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gatheredandgrounded's review against another edition
3.0
I’ve never been so upset with a main character, the last chapter really saved the book for me
amberisalwaysreading86's review
4.0
The angst, and conflicting emotions I experienced while reading this book were unreal!
At times, I think writers tend to idealize first love, and a main character’s desire to return to it once presented with the opportunity.
In this instance,it was completely understandable, as the first love scenario was so worthy of revisiting.
Oliver and Lance were both beautiful specimens of male perfection.
The perfect first boyfriend.
The perfect husband and lifemate.
Normally, I tend to have a strong pull to one side/member of a love triangle …. and the absence of that feeling is what made this story so difficult. I genuinely loved and enjoyed our female main character being with both of these heroes, and I felt like I went into a time of mourning as I read the last page.
This was a beautiful offering from Marni Mann, authentic and thought-provoking content.
At times, I think writers tend to idealize first love, and a main character’s desire to return to it once presented with the opportunity.
In this instance,it was completely understandable, as the first love scenario was so worthy of revisiting.
Oliver and Lance were both beautiful specimens of male perfection.
The perfect first boyfriend.
The perfect husband and lifemate.
Normally, I tend to have a strong pull to one side/member of a love triangle …. and the absence of that feeling is what made this story so difficult. I genuinely loved and enjoyed our female main character being with both of these heroes, and I felt like I went into a time of mourning as I read the last page.
This was a beautiful offering from Marni Mann, authentic and thought-provoking content.
feliciasrose's review against another edition
I'm really bored and not at all invested in these characters. I can't believe only the final chapter is Shane East. Goodbyeee
sonialusiveira's review
2.0
I one clicked this book after I saw the cover and the title. I went in expected a high-angst story but the story moves so fast I barely felt any emotion until the part Oliver re-entered Chloe's life. But even that isn't very angsty and Chole just seem like a horny 21 years old all over again. From the beginning, I couldn't feel any chemistry between Chloe and Oliver so she not moving on from Oliver when she was with Lance was a bit unbelievable. The jumping timelines made it felt too quick for Lance and Chloe but I feel their chemistry better than Chloe with Oliver. I hate that Lance never found out about what went on in Amsterdam. And that epilogue? I don't know what to feel about it.
pattyfgd's review against another edition
5.0
There are books that you listen to and as soon as it's over, it's forgotten. Then there are books like this one. Marni Mann has a way with words. Her stories are real and touch your soul. I think what I love the most is that she puts me out of my comfort zone and makes me think and feel, what would I do? In this case we meet Chloe who has traveled abroad for college for a semester and fallen for Oliver. Oliver is the best boyfriend and when she comes home, of course, they cannot continue their relationship. Years go by, and she meets Lance, falls in love and marries. Happy as can be, she encounters Oliver again. And now decisions have to be made. I am not a person with triggers, but this one does not sit well with me. At the same time, the realistic and raw feelings that Marni Mann accentuates in her stories makes me think and wonder, what would I do? First loves are so strong but so are second chances at love. Is it possible to love two men? What would I do? I lived this story as Chloe went through her life, and I don't know if her choices would have been mine. But I love that I was able to hear her story, feel her emotions and see her decisions. This book is amazing!
Ava Erickson shines in this narration. A better choice of narrator could not have been made. She has a rawness to her voice that brings out the emotions and gives us every feeling, whether happy or sad. I love her as Chloe. Shane East as Oliver just about killed me. He has a cameo appearance, and it's so emotionally charged, it literally brought tears to my eyes. Amazing performances, amazing book!
Ava Erickson shines in this narration. A better choice of narrator could not have been made. She has a rawness to her voice that brings out the emotions and gives us every feeling, whether happy or sad. I love her as Chloe. Shane East as Oliver just about killed me. He has a cameo appearance, and it's so emotionally charged, it literally brought tears to my eyes. Amazing performances, amazing book!
kellyj1028's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
⭐️5⭐️This is a complicated story that you can’t help falling in love with! The storyline was so incredibly well written, and the characters absolutely blew this story away. I loved Chloe, Oliver & Lance.. and Molly! I loved how Chloe’s best friend Molly played an integral part of the story, because we all have that one bestie who is there for us no matter what!!
The writing was so intense & so full of emotions I couldn’t put it down.
This book touches every part of my soul!
beckyrendon's review against another edition
5.0
If you've never read Marni Mann before, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that you have no idea how emotional her writing can make you. I'm sorry you've never been twisted into a tangled mess like discarded Christmas lights. I'm sorry that you haven't lived through all her amazing adventures. But most of all, I'm sorry I can't vent all the juicy parts of this story! (You have no idea how crazy I am right now! I'm typing this at 12:51AM. I can't scream, swoon, or cry [loudly] because my husband is sleeping soundly next to me.)
I can tell you in true Marni fashion you will be holding on to your seat (pillow, blankets. Whatever tangible object is closest) right up to the very last word. I can tell you that even after reading the acknowledgements you will be waiting for the extra stuff like a Marvel movie. I can tell you that you will then dissect the entire novel trying to figure out where it was decided, where you fell in love, and where your heart truly lies. I can also tell you that no matter what your decision is it doesn't really matter- Even If It Hurts.
Marni Mann had created a world in which we know, KNOW, that we can't have our cake and eat it too. Our minds and hearts are going into battle with our wanton bodies. I'm just not sure who really won...
Besides, I'm more a cookie girl myself!
I can tell you in true Marni fashion you will be holding on to your seat (pillow, blankets. Whatever tangible object is closest) right up to the very last word. I can tell you that even after reading the acknowledgements you will be waiting for the extra stuff like a Marvel movie. I can tell you that you will then dissect the entire novel trying to figure out where it was decided, where you fell in love, and where your heart truly lies. I can also tell you that no matter what your decision is it doesn't really matter- Even If It Hurts.
Marni Mann had created a world in which we know, KNOW, that we can't have our cake and eat it too. Our minds and hearts are going into battle with our wanton bodies. I'm just not sure who really won...
Besides, I'm more a cookie girl myself!