Really hard to get through. This was the definition of ugly truths and the critical lens when it came to our narrator, but honestly this author is a bReally hard to get through. This was the definition of ugly truths and the critical lens when it came to our narrator, but honestly this author is a brilliant writer. I just didn't really know what I was getting into - this is where not reading the synopsis comes to bite me in the ass lmao....more
Maybe the pleasure in catholic eroticism hits just right because the faith is so deeply rooted in shame and the forbidden. The religion plays such an Maybe the pleasure in catholic eroticism hits just right because the faith is so deeply rooted in shame and the forbidden. The religion plays such an interesting and visceral parallel to the kink in a sublime and shameful sort of way....more
As someone who's generally struggled with sleep ~issues for as long as she can remember, I've never felt more seeeeen. As someone who's generally struggled with sleep ~issues for as long as she can remember, I've never felt more seeeeen. ...more
This is essentially a fluff book about being suicidal and the concept of an unlived life. I think I expected something a bit... darker? Maybe even, deThis is essentially a fluff book about being suicidal and the concept of an unlived life. I think I expected something a bit... darker? Maybe even, deeper? Which is why I knocked it down a star from 5.
The writing was beautiful and the story was done so well. I was just left a tad unsatisfied by the progression and inevitable conclusion. WHICH isn't at all the fault of the writer or the story. I don't think every dark concept necessarily needs a nitty gritty illustration. Which is also why pushes this up a star from a 3.
I have complicated feelings. Maybe I was a victim of hype. Maybe I'm just a cynical brat who wants my heart torn out before being given an HEA. Maybe my current academic thesis on the perception of suicide has also tainted my reading of this book...
But - at the end of it all - I am glad to have listened to it. And not at all disappointed with also owning a hard copy....more
Sooo... I've been in a book funk. *sigh* I know, I know. We've all been there. There are those off us that have been there so many times, that we don't even worry about it anymore and just ride this funky wave until our hand steers us right back into Literary Land. There are times that seem like we're in a book funk more often than we get into a book frenzy and it concerns us so much that we contemplate our identity as book lovers. Alas, I found instant cure in this cute novel on my kindle.
Sometimes, all it takes is a fluff book to do the trick. You know those kinds of books, the ones that are a bit mindless, somewhat predictable and traditionally YA romance? It's the books that are enough of a quick read that you're not mentally drained when you're finished, but you've engaged enough with the content to get the juices flowing. It's the book that takes you less than half a day to get through and you're not even guilty about the empty calories because it was a fun little read. THIS BOOK was exactly that - and precisely what I needed.
Though the author handles a couple of heavy topics, including but not limited to, child abuse, mental illness, familial issues, doomed romance and rape, the book did not delve deep enough into those particular topics to bring the reader down with the character. It was very much centered around the romance and bringing the characters' issues to light so that they can deal with them. I like the fact that both of the characters had issues, and it wasn't just the guy "saving" the girl, and I like that the romance played out a bit more rocky than usual.
What I didn't like was the lack of diversity. Additionally, I would have liked to see more development with the friendships and some more writing dedicated to explaining (view spoiler)[the road the characters took after they finally get together. I also wanted the father / daughter reunion scene to play out a bit longer than a chapter because it seemed like the whole book was leading up to that moment, but it was diminished into a girl-gets-saved-by-the-guy moment. *shocker* lol Sidenote: kind of annoyed at the fact that stripping seemed to be considered beneath the main character and seen as a low, desperate move instead of showing respect for sex workers.(hide spoiler)] I liked the fact that Olivia was equally fierce and vulnerable; I not-so-secretly wanted to see more equally obvious vulnerability in Will. And I enjoyed the fact that Olivia's mental struggles didn't just miraculously disappear when she fell in love.
Overall, it was a sweet book and I don't really have many bad things to say. I think readers will know what they're getting into when they've read the description, and when they decide to read it they won't be disappointed. The chapters are relatively short - quick and to the point. The plotline continues consistently and the twists are fluid and interesting. I would definitely recommend this quick-read to anyone in a book funk or that need a good fluff book between two intense novels.
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