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abidavisf's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Books about college are also so wild to me because what do you mean these 18-year-olds know how to function as fully-fledged adults? I guess that’s why they call it fiction.
Say You Swear was a rollercoaster. I almost DNF’d it at the beginning, confused by the abundance of characters and how they relate to each other, as well as the chaotic storylines. A LOT happened at the beginning, and not a lot of it, looking back, was necessary. It felt slightly like an idea dump that was intended to be edited and removed from later but was forgotten, or that all of the ideas are there as Easter eggs for later books which was just too much. It also felt like I’d stepped into the middle of a series and was supposed to instantly know who each character is, how they know one another and all of their past traumas. It was a lot. Much of the plot was predictable too.
That being said, as the story progressed, particularly as Arianna and Noah grew closer and the story revolved more around them than everybody else, the book really improved. It was easier to focus, and I was consequently more invested in the story, mostly Noah’s storyline in all honesty. Though I love Ari, there is only so much Chase I can read about.
I love Cameron and wish she’d had more of her own plot as the book progressed. What happened with Trey? How does she feel about Mason etc? I’m assuming Mason and Brady will get their own books but I would have also liked to have seen more of them. Mason had a lot of page time but as Ari’s brother, so it would be interesting to see him as an individual. Clearly, he is a bit of a womaniser and also in love with Payton so that could be intriguing to observe.
Noah’s storyline was tragic and beautiful. That was very well-thought out. I still have a lot of questions about him, but I think it was evident as we got through the book that we knew what we needed too I understand him fully, and I hope that anybody with even an ounce of Noah’s heart in this world gets their happy ending.
Say You Swear was a rollercoaster. I almost DNF’d it at the beginning, confused by the abundance of characters and how they relate to each other, as well as the chaotic storylines. A LOT happened at the beginning, and not a lot of it, looking back, was necessary. It felt slightly like an idea dump that was intended to be edited and removed from later but was forgotten, or that all of the ideas are there as Easter eggs for later books which was just too much. It also felt like I’d stepped into the middle of a series and was supposed to instantly know who each character is, how they know one another and all of their past traumas. It was a lot. Much of the plot was predictable too.
That being said, as the story progressed, particularly as Arianna and Noah grew closer and the story revolved more around them than everybody else, the book really improved. It was easier to focus, and I was consequently more invested in the story, mostly Noah’s storyline in all honesty. Though I love Ari, there is only so much Chase I can read about.
I love Cameron and wish she’d had more of her own plot as the book progressed. What happened with Trey? How does she feel about Mason etc? I’m assuming Mason and Brady will get their own books but I would have also liked to have seen more of them. Mason had a lot of page time but as Ari’s brother, so it would be interesting to see him as an individual. Clearly, he is a bit of a womaniser and also in love with Payton so that could be intriguing to observe.
Noah’s storyline was tragic and beautiful. That was very well-thought out. I still have a lot of questions about him, but I think it was evident as we got through the book that we knew what we needed too I understand him fully, and I hope that anybody with even an ounce of Noah’s heart in this world gets their happy ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
booksense's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
vettechmama3's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-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
3.75
I really enjoyed this storyline as a whole and I adored Noah and Ari. Their relationship is beautifully built and made me feel good. I really liked most of the main, main characters. But there were SO many side people that I honestly had a hard time keeping up with them. I also want to mention how not prepared I was for the whiplash of this book. There is so much going on that it made me like it a little less. If book 2 is about twin brother Mason, I'm here for it and think I already know how it's going to go, but nonetheless am looking forward to more of the group.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
bookishbinks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
it's like watching a shitty reality show that you know is objectively terrible and yet you can't stop watching.
fave quote has got to be "He played puppet with your puss, didn’t he?" simply bc of how strongly i physically recoiled after reading it.
also: fuck chase dude that guy's a pick-me loser
fave quote has got to be "He played puppet with your puss, didn’t he?" simply bc of how strongly i physically recoiled after reading it.
also: fuck chase dude that guy's a pick-me loser
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
ginnypie's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Okay I have had a bit of time to digest this novel and I have many many thoughts I was given very high expectations due to review which this book fell short of, but there was a LOT going on. This was one of the most emotionally devesatating but also extremely melodramatic and soap opera-y books I've ever read.
Characters:
Noah Riley, the man that you are! I have never felt the innate desire to protect a male main character like this before. HE was a little too perfect, I do wish he had any support system at all that would've made him more than just Ari's boyfriend.
Ari, overall a very sad and sweet character seeing her heal with Noah after her heartbreak was very lovely. However, I wish she was written with a lick of common sense and that her development wasn't linked so closely with Noah.
Also I won't lie the running away from conflict was 1.) relatable 2.) so frustrating to read about, this character is supposed to be working on herself but wasn't written to show that she was growing. She kept doing the same selfish behaviors over and over and it became hard to root for her at a point. Especially when she caused harm to Noah and Chase and wasn't really punished by the narrative
Chase: overall a decent character, but his actions in the third act are deplorable and manipulative and I don't think it was called out by the narrative.
