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booksafety's Reviews (586)
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.
I got the audiobook, so no quotes this time around. The audiobook was very good, and I am super impressed by the narrator, Jon Curtis. First time I’ve heard him, and it was delightful.
This book is marketed as a second chance romance, which, I guess? It’s more like a ‘second chance at first love’ situation, considering they were never together the first time around, just caught some feelings. I wouldn’t have read it if it was proper second chance lol. That trope is not my friend. I really enjoyed the situation in this book, though! It was sweet, low angst, romantic, suspenseful, and hot (big and buff law enforcement dude who’s
I got the audiobook, so no quotes this time around. The audiobook was very good, and I am super impressed by the narrator, Jon Curtis. First time I’ve heard him, and it was delightful.
This book is marketed as a second chance romance, which, I guess? It’s more like a ‘second chance at first love’ situation, considering they were never together the first time around, just caught some feelings. I wouldn’t have read it if it was proper second chance lol. That trope is not my friend. I really enjoyed the situation in this book, though! It was sweet, low angst, romantic, suspenseful, and hot (big and buff law enforcement dude who’s
Book safety down below.
This was my second Eli Easton book, and I definitely enjoyed it a lot. I went into it knowing it had religious elements, but man, it was uncomfortable to read sometimes. I didn’t grow up religious, so reading some of the language here, and being able to really feel the hatred in the words about homosexuality and sin was powerful. It wasn’t done for shock value. It fit the story and the characters.
David is a widower, and his kids are highly religious, especially his son Joe who’s studying to become a minister, which obviously creates tension. David is also so deeply closeted that he doesn’t realize he actually is closeted for a good while. He has to come to terms with and deal with guilt and his faith, and how it all clashes with his desires and wants from this life. He’s depressed and has some thoughts of suicidal ideation. Most of the angst and conflict in the book is centered around these things.
Christie was the perfect man for David, and he was my favorite character. He had so much patience and understanding for David and his situation. He was even more patient with Joe (more than he deserved), but still wasn’t a pushover.
My favorite part is how there wasn’t an ‘easy fix’, and everyone didn’t suddenly get over their hangups and issues with faith and beliefs. The epilogue is set 1 year later, and they’re all still works in progress. But! there is progress, which was nice to see. Everyone was trying to be better, which was the best HEA they could get, in my opinion.
Book safety! Spoilers ahead.
Cheating: No
OM drama: No, but a woman from David’s church is quite insistant that they should be together. David is not interested.
Third act breakup: No
Strict top/bottom or vers: Versatile, they switch during the book
TW/CW: homophobia, hate speech, hate crime (beating), violence, blood, drug overdose, explicit sexual content, mentions of spousal death, death of farm animal
Tropes and tags:
Slow burn, age gap, single dad, religious life, opposites attract, farmer/city boy, closeted/gay awakening, widower
Favorite quotes:
«Wow, David was a good-looking man. Who knew rugged could be so hot? And to think of all the money Christie had spent on grooming!»
«Being a widower, he sometimes felt like a bull at auction. There were far too many single women in their Mennonite community.»
«How was it possible David never felt more like a man than he did right now, making love to another man?»
This was my second Eli Easton book, and I definitely enjoyed it a lot. I went into it knowing it had religious elements, but man, it was uncomfortable to read sometimes. I didn’t grow up religious, so reading some of the language here, and being able to really feel the hatred in the words about homosexuality and sin was powerful. It wasn’t done for shock value. It fit the story and the characters.
David is a widower, and his kids are highly religious, especially his son Joe who’s studying to become a minister, which obviously creates tension. David is also so deeply closeted that he doesn’t realize he actually is closeted for a good while. He has to come to terms with and deal with guilt and his faith, and how it all clashes with his desires and wants from this life. He’s depressed and has some thoughts of suicidal ideation. Most of the angst and conflict in the book is centered around these things.
