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It's Not All Roses

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How can you let someone you're head over heels in love with into the darkest parts of your soul? The parts you keep locked away so no one can judge you.

Rosalind is a regular 20-year-old. She has a great group of friends and a boy she adores. Until a horrible night when everything changes.

Atticus is the star basketball player at Savanna University. He meets Rose through a mutual friend, and soon they become inseparable. When she starts to withdraw and act strange, he begins to worry about her.

One night during a panic attack, she calls him, and he rushes to her aid.

It's then that he learns about her darkest secret.

Will Atticus throw away everything to help her? Will Rose accept his help, or will she push him away?

179 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2023

76 people are currently reading
482 people want to read

About the author

Maia Terry

10 books49 followers
Maia Terry is a small town author from Kentucky where she lives with her husband and two amazing kids. Picking up writing at a young age, Maia loved creating a world that she could control, one where she could escape. Now, after a fourteen year hiatus, she builds on that love as she continues to use writing as an outlet. The real life aspects in her works hit home for so many, allowing them to connect on a deeper level with each character. Writing not only allowed herself to escape, but she wanted to create a world where she could give that reprieve to others as well.

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5 stars
76 (22%)
4 stars
76 (22%)
3 stars
103 (30%)
2 stars
49 (14%)
1 star
30 (8%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Amber Hughson.
66 reviews2 followers
February 15, 2023
I received this book as an ARC and thought was a good book overall. I felt as if the climax of it was a bit rushed after a major turning point in the book. I did love that we got the full ending for the characters rather than assuming what was to happen. It was a good, easy standalone read though!! I would read more from this author!
Profile Image for Fabs.
42 reviews5 followers
October 12, 2023
The way they seemed to always know what to do and how to react is just unrealistic. The ending was rushed. The characters were only Rose and Atticus, because Trevor and Amelia only existed to remind us that the other two existed like the book wasn’t already about them. Overall it’s a well deserved 2 ⭐️.
2 reviews2 followers
February 15, 2023
Absolutely loved this book! A quick read but captivated me from the beginning! Atticus and Rosalind are absolutely adorable and I love that you get to follow them to the end! This author did a fantastic job addressing some deep issues. All in all, I absolutely recommend and I can’t wait to see what else this author has in store!
Profile Image for Kacy L. Kennett.
112 reviews46 followers
March 13, 2023
Rose used to be a normal college student, worrying about studying for finals and wondering what the future would hold. But when she's attacked after her best friend's scrimmage, suddenly nothing is as it was and she has no idea if things will ever get better.

Atticus always noticed everything about Rose ever since they became close friends years ago. Suddenly, Rose was distant and secretive and especially jumpy about physical touch, and he's concerned. But she refuses to tell him what was going on.

When Rose reaches out to Atticus for support, and he learns exactly what happened to change his best friend, they both struggle to figure out how to move forward. And with their shifting feelings for each other and threats from outside forces, they'll need to figure out how far they'll go to protect each other. And just when everything seems to have gotten better, things will change forever.

***************

Written in alternating first-person POV, "It's Not All Roses" follows Rose and Atticus as they navigate life and love after a vicious attack makes trust hard and they learn just how far they are willing to go to protect the ones they love.

Thankfully, the author included a trigger warning list at the beginning of this story, so readers can go into the book with a clear idea of what all happens in this book. It's heartbreaking but so well-written.

Rose didn't have the best home life between her dad leaving her and her mom's barely disguised disdain. She has no place to turn when she's assaulted after her best friend, Atticus', scrimmage one night. Being threatened by her assailant and constantly being in his presence while keeping this massive secret, Rose slowly falls apart and her mental health takes an even worse turn. The author does a great job of describing her slow mental health plummet, the struggle of talking about her assault, and the massive undertaking involved in her recovery and healing. And that's not to mention the other horrible things that happen to Rose throughout the book. She's such a strong character, and she's just written so well and detailed in a way that readers will empathize with her.

Atticus was a supportive guy. He wants to make Rose feel safe and once he learns what happens to her, he undertakes a lot of responsibility in keeping her safe and operating under her new boundaries. He didn't need to make sure she was safe and he certainly didn't need to jeopardize his future to protect and help her, but he did it anyway because he's a good friend and a nice guy. The readers don't learn much about him in terms of his family life, but readers can respect him for being there for his friend. Atticus also had some things to deal with in terms of his guilt towards Rose for not being with her the night she was assaulted, and he carries that burden around unknowingly until he breaks down. Rose never blamed him or thought he should feel guilty, and he slowly realizes that he wouldn't have been able to predict or change things. This wasn't just a story about the strength of a survivor and their growth and healing, but also the strength of those around them and their own healing journies as they support the survivor (I hate using the word victim, so I've avoided using it as much as I can in this review).

