If your jaw dropped down because you never thought I'd read a book like this, I can assure you, my brain doesn't understand it, either. Picking up this book (or series) was the last thing I ever intended to do. But here I am, having read that tome full of drama, drama, love, sex, and a bit more drama.

So why did I read it? Why did I read a book like this if the one genre I avoid by all costs is cringe-worthy romance (and horror - sometimes easily to be confused! haha).
It actually started out with the movie. Based on a promise I made a couple of months back, I was dragged to the cinema to watch the movie, and while I can write a list with all the moments that made me cringe (and wonder how my teeths are still intact), I have to admit, it works as a guilty pleasure movie. And admit it, we all have them.
So the first thing I did, was get the e-book because my curiosity couldn't let me leave it be. I had to know how a fanfiction got to be turned into this big screen adaptation. Was it that good? How did it differ from many other fanfics that are out there? How come this has become such a world-wide bestselling phenomen?
Then I read it, and I think I understand now. I think what really helped boost the story is the fact that it has been written during One Direction's high. Everyone was obsessing with that band back then, everyone knew about them; of course people tend to look for stories about them - fake or real. I myself who barely read any fanfiction at all, have once or twice googled some after being devasted of a book, or when I wanted another ending for the story, or when I just couldn't let go. So I can understand the need of 1D fans going on Wattpad, looking for some stories of their favorite band - even if I never really look up fiction based on real people, I get it.
What is suprising is that beside of the described appearances, the characters in the book are nothing alike their band members. Of course we couldn't know, but it feels more like Todd has given them the look of the band members, and nothing else. Also the story revolves around Tessa, the protagonist. It's her story to tell, it's her feelings we get to experience, and it's her struggles we have to live with through.
Hardin - who has been inspired by Harry Styles - is the other main protagonist of the story, even though it's not told from his POV. My younger sister keeps obsessing over him, and I think I get it. Didn't we all obessed over Damon Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries. The image of a bad boy turning partially good for a kind, innocent girl is something especially a younger audience loves, and sometimes even my peers tend to prefer such a story to distract themselves from real life problems - myself included.

But that's what it is, actually. A distraction. An addicting one for that matter, but nothing that'll stay with me forever. However, I can not speak for the billion of readers who love this story, who still obsess over it, or who have found friends because of it. I can imagine that this story makes up for a huge ride, if read as a fanfic where one has to wait for chapter after chapter to be released. The drama makes you want to keep reading, the romance between Hardin and Tessa might be at some times toxic, but makes you ship them, makes you hope for them to figure it out. So when I read this, I knew the reason for this phenamonen is this: It gave readers something new: a college story, romance, drama, sex. A young audience barely gets so much trouble and steamy scenes in a high school romance. Also being able to read about college life has an appeal to it. I remember loving watching those rom-coms the most as a teenie. Didn't we all always dream of a future like in the movies?

What do you do after reading an addicting guilty-pleasure read? You pick up book two. Especially if you have been wanting to know the outcome of the first book's ending since you watched the movie. Well at least, that's what happened with me.

After We Collided is not much different than the previous installement, because the drama still carries the story the most, aside from the complicated relationship between Tessa and Hardin. After the bet was revealed (which is really worse than the one in the movie!), Tessa is having a hard time finding back to herself, accepting what has happened, and moving forward. Meanwhile, Hardin can't really comprehend the consequences of his doing, and is trying to fight for Tessa's love, and get her back. Of course, he has fallen in love with her during the course of winning the bet, and we already had to be expecting that it will be a hard time for both of them - especially after witnessing how strong their attraction to each other is in After. So you watch them fight, watch how the drama unfolds, how one thing leads to another, how betrayal feels, and how forgiveness can be found in the weirdest situations.

However, I felt the book was repetetive, and the drama kept going, even though it could've needed a break every now and then. But then again, I guess, if we look at it in its original form - a fanfic on Wattpad - the constant drama kept the readers on edge, made them impatiently wait for one more chapter, and then for one more, and one more, and so on.

All in all, it's yet again a guilty-pleasure read but nothing to take to seriously. Because if I started analyzing this to depths, I would have to mention the rather toxic relationship between Tessa and Hardin, and yet again, I think if you keep in mind that this is not how relationships work, and it's solely for the guilty pleasure, you should be fine.

(A note on the toxic relationship. I do really thing that the movie will handle their relationship less toxic. The movie-adaptation of the first installement already proved that it gives them a less toxic and forceful relationship, potraying Hardin less obsessive and possessive. So if there is going to be a sequel, I really think they will work on the problems in this book, too.)

Sometimes I really ask myself how I survive with my curiosity. It was my curiosity that made me pick up the first two books, my curiosity that kept me going even though all I read is nothing new. And it was my curiosity that kept me push through this one.

If I thought that After We Collided, the second book of the series, was repetitve then what I'm supposed to say about this one? The third book feels like a billion things are happening at once - Tessa meets her Dad, the same fights over and over again, lots of steamy sex scenes, drama, then add some more drama, then we get some good times, we think it finally takes a new turn but it doesn't, it's just more drama. And despite all of this - nothing that happens is really game-changing, except maybe the last couple chapters (that yet again make you go and grab the next book even though you're already tiring of this story!). While reading this book - and constantly asking myself why I push myself through it - I had the movie in my mind. The first book worked well to be turned into a movie, the second can be adapted as well, but the third book feels like there are so many events happening, it would fill a whole 20-episodes-long TV show, and never fit into a 2-hours movie.

I figured this installement was less enjoyable and addicting than the previous two. Even though we get lots of drama that should keep us on edge, it feel repetitive and rather boring. Many things don't make much sense in this book, and the usage of the word "obnoxious" makes up half of the word count (really. how many things can be described with that same word, over and over AGAIN?!).

Now, I really don't want to bash on this book. I rarely like to do it. I know people have enjoyed this story, have enjoyed to read about Hardin and Tessa, but either I have enough of their shit, or I can't really understand the development of their characters. While I did think poorly of Hardin in the second book (because I just ain't supporting obsessive, violent, possessive behavior. uh-uh!), I felt Tessa was the one who annoyed me in this one. Do you want him? Yes? Then you have to deal with his shit. If you don't want him, then stop thinking and do something else with your life.

PEOPLE NEED TO READ THIS

What. A. Great. Book.

I mean, seriously, I had mixed feelings about it when I started reading it. But everything makes so much sense. And then it doesn't make sense at all.
I love the characters. Well, I already loved Cassie and Evan! I like little Sams and Ben, or Zombie, call him whatever you want. I also liked Dumbo, Poundcake and Teacup, but I never was that much into them. But I couldn't like Ringer. She annoyed me, somehow. And that made it really hard for me to read in her POV. Until Alex showed up and changed so much. And now I love her, and I can't believe what happened everything.

Can't wait to get The Last Star in my hands.
Since everything's about Evan and his love to Cassie.
Since Ringer has the power of them and is escaping (?), after she lost two (!) important people!
Since there's sooooo much to know. How will Rick Yancey put everything in ONE book? I just think that there's too much storyline left.


I SIMPLY DONT KNOW WHAT TO SAY OR TELL YOU GUYS! these books are so so so so so good.


Gosh.

The Last Star has to come out. Soon. OKAY?