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Five Things
After two years of living in the shadows, I force myself to leave my protective bubble and move to college. When I get there though, and come face to face with the casualty of the greatest mistake of my life, I have to wonder whether I’ve made the right decision. But then, as time moves on, I learn how to breathe again and that’s not something I’m willing to give up on. Maverick may be determined to push me away—something I deserve—but all I want is to hold on to my freedom, and him , tighter.
Will we find happiness with each other again, or are we destined to a lifetime of hurting one another?
Five Things is a stand-alone, college, contemporary romance, which contains heavier themes and situations that some readers may find triggering. 18+
Will we find happiness with each other again, or are we destined to a lifetime of hurting one another?
Five Things is a stand-alone, college, contemporary romance, which contains heavier themes and situations that some readers may find triggering. 18+
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2023
444 people are currently reading
4261 people want to read
About the author
Violet Paine
3 books137 followersViolet Paine is a contemporary romance author who lives in Derbyshire, England, with her husband, their daughter, and fur baby. When she isn't busy trying to make sense of the millions of characters who take up residence in her mind, you can find her reading fanfiction on her couch, wrapped in her favourite Oodie, with a cup of tea in one hand and a bag of Maltesers in the other.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
October 30, 2023
the story started off well but I just don’t think the story was very well executed… like what do you mean the male love interest just forgave beatrice for putting him in prison without even knowing the explanation??😭 like it would’ve made sense that they got together after he found out why she put him in prison (because the reasoning was valid) but he literally got over it so quick I don’t think it was realistic at all (not that romance books are very realistic anyway but you get my point)
It was a childhood friends to lovers which is my favourite but I wish they had the past and present scenes to see the full extent of their relationship, I also wish they showed more of willow and beatrice’s friendship and more about nash and Maisie
It was a childhood friends to lovers which is my favourite but I wish they had the past and present scenes to see the full extent of their relationship, I also wish they showed more of willow and beatrice’s friendship and more about nash and Maisie
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2023
You ever look at someone an see every mistake youve ever made? Yet you also cant look away, because when you do, it hurts? Maybe even more than looking at them does.
Beatrice made a decision 2 years ago that cost her her best friends. After deciding to start living again, B starts college, but walking in she did not expect to come face to face with one of them. Maverick doesnt make her life easy to begin with. But the connection these two have is magnetic. Slowly they open up to each other, after one night - which wasnt ever going to be enough.
Beatrice suffers with panic attacks now and this story is largely based around mental health and the struggles that surround it. Maverick was the light in her darkness, supportive, understanding, patient, protective & caring. I loved the growth of these two, surrounded by an amazing group of friends. Together helping to overcome trauma & find forgiveness. During every dark day too.
This isnt dark like V’s other books, but it does have trigger warnings - please check them.
V is one of my favourite authors, she grips you from the start. I ate this up and got annoyed with myself because I finished it too fast. She drags your emotions out, I laughed through sobs and finished it with a lump in my throat. I fell completely in love with both Beatrice and Maverick.
This deserves so many more than 5stars. I highly recommend!
Beatrice made a decision 2 years ago that cost her her best friends. After deciding to start living again, B starts college, but walking in she did not expect to come face to face with one of them. Maverick doesnt make her life easy to begin with. But the connection these two have is magnetic. Slowly they open up to each other, after one night - which wasnt ever going to be enough.
Beatrice suffers with panic attacks now and this story is largely based around mental health and the struggles that surround it. Maverick was the light in her darkness, supportive, understanding, patient, protective & caring. I loved the growth of these two, surrounded by an amazing group of friends. Together helping to overcome trauma & find forgiveness. During every dark day too.
This isnt dark like V’s other books, but it does have trigger warnings - please check them.
V is one of my favourite authors, she grips you from the start. I ate this up and got annoyed with myself because I finished it too fast. She drags your emotions out, I laughed through sobs and finished it with a lump in my throat. I fell completely in love with both Beatrice and Maverick.
This deserves so many more than 5stars. I highly recommend!
July 8, 2023
i really related to and appreciated the anxiety rep in this book however i did get quite bored around 40% onwards
July 8, 2023
Look I really do feel sorry for bea and everything but willow a right to be mad at her, bc how would u feel if u had to watch ur brother go to jail? Even when he didn’t have to but he did,bc she took back her statement? Not bloody great. Also Nash saying he’s Mav ride or die or whatever, was stupid as shit. Bc news flash he wasn’t. Nash telling willow to “stfu” really didn’t make me like him any more. Also no one ever tried to understand Mav anger or resentment and tbh he didn’t always try to understand Bea’s issues but he learnt but did she? No.
Bea did something that was stupid, yes. But it’s the fact that she couldn’t even give him the time of day those two years, was crazy to me.
Honestly Mav should get new friends. Bc if my friends were friends with the person that put me in jail, we would not be friends.
Lowkey, what was the point of anger management or therapy for them? Bc it did not fucking work. In my opinion.
Bea did something that was stupid, yes. But it’s the fact that she couldn’t even give him the time of day those two years, was crazy to me.
Honestly Mav should get new friends. Bc if my friends were friends with the person that put me in jail, we would not be friends.
