A review by hans_cosy_corner
Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills

3.0

Okay, this is one of those reviews where actually the first half of the book is a 5 - absolutely solid 5 - but the second half brought it down to a 3 for me. Let’s start with the first half, the plot is great and really gripping. It’s realistic, and not something I’ve ever read before; so that was a huge plus. I loved Ava as a character, she’s strong and determined, a real fighter through and through. I liked Knox, he was interesting and conflicting and his privilege made him quite morally grey - good intentions, no understanding that his actions are creepy as all hell. I had guessed the admirer pretty early on, but I liked the element it brought and I wish it had been used more - maybe before the assault, whilst she was in a relationship. The guilty party I’d had suspicions of, but still really enjoyed the reveal.

The second half however, dragged. Once they’d gotten together very suddenly and then the reveal was done, I was surprised by how much book was left; and I think if the end had been tightened to her graduating with a full scholarship and the epilogue being her graduating med school I’d have liked it a whole lot more than what we had - which I’m not going to say, as I try and keep my reviews as spoiler free as possible