Christie was the perfect man for David, and he was my favorite character. He had so much patience and understanding for David and his situation. He was even more patient with Joe (more than he deserved), but still wasn’t a pushover.
My favorite part is how there wasn’t an ‘easy fix’, and everyone didn’t suddenly get over their hangups and issues with faith and beliefs. The epilogue is set 1 year later, and they’re all still works in progress. But! there is progress, which was nice to see. Everyone was trying to be better, which was the best HEA they could get, in my opinion.
Book safety! Spoilers ahead.
Spoiler
Cheating: No
OM drama: No, but a woman from David’s church is quite insistant that they should be together. David is not interested.
Third act breakup: No
Strict top/bottom or vers: Versatile, they switch during the book
TW/CW: homophobia, hate speech, hate crime (beating), violence, blood, drug overdose, explicit sexual content, mentions of spousal death, death of farm animal
Tropes and tags:
Slow burn, age gap, single dad, religious life, opposites attract, farmer/city boy, closeted/gay awakening, widower
Favorite quotes:
«Wow, David was a good-looking man. Who knew rugged could be so hot? And to think of all the money Christie had spent on grooming!»
«Being a widower, he sometimes felt like a bull at auction. There were far too many single women in their Mennonite community.»
«How was it possible David never felt more like a man than he did right now, making love to another man?»
Book safety! Spoilers ahead.
Cheating: No
OM drama: No
Third act breakup: No
POV: Dual
TW/CW: violence, death, attempted murder by parent, a lot of kink
Spoiler
Cheating: No
OM drama: No
Third act breakup: No
POV: Dual
TW/CW: violence, death, attempted murder by parent, a lot of kink
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.
He lit up the evening sky like we’d switched to day,
✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ .5
I think I smiled all the way through when reading this. Both MCs have a couple of insecurities they deal with, but this is super low angst. Rhys is quite neurotic, but the sweetest person and most adoring dad. He loves his best friend (baby mama), but wants someone to love all of him without them thinking he’s ‘too much’. I even managed to tear up a little but because of those kinds of thoughts.
I tried to force a grin that came out more like a grimace as I clutched down on my nuts. Kid had fucking good aim.
Cole… Cole, Cole, Cole. I want one of those. Homebody, thick and hairy, sweet, and a little rough in bed? *coughs* yes please. I loved how he wasn’t quite sure how he felt about kids at first, and he was slightly intimidated by the thought of dating a dad, but toddler Sammy won him over pretty quickly. Rhys and Cole complemented each other well, I thought. They gave space when needed, and pushed when the other MC needed the help. It was a treat to watch them date, starting with a bit of a disaster miscommunication that thankfully ended well, and eventually fall in love. If you want something sweet and low angst, I would definitely recommend.
If my own best friend couldn’t hack it, then who would?
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Strangers to lovers, size difference, single dad, funny miscommunication, mild primal kink, restraints, love bites, marking, board games, trivia nights, star wars love
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Mentions of parent death
Mentions of car accident and injury (side character)
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
He lit up the evening sky like we’d switched to day,
✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ .5
I think I smiled all the way through when reading this. Both MCs have a couple of insecurities they deal with, but this is super low angst. Rhys is quite neurotic, but the sweetest person and most adoring dad. He loves his best friend (baby mama), but wants someone to love all of him without them thinking he’s ‘too much’. I even managed to tear up a little but because of those kinds of thoughts.
I tried to force a grin that came out more like a grimace as I clutched down on my nuts. Kid had fucking good aim.
Cole… Cole, Cole, Cole. I want one of those. Homebody, thick and hairy, sweet, and a little rough in bed? *coughs* yes please. I loved how he wasn’t quite sure how he felt about kids at first, and he was slightly intimidated by the thought of dating a dad, but toddler Sammy won him over pretty quickly. Rhys and Cole complemented each other well, I thought. They gave space when needed, and pushed when the other MC needed the help. It was a treat to watch them date, starting with a bit of a disaster miscommunication that thankfully ended well, and eventually fall in love. If you want something sweet and low angst, I would definitely recommend.
