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acourtofstarsandmoons's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was an enjoyable book but for many reasons it doesn’t hit higher than 3.5 for me.
One being the first 20% of the book, with Lennon’s insecurities a huge aspect of the book, was very very triggering for me. Being a bigger, bullied girl myself everything she said rang true - a little too true. Though I liked her mini glow up after the four year time jump it also felt a little gut wrenching for me. It was good for the character to become confident but it made me feel just that little bit shittier. But that’s a me problem.
I liked that this book straddled the line of dark/toxic and light. I’ve read much much worse than this in terms of dark and toxic but this still had elements of it that allowed me to be drawn in while also providing a strong emotional background that I don’t always read.
This book didn’t shock me with any of its ‘twists or turns’ but that also isn’t the goal of this novel. It’s a romance through and through, not a mystery.
I would recommend people read this book, it was emotional, the spice was great, there’s a HEA. I would just advise any curvy girls out there struggling as much as I still am with my insecurities, shame and self-hatred proceed with caution. This one hit me a lot.
One being the first 20% of the book, with Lennon’s insecurities a huge aspect of the book, was very very triggering for me. Being a bigger, bullied girl myself everything she said rang true - a little too true. Though I liked her mini glow up after the four year time jump it also felt a little gut wrenching for me. It was good for the character to become confident but it made me feel just that little bit shittier. But that’s a me problem.
I liked that this book straddled the line of dark/toxic and light. I’ve read much much worse than this in terms of dark and toxic but this still had elements of it that allowed me to be drawn in while also providing a strong emotional background that I don’t always read.
This book didn’t shock me with any of its ‘twists or turns’ but that also isn’t the goal of this novel. It’s a romance through and through, not a mystery.
I would recommend people read this book, it was emotional, the spice was great, there’s a HEA. I would just advise any curvy girls out there struggling as much as I still am with my insecurities, shame and self-hatred proceed with caution. This one hit me a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Violence, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
bbygirl21's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is an amazing book. The first 20 chapters were a bit slow for me and took a bit for me to get through them. Probably because I knew something bad was gonna happen to split the characters up. But when that happened and things started picking up I absolutely loved this book.
I really love characters for the most part as well. Each one has their asshole moments except for maybe the girls. I mean they can get pretty frustrating at times. But they didn't really do anything that's really mean(aside from the bullies like Sabrina and one of the groupies). The guys on the other hand, they're always being rude in some way, but for the most part they all care about the girls to some extent.
I did almost cry at multiple parts of this book. It was sad reading about Lennon Father. I loved how close Lennon is with her dad. And to see her struggle with his diagnosis throughout this book and watch him slowly deteriorate in front of her was heartbreaking.
One thing I really loved about this book was that Lennon really made Phoenix work for her forgiveness and that she didn't get back with him easily. This was really slow paced in every way. And while they may have sex together often they don't actually get together until near the end. Phoenix really had to work for Lennon's trust forgiveness and love again. Which was a great thing about this book. While I don't mind an easy forgiveness in a book when it makes the story fast, it's nice to read a book once in a while where the characters make reach other work for it.
It's safe to say I'd absolutely recommend this book. I was very hesitant to read this for to the fact I heard there was a cheating element to this story and I don't really like when the MC's cheat. But I actually really enjoyed this book. It is pretty slow going at first like I said, bit once you get through those first 20 chapters, everything from that point on is pretty go go go and there's hardly any breaks. There's always something happening. But that's another thing I loved about this book.
I really love characters for the most part as well. Each one has their asshole moments except for maybe the girls. I mean they can get pretty frustrating at times. But they didn't really do anything that's really mean(aside from the bullies like Sabrina and one of the groupies). The guys on the other hand, they're always being rude in some way, but for the most part they all care about the girls to some extent.
I did almost cry at multiple parts of this book. It was sad reading about Lennon Father. I loved how close Lennon is with her dad. And to see her struggle with his diagnosis throughout this book and watch him slowly deteriorate in front of her was heartbreaking.
One thing I really loved about this book was that Lennon really made Phoenix work for her forgiveness and that she didn't get back with him easily. This was really slow paced in every way. And while they may have sex together often they don't actually get together until near the end. Phoenix really had to work for Lennon's trust forgiveness and love again. Which was a great thing about this book. While I don't mind an easy forgiveness in a book when it makes the story fast, it's nice to read a book once in a while where the characters make reach other work for it.
It's safe to say I'd absolutely recommend this book. I was very hesitant to read this for to the fact I heard there was a cheating element to this story and I don't really like when the MC's cheat. But I actually really enjoyed this book. It is pretty slow going at first like I said, bit once you get through those first 20 chapters, everything from that point on is pretty go go go and there's hardly any breaks. There's always something happening. But that's another thing I loved about this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, and Abandonment
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
helica_la's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I truly enjoyed this book, I read the entire thing in one day. The sexual tension between the characters was believable. The problems characters faced real and not played for laughs or gimmicks. Even if some character were insufferable they were for the right reasons and it fleshed out their character more. I recommend it to anyone interested in an enemies-to-lovers story with good smut!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Drug use, and Violence
chelle22's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
beautyandthebookworms's review against another edition
4.75
somewhere in the 4+ star range ⭐️ close to 5 stars tho
~
✨two words: TRAUMA & DRAMA
~
(may edit later)
💙this is fast and nonstop pace book—although the book is long, it never felt like it
💙the book starts out with the main characters in their senior year of high school~ they connect through the fmc tutoring the mmc
💙then it jumps to 4 years later
💙it’s basically a ‘does he even know I exist’~to friends~to lovers~to enemies~to lovers
💙okay also this book in general is a WILD ride —reference the emphasis of ***trauma*** and ***drama*** a LOT happens and a LOT can be triggering so please read w/ caution (ie: child abuse, body dysmorphia, binge eating, bullying, drug use, addiction, grief, etc)
💙with all that being said, I cried cuz sad, but also giggled out loud more than once, and also CRIED for TEN mins at one part (this was at an endearing gesture, not a bad part) so this book gives you a lot of feels and books that make me feel so much are in a league of their own
💙you will get so much angst, great main and side characters… I got fully lost in this & didn’t wanna leave
➖things I’m docking points for➖
🖤I can’t remember what exactly—but it was in the beginning, when they’re still in high school, that the way that Lennon’s body was approached…I don’t know. There’s no way she’s the only plus sized person at the school and they bullied and ostracized her for her weight so badly and…I’m not sure. Just some part of the approach on it felt slightly off.
🖤it is a second chance romance & while it’s totally understandable that there’s mixed feelings about reconnecting & what not, it did bother me how hot and cold it could get abruptly if that makes sense—just like a lil bit…it wasn’t a big issue
🖤the ending did not feel complete & I was left wanting more. I know the book is already long af but the epilogue was like so quick & didn’t give us enough in my opinion. Like it was headed in the right direction, one quick 3 month jump and only like the smallest glimmer—what all happened!!! give us a novella for more or something 😭
~
✨I obviously have so much to say & I LOVED this book & I can’t wait to read more by the author, I’ll keep singing praises about this book & highly recommend y’all read it!!
~
🎧listened to audio & narrators were so good! 🎧
~
✨two words: TRAUMA & DRAMA
~
(may edit later)
💙this is fast and nonstop pace book—although the book is long, it never felt like it
💙the book starts out with the main characters in their senior year of high school~ they connect through the fmc tutoring the mmc
💙then it jumps to 4 years later
💙it’s basically a ‘does he even know I exist’~to friends~to lovers~to enemies~to lovers
💙okay also this book in general is a WILD ride —reference the emphasis of ***trauma*** and ***drama*** a LOT happens and a LOT can be triggering so please read w/ caution (ie: child abuse, body dysmorphia, binge eating, bullying, drug use, addiction, grief, etc)
💙with all that being said, I cried cuz sad, but also giggled out loud more than once, and also CRIED for TEN mins at one part (this was at an endearing gesture, not a bad part) so this book gives you a lot of feels and books that make me feel so much are in a league of their own
💙you will get so much angst, great main and side characters… I got fully lost in this & didn’t wanna leave
➖things I’m docking points for➖
🖤I can’t remember what exactly—but it was in the beginning, when they’re still in high school, that the way that Lennon’s body was approached…I don’t know. There’s no way she’s the only plus sized person at the school and they bullied and ostracized her for her weight so badly and…I’m not sure. Just some part of the approach on it felt slightly off.
🖤it is a second chance romance & while it’s totally understandable that there’s mixed feelings about reconnecting & what not, it did bother me how hot and cold it could get abruptly if that makes sense—just like a lil bit…it wasn’t a big issue
🖤the ending did not feel complete & I was left wanting more. I know the book is already long af but the epilogue was like so quick & didn’t give us enough in my opinion. Like it was headed in the right direction, one quick 3 month jump and only like the smallest glimmer—what all happened!!! give us a novella for more or something 😭
~
✨I obviously have so much to say & I LOVED this book & I can’t wait to read more by the author, I’ll keep singing praises about this book & highly recommend y’all read it!!
~
🎧listened to audio & narrators were so good! 🎧
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Violence, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
lifeofmavsgirl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Dementia, Car accident, Death of parent, and Abandonment
shaykay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
So I'm a sucker for a book that's about celebrities, and this one sounded so interesting! It follows a man who is a big rock star that ultimately chooses his career over everything, including the love of his life. We get to see his life both right when he met Lennon and fell in love with her, what caused him to walk away, and his life after he left her. Even though he ultimately gets everything he ever dreamed of, he spirals out of control and turns heavily to alcohol and drugs. Lennon, on the other hand, starts to flourish. She learned to be more confident in herself, and it was so much fun seeing the snippets of her time in college. Lennon and Pheonix end up falling in love in the last part of high school when she tries to help him with his English class so that he can graduate in time. She's always thought he was pretty and had a crush on him. But she was the victim of some horrible bullying and always looked in on the outside. On the other hand, Pheonix wasn't necessarily the popular kid; he was the mysterious singer whose appearance made him so attractive to the other kids.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse and Death
aalysad's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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
This book was absolutely perfect! The enemies to lovers trope was done so well and the spice 🤌🏻😍 there were so many emotions I experienced with this book. I loved every character so much. Every one of them had so much depth. The book was long, but I didn’t want it to end! The writing was truly beautiful. Also, I listened to the audio along with it and was not disappointed. 😏
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Self harm, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
kaileeledger's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Really enjoyed this story. The only reason I gave it 4/5 stars is because at points in the story it kind of dragged. It was a lot of back and forth “do I wanna be with him or do I not?” Without having a fair amount of plot to distract. Wasn’t a bad story, it was just a bit repetitive at times. Overall, I would recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, and Car accident
Minor: Child death and Toxic relationship
mjdedevis24's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol