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A review by ps_stillreading
Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
This was not an easy read, despite how fast I finished it. The whole time I was reading, my heart ached for Adelaide. I saw a version of myself in her (unfotrunately), and I know many others can relate. We have been Adelaide at some point, or we’ve had close friends who experienced this particular brand of heartbreak: being the girl with so much love to give, falling for a man who continually falls short of giving her the love she deserves.
Adelaide is such a giver, her generous heart shines throughout the book. She loves her family and her friends so fiercely. And when she opens her heart to Rory it’s incredibly frustrating to see how he doesn’t feel the same way about her. What makes it even sadder is that this is the first time Adelaide has considered pursuing a serious relationship after a traumatic event in her teenage years (plus a few years of engaging in strictly casual sex with different men as a response to that trauma). Adelaide believes she has found her Disney prince in Rory. But she was sorely mistaken.
As a reader, it was painful to watch Adelaide do everything she can to make Rory fall in love with her. And while you can see the red flags from a mile away, when Rory does choose to shine his loving light on Adelaide, their connection feels magical and all the shitty things become worthwhile (or at least very easy to ignore).
*Sigh*
Baby girl, no. Just. No.
This is a story about a toxic situationship-turned-vague-relationship. This is about falling in love. About doing everything right and trying to make it work. About how sometimes you don’t feel like you are enough (oh but you are, you are). About letting go, about finally believing you deserve better.
And this is also a story about friendship. Adelaide has such a loving and supportive friend group in Maddison, Celeste, and Eloise. Navigating life when you’re in your mid-twenties can be complicated, but with solid friendships and a judgment-free support system, everything becomes a lot more bearable. And I am truly so happy that Adelaide has her friends.
Now, on to some things I had a bit of an issue with
I felt like Adelaide’s teenage trauma could have been explored more. It obviously had such an effect on her, but it was rarely brought up. Also I’m surprised Adelaide doesn’t have a therapist early on, considering her family has a history of mental health problems. But then again, if she had a therapist from the get-go, this would have been a very different book. I also wished we had more time with Adelaide in her healing phase because only get this in the last few chapters and epilogue. I wanted to see her heal and shine and thrive!
Thank you to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for the ARC.
Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler will be out in the UK on November 7.
Adelaide is such a giver, her generous heart shines throughout the book. She loves her family and her friends so fiercely. And when she opens her heart to Rory it’s incredibly frustrating to see how he doesn’t feel the same way about her. What makes it even sadder is that this is the first time Adelaide has considered pursuing a serious relationship after a traumatic event in her teenage years (plus a few years of engaging in strictly casual sex with different men as a response to that trauma). Adelaide believes she has found her Disney prince in Rory. But she was sorely mistaken.
As a reader, it was painful to watch Adelaide do everything she can to make Rory fall in love with her. And while you can see the red flags from a mile away, when Rory does choose to shine his loving light on Adelaide, their connection feels magical and all the shitty things become worthwhile (or at least very easy to ignore).
*Sigh*
Baby girl, no. Just. No.
This is a story about a toxic situationship-turned-vague-relationship. This is about falling in love. About doing everything right and trying to make it work. About how sometimes you don’t feel like you are enough (oh but you are, you are). About letting go, about finally believing you deserve better.
And this is also a story about friendship. Adelaide has such a loving and supportive friend group in Maddison, Celeste, and Eloise. Navigating life when you’re in your mid-twenties can be complicated, but with solid friendships and a judgment-free support system, everything becomes a lot more bearable. And I am truly so happy that Adelaide has her friends.
Now, on to some things I had a bit of an issue with
I felt like Adelaide’s teenage trauma could have been explored more. It obviously had such an effect on her, but it was rarely brought up. Also I’m surprised Adelaide doesn’t have a therapist early on, considering her family has a history of mental health problems. But then again, if she had a therapist from the get-go, this would have been a very different book. I also wished we had more time with Adelaide in her healing phase because only get this in the last few chapters and epilogue. I wanted to see her heal and shine and thrive!
Thank you to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for the ARC.
Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler will be out in the UK on November 7.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship