The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
lindsmann's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Adelaide follows a 20-something American living in London as she navigates life and relationships.
^This is essentially all I knew about this book before going into it. Which, those that have read will know that isn't even the half of it.
^This is essentially all I knew about this book before going into it. Which, those that have read will know that isn't even the half of it.
This book gave me maaaajor It Ends With Us vibes, and I don't mean that as a compliment. Adelaide is a perpetual people-pleasing doormat of a person and I found it difficult to continue reading at times. Not because the subject matter itself was difficult but because Adelaide as a character was extremely frustrating.
And that just doesn't cut it for me. It made it feel wholly unbelievable that she would continue to put herself through all of Rory's shitty behavior. And maybe I'm naive or biased in this realm, but that was my perception.
I also feel like there was not one single chapter where she wasn't either crying or throwing up or both. And I'm just very not into the weak/ needs-a-man-to-swoop-in-and-solve-her-problems FMC trope.
Some might argue that's not what happens here, but Adelaide works on herself for like......5 pages before she finds Bubs on the apps again. So I think this qualifies.
Some might argue that's not what happens here, but Adelaide works on herself for like......5 pages before she finds Bubs on the apps again. So I think this qualifies.
All of the above being said, I did think the book was technically well written and it kept me engaged the whole time, so that's where the 3.5 rating is coming from.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Sexual assault
wellreadmegs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
I picked this book up on a whim at the library because I had seen it on bookstagram and had no idea what to expect - went into it blind and I'm so glad it did!
This book was a quick one to get through with short chapters and a really interesting narrative. Between flashbacks & foreshadowing, this book piques your interest. Adelaide and Rory's relationship was hot & cold & you felt every up and down. Her friends were incredible and we always love a book that features supportive female friendships.
This book was a rollercoaster but I enjoyed it all the same. The dark academia romance, the trials and tribulations of your 20s, & mental health discussions. The only thing that drove me nuts in the book was that the author used italics for dialogue instead of quotes so it made it confusing at times to understand what was being said by whom and whether it was actually being said or just a thought.
That drove me nuts. It was giving Normal People without the quotation marks.
This book was a quick one to get through with short chapters and a really interesting narrative. Between flashbacks & foreshadowing, this book piques your interest. Adelaide and Rory's relationship was hot & cold & you felt every up and down. Her friends were incredible and we always love a book that features supportive female friendships.
This book was a rollercoaster but I enjoyed it all the same. The dark academia romance, the trials and tribulations of your 20s, & mental health discussions. The only thing that drove me nuts in the book was that the author used italics for dialogue instead of quotes so it made it confusing at times to understand what was being said by whom and whether it was actually being said or just a thought.
That drove me nuts. It was giving Normal People without the quotation marks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape
Moderate: Rape, Miscarriage, and Death
Minor: Death of parent
booklvrkat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
“Because if we knew, if we honestly knew the price of love was grief, we'd never do it.”
We all know a Rory, the selfish boyfriend that pictures too prominently in this story. But more than that, we all know Adelaide, whether it’s us, or someone close to us, we know her. When I saw the cover, I was intrigued. When I read a couple of reviews, I knew I needed to read it. As a romance reader mostly, this book sucked me in, and I’ve had several days to sit and ponder it. Adelaide loves with her whole self, she doesn’t hold back, and that could be her undoing for the way she is taken advantage of. I must put it out there, this is NOT a love story, put it out of your mind. It’s a story of a woman that is faced with tragedy, ill-treatment, and left in the rain to cry her heart out. It is about breaking, and it is about healing after a long grieving period. When life kicks you in the butt, you learn that there are friends to help you pick up the pieces, and you don’t always have to do it on your own. The novel is a journey of self-discovery, anguish, love, and most of all learning to love again.
“You have to love freely, and unselfishly, and with intention... It's the only way.”
We all know a Rory, the selfish boyfriend that pictures too prominently in this story. But more than that, we all know Adelaide, whether it’s us, or someone close to us, we know her. When I saw the cover, I was intrigued. When I read a couple of reviews, I knew I needed to read it. As a romance reader mostly, this book sucked me in, and I’ve had several days to sit and ponder it. Adelaide loves with her whole self, she doesn’t hold back, and that could be her undoing for the way she is taken advantage of. I must put it out there, this is NOT a love story, put it out of your mind. It’s a story of a woman that is faced with tragedy, ill-treatment, and left in the rain to cry her heart out. It is about breaking, and it is about healing after a long grieving period. When life kicks you in the butt, you learn that there are friends to help you pick up the pieces, and you don’t always have to do it on your own. The novel is a journey of self-discovery, anguish, love, and most of all learning to love again.
“You have to love freely, and unselfishly, and with intention... It's the only way.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death, and Gaslighting
murve's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
TEAM ADELAIDE!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, and Grief
Moderate: Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Car accident, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Death, Mental illness, Sexual violence, and Chronic illness
e_simas's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
this book. was incredible. i teared up multiple times and i finished it in just over a day. i was enveloped with the first 50 pages and then flew through it the next time i had a free min. It really touches on complex relationships and i felt myself relating a little too much for my own comfort to know what happens with Rory Later down the line. and his terrible hypocrisy thats birthed from Adelaide’s deep and wholee extendive caring is painful This book was a 5-star read and its complex and beautiful in all the right ways.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
natashadb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
I feel so much for Adelaide. Not just about how much I love the book, but about Adelaide as a character. I relate so much to her that it broke my heart reading this. Her compassion and wanting to be there for EVERYONE. Take care of everyone. Fall head first into love.
I hope that everyone can find their family in friends like Madison, Celeste, and Eloise. That they can find their Bubs in a world full to the brim of Rorys.
I hope that everyone can find their family in friends like Madison, Celeste, and Eloise. That they can find their Bubs in a world full to the brim of Rorys.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Death, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gaslighting, Miscarriage, and Emotional abuse
frenandjen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Emotional abuse
mcfay's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
I'm here crying ugly crying and wondering to say about this book. Quite obviously loved it. I saw myself in Adelaide and was so heartbreaking to realize but cathartic to watch come to a conclusion. Cliche as it sounds things really will be alright and we just need to the light and the dark as they to us. This book is a book for our times and I think can find a bit of themselves in Adelaide as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Miscarriage, Rape, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
haleysversion's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Cursing, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Sexual assault, Car accident, Death, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Grief, and Mental illness
nikeeeeee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Definitely shed a few tears over this one, a hard--emotional read, but a good story about a girl who falls into toxic relationships and struggles with her mental health.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, and Sexual assault