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savvylit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
What I didn't like: the teenage romance between Eva and Shane was incredibly toxic. They were instantly codependent, despite having just met. And they were on a drug-induced bender for most of their Seven Days! That was enough to bond them for life? Also, (spoiler alert!) the way that the author portrayed self-harm was disturbing. Self-harm is basically glamorized in some of this book's flashback scenes. Ultimately, that just added more to my disbelief and discomfort with the toxic origins of this entire romance.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Alcohol
jcstokes95's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I have two unforgivable gripes to discuss. Now is time to tap out of the review if you liked this book. You are entitled to like things and you don’t have to agree with a mean person on the internet (that’s me!). Here are the things:
1. I don’t understand why these two characters give a shit about each other. They knew each other for a few days in a drug induced bender. We are told this was a very profound time. It doesn’t seem that way to me. It seems like they are two 16 years olds who are high and having sex. I’m sure this is fun. But it does not scream ‘soulmates who remembered each other for decades and wrote novels about one another’. It’s weird.
2. The ways this author writes about self-harm is fucking horrifying and annoying. It’s amazing that it is both at the same time. It is horrifying because it glamorizes it into this beautiful, tortured almost artistic thing that Eva is doing in her youth. Also, it simply isn’t how self-harm works. And that is all I will say on that. It just isn’t accurate. It feels like she has a self-harm alarm clock that goes off and she’s got some sort of timecard to punch for it. It’s fucking annoying. Honestly, I’ve never had one scene of a book ruin it so hard. But I really fucking hated it man. Also, be warned that it’s hella triggering. Because this author clearly did not research into how to write a non-triggering self-harm scene. And him just sitting outside listening to her do it like it’s romantic. Fuck this bro.
Okay, look, at this point, you can tell this review is probably a little heated. I’m gonna try to now bleach that scene out of my mind, because, the whole book was not as bad as their time together in high school. I will now say the positive things. I appreciated that they had interests and hobbies outside of loving the other person. I think, in general, this makes for better romances. Sean has his mentees and this made his recovery arc make sense. It helps you invest in him as a character. Eva is a great mom and has great insights into chronic illness.
As individual, adult characters the pair is interesting. I simply do not believe the romance. I am icked out by the sex scenes and disagree with the believability of the premise. I think many people will enjoy this, it is written well on a sentence level. The author is clearly talented, but this story is simply not strong enough to make me enjoy this.
Graphic: Drug abuse and Self harm
Moderate: Child death and Sexual harassment
Minor: Chronic illness and Racism
I believe it is worth being aware that the self-harm content in this book is fairly triggering.rgreen2704's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
bethsreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Self harm, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Police brutality
nita_07's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Gun violence, Racism, Self harm, and Violence
The book discusses what its like to be a Black author in America, Black identity and the struggles that underpin being Black in America. However, the relationship & love between the two characters is still the central part of the book and the book is both funny and hopeful. It also shine’s a light on non-physical disabilities.honestlybella's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Self harm
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
Minor: Child death, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Abandonment
mackenzbee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Drug abuse and Self harm
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Self harm
Minor: Racism
otheywanttosing's review against another edition
4.0
"I liked everything about you. Even the scary parts."
This was a funny, raw, second-chance romance that opened my eyes and crumpled my heart.
Tia Williams' writing is unafraid to confront a painful past for the sake of true healing and happiness. If you want to read on motherhood, on breaking generational curses, on race in America, on chronic illness, on addiction, on the Mortifying Ordeal of Being Known ™️—but all of that with easy humour and grace through characters that feel like genuine people—read this!
Graphic: Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Racism, and Self harm
Moderate: Alcoholism, Pedophilia, and Police brutality