If my own best friend couldn’t hack it, then who would?
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Strangers to lovers, size difference, single dad, funny miscommunication, mild primal kink, restraints, love bites, marking, board games, trivia nights, star wars love
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Mentions of parent death
Mentions of car accident and injury (side character)
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below. 4.5 stars rounded up
He rolls his eyes and smiles, showing off his deep dimples that I’m sure have helped him get away with murder his entire life.
I read the third book in this series first (thankfully they’re standalones), and even though I loved it and was planning on reading Cali Boy sometime, I wasn’t actually planning on reading it so soon. Alas, Charli Meadow’s writing is just so good and I love the tropes, the possessiveness and protectiveness the MCs show, and just the overall vibe. I think it’s very easy to get hooked on this author’s writing. I am now gleefully looking forward to reading the second book.
I gulp so loud I almost choke on my own tongue. I’m positive he heard it echoing like a fucking foghorn in this otherwise silent room. Ass dimples. He has ass dimples.
There’s some dark stuff that happens in the book, and the characters have had some trauma previously, but it doesn’t read dark. I found it uplifting and made me optimistic for the boys’ future. I generally avoid books with very young MCs because I have a hard time picturing them actually staying together, but I think Charli did a fantastic job with making me believe in their future. An adorable epilogue certainly helped. There’s just something about the hurt/comfort trope that really hits the spot for me every time, and I love seeing sad boys get their HEA. Charli Meadows has expertly nailed those two things (and loads of other things), and has a direct line to my hurt/comfort-loving heart.
“Thanks, Gabe,” Ollie says politely, and I swear to God he better call me Daddy before he ever calls my father Dad.
I would have loved to see a bit more of the relationship development between Finn and his dad, as that dynamic was quite important to the characters, but I’m glad we got a glimpse at how it all turns out, atleast.
Oliver truly was a ray of sunshine to Finn’s grumpy, but Finn was complete putty in his Ollie’s hands.
He rolls his eyes and smiles, showing off his deep dimples that I’m sure have helped him get away with murder his entire life.
I read the third book in this series first (thankfully they’re standalones), and even though I loved it and was planning on reading Cali Boy sometime, I wasn’t actually planning on reading it so soon. Alas, Charli Meadow’s writing is just so good and I love the tropes, the possessiveness and protectiveness the MCs show, and just the overall vibe. I think it’s very easy to get hooked on this author’s writing. I am now gleefully looking forward to reading the second book.
I gulp so loud I almost choke on my own tongue. I’m positive he heard it echoing like a fucking foghorn in this otherwise silent room. Ass dimples. He has ass dimples.
There’s some dark stuff that happens in the book, and the characters have had some trauma previously, but it doesn’t read dark. I found it uplifting and made me optimistic for the boys’ future. I generally avoid books with very young MCs because I have a hard time picturing them actually staying together, but I think Charli did a fantastic job with making me believe in their future. An adorable epilogue certainly helped. There’s just something about the hurt/comfort trope that really hits the spot for me every time, and I love seeing sad boys get their HEA. Charli Meadows has expertly nailed those two things (and loads of other things), and has a direct line to my hurt/comfort-loving heart.
“Thanks, Gabe,” Ollie says politely, and I swear to God he better call me Daddy before he ever calls my father Dad.
I would have loved to see a bit more of the relationship development between Finn and his dad, as that dynamic was quite important to the characters, but I’m glad we got a glimpse at how it all turns out, atleast.
Oliver truly was a ray of sunshine to Finn’s grumpy, but Finn was complete putty in his Ollie’s hands.
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.
The start of this book reminded me so much of Paladin by Onley James (which I *love*), so I was completely hooked and devoured the first 50% while I should have been sleeping. I think Luca is super precious, and surprisingly well-balanced, considering all the abuse he endured. If you read and liked Paladin, I would recommend this one, as long as the triggers won’t bother you. It’s dark and detailed.
