Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

The Summer We Fell by Elizabeth O'Roark

4 reviews

voracious_book_addict's review against another edition

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challenging slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

The only thing I enjoyed about this story was the narration. Samantha Brentmoor and Teddy Hamilton do a great job! That said this story was definitely not for me. I found the FMC to be a complete doormat, she was whiny and a victim the whole book. She never grew a backbone or found her voice and it drove me nuts. I didn’t really like any of the characters in the book and felt like the story romanticized abusive religious practices. As romances go I wasn’t even rooting for the happy ending because I just didn’t care about the MMC and FMC. This book was selected by my book club and I’m very much looking forward to the discussion because I’m curious to see how others felt.
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anniereads0714's review against another edition

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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

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nerdylari's review against another edition

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5.0

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amanda_reads13's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-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

4.25

Juliet has been dating Danny, a preachers son, when she meets his friend Luke. There is a fine line between love and hate. This is something that Juliet learned the hard way. 10 years later they have reconnected and the past comes creeping back. 

This book is filled with angst and  heartbreak. I loved Juliet and Luke together. They pushed each other to be better and protected each other at all costs. I really liked the dual time lines, it allowed us to see deeper into the characters and their motivations. 

Juliet has escaped the hell that was her family and her stepbrother, and walked right into a cage. Though the preacher's family took her in, they treated her like a slave. They made sure to keep her small and to not let her dream of anything better. I just wanted to give her a hug. She felt so abandoned and alone. I hated some of the decisions she made, but I also understand that she has been beat down her whole life and feels like she owes the Allen family for "saving" her. 

Then when Luke entered the picture, she finally felt seen. He changed everything for her, he made her believe that she could be more, do more. She loved him so much that she did everything in her power to protect him, whether it was ensuring he had enough food or putting his future ahead of her feelings 

Luke also came from a horrible home. He could connect with and understand Juliet better than any one else could. He instantly recognized the situation Juliet was in.  He was the only one who actually cared for Juliet. He defended her, protected her, and loved her for who she is. He was patient, empathetic, and compassionate. He wanted nothing more than to ensure Juliet saw her value and her talent.

Danny and the pastor were very toxic. They were controlling and demanding. They used gaslighting and manipulation to control and shape Juliet into the person they wanted her to be (and Donna). 

Tropes: forbidden love (boyfriends best friend), second chance, enemies to lovers, insta-lust, dual timelines, he fell first, forced proximity, found family, love triangle
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