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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
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
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
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Grief, Abandonment, Death, Homophobia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Rape
bookshelf1792's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
Elizabeth O’Roark is an automatic read for me and this one didn’t disappoint. Holy angst! Tear me apart and put me back together. The religious layers in here hit very close to home and it was validating to read an experience that I could relate to (in some ways). The “now” timeline felt like something was missing - why they were getting together in the now timeline didn’t quite make sense yet. Still a satisfying and angst filled read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
romancewithem's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This was so good, I love a good duel timeline story and all the peices of the past slowly dropping into place to understand the present
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster and will need a couple of days to process what I just read
Juliet often finds herself in shitty situations and does what's expected of her and what she thinks is the best. Whilst Luke keeps coming along and is wanting her to actually do her best and encouraging her to do that and I love him for that
I wish is that we got a little bit more of their HEA and experience it a bit more after the journey we went on in this book
CW: cheating
- 'its always been you'
- second chance
- duel timeline
thank you to Valentine PR for letting me read and arc of this book
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster and will need a couple of days to process what I just read
Juliet often finds herself in shitty situations and does what's expected of her and what she thinks is the best. Whilst Luke keeps coming along and is wanting her to actually do her best and encouraging her to do that and I love him for that
I wish is that we got a little bit more of their HEA and experience it a bit more after the journey we went on in this book
CW: cheating
- 'its always been you'
- second chance
- duel timeline
thank you to Valentine PR for letting me read and arc of this book
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Death, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, and Rape
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