«I loved him because I had no other choice. He was my caregiver and my master, and I was always desperate for his approval. Yet, I hated him, too. Hated that he didn’t always want me. Hated him for hurting me when I tried so hard to be a good boy.»
This and other things like it, detailing the psychological impact of the abuse, made me cry a lot.
Dante wasn’t abused in the same sense that Luca was, but he definitely didn’t escape his childhood unscathed. He wasn’t very nice to Luca at first, but that little obsessive man wouldn’t let him push him away, lol. Their early dynamic when Dante was trying to get rid of/let go of Luca, while Luca was oblivious and completely sure that Dante was his Angel come to rescue him, was my favorite part of the book. I only wish that dynamic lasted a bit longer. I will always be a fan of action and suspense, but I missed seeing interactions like they had early on.
«I rushed back to my car before I changed my mind and looked back once more to see him looking at me with tears spilling down his eyes, and holding his rabbit close to his face. Not once did he complain or come after me. He just stood there, silently begging for me to come back.»
Speaking of action and suspense, I thought Dante was pretty shit at being an assassin, lmao. At first I thought it was refreshing how he wasn’t indestructible and perfect, or never taking a hit or having a close call, but that eventually happened in pretty much every action sequence, lol. A little refreshing, and a little funny. He was still a big badass, though.
«After he unlocked the door to his house, I put my hand in his and looked up at him again. His pale green eyes grew so wide, and he shook me off. I tried not to be hurt and hoped he would love me soon.»
As I mentioned, the start of this had me hooked real good, and I adored the first half of the book. Unfortunately, the editing and proofing suffered a bit later on in the book, which definitely took me out of the story a good bit. I wish I could just not notice, sometimes. I would still highly recommend the book.
Gonna mix it up and throw in a not-so-good quote, lol. Enjoy.
«I felt full of angel fingers with their magical touch […]»
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Rescued from trafficking/sex slave, private org. of assassins, age gap, size difference, trauma, scarred, graphic, revenge mission, action and suspense, MC in captivity for 11 years,
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Graphic violence
Torture
Murder
Rape (detailed, past)
Human trafficking
Sex slavery
Death of a past partner
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
The start of this book reminded me so much of Paladin by Onley James (which I *love*), so I was completely hooked and devoured the first 50% while I should have been sleeping. I think Luca is super precious, and surprisingly well-balanced, considering all the abuse he endured. If you read and liked Paladin, I would recommend this one, as long as the triggers won’t bother you. It’s dark and detailed.
«I loved him because I had no other choice. He was my caregiver and my master, and I was always desperate for his approval. Yet, I hated him, too. Hated that he didn’t always want me. Hated him for hurting me when I tried so hard to be a good boy.»
This and other things like it, detailing the psychological impact of the abuse, made me cry a lot.
Dante wasn’t abused in the same sense that Luca was, but he definitely didn’t escape his childhood unscathed. He wasn’t very nice to Luca at first, but that little obsessive man wouldn’t let him push him away, lol. Their early dynamic when Dante was trying to get rid of/let go of Luca, while Luca was oblivious and completely sure that Dante was his Angel come to rescue him, was my favorite part of the book. I only wish that dynamic lasted a bit longer. I will always be a fan of action and suspense, but I missed seeing interactions like they had early on.
«I rushed back to my car before I changed my mind and looked back once more to see him looking at me with tears spilling down his eyes, and holding his rabbit close to his face. Not once did he complain or come after me. He just stood there, silently begging for me to come back.»
Speaking of action and suspense, I thought Dante was pretty shit at being an assassin, lmao. At first I thought it was refreshing how he wasn’t indestructible and perfect, or never taking a hit or having a close call, but that eventually happened in pretty much every action sequence, lol. A little refreshing, and a little funny. He was still a big badass, though.
