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jonezzzing's review
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Pregnancy, Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Medical content
rubisbooknook's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don’t think I have the right words to express how beautiful this story is. It is heartbreaking at times but I love a story where I lose myself so much that I feel all of the characters’ emotions. And Jules and Luke earn their HEA! Everything that Jules has to go through and how she continues to punish herself because she doesn’t think she deserves happiness makes it so much more powerful when she finally lets herself be happy with Luke.
And their love story! There is nothing I love more than a well done second chance romance done well, and this is one of the best! It’s very much an “it’s always been you” kind of scenario. It has a forbidden aspect, a tragic past, the past-present timeline juxtaposition, pining, regret, and an epic love.
Fave Quote: “Don’t try to tell a man that’s waited ten years for you that you love him more.”
And their love story! There is nothing I love more than a well done second chance romance done well, and this is one of the best! It’s very much an “it’s always been you” kind of scenario. It has a forbidden aspect, a tragic past, the past-present timeline juxtaposition, pining, regret, and an epic love.
Fave Quote: “Don’t try to tell a man that’s waited ten years for you that you love him more.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Death, Sexual assault, and Violence
clareasday's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Cancer, Child death, and Rape
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
koistyfishy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5 Homecoming Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5
Firstly, I couldn't write a review half as good as my twinsie which was the reason for me adding this book to my TBR...Do yourself a favour and go read her review here.
I knew from the first chapter that I was a goner and would fall for this book, and fall hard. Never mind the fact that the narration and performance by Samantha Brentmoor and Teddy Hamilton were superb; the entire story just melted my heart in a way that is very difficult to explain.
Juliet... was an utterly broken, poor sweet darling who is so incredibly hard and belittling to herself. She never allowed herself to be truly happy, punishing herself for being "bad." It was agonizing to read how Danny, Donna, and the Pastor seemed to walk over her so easily, and she would remain meek with a smile on her face. This perception caused her to take forever to realize that Luke’s disdain was not a commentary on her worth but on their actions.
I used to think I didn’t have any triggers; I mean, I read some of the darkest and most depraved books out there, with seriously blurred lines of what is acceptable. In many cases, those books often enter into realms of "this is messed up."
BUT, this is the book I battled to complete and then didn't want to finish because then it would be over, and I wouldn't be able to experience it for the first time again. I struggled with this story as I found myself in a constant state of sobbing my heart out. There are so many aspects of Juliet’s story mirrored in my past, and it was not something I was expecting to be faced with. Her self-deprecating, self-degrading, and defeated internal dialogue that I know I can’t judge her for because it sounds exactly like mine at times.
Juliet’s story meant so much to me, and while I might not be special or the only one who feels this way, there is a small aspect of her story we share. Yes, there were slight differences between them, and they might not have happened the same, but the underlying theme and underlying feeling we both felt were the same—the guilt and blame for situations that are not her fault but still carry the burden and blame as if it were. There is just something about a book that can validate and articulate all your insecurities in a way you have never been able to fully articulate yourself.
I love Luke. While he is very much a man of few words, when he does choose to speak, he does so with reason. He spent his life wanting the one thing he couldn't have, but that didn't stop him from fighting for it and standing up for Juliet when no one else would.
Overall, I do see some problems in this that not everyone would appreciate; there are heavy elements of actual and emotional cheating. We don't see much of Luke in the present, and when he does talk, his actions of wanting to be with Juliet and how they just fall into sleeping together didn't line up fully as there wasn't much build up—he felt a bit distant to me, both as his older self and who he was in the past as they never seem to have a conversation, there is just distant pining.
But that lack of emotion is made up of all the emotions or emptiness that Juliet feels. So yes, I know some things could be better, and I know not everyone will love this. I, however, did because it was just what my heart needed to hear.
▶ Dual Timeline
▶ Boyfriends Best Friend
▶ Forbidden Love
▶ Second Chance Romance
▶ Celebrity Romance (Surfer and Singer)
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Found Family
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5
Firstly, I couldn't write a review half as good as my twinsie which was the reason for me adding this book to my TBR...Do yourself a favour and go read her review here.
I knew from the first chapter that I was a goner and would fall for this book, and fall hard. Never mind the fact that the narration and performance by Samantha Brentmoor and Teddy Hamilton were superb; the entire story just melted my heart in a way that is very difficult to explain.
Juliet... was an utterly broken, poor sweet darling who is so incredibly hard and belittling to herself. She never allowed herself to be truly happy, punishing herself for being "bad." It was agonizing to read how Danny, Donna, and the Pastor seemed to walk over her so easily, and she would remain meek with a smile on her face. This perception caused her to take forever to realize that Luke’s disdain was not a commentary on her worth but on their actions.
I used to think I didn’t have any triggers; I mean, I read some of the darkest and most depraved books out there, with seriously blurred lines of what is acceptable. In many cases, those books often enter into realms of "this is messed up."
BUT, this is the book I battled to complete and then didn't want to finish because then it would be over, and I wouldn't be able to experience it for the first time again. I struggled with this story as I found myself in a constant state of sobbing my heart out. There are so many aspects of Juliet’s story mirrored in my past, and it was not something I was expecting to be faced with. Her self-deprecating, self-degrading, and defeated internal dialogue that I know I can’t judge her for because it sounds exactly like mine at times.
