Compared to Alyssa Cole’s other books in the series, this one seems much less cheery and hopeful. The constant manipulation and gaslighting from one of the significant side characters made the read not entertaining for me. The blatant misogyny also was something I didn’t expect to bother me as much as it did, but it was so severe in this country’s culture (or at least in their politics) that I couldn’t personally find enjoyment. 

This isn’t to say it’s a bad book, but I would say to know what to expect before reading this book.

The biggest reason I had to DNF was because of my distrust of Theo and all of his actions. 

Spoilers ahead

Every step of the way, we are led to mistrust Theo. The moment I couldn’t keep reading was when they go to the Hamptons for wedding of a family member of Theo’s. He let Dylan walk into a toxic, manipulative family situation. Dylan doesn’t find out they weren’t truly invited and welcome until they step foot in the Hamptons for the weekend after a two hour drive, effectively trapping him there.

Theo causes so much stress for Dylan, from the unwelcome stay to being seemingly willfully ignorant of their differences in class and how that would make Dylan feel. Even the situation we meet Theo in feels deceitful when Theo later explains that him and his friend/ex just casually were in their boxers together as friends, not as lovers.

Overall, the positives of this book couldn’t keep me interested enough to keep seeing the web of lies that only seem to hurt Dylan.

Weirdly fatphobic for no good reason. I stopped at 18% through the book due to this and the fact that nothing has really happened in the book so far

got distracted with other books and didn’t finish before library loan was up

Forgot to renew, want to pick it back up later

Could not get into writing style; felt very sterile and slow. Don’t think it’s a bad book, but I couldn’t immediately connect