maryjames's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse and Cursing
Minor: Physical abuse
meeklovestoread's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
I liked their love story. How they met, the journals, his letters, etc. I liked Atlas, but there were times in the book where I would side-eye him. I don't feel like love should be so codependent like it was. I feel like he was just too obsessive if that makes sense, but I guess that's just how Colleen writes her love stories. But it was obvious that he adores her and cares for her and would travel the end of the Eartg for her. I just felt like it was a little too over the top and a little cheesy at times.
Also, this is probably just me but I didn't like how adamant he (Atlas) was about seeing her journals in the beginning. She didn't owe him her personal thoughts.
Aiside from my personal feelings for what I felt she should've intially done, I still loved Lily through and through and I do understand every decision she made. I know how hard it would've been to report Ryle and I understand her wanting Emerson to have a good relationship with her Dad. I found it so beautiful how much love she has for Emerson.
I also did like the side plot that Atlas had. Him forming a relationship with and his friendships with his crew. Plus the interaction with his mom. I do feel like some parts were rushed though or just left unfinished Just many parts of this book were not satisfying enough for me.
I also admire that Colleen didn't go out of her way to make Ryle sympathetic. What he did was wrong through and through. And I don't doubt Ryle still cares for Lilly and Emerson, but honestly he needs to deal with himself before he can be around his kid. And honestly that's sorta of the reality with many abusers. And I feel as if because Ryle didn't really receive major repercussions for his actions that it's not daunting on him that what he did was wrong. I'm not mad that Ryle was the "villian" of the story cuz honestly he was a creep from the get go.
I'm so glad Lily had so many supportive people in her corner because I'm not gonna lie I was pretty reluctant towards her friendship with Alyssa and Marshall. They seem neutral in the matter, but I had a feeling that if pushed came to shove their loyalty would've went to Ryle and I was afraid of that. I'm happy they chose Emerson at the end of the day. But honestly if I were Lily I couldn't be friends with neither Marshall or Alyssa. They still seem to have a bond with Ryle that they're not willing to break. Like I really side-eyeing Alyssa when Ryle showed up unannounced to her flower shop and Alyssa didn't even give her the courtesy of warning her. Lily needs friends SEPERATE from Ryle. I've seen that's also a common pattern in Colleen's book as well.
To be honest some parts made me cringe and a little felt forced. Overall I liked it. It was a nice story.
Also, this is probably just me but I didn't like how adamant he (Atlas) was about seeing her journals in the beginning. She didn't owe him her personal thoughts.
Aiside from my personal feelings for what I felt she should've intially done, I still loved Lily through and through and I do understand every decision she made. I know how hard it would've been to report Ryle and I understand her wanting Emerson to have a good relationship with her Dad. I found it so beautiful how much love she has for Emerson.
I also did like the side plot that Atlas had. Him forming a relationship with
Spoiler
his brother, JoshSpoiler
like the part where Atlas finally lays the law on his mom. I felt like that conversation could've been a little longer. And also Josh and Atlas going to find Tim felt pretty anticlimactic. And them moving in and getting married. Also Ryle's intervention thing also felt rushed. I was expecting more. Same feelings as well when we get to the part where Ryle and Atlas are in the alley.I also admire that Colleen didn't go out of her way to make Ryle sympathetic. What he did was wrong through and through. And I don't doubt Ryle still cares for Lilly and Emerson, but honestly he needs to deal with himself before he can be around his kid. And honestly that's sorta of the reality with many abusers. And I feel as if because Ryle didn't really receive major repercussions for his actions that it's not daunting on him that what he did was wrong. I'm not mad that Ryle was the "villian" of the story cuz honestly he was a creep from the get go.
I'm so glad Lily had so many supportive people in her corner because I'm not gonna lie I was pretty reluctant towards her friendship with Alyssa and Marshall. They seem neutral in the matter, but I had a feeling that if pushed came to shove their loyalty would've went to Ryle and I was afraid of that. I'm happy they chose Emerson at the end of the day. But honestly if I were Lily I couldn't be friends with neither Marshall or Alyssa. They still seem to have a bond with Ryle that they're not willing to break. Like I really side-eyeing Alyssa when Ryle showed up unannounced to her flower shop and Alyssa didn't even give her the courtesy of warning her. Lily needs friends SEPERATE from Ryle. I've seen that's also a common pattern in Colleen's book as well.
To be honest some parts made me cringe and a little felt forced. Overall I liked it. It was a nice story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cursing
sierrabedwell's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I liked this book. It wasn’t as good as the first one because there wasn’t really a plot. The point of the book (in the words of Colleen Hoover herself) was to see Lilly and Atlas happy, and that’s what this book was. I was happy with it and it was a comfort read to see the characters happy. I don’t have any complaints other than the cheesy lines that were here and there. I don’t really think this book NEEDED to be written but it was a nice wrap-up to the first one.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Cursing, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Domestic abuse
birtch's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Gaslighting
eabh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? No
3.0
A sweet, predictable, cheesy follow up to IEWU. I liked the story line in this one. Lots of make you smile moments! I wish the characters and relationships were more complex/ developed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Physical abuse
Minor: Addiction
a_rock_to_live_under's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
- Abuse isn't portrayed as acceptable in this book, and Lily realizes how abusive her ex was.
- Better than the first book in terms of controversy.
- Very slow paced, and lacked any real drama.
- Good ending, but very expected outcome without any real flavor.
- The climax was near nonexistent because it was so short, as was every other major plot event.
- Better than the first book in terms of controversy.
- Very slow paced, and lacked any real drama.
- Good ending, but very expected outcome without any real flavor.
- The climax was near nonexistent because it was so short, as was every other major plot event.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, and Sexual content
_rae6021's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Overall alright read, not as good as the first one. Was quite long winded and seemed at a loss for storyline at times it seemed like they were just tryna keep the book going when it didn’t need to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Child abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Injury/injury detail, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Cursing
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Rape, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Injury/injury detail, and Bullying
Abuse retelling snot as graphic as first book. 3 chapters of soft smut give or take a bit.n1amh5319's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is as Hoover describes- a lovable book that gives you exact what you want. If the first book breaks you down, the second builds you back up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Cursing and Gaslighting
Minor: Alcohol and Alcoholism
tanvi45's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Child abuse
Moderate: Gaslighting and Domestic abuse
_mariethln's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Blood, Cursing, Child abuse, and Toxic relationship