«After he unlocked the door to his house, I put my hand in his and looked up at him again. His pale green eyes grew so wide, and he shook me off. I tried not to be hurt and hoped he would love me soon.»
As I mentioned, the start of this had me hooked real good, and I adored the first half of the book. Unfortunately, the editing and proofing suffered a bit later on in the book, which definitely took me out of the story a good bit. I wish I could just not notice, sometimes. I would still highly recommend the book.
Gonna mix it up and throw in a not-so-good quote, lol. Enjoy.
«I felt full of angel fingers with their magical touch […]»
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Rescued from trafficking/sex slave, private org. of assassins, age gap, size difference, trauma, scarred, graphic, revenge mission, action and suspense, MC in captivity for 11 years,
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Graphic violence
Torture
Murder
Rape (detailed, past)
Human trafficking
Sex slavery
Death of a past partner
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Book safety, tropes and tags down below.
I really, really enjoy Onley’s writing. To me, her books are the perfect mix of instalove/lust, action, past trauma, surprisingly low angst and unhingedness (the one’s I’ve read, anyway). Just very entertaining.
Shepherd was my favorite character. He was unintentionally funny and really sweet in a totally not-at-all-healthy way. He’s a high-functioning sociopath (hello, Sherlock), and Elijah became one of his obsessions. Thankfully, Elijah was fully on board with that, lol. Oh, and he’s a 6’6 bearded redhead with shoulder length hair and freckles everywhere
I really, really enjoy Onley’s writing. To me, her books are the perfect mix of instalove/lust, action, past trauma, surprisingly low angst and unhingedness (the one’s I’ve read, anyway). Just very entertaining.
Shepherd was my favorite character. He was unintentionally funny and really sweet in a totally not-at-all-healthy way. He’s a high-functioning sociopath (hello, Sherlock), and Elijah became one of his obsessions. Thankfully, Elijah was fully on board with that, lol. Oh, and he’s a 6’6 bearded redhead with shoulder length hair and freckles everywhere
Book safety, tropes and tags down below.
I've read this book three times now (and I'll probably read it again), and I don't like it any less. About time I reviewed it.
I love books that have characters with gut-wrenching, tragic and sad backstories. This book is that and so much more. Hurt/comfort to the highest degree.
I love how most of the tragic stuff happens at the beginning, and we get to go on the journey of things getting better, instead of the usual where things start out okay, get worse, then awful shit happens, before things get better again.
In Defined by Deceit, the awful doesn't automatically stop after 'the main event' is over, but we get to watch Llewellyn and Shane fall in love, and it's pretty great in my humble opinion.
Llew is betrayed by his high school boyfriend in the worst way, and this book details that and all of the fallout that comes after. I cried buckets the first time I read it (I do cry at just about every book I read though, so do with that what you will).
Aiden Snow did a fantastic job with the Audiobook, as he usually does. That mans voice can tenderize meat (I don't actually know what I mean by that, but I do know he does things to my loins).
Book safety
Cheating: No
OM drama: No. Llew hooks up with someone from a club after he gets out of prison (tries to, atleast), long before he meets Shane.
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Strict top/bottom or vers: Both characters are versatile. Llew bottoms for the first time with Shane.
TW/CW: suicidal ideation, false imprisonment, false rape accusations, physical assault, bullying, explicit sexual content, police violence, impotence (mental block)
Tropes & tags
hurt/comfort, small town, prison, boss/employee, size difference, touch starved MC, betrayal, found family
I've read this book three times now (and I'll probably read it again), and I don't like it any less. About time I reviewed it.
I love books that have characters with gut-wrenching, tragic and sad backstories. This book is that and so much more. Hurt/comfort to the highest degree.
I love how most of the tragic stuff happens at the beginning, and we get to go on the journey of things getting better, instead of the usual where things start out okay, get worse, then awful shit happens, before things get better again.
In Defined by Deceit, the awful doesn't automatically stop after 'the main event' is over, but we get to watch Llewellyn and Shane fall in love, and it's pretty great in my humble opinion.