The romance between Rose and Atticus was cute. It didn't start all that suddenly, they were friends before they became more. And it even took a while in this book before they were in a relationship, mainly due to the assault Rose experienced. Atticus respected her boundaries and operated at her speed, and that made this romance really wholesome. And with the ending of this book, readers aren't left in the dark about what happened to the couple (or their friends) in the future.

The conflict with Derek did progress a bit quicker than I would have liked and expected, and it was promptly concluded rather quickly as well. I wish there was less finality to the conclusion of his story and we could see him reap some other repercussions for his actions other than being kicked off the sports team (I'm thinking jail but that's just me). But the way his story concluded and what it meant for Rose and Atticus worked just as well.

Overall, this was a really good book. I couldn't put it down. The mental health representation and the journey of growing and healing after a traumatic event were really well-written. The romance was cute and progressed in a way that didn't make it feel odd, rushed, or weird. And the plot conflict and pacing were okay too, though there were some points where the story dragged and got a bit repetitive. I'd rate this book at a solid 4.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. I have purchased this book since.
Profile Image for Ari Loves All The Books.
385 reviews76 followers
February 25, 2023
This was a fast & short book.. it was a good read, it didn't really delve deep into the characters or their stories because it was a fast moving book, but it still invoked the emotions that made the FMC's story a good one.
Profile Image for Amanda.
42 reviews
February 14, 2023
Quick but good standalone read! I loved Atticus and Rosalind and I loved that we got full closure on the characters, too! Definitely would read more from this author!!
Profile Image for ciin_leest.
444 reviews24 followers
February 27, 2023
I liked this story very much! It was a bit short and would have loved to see it longer. Loved the growth in the relation between Atticus and Rosalind. The author did a very good job at describing the path Rose had to take to get more in peace with her trauma and opening up about it. It fel realistic and relatable to read about. 
132 reviews6 followers
February 28, 2023
-- If I could have any woman on this earth, I would still choose you. It doesn't matter who they are, what they have or haven't been through..." he trails off for a moment, leaning dowb to kiss my lips softly, "it will always be you. Always." --

I absolutely loved this book. The bond between Rosalind is heartwarming and  lovely. I really loved how their friendship turned into something more.
Rosalind is a really strong character who tries to overcome a horrible event. Her mum isn't worth mentioning but her friends Amelia and Trevor are amazing. I enjoyed reading about the friendship between Amelia and Trevor and their girl 'talks'.
The writer wrote the heavy topics good. I really liked how the writer wrote their ending and that we can read about their future.
The book isn't very long what makes a great read for when your not in the mood for a long book.
I am defintely going to check out more of the author.
Profile Image for Grace Hill.
45 reviews12 followers
March 1, 2023
I guess I’m in the minority but I did not enjoy this book at all. I had to keep reminding myself that these characters were in college because they talk like 14 year olds in their first relationship. I kept waiting for it to get more exciting and I thought there was going to be some sort of climax and then boom! Antagonist is dead. And that’s it. Like nothing happened in this book except for 3 “I love yous” per page. I can understand and how it could be someone’s comfort book and maybe it’s just not my genre, but this book was definitely not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Chloe Scott.
30 reviews
February 19, 2023
This book is about a young woman who has a shitty excuse for a mother therefor motherly unconditional love is pretty unfamiliar consept to Rose. No homey feeling, no safe place where to run when walls are collapsing around her.
But she has her friends. Amelia, Trevor and Atticus. Atticus has been one of her best friends for two years and it's time to take that friendship to another level. Just when they're getting comfortable with each other, shit hits the fan, like always. Rose falls into the darkness and Atticus is the light that keeps her from drowning completly.
Atticus is a true book-boyfriend everyone should have, also in real life.
If you want something sweet and lovely, this book is totally for you. I love every minute of it.
The story was flowing the entire time and I couldn't put it away.
48 reviews1 follower
February 28, 2023
I absolutely adored It’s Not All Roses! I felt like you could really feel the love shared between Rose and Atticus throughout the entire book.

I absolutely loved that Atticus is a cinnamon roll boyfriend when it comes to Rose’s dark secrets and being paired with the - who did this - trope 🤌🏼

The small plot twist that occurred gave the book a nice sweet ending that the characters deserved.

