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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
I like it.
What Leo and Lila have been through is horrific and I'm so glad that they found a new home with the Poulton's.
I like the switching POVs between Leo and Charlie because we get so see what they are thinking and, in some cases, insight on why they are reacting the way they are reacting...
I also like that Karen and Lila are hard of hearing/deaf and the whole family uses sign-language. It's just a tiny thing in the story but I like it.
I appreciate that, since the boys are teens, that there is only some kissing and no sex in the story. :)
There are some little things that I didn't like but they are such tiny and minor things, that they didn't impact my enjoyment of the story.
What Leo and Lila have been through is horrific and I'm so glad that they found a new home with the Poulton's.
I like the switching POVs between Leo and Charlie because we get so see what they are thinking and, in some cases, insight on why they are reacting the way they are reacting...
I also like that Karen and Lila are hard of hearing/deaf and the whole family uses sign-language. It's just a tiny thing in the story but I like it.
I appreciate that, since the boys are teens, that there is only some kissing and no sex in the story. :)
There are some little things that I didn't like but they are such tiny and minor things, that they didn't impact my enjoyment of the story.
Oh my! it's been a while since I read anything by Garrett. Totally forgot that her MCs, regardless of age, are often tortured souls struggling with life and love. This book does not disappoint. Charlie and Leo are foster brothers. Leo's backstory, which is revealed in the prologue, is horrific. He and his profoundly deaf sister are sent to Charlie's family. Charlie was a foster child and then adopted by Reg and Kate. Excellently written, as always by Ms. Leigh. Wonderful secondary characters, particularly Fliss and Andy, Charlie's brother and sister. Strong themes about how family's support each other, long term effects of PTSD and the nascent development of young love. So of course this ends as a HFN but I see that there are shorts, etc. that continue Leo and Charlie's story on Ms. Leigh's Patreon page. Might just part with my $2 to read them :).
This was exceptional. Young Adult romance is a special subgenre, addressing a delicate time in anyone's life, but that doesn't mean you avoid serious trauma or its aftermath. Kids wade through bad stuff all the time, like Leo. And others were saved when young, like Charlie. I loved the parents. I loved each sibling, and I loved that innocent slow burn between these boys, the one hurting and the one who just wants to help.
Very highly recommended.
Very highly recommended.
emotional
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
it's all on me, i swear. i expect too high. i thought this book would hurt me so good since the blurb made my heart break a little and i'm in the mood with some comfort-healing theme. but, nope, i didnt feels any hurt-omg-i-cant-breath-because-it-was-so-sad kind of thing, it's just an average hurt. i didnt even shade a tear! and considering that i'm a cry baby it's really weird for me. yes, Charlie and Leo are so cute together and the kisses they share with each other were hot. 2.5 stars rounded up.
