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A review by jamie_w
Pictures of You by Leta Blake
5.0
I really loved this book. It was so angsty and sad and downright infuriating at times. But that's what I love. Again, just a glutton for pain. I will warn you that the majority of this book is a love triangle. It's a big chunk of the plot. Here I am loving this book in spite of the damn triangle - who am I! However, they're 18 years old/seniors in high school so it was definitely a teen thing in a time when being gay and being killed because of it was a very present reality.
I wanted to scream and rage at Adam. Ugh. That stupid boy. So manipulative and narcissistic. The way he would gaslight Peter was another level of twisted. He was just so damn selfish all of the time! It wasn't like he was a horrible person per se, but he sure as shit wasn't good. That being said, I totally got why Peter was enamoured with him and the attention Adam gave him. Peter was used to being a social pariah so the fact that this hot guy was showing him attention was too much for him at times. Naturally Adam took advantage of that.
I didn't really fault Peter for wanting Adam. I didn't fault him for not stepping aside either. The fact that Adam put Peter in that position was so offensive but also was on brand for stupid Adam. Peter deserved so much more than he allowed himself to have but he didn't see any other options.
I hated that Peter essentially had to hide. I remember growing up during that time and it wasn't like he had options, especially living in the south. They were all to blame in so many ways and yet all victims of circumstance. This goes for Peter's mom too. She was fighting invisible demons and that also played a huge part in Peter's feelings of self worth.
This was so layered and there was never an easy or clear solution.
I'm ready for book 2.
I wanted to scream and rage at Adam. Ugh. That stupid boy. So manipulative and narcissistic. The way he would gaslight Peter was another level of twisted. He was just so damn selfish all of the time! It wasn't like he was a horrible person per se, but he sure as shit wasn't good. That being said, I totally got why Peter was enamoured with him and the attention Adam gave him. Peter was used to being a social pariah so the fact that this hot guy was showing him attention was too much for him at times. Naturally Adam took advantage of that.
I didn't really fault Peter for wanting Adam. I didn't fault him for not stepping aside either. The fact that Adam put Peter in that position was so offensive but also was on brand for stupid Adam. Peter deserved so much more than he allowed himself to have but he didn't see any other options.
I hated that Peter essentially had to hide. I remember growing up during that time and it wasn't like he had options, especially living in the south. They were all to blame in so many ways and yet all victims of circumstance. This goes for Peter's mom too. She was fighting invisible demons and that also played a huge part in Peter's feelings of self worth.
This was so layered and there was never an easy or clear solution.
I'm ready for book 2.