krisko_03's review against another edition
2.0
"Baby, all of these things make up who you are and I love every little thing about them."
This review is very tough for me to write because I want to be honest about my reading experience, but I don't like to be negative. Typically, if a book isn't for me, I will simply put it down and not rate or review it. However, I was given a copy of this book by the author through a blog I contribute to in exchange for an honest review, so I feel that it is important for me to record my thoughts here.
Little Things has a storyline and plot with great potential, but I just felt like it fell short in execution. The story starts out with the characters in high school. When I read the synopsis, I knew this would be the case. However, the first 35% of the book read very much like a YA novel, and I had a hard time relating to it and staying engaged. The next part of the book felt very, very different. It was almost like a different story altogether, and it was much darker than I expected. Please take the disclaimer about disturbing situations seriously, because there are some very dark and difficult parts to this book. I was very glad that Duke and Raya got a happy ending, but I almost felt like it was too good to be true after everything that happened in the book. I guess I just felt like the HEA happened too fast and that there were more issues that needed to be worked through before a happy ending would be possible. I felt like the telling of the story was very matter-of-fact and therefore I had a difficult time internalizing and identifying with the feelings and emotions that Raya and Duke experienced. It almost felt like I was told about rather than encouraged to experience the emotions of the characters. I never really felt satisfied with the timing in the story. Some of the transitions in the story seemed very abrupt to me. I liked that the playlist of current songs and authors was included in the book, but I felt like it did throw off the timeline of the story at times. Overall, I felt like this story had great potential but was in need of some editing in order to smooth transitions and evoke stronger emotion from readers.
This review is very tough for me to write because I want to be honest about my reading experience, but I don't like to be negative. Typically, if a book isn't for me, I will simply put it down and not rate or review it. However, I was given a copy of this book by the author through a blog I contribute to in exchange for an honest review, so I feel that it is important for me to record my thoughts here.
Little Things has a storyline and plot with great potential, but I just felt like it fell short in execution. The story starts out with the characters in high school. When I read the synopsis, I knew this would be the case. However, the first 35% of the book read very much like a YA novel, and I had a hard time relating to it and staying engaged. The next part of the book felt very, very different. It was almost like a different story altogether, and it was much darker than I expected. Please take the disclaimer about disturbing situations seriously, because there are some very dark and difficult parts to this book. I was very glad that Duke and Raya got a happy ending, but I almost felt like it was too good to be true after everything that happened in the book. I guess I just felt like the HEA happened too fast and that there were more issues that needed to be worked through before a happy ending would be possible. I felt like the telling of the story was very matter-of-fact and therefore I had a difficult time internalizing and identifying with the feelings and emotions that Raya and Duke experienced. It almost felt like I was told about rather than encouraged to experience the emotions of the characters. I never really felt satisfied with the timing in the story. Some of the transitions in the story seemed very abrupt to me. I liked that the playlist of current songs and authors was included in the book, but I felt like it did throw off the timeline of the story at times. Overall, I felt like this story had great potential but was in need of some editing in order to smooth transitions and evoke stronger emotion from readers.
emilyhei's review against another edition
4.0
When new student Raya walks into high schooler Duke Grayson's life, he knows there is something about her. While he is enjoying his girlfriend and life as a senior, there is a protective side he feels as a friend to Raya.
Raya is just biding time until she is eighteen and then she can get out of her home and take her mom with her. When a life shattering event happens on the eve of one of the happiest nights of Raya's life, she knows she has to run. Duke is willing to change everything to be by Raya's side and she can't let him do it. Six years later Raya is a shadow of herself and has lived through hell, Duke has never forgotten her. Seeing Duke again, Raya sees hope. Can she embrace a new future?
Haunting story, I thought this was an emotional rollercoaster. I loved all the characters, Raya is a survivor and I definitely shed a few tears during her journey. Completely unexpected, a bit dark but a stunning read.
Raya is just biding time until she is eighteen and then she can get out of her home and take her mom with her. When a life shattering event happens on the eve of one of the happiest nights of Raya's life, she knows she has to run. Duke is willing to change everything to be by Raya's side and she can't let him do it. Six years later Raya is a shadow of herself and has lived through hell, Duke has never forgotten her. Seeing Duke again, Raya sees hope. Can she embrace a new future?
Haunting story, I thought this was an emotional rollercoaster. I loved all the characters, Raya is a survivor and I definitely shed a few tears during her journey. Completely unexpected, a bit dark but a stunning read.
lifeinthebooklane's review against another edition
4.0
I'd not noticed the warning at the bottom of the blurb - and boy do you need to take notice of that warning. This book is VERY dark and has some horrific themes of abuse and sexual slavery, this is not the straight forward romance I had thought it would be. At one point I wondered if I really anted to keep reading this but I am glad I did. It is a well written, gripping, tense and pacey story with a lot of emotion and some excellent characters.
The start of the book reads like a new adult romance but it soon turns much darker. The connection between Duke and Raya was really nicely built in the first part of the story and they are both very likeable characters. They are a little immature at times but this reflects their young age and makes the story work. Towards the end of the book it is clear that they are more mature and different people than when they first met, but the author manages to keep their personalities 'true'. I liked the dual POV style, both as it allowed us to know what was happening in both their lives whilst they were apart and also to 'hear' their viewpoint.
I was disappointed that Raya's recovery was all seen from Duke's POV. Experiencing her emotional and mental battle through her thoughts and feelings would, for me, have pushed the book into the 5 star category. There was a virtual 180 degree turn in her attitude with no exploration of how or why. There were also a couple of other times where I would have liked a little more focus on the emotions and emotional struggles of characters in the book, but then I personally like a book that makes me cry as well as feel happy.
I will read more books by this author, she is a talented writer and knows how to spin a good tale
The start of the book reads like a new adult romance but it soon turns much darker. The connection between Duke and Raya was really nicely built in the first part of the story and they are both very likeable characters. They are a little immature at times but this reflects their young age and makes the story work. Towards the end of the book it is clear that they are more mature and different people than when they first met, but the author manages to keep their personalities 'true'. I liked the dual POV style, both as it allowed us to know what was happening in both their lives whilst they were apart and also to 'hear' their viewpoint.
I was disappointed that Raya's recovery was all seen from Duke's POV. Experiencing her emotional and mental battle through her thoughts and feelings would, for me, have pushed the book into the 5 star category. There was a virtual 180 degree turn in her attitude with no exploration of how or why. There were also a couple of other times where I would have liked a little more focus on the emotions and emotional struggles of characters in the book, but then I personally like a book that makes me cry as well as feel happy.
I will read more books by this author, she is a talented writer and knows how to spin a good tale
lexilove13's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book! Madison Street did an amazing job! The story line and characters were well written and I was hooked from page one!
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