Juliet’s story meant so much to me, and while I might not be special or the only one who feels this way, there is a small aspect of her story we share. Yes, there were slight differences between them, and they might not have happened the same, but the underlying theme and underlying feeling we both felt were the same—the guilt and blame for situations that are not her fault but still carry the burden and blame as if it were. There is just something about a book that can validate and articulate all your insecurities in a way you have never been able to fully articulate yourself.
I love Luke. While he is very much a man of few words, when he does choose to speak, he does so with reason. He spent his life wanting the one thing he couldn't have, but that didn't stop him from fighting for it and standing up for Juliet when no one else would.
Overall, I do see some problems in this that not everyone would appreciate; there are heavy elements of actual and emotional cheating. We don't see much of Luke in the present, and when he does talk, his actions of wanting to be with Juliet and how they just fall into sleeping together didn't line up fully as there wasn't much build up—he felt a bit distant to me, both as his older self and who he was in the past as they never seem to have a conversation, there is just distant pining.
But that lack of emotion is made up of all the emotions or emptiness that Juliet feels. So yes, I know some things could be better, and I know not everyone will love this. I, however, did because it was just what my heart needed to hear.
▶ Dual Timeline
▶ Boyfriends Best Friend
▶ Forbidden Love
▶ Second Chance Romance
▶ Celebrity Romance (Surfer and Singer)
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Found Family
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Physical abuse, Death, Homophobia, Cancer, Pedophilia, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicide
kryfrh's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Infidelity
Moderate: Death
katieklysmic's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Sexual assault, Rape, and Toxic relationship
crisbel's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Sexual assault
anniereads0714's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Death of parent, Cursing, Terminal illness, Suicide, Misogyny, Death, Classism, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Violence, Sexual violence, Cancer, Bullying, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Infidelity, Homophobia, Grief, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Domestic abuse, Religious bigotry, Rape, and Mental illness
elspethm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I'd like to say this is the best book I read this year but I also read Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld. Though, I'm going to say this one is a 5+
Also, I cannot stand books that make me cry.
However, this book was amazing. Juliet is a teenager who was abused at home and is 'adopted" by Danny, the preacher's son in town, who brings her home to live while she finishes high school. He treats her kind of like a sister and his mother, who is used to waiting on her husband and son, treats her like a daughter - another person there to help out. She feels inordinately grateful for everything they've given to her event though they treat her like an indentured servant.
One summer Danny brings home a friend from college, Luke, and he and Juliet fall in love instantly. But she's still "dating" Danny, living with his family, and he insists they "wait for marriage". And everyone in town says how wonderful his family is for taking her in.
Luke has had a similar life to Juliet, having been kicked out at 16 to her 15, and is motivated to become a professional surfer. He also encourages Juliet to live her own life even as she feels like she owes Danny and his family everything.
The book is told in the past, and the present, first when they know each other and she's dating Danny, and then when they're a bit older and Danny has died. We don't really know much about Danny's death and why Juliet and Luke were apart for 7 years, but they come together for a charity event in Danny's name.
It was agony through the entire book as they're clearly in love with each other, but Juliet always feels too guilty to do anything with her life that isn't dictated by the Allen family.
They have an HEA but you're on pins and needles the entire time. Not sure if my heart could handle another Elizabeth O'Roark book but there is a sequel about another person in the group and I may just read it even though I don't remember what his story was from this book.
Also, I cannot stand books that make me cry.
However, this book was amazing. Juliet is a teenager who was abused at home and is 'adopted" by Danny, the preacher's son in town, who brings her home to live while she finishes high school. He treats her kind of like a sister and his mother, who is used to waiting on her husband and son, treats her like a daughter - another person there to help out. She feels inordinately grateful for everything they've given to her event though they treat her like an indentured servant.
One summer Danny brings home a friend from college, Luke, and he and Juliet fall in love instantly. But she's still "dating" Danny, living with his family, and he insists they "wait for marriage". And everyone in town says how wonderful his family is for taking her in.
Luke has had a similar life to Juliet, having been kicked out at 16 to her 15, and is motivated to become a professional surfer. He also encourages Juliet to live her own life even as she feels like she owes Danny and his family everything.
The book is told in the past, and the present, first when they know each other and she's dating Danny, and then when they're a bit older and Danny has died. We don't really know much about Danny's death and why Juliet and Luke were apart for 7 years, but they come together for a charity event in Danny's name.
It was agony through the entire book as they're clearly in love with each other, but Juliet always feels too guilty to do anything with her life that isn't dictated by the Allen family.
They have an HEA but you're on pins and needles the entire time. Not sure if my heart could handle another Elizabeth O'Roark book but there is a sequel about another person in the group and I may just read it even though I don't remember what his story was from this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Death, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
trigger warnings: female main character was molested by unrelated family member in the past, main point of book is death of a main character, possible suicide, suicide attempt, abandoned main characters, Religious fervor and shaming.