A review by pageafter_paige
Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

I knew going into this book that most people love it and other don’t like it due to the toxicity at all. Well I figured I liked Chuck and Blair from gossip girl so this would be a love for me but I was wrong. Magnolia, and more specifically BJ, are abusive and manipulative toward each other and that all fine and good except it’s romanticized to the nth degree, and there’s nothing romantic about breaking your partner. I found some of this book triggering, especially BJ as he blames Magnolia for everything when it’s pretty clear he’s the root of the problem. Magnolia letting this abuse happen to her and thinking they’re fated hit too close to home since I’ve been in those power dynamic relationships in the past. This book wasn’t cute or fun, but it did have some nice quotes and Tom made it bearable. I will not be continuing the series. 
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