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A review by sharshell
Unwanted by Marley Valentine
3.0
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
3.5 STARS
UNWANTED is the first installment in The Unlucky Ones series. If you've read Ache, you know who Frankie is. You don't have to read it to read this book but I highly recommend because it was a fantastic read.
Frankie and Arlo grow up in foster care being shuffled from one house to the next until they both get sent to a group home. They find a love in each other through that bond. When Arlo chooses drugs Frankie did what best for Arlo and put him into rehab. Frankie then had to do what was best for him and move away from his family and Arlo with no contact. Four years later, Lennox, Frankie's brother, has an accident that land him in the hospital Frankie knows he needs to be there but can he face Arlo and all that was left unsaid between them?
Arlo holds resentment against Frankie for not being there when he came out of rehab. He felt when he needed him the most he wasn't there. Arlo holds on to that anger after all these years and seeing Frankie again at the hospital Arlo fears for his sobriety and falling back to the coping skills he used in the past.
I wanted to love this book. I tried so hard but I just couldn't get there. The ease at which they fell back together with so much baggage between them, without so much as a real conversation. Frankie's voice wasn't ever really heard, which confused me seeing as this was supposed to be his book. I never got to feel the pain and sadness Frankie had over moving to another city and making a life. He loved Arlo but moved for both their sakes and I just never felt that anguish. The connection between Rhys Samuel and Lennox was immediate and confusing. I never felt that deep connection to any of the characters that I normally get with a Marley Valentine read. I'm sad and disappointed I didn't love this one as much I wanted to.
3.5 STARS
UNWANTED is the first installment in The Unlucky Ones series. If you've read Ache, you know who Frankie is. You don't have to read it to read this book but I highly recommend because it was a fantastic read.
Frankie and Arlo grow up in foster care being shuffled from one house to the next until they both get sent to a group home. They find a love in each other through that bond. When Arlo chooses drugs Frankie did what best for Arlo and put him into rehab. Frankie then had to do what was best for him and move away from his family and Arlo with no contact. Four years later, Lennox, Frankie's brother, has an accident that land him in the hospital Frankie knows he needs to be there but can he face Arlo and all that was left unsaid between them?
Arlo holds resentment against Frankie for not being there when he came out of rehab. He felt when he needed him the most he wasn't there. Arlo holds on to that anger after all these years and seeing Frankie again at the hospital Arlo fears for his sobriety and falling back to the coping skills he used in the past.
I wanted to love this book. I tried so hard but I just couldn't get there. The ease at which they fell back together with so much baggage between them, without so much as a real conversation. Frankie's voice wasn't ever really heard, which confused me seeing as this was supposed to be his book. I never got to feel the pain and sadness Frankie had over moving to another city and making a life. He loved Arlo but moved for both their sakes and I just never felt that anguish. The connection between Rhys Samuel and Lennox was immediate and confusing. I never felt that deep connection to any of the characters that I normally get with a Marley Valentine read. I'm sad and disappointed I didn't love this one as much I wanted to.