff". Having Phoebe just felt random and something the author HAD to keep coming back to (it read as if the author forgot she existed and then every now and then remembered so added in "Anne was with her" or something like that).
ALSO why does another hugely traumatic event happen in like the last chapter? Very interesting choice structure wise.
ALSO ALSO you'd think that a SUSPECTED MURDERER WOULD BE DETAINED?! So that was another unrealistic element for me.
Another thing that felt unrealistic was the extent to which Travis' mum hated Archer, like it was insane.
And OH MY LORD THE SMUT WAS HORRENDOUS
I am so sorry why was it literally a third of the book, vividly detailed EVERY TIME and JUST NON STOP.
But also people love this book and I think the fact it's helped so many people get back to reading should be acknowledged and praised :)
But also people love this book and I think the fact it's helped so many people get back to reading should be acknowledged and praised :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Gun violence
Minor: Rape
dragonlilly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.0
I enjoyed the first half a lot more than expected, but the second half sort of lost me just a bit. It was definitely written and structured well, I just wasn't a fan of certain scenes at the halfway point and after, as well as a scene around the end. Very interesting discussions on being mute and PTSD that are shown well, rather than just told, and I think this made the story very meaningful. I see why it is a popular story. It is an adult romance that is also pretty cute sometimes, but with a lot of TV show drama, which can be good or bad depending on the reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Rape
afrenette's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Gaslighting
Minor: Physical abuse and Sexual assault
deetabz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Blood, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
heftsi's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Great story, stupid ending. 2 stars off just for the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity, Blood, and Abandonment
Minor: Cursing and Classism
4wrice's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Medical trauma
wilderoo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I wanted to love this book — there were aspects of it with a lot of potential but I think Mia Sheridan missed the opportunity to make this book truly amazing.
The clear lack of understanding or knowledge on Deaf culture really bothered me. It was evident that the author had extremely limited understanding of *sign language* although it was a central component of the story. This could have been a great opportunity to bring deeper understanding to the Deaf community with the unique premise. Honestly choosing a compelling topic & not researching enough to accurately portray it is so lazy & one of my absolute biggest pet peeves with any plot (book or movie). Seriously, even just the fact that it’s never referred to as ASL — as if sign language is universal was such an ick for me!
I would have liked this book more if the narration was more balanced between Bree & Archer. I found myself disappointed every time I started another chapter that was still Bree’s POV. To be honest the writing was lackluster overall with so many unnecessary details that made it slower instead of more captivating.
Additionally, I got bored with the book when the repetitive & extended sex scenes took over the plot. With the length of the book I was expecting the characters to develop more than they did but there wasn’t space for that with all the intense infatuation / codependency.
The climax felt rushed & the twist was a little manipulative in my opinion. I was looking forward to a little more action but it was over so quickly. Felt like I got whiplash…
The Epilogue & extended Epilogue were cute but not necessary. I also don’t think I ever had a chance to care enough about Travis to interest me in an entire spinoff book about him.
least favorite phrases:
“long minutes”
“I brought my hands up…”
“he brought his hands up…”
“I brought my hands up…”
“he brought his hands up…”
jeez, we get it, you need hands to sign!
I can’t help feeling baffled at how many 5 star ratings this book has gotten.
The clear lack of understanding or knowledge on Deaf culture really bothered me. It was evident that the author had extremely limited understanding of *sign language* although it was a central component of the story. This could have been a great opportunity to bring deeper understanding to the Deaf community with the unique premise. Honestly choosing a compelling topic & not researching enough to accurately portray it is so lazy & one of my absolute biggest pet peeves with any plot (book or movie). Seriously, even just the fact that it’s never referred to as ASL — as if sign language is universal was such an ick for me!
I would have liked this book more if the narration was more balanced between Bree & Archer. I found myself disappointed every time I started another chapter that was still Bree’s POV. To be honest the writing was lackluster overall with so many unnecessary details that made it slower instead of more captivating.
Additionally, I got bored with the book when the repetitive & extended sex scenes took over the plot. With the length of the book I was expecting the characters to develop more than they did but there wasn’t space for that with all the intense infatuation / codependency.
The climax felt rushed & the twist was a little manipulative in my opinion. I was looking forward to a little more action but it was over so quickly. Felt like I got whiplash…
The Epilogue & extended Epilogue were cute but not necessary. I also don’t think I ever had a chance to care enough about Travis to interest me in an entire spinoff book about him.
least favorite phrases:
“long minutes”
“I brought my hands up…”
“he brought his hands up…”
“I brought my hands up…”
“he brought his hands up…”
jeez, we get it, you need hands to sign!
I can’t help feeling baffled at how many 5 star ratings this book has gotten.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Car accident, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
kamrynkoble's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
2.5
Seeing all of my friends’ ratings and reviews, I’m feeling a little crazy 😭 This one just did not work for me. I think I’m ending on a 2.5 star rating rounded down. I just physically cringed WAY too often for it to be anything higher.
I didn’t love the writing at all. I didn’t fall in love with the characters. The story was okay, but kind of meh. I found the style of sex scenes to be actually repulsive. My husband is tired of me reading the worst parts aloud to him.
My cousin Tori and I picked this as a buddy read and it was fun to discuss it with her! I had NO idea it was so sexual before going in. If you do not want graphic descriptions…this is not the book for you, lol. I wish I loved it but I am just not a fan.
Also, I wrote a novel with a mute main character. I did not like the way this author handled many, many parts and it makes me feel like she didn’t really talk to any people in the Deaf community or who use ASL to communicate. Maybe I’m wrong, but I was not impressed. Especially with the way Bree would talk about Archer as her “mute loner” and “beautiful silent man” or whatever BS she said. NOT A FAN.
I didn’t love the writing at all. I didn’t fall in love with the characters. The story was okay, but kind of meh. I found the style of sex scenes to be actually repulsive. My husband is tired of me reading the worst parts aloud to him.
My cousin Tori and I picked this as a buddy read and it was fun to discuss it with her! I had NO idea it was so sexual before going in. If you do not want graphic descriptions…this is not the book for you, lol. I wish I loved it but I am just not a fan.
Also, I wrote a novel with a mute main character. I did not like the way this author handled many, many parts and it makes me feel like she didn’t really talk to any people in the Deaf community or who use ASL to communicate. Maybe I’m wrong, but I was not impressed. Especially with the way Bree would talk about Archer as her “mute loner” and “beautiful silent man” or whatever BS she said. NOT A FAN.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Gun violence, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Rape
teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
2.5
I am really struggling with this one. It is a well loved book, but it was not for me. There was so much packed in, it took away from it. The characters were draining. Once I know they were in their early twenties, it made sense as to how they were acting. I think this could have been better done, but it lacked in big areas. It gives us background where we don't need it, and lacks it where we do. It doesn't really address the real problem. And the ASL did not feel authentic. Our problems get solved by running away?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Gun violence, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Abandonment
Minor: Mental illness, Terminal illness, Medical trauma, and Gaslighting