You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
samantha914's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
amanda_reads13's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There is a lot of trauma in this book. These characters have severe PTSD and need therapy. Jax was abused by his father and friends as a child and KC
I think that the beginning of this relationship is super toxic because they are both suffering and take it out on one another. Eventually it's becomes less toxic, but they never deal with their PTSD.
Jax doesn't feel worthy of love, so he pushes KC away and keeps her at arm's length. He suffered severe abuse as a child and as an adult needs to be in constant control of his environment and life. Yes, I realize that he is traumatized, but he gave me whiplash with his mood swings and his poor treatment of KC. She tried so hard to be patient and help him, but she was his punching bag.
KC has severe trust issues. Her boyfriend cheated on her twice and she suffered from constant emotional abuse, manipulation and gaslighting as a child.
The storyline with his dad kind of took a back seat. When he finally showed up to follow through with his threats, it was over pretty quick. It was barely a blip in the story.
Tropes: boy next door, opposites attract
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
shelbeavs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Rape
lovelymisanthrope's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"Falling Away" follows K.C. and Jaxon. K.C. has always followed the rules and done everything that is expected of her, until she does something so out of character the police get involved. Now she is back in her hometown to complete her community service. K.C.'s new neighbor for the summer is Jaxon, one of her friend's little brother. K.C. had a little bit of a crush on Jaxon in high school, but she never pursued him. Now, he is all grown up and may be the perfect distraction to help K.C. get through this awful summer.
In true Penelope Douglas fashion, this romance is DARK, and riddled with mature content. Having read Penelope Douglas before, I do not know why this came as a surprise, but I was not fully expecting the craziness that I read, but that is more on me than the author.
Jaxon is a bit of a bully towards K.C., but it comes across as more of him pushing her to be her true self, aggressively. I loved that Jaxon seems to be the only person who really sees K.C. for who she is. I also really enjoyed that we got both of their perspectives throughout the book.
This was a really quick read that I devoured in one sitting, which is exactly what I was looking for. I am definitely interested by the other characters and will likely pick up more of the novels from this series in the future.
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting
cassiereadsbooks_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism
mells_view'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I want to be a mess. For once.
Ok, ok. Did I hate on KC when I read Bully, absolutely, but also it was more a Jared problem than her. I just didn’t know how much I would eventually come to love dear Juliet. Anyway. Jax and Juliet are angsty AF. They are both dealing with drama/abuse from their pasts and being vulnerable with another person without fearing them hurting them too. So it’s a doozy. New adult angst classic with an added dash of trauma. I enjoyed it.
The narration was good, but I do speed it up so I can’t say on regular speed. Listened to this on 1.5-2.0 depending on when/where I was listening. Enjoyed that it was different voices for each POV chapter to chapter.
*Hoopla
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault
Moderate: Addiction and Abandonment
mollydollydoodah's review
- 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: Child abuse, Sexual content, Violence, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child death and Murder
lunahale's review
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse
jhaneveauguste's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Murder, and Abandonment