Scan barcode
dianaschmidty'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Infidelity, Police brutality, Grief, and Stalking
Minor: Miscarriage, Abortion, and Death of parent
teachreadrepeat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
First and foremost, let's get the elephant out of the way. There are graphic, on-page depictions of DV and SA throughout a large portion of this book. This violence is not between the end game couple and is very difficult to stomach, so take care of yourself while reading this one if it's a trigger for you. However, I am so impressed with Ryan's ability to shed light on this very real issue with such care and dignity for victims. DV is an issue that still goes largely ignored and is so often twisted by a society of people who have never experienced it themselves and are unwilling to empathize with those who have. While these scenes are challenging to get through, I think Ryan did a phenomenal job of digging deep into the manipulation tactics that often keep partners trapped in this cycle of abuse. I hope this book also helps victims reconcile what has happened to them OR helps them finally find the courage and ability to walk away for good.
Next, let's discuss August. Oh my good golly gosh!! He is seriously the perfect "man written by a woman." Basketball is one of my favorite sports and it was refreshing to read a sports romance that wasn't hockey (even though I do love me some ice boys as well). August's devotion to Iris was beautiful and heartwrenching and the long journey to the HEA was well worth it in the end.
This book earned 4.5 stars from me simply due to the amount of typos/errors in the KU digital version I read. Even so, I am very excited to continue reading the rest of this series!!
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Confinement, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Blood, Police brutality, and Abandonment
shaipanda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
That being said though the book is also amazing and thought it was incredibly well done for the super heavy topics it covers
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, and Pregnancy
Minor: Infidelity
andycob's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Abortion