Llew is betrayed by his high school boyfriend in the worst way, and this book details that and all of the fallout that comes after. I cried buckets the first time I read it (I do cry at just about every book I read though, so do with that what you will).
Aiden Snow did a fantastic job with the Audiobook, as he usually does. That mans voice can tenderize meat (I don't actually know what I mean by that, but I do know he does things to my loins).
Book safety
Spoiler
Cheating: No
OM drama: No. Llew hooks up with someone from a club after he gets out of prison (tries to, atleast), long before he meets Shane.
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Strict top/bottom or vers: Both characters are versatile. Llew bottoms for the first time with Shane.
TW/CW: suicidal ideation, false imprisonment, false rape accusations, physical assault, bullying, explicit sexual content, police violence, impotence (mental block)
Tropes & tags
Spoiler
hurt/comfort, small town, prison, boss/employee, size difference, touch starved MC, betrayal, found family
Book safety, tropes and tags down below.
After the third reread/listen, I figured it was time I reviewed it, considering I'm trying to get into the habit of reviewing most of the books I read.
The fact that it's the third time I read it should say a lot, but to make it clear, I love this book. Judah and Morgan are some of my favorite MCs, and one of my favorite couples. There's definitely a healthy dose of opposites attract here, but the more you read and get to know the characters, as well as Morgan and Judah getting to know each other better too, their connection makes more and more sense. It starts with a simple attraction, but they build a really solid friendship and eventual relationship in the midst of some pretty serious and challenging things.
Morgan is a widower, and even though his wife passed 5 years ago, he's never actually had a relationship with a man before (he's bisexual, but only done hookups up with men). He feels ready, but is still gun-shy. Judah on the other hand has just had to move back home to a place he never wanted to live, because of the onset of a disease that robbed him of his ballet career. All of this combined doesn't exactly create a great environment for fostering new relationships, but, if they wan't it badly enough, they can make it work.
I think this book has become one of my comfort-books. The ones I can read or listen to again and again. Doesn't necessarily mean that they're literary masterpieces, but it just connects with me somehow. That's usually why I would give a book 5 stars, too.
Book safety
Cheating: No
OM drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual
Strict top/bottom or vers: Versatile. They switch a lot on-page.
TW/CW: chronic illness, Ménière's disease, widower/death of partner off-page/cancer, explicit sexual content, child with chronic illness
Tropes & tags
Age gap, widower, chronic disease, dancer, New Zealand, village, bisexual, brother's friend, makeup, feminine MC, ballet tights fetish (you'll like it)
After the third reread/listen, I figured it was time I reviewed it, considering I'm trying to get into the habit of reviewing most of the books I read.
The fact that it's the third time I read it should say a lot, but to make it clear, I love this book. Judah and Morgan are some of my favorite MCs, and one of my favorite couples. There's definitely a healthy dose of opposites attract here, but the more you read and get to know the characters, as well as Morgan and Judah getting to know each other better too, their connection makes more and more sense. It starts with a simple attraction, but they build a really solid friendship and eventual relationship in the midst of some pretty serious and challenging things.
Morgan is a widower, and even though his wife passed 5 years ago, he's never actually had a relationship with a man before (he's bisexual, but only done hookups up with men). He feels ready, but is still gun-shy. Judah on the other hand has just had to move back home to a place he never wanted to live, because of the onset of a disease that robbed him of his ballet career. All of this combined doesn't exactly create a great environment for fostering new relationships, but, if they wan't it badly enough, they can make it work.
I think this book has become one of my comfort-books. The ones I can read or listen to again and again. Doesn't necessarily mean that they're literary masterpieces, but it just connects with me somehow. That's usually why I would give a book 5 stars, too.
Book safety
Cheating: No
OM drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual
Strict top/bottom or vers: Versatile. They switch a lot on-page.