I am not getting into any of the numerous side characters because there are too damn many!! Which was a negative because the first third was hella confusing and took a 2 month break because of it.
Plot: This all takes place from like June - January of the Ari's freshman year of college. And centers around a tightknit group of lifelong friends journey in adulthood. But it is mostly about the 6 worst months of this girls life. She is heartbroken and then mends her heart and then a lot of shit happens to her and noah consecutively. There is a lot of trauma that happens to her in a short time period in the last 200 pages, and it honestly felt like 2 different books.
also if even one single main character had a fully developed frontal love this book would be so much shorter.
We are told and not shown a lot of the bonds between these lifelong friends
Tone: This book was so gloomy except for the parts with Noah and the last 200 pages, If that was intentional that is so smart, if not it was definitely a bummer to read.
Overall: I will never read a man like Noah Riley again, I deeply love that character, even though he is not without fault. Ari was also great but I wish her character growth was more cohesive. The number of side characters was aggravating and detracted from the story. Also this felt like two different stories. And this book did not need to be as long as it was. 3.5/5
also fucking in the gym is diabolical????? yall are going to get RINGWORM
Characters:
Noah Riley, the man that you are! I have never felt the innate desire to protect a male main character like this before. HE was a little too perfect, I do wish he had any support system at all that would've made him more than just Ari's boyfriend.
Ari, overall a very sad and sweet character seeing her heal with Noah after her heartbreak was very lovely. However, I wish she was written with a lick of common sense and that her development wasn't linked so closely with Noah.
Chase: overall a decent character, but his actions in the third act are deplorable and manipulative and I don't think it was called out by the narrative.
I am not getting into any of the numerous side characters because there are too damn many!! Which was a negative because the first third was hella confusing and took a 2 month break because of it.
Plot: This all takes place from like June - January of the Ari's freshman year of college. And centers around a tightknit group of lifelong friends journey in adulthood. But it is mostly about the 6 worst months of this girls life. She is heartbroken and then mends her heart and then a lot of shit happens to her and noah consecutively. There is a lot of trauma that happens to her in a short time period in the last 200 pages, and it honestly felt like 2 different books.
also if even one single main character had a fully developed frontal love this book would be so much shorter.
We are told and not shown a lot of the bonds between these lifelong friends
Tone: This book was so gloomy except for the parts with Noah and the last 200 pages, If that was intentional that is so smart, if not it was definitely a bummer to read.
Overall: I will never read a man like Noah Riley again, I deeply love that character, even though he is not without fault. Ari was also great but I wish her character growth was more cohesive. The number of side characters was aggravating and detracted from the story. Also this felt like two different stories. And this book did not need to be as long as it was. 3.5/5
also fucking in the gym is diabolical????? yall are going to get RINGWORM
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Death of parent
Moderate: Death
Minor: Miscarriage
dmchesher's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
alexis_michelle's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-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
4.75
Definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year. My heart truly broke for Noah. I was heartbroken for Arianna too, but Noah had to deal with everything all on his own, that really struck a chord with me. He is truly the greenest of green flags, and the way in which he loved Ari was so pure. I wasn’t entirely sold on her feelings for him at first, I definitely felt like he loved her way more than she did him. However, the end where she recreated all the special moments they missed was actually so heartwarming. I do wish we would’ve had more time with them at the end, reconnecting as a couple and healing together from everything they went through.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Miscarriage, Car accident, and Death of parent
mayareads4fun's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I went into this hoping to love it but it fell flat for me. There were like 19 characters to remember, which was overwhelming, and I don't think I cared much if they got together at the end. I will say that Noah Riley is the blueprint for how to effectively communicate in a relationship.
Also ... did these people ever go to class?????
The stars are exclusively for Noah swinging on Chase and Noah's mom
Also ... did these people ever go to class?????
The stars are exclusively for
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcohol
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage, Vomit, and Pregnancy
clara01's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I loved this book, Arianna and Noah are just perfect.
I highly recommend this book especially if you want a romance that will tug on your heartstrings.
Also for a sneaky peak of their future read Not So Merry Memories by Meagan Brandy
I highly recommend this book especially if you want a romance that will tug on your heartstrings.
Also for a sneaky peak of their future read Not So Merry Memories by Meagan Brandy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Miscarriage
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Pregnancy
escapeoffreality's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was soooo sweet, cute, funny, emotional and I loved it soooo much!!! Like it has everything you are looking for in a romance book, I mean there are some characters you might don’t like buttt the main couple is just it. They show how a real, honest and healthy relationship is supposed to be. All in all I love this book and I can definitely say it’s one of my favourites, especially the main characters Noah (who is basically a perfect boyfriend and person) and Ari (who is just amazing and so relatable) and also Cam (who is the perfect bestie and such a girls girl), I mean the other characters are also amazing but these three were my favourites!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Medical content, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail