There are many varieties of three-star read for me. This is the ‘some things were great and others weren’t’ variety, which is definitely my preferred sub-category!

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So first, what worked for me. The strongest element of this book was Jade’s character arc. There was a real sense of fulfilment and growth by the end, and while I didn’t necessarily like the actions she took to get there, she had a very real, very vivid presence and a satisfying arc. I also really liked the switching perspectives. Each voice felt very distinct, and allowed us to see the characters from different angles and at different points in their lives.

The writing style was hit-and-miss for me. At the start especially, there were some really beautiful, evocative passages. As the book progressed, however, the writing often felt quite repetitive and the ending was a little bit of a let-down for me stylistically. I would be intrigued to read other books by the author though, as it was very readable and at its best was absolutely stunning.

The main thing that didn’t work for me was the relationships between the characters, particularly the romantic relationships. At the end, I realised that I wasn’t sure why Jade wanted to be with either of her love interests, besides the fact that she would tell us how in love she was, or how special she felt. As a reader I didn’t pick up on much, if any, of the emotion behind those relationships, which meant that aspect of the character arcs fell flat for me.

Overall this was an enjoyable read, with a few frustrations here and there, but enough heart for a satisfying conclusion.

I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.