TW/CW: chronic illness, Ménière's disease, widower/death of partner off-page/cancer, explicit sexual content, child with chronic illness
Tropes & tags
Spoiler
Age gap, widower, chronic disease, dancer, New Zealand, village, bisexual, brother's friend, makeup, feminine MC, ballet tights fetish (you'll like it)
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.
“‘I think it’s easier to accept things are never going to improve than fight for them to get better.’”
Hooo boy, I need a hug, I think.
I have put off reading this book for a very long time, because I knew it would be heavy. And it was, as well as utterly heartbreaking. Thankfully, it was also beautiful. This is the second book I’ve read by Nicola Haken, and I can already tell that this one will stay with me for a very long time, just as Who We Are did. I’ve read over 250 books this year so far, and I won’t have any problem remembering this one like I do with some of the other ones. That doesn’t mean the other ones are bad either, but sometimes you read that one book that just hits differently. This author is extremely talented, and I wish I could jump in and check out the rest of her work, but honestly, I need a break and I need to read something so sweet and happy that my teeth will rot.
“When you’re living with mental illness, there is no happily ever after, like the kind we write about every day. Instead, we look forward to future days spent basking in the most dazzling light, followed by ones drowning in the deepest depths of darkness.”
These boys might not get a happily-ever-after in the traditional sense, but I felt like the book ended on an uplifting note that made me feel positive and confident for their future, which I think is all anyone can hope for. If the content warnings don’t stop you, I would definitely recommend this book. Unquestionably five stars, but still one I won’t read again. I won’t ever forget it, anyway.
“I miss you. Please miss me, too.”
“‘I love you.’ It’s probably the most honest, yet also the most selfish, thing I’ve ever said.”
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Mental health, bipolar disorder, CEO, boss/employee, publishing house, ONS-enemies-lovers, author MC
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Suicide attempt
CPR
Hospitalization
Restraints
Forced commitment to psychiatric hospital
Forced sedation
Blanket warning for mental health/illness
Self harm
Scarring
Explicit sexual content
(I might have forgotten something here, just know it’s not a happy book)
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM drama: No
Third-act breakup: Sort of?
POV: 1st person, dual
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
“‘I think it’s easier to accept things are never going to improve than fight for them to get better.’”
Hooo boy, I need a hug, I think.
I have put off reading this book for a very long time, because I knew it would be heavy. And it was, as well as utterly heartbreaking. Thankfully, it was also beautiful. This is the second book I’ve read by Nicola Haken, and I can already tell that this one will stay with me for a very long time, just as Who We Are did. I’ve read over 250 books this year so far, and I won’t have any problem remembering this one like I do with some of the other ones. That doesn’t mean the other ones are bad either, but sometimes you read that one book that just hits differently. This author is extremely talented, and I wish I could jump in and check out the rest of her work, but honestly, I need a break and I need to read something so sweet and happy that my teeth will rot.
“When you’re living with mental illness, there is no happily ever after, like the kind we write about every day. Instead, we look forward to future days spent basking in the most dazzling light, followed by ones drowning in the deepest depths of darkness.”
These boys might not get a happily-ever-after in the traditional sense, but I felt like the book ended on an uplifting note that made me feel positive and confident for their future, which I think is all anyone can hope for. If the content warnings don’t stop you, I would definitely recommend this book. Unquestionably five stars, but still one I won’t read again. I won’t ever forget it, anyway.
“I miss you. Please miss me, too.”
“‘I love you.’ It’s probably the most honest, yet also the most selfish, thing I’ve ever said.”
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Mental health, bipolar disorder, CEO, boss/employee, publishing house, ONS-enemies-lovers, author MC
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Suicide attempt
CPR
Hospitalization
Restraints
Forced commitment to psychiatric hospital
Forced sedation
Blanket warning for mental health/illness
Self harm
Scarring
Explicit sexual content
(I might have forgotten something here, just know it’s not a happy book)
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM drama: No
Third-act breakup: Sort of?
POV: 1st person, dual
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile