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perksofharriet's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-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? Yes
2.75
I had originally bought this book because of five feet apart and I thought ‘surely if I liked that then I’ll like this?’ And then I read this and knew there was a reason I DNF it the first time I tried to read it last year.
We start off the story with the main character, high school senior Kyle getting broken up with by his on again off again girlfriend Kim at their school prom. They get in to a fight over this while in Kyle’s car and end up getting in to an accident, caused by a freak storm. Kim dies and Kyle then has to learn how to live a life without Kim, and find out who he is as a person. At this point I already didn’t like Kyle that much as a character. He was whiny and selfish and unwilling to accept that as a person he’s problematic.
As the story unfolds and the next year of Kyle’s life progresses- he differs from UCLA, is healing from the accident, learning how to cope with his grief of losing Kim, trying to keep his friendship with his best friend Sam, trying to find out what he wants to do with the rest of his life. And then there’s Marley, the girl he meets at the graveyard where Kim is buried, where Marley’s twin sister is buried and they bond over their grief and trauma.
Over the next year of (sometimes too sickly sweet) friendship turned to a relationship both characters grow as people and learn to deal with their grief, and find new meanings in their lives. Which you know I’m all for a good character arch and redemption so I could get by with this. But it all seemed too good, too fanfictiony… and then the plot twist happened. And that’s when I just had to sit back and things ‘what have I just been reading?’.
All the progress, all the development that happens in the year after the accident is immediately undone. I thought the book had redeemed itself but I was wrong. Kyle becomes obsessive and deranged following the plot twist making him unlikeable as a character again. His loved ones and his health pushed aside to try and live up to his crazy dreams.
And then right at the end, in the very last few pages… another plot twist. I will admit it did have me a little bit teary eyed but again made me sit back and think. ‘What did I just read?’.
The book had so much potential to be better but with an unlikable main character, unnecessary plot twists and an… interesting conclusion it’s safe to say this was not my favourite thing I’ve read. Like I said it felt like a fan fiction. I suppose if you can get by all those things you might enjoy it but this book was not for me.
We start off the story with the main character, high school senior Kyle getting broken up with by his on again off again girlfriend Kim at their school prom. They get in to a fight over this while in Kyle’s car and end up getting in to an accident, caused by a freak storm. Kim dies and Kyle then has to learn how to live a life without Kim, and find out who he is as a person. At this point I already didn’t like Kyle that much as a character. He was whiny and selfish and unwilling to accept that as a person he’s problematic.
As the story unfolds and the next year of Kyle’s life progresses- he differs from UCLA, is healing from the accident, learning how to cope with his grief of losing Kim, trying to keep his friendship with his best friend Sam, trying to find out what he wants to do with the rest of his life. And then there’s Marley, the girl he meets at the graveyard where Kim is buried, where Marley’s twin sister is buried and they bond over their grief and trauma.
Over the next year of (sometimes too sickly sweet) friendship turned to a relationship both characters grow as people and learn to deal with their grief, and find new meanings in their lives. Which you know I’m all for a good character arch and redemption so I could get by with this. But it all seemed too good, too fanfictiony… and then the plot twist happened. And that’s when I just had to sit back and things ‘what have I just been reading?’.
All the progress, all the development that happens in the year after the accident is immediately undone. I thought the book had redeemed itself but I was wrong. Kyle becomes obsessive and deranged following the plot twist making him unlikeable as a character again. His loved ones and his health pushed aside to try and live up to his crazy dreams.
And then right at the end, in the very last few pages… another plot twist. I will admit it did have me a little bit teary eyed but again made me sit back and think. ‘What did I just read?’.
The book had so much potential to be better but with an unlikable main character, unnecessary plot twists and an… interesting conclusion it’s safe to say this was not my favourite thing I’ve read. Like I said it felt like a fan fiction. I suppose if you can get by all those things you might enjoy it but this book was not for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood
cakrolik's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
gabi_715's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident
Moderate: Death and Mental illness
abbyycadabbyy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This is exactly what I look for in romance. I want a romance in a book to have meaning. I want the characters to have a reason for meaning the 'right person at the right time.' I felt this book did a perfect job at the romance that I am looking for. Both the character needs the other in their time of loss and grief, but they both feel like they shouldn't for some reason or another.
I fell in love with Marley as a character. We get to meet her and see her at a super low point in her life. She starts to come out of her shell, she starts to come to terms with her grief. I feel like I am able to really relate to her character to some extent. Even after the twist in the end, I find myself loving her character even more.
I have read this book a few times and I have to say it is still as good as I remember. I have recommended this book to every friend that likes romance books. This book will always hold a special place in my heart.
I fell in love with Marley as a character. We get to meet her and see her at a super low point in her life. She starts to come out of her shell, she starts to come to terms with her grief. I feel like I am able to really relate to her character to some extent. Even after the twist in the end, I find myself loving her character even more.
I have read this book a few times and I have to say it is still as good as I remember. I have recommended this book to every friend that likes romance books. This book will always hold a special place in my heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicidal thoughts
itz_nini's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
lucys_library's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If you get to the half way point and are unsure, push on because the second half really does kick off!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Car accident
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