There’s basically no spice at all, but be wary of the trigger warnings which include mental health topics such as panic attacks, PTSD, depression, self-harm, attempted suicide (mentioned briefly), alcohol use (mentioned briefly), physical and mental abuse, and off-scene, sexual assault.

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Amanda S.
20 reviews3 followers
February 22, 2023
I received an ARC of this book to review.

This was a quick, but heavy read. Please read all CW before tackling this book as it addresses some difficult topics.

This story centers around the unraveling after a traumatic event and how it impacts relationships, while also delving into the baggage the characters bring into the present. The author delicately handled some very serious topics. I did feel like the resolution was a bit tidy and rushed, and then the book kept going. This book does give us more of an ending for the characters rather than just a resolution of the main conflict, which was a nice change. The writing is solid and the characters are likable and relatable. I cried a couple of times while reading this book, which to me is always a mark of good storytelling. 🌹
Profile Image for Ashley  Walton.
42 reviews
February 27, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. Definitely check out the trigger warnings. This book has great character development. It was easy to get emotionally invested and it was easy to think that you could be a part of that friend group. Not too much spice but the genuine love that Atticus and Rose had and how deep the friendships were felt, this book didn’t need any extra spice. So happy with how this book ended. All in all I would highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Breanna.
242 reviews8 followers
November 11, 2025
Golden retriever 😍

Atticus is literally everything. Standing by Rose, defending and protecting her through everything. This was beautifully written, you can feel Rose's pain and fear, but also the love between her, Atticus and their friends.
1 review
February 19, 2023
This book grab my attention in the first few paragraphs and I was unable to put it down. There was tears and laughs while reading. Also I love the chemistry between Rose and Atticus.
Profile Image for Alina.
2 reviews
February 25, 2023
I felt like this book was such a good mix of real life events. The author did a good job of speaking on abuse and also writing about the after effects of not only the victim but those around her. The characters had such a strong connection that I enjoyed following along their story. I love that we were able to know how all the characters life’s end up but also would have enjoyed a little mystery. I would definitely read another book from this author in the future!
1 review1 follower
February 27, 2023
I started reading this book and didn’t lay it back down until I had read the whole thing. I audibly gasped more than once. Definitely recommend, and I can’t wait to see what else this author comes up with.
Profile Image for Bobby L.
198 reviews5 followers
February 22, 2023
This book is amazing to me! Rose is amazing character in this book! This author is good!! Can’t wait to read more and I’ll probably read this book more! The characters has great chemistry but also read your tw because there is some in it!!
Profile Image for Spicy BookNook Reviews.
346 reviews58 followers
September 30, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

Man, oh man, Maia, you really know how to pull on my heartstrings 🥺

🔥 Be sure to check out triggers for this book before digging in as it does touch on some hard to swallow topics.

Rose is such a sweet and innocent girl who grew up having to give herself some thick skin, but she always caved to her weaknesses, too.

Atticus, oh Atticus, he's such an amazing man and everything and more for our sweet Rose 🖤

Rose learns that Atticus will always be there for her through the good, the bad, the ugly. She has to teach herself how to accept that she's gained a forever type of man.

"I don’t care how many times I have to dive into the darkness to pull you back out. I will do it. I don’t know the exact moment that I fell in love with you, but I will tell you this. You’re it for me."

This book will take you through the ringer of emotions and just want to reach into the book and hug and squeeze both Rose and Attie! They go through so much together, but the one thing that always holds true is their love for each other.

Trauma healing is never easy, but Rose can teach us all a little something on how to grow!

Thank you @authormaiaterry for another incredible book! I just love you and your writing so much!!
Profile Image for Jenny 🖤.
64 reviews3 followers
April 16, 2023
Swoon Worthy Book

Let me start by saying I hope everyone in their life experiences what it’s like to have an Atticus. This man is who I wish everyone had while going through some of the hardest moments of their life. He is very protective of who he loves but will not hesitate show his emotions. My favorite quote Atticus says to rose is, “But I promise you that no matter what, I will not give up on you, Rosalind Olivia. I don’t care how many times I have to dive into the darkness to pull you back out. I will do it. I don’t know the exact moment that I fell in love with you, but I will tell you this. You’re it for me.”
I love Rose and Atticus together. They are relaxation goals 🖤

Maia terry Thank you for this story. It was emotional and made me cry but it had the sweetest ending.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book does contain Triggers so please read all trigger warnings before starting.
Profile Image for Amanda.
87 reviews
March 2, 2023
First and foremost, I caution you to read the trigger warnings for this book! There are very difficult and sensitive situations that are brought up which may be very traumatic to read. There were some parts of the book which were difficult to work through emotionally, but you reach a happily ever after at the end. I did enjoy the book and it was wonderful to read how Rose works through her trauma and the support she is given along the way. This is a book I would definitely recommend, but not one I feel I would be re-reading multiple times. An all around good read, but it didn’t suck me in to keep on a re-read rotation.
Profile Image for Alice Greenfield.
112 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2023
A contemporary, friends to lovers, fade to black romance. Is a standalone with Multiple POV's. HEA. Check the trigger warnings.

Wow. Where do I even start. This was an incredibly well written book and handled the sensitive topics wonderfully in my opinion. A fast, but heavy read.

The book follows Rosalind, a twenty year old college student with a great group of friends, but a not so great home life, and Atticus, the star basketball player on the college basketball team.

Rosalind (Rose) and Atticus (Attie)'s relationship was beautiful and was incredibly loving and deep, but not without problems. I loved their friend group and found family.

This book touches on, self-harm, attempted suicide, abandonment, neglect, abuse/assault, and other traumas.
Profile Image for Kat.
55 reviews10 followers
April 23, 2023
woah

Okay, so after reading Fatal Vow (Which FYI was absolutely wonderful). I decided to read the first book that Maia Terry had published/wrote.

This book made me cry, made me angry and made me feel a fair few other emotions. (Make sure to check the TW)

Atticus is so dreamy, he is so sweet and he sat by Roses side through the very worse. Could you really ask for more? He was a true gentleman.

Rose is so so strong, she survived something so dark and horrid. She truly deserves now to have the most happiest and wonderful life and I’m sure Atticus would be able to provide her that.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book!
Profile Image for Amber Pickerill.
1,091 reviews6 followers
March 4, 2023
What an emotional rollercoaster! Please check your TWs.
Rose might have finally given into her feelings for her best friend Atticus, but the timing couldn't be more wrong. While Atticus does all he can to support her, including risking his position on the team, the very real emotional damage is hard to push through.
This was written very well from the perspective of the victim and the person who is trying to help.
I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.
66 reviews
November 17, 2023
It is a short and a quick read. Two couples form a friend group. One girl gets assaulted and hides it from everyone resulting in trauma building on top of her issues with her mother. The book deals with heavy topics like assault, trauma, self harm, attempted suicide, seeking therapy and building trust. However the writing did not really work for me. Second half of the book is the saving grace in my opinion.
Profile Image for Mickayla Workman.
60 reviews
October 18, 2025
**3.5 stars

This book was short and kept me wanting to read. Sometimes I felt as if the same thing was happening over and over and the characters felt a little underdeveloped but all in all a good read. I will say the climax came way too early and there were some plot holes where I was like wow that could have been explored more but it wasn’t. The topics are very relatable in the book just wish there was more.
Profile Image for Sam.
242 reviews25 followers
February 24, 2023
📕 REVIEW 📕

4/5 ⭐️
0/5 🌶️

I loved this sweet little Upper YA novella!! Friendship, love, loss, betrayal, hurt. The ultimate HEA after a series of traumas and struggles for the MCs, particularly the FMC. Super cute, short, easy read to fill the shelves 🖤

•short chapters
•friends to lovers
•mental health awareness
•cinnamon roll MCs

•self-harm
•physical assault
Profile Image for Philomena Callan Cheekypee.
4,020 reviews432 followers
March 4, 2023
It’s Not All Roses is so true in this story. Rosalind is twenty year old with some lovely friends. Unfortunately one night changes everything and nearly destroys Rosalind. Rosalind and Atticus were perfect together.

It’s a lovely story that had me engrossed from start to finish. Can’t wait to read more from this author.
Profile Image for Ali - Virgen  Literaria .
63 reviews
September 27, 2023
It could happen

No sabía que este libro se sentiría como si pequeñas agujas se clavaran en mi piel. De que por un momento yo también pude sentir las manos de Derek en mi cuello y que es muy triste que aunque sea ficción, estas situación pasan...
Estoy impresionada de lo real que pareció.
1,760 reviews45 followers
March 1, 2023
Great book! The pace and story had me completely engaged that I finished it in one go. Good balance of storyline, drama, character growth, etc, just a really great read. Definitely recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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