Lowkey, what was the point of anger management or therapy for them? Bc it did not fucking work. In my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2023
But tonight . . . for sixty minutes, we can be those two kids again, the ones who believed anything was possible as long as we had each other.”
Don’t you just love it when you pick a random book that you’ve never heard of, by an author you don’t know and it turns out to be the one that gets you out of a mood slump? I must have started and stopped at least five books before this. My inner moody bitch just couldn’t. I was 30% in when I realised I was still reading - the joy!
I really enjoyed Maverick and Beatrice’s story. There was just the right amount of angst, spice and drama. I mean, I didn’t even mind his nickname for her.. bumblebee… who am I? A perfect filler read. I really hope Nash gets a book, I absolutely adored him.
Themes: enemies to lovers, second chance, hate to love, he falls first, betrayal and revenge, college romance, sports romance, dv and mental health rep
🌶️ Medium
November 8, 2023
3.5⭐️
September 18, 2023
This story proves yet again that some writers are hell-bent on incorporating certain elements into a story even if they make no sense. Anything to sell books though, right?
Granted, I'm not the target audience for this book, but that just makes it worse. I've read N/A many times before and this particular take on the college-aged is a bit insulting. I have kids this age and it's clear that the writer knows fuck-all about them - or about human nature in general. Character thoughts, dialogue and actions were so overblown and cheesy they made my skin crawl. And all the male perspective was obviously written by a female trying to be male - and failing. However, my biggest issue was the heroine and her piss-poor choices. They made no rational sense given her upbringing, and I was unable to relate to or empathise with her.
I didn't have the happy family with two involved parents that the heroine, Beatrice had. Yet despite that I didn't need to be taught that a boyfriend shouldn't hit you and that once a guy goes there it can't be undone. Abuse is abuse and he'll absolutely do it again. And again. And no matter how "sorry" he is, it's not going to stop once it's started. Because even if he cries and apologises, he'll still manage to subtly blame you. And if you don't get out then you ARE to blame the next time he hits you. Nobody can convince you that it's YOUR fault that THEY hit you unless you are weak-minded already. And if you can't heed the survival instinct that every living creature is born with, then that's on you.
Nothing about Beatrice's life supports her decision to allow Sebastian's abuse to continue.
She didn't come from an abusive background. She didn't have neglectful parents. She had a normal upbringing. She had close friendships. She was well-adjusted and knew right from wrong. She didn't lack self-esteem. The fact that she let her boyfriend use her as a punching bag makes no logical sense. We aren't talking about someone who didn't know better and didn't have plenty of support in her life! She could have gone to any number of people who would have helped and protected her. I don't give two shits who her abuser was or how powerful his family, the truth will out. I can't imagine staying with someone who harmed me and blamed me for it, or not telling someone I was being threatened. If some arsehole put his hands on me you can bet I'd pay him back with interest. And I'm not in the minority here. Nevertheless, this writer would have you believe that even in this day and age, with all the awareness about abusive relationships, women are still as weak and easily victimised as Beatrice.
But Beatrice's decision to make best friend Maverick pay for her inability to stick up for herself? Just, no. She deserved all the backlash and more. IMO she got off too easy. I have no sympathy for stupid. I don't understand countering a bad action with a worse one. She was disloyal and utterly pathetic and yet this story is twisted in such a way as to make her look admirable and resilient, and deserving of forgiveness. Maverick is cast in a poor light for hating her and not understanding why she did what she did.
Wtf.
What a fucking joke.
The biggest joke of all is their HEA.
Please, mate. Forgive her if you must - right before you run to the opposite end of the earth to get the most possible distance from her. Her neediness will suck that guy dry. The writer doesn't even try to paint Beatrice as a survivor, or courageous. She paints her as a victim that will never be whole. Her panic attacks and anxiety never improve, she has many "bad days" and "will need medication for the rest of her life."
???
What fecking ever. That's not admirable! That's remaining beaten down and needing drugs as a crutch and making someone carry you through life. News flash - we're supposed to be evolving, and evolving means getting stronger, not weaker.
Imagine being saddled to a limp noodle like Beatrice and slowly having your will to live sucked out by her needy, pathetic fragility. No, thank you.
Granted, I'm not the target audience for this book, but that just makes it worse. I've read N/A many times before and this particular take on the college-aged is a bit insulting. I have kids this age and it's clear that the writer knows fuck-all about them - or about human nature in general. Character thoughts, dialogue and actions were so overblown and cheesy they made my skin crawl. And all the male perspective was obviously written by a female trying to be male - and failing. However, my biggest issue was the heroine and her piss-poor choices. They made no rational sense given her upbringing, and I was unable to relate to or empathise with her.
I didn't have the happy family with two involved parents that the heroine, Beatrice had. Yet despite that I didn't need to be taught that a boyfriend shouldn't hit you and that once a guy goes there it can't be undone. Abuse is abuse and he'll absolutely do it again. And again. And no matter how "sorry" he is, it's not going to stop once it's started. Because even if he cries and apologises, he'll still manage to subtly blame you. And if you don't get out then you ARE to blame the next time he hits you. Nobody can convince you that it's YOUR fault that THEY hit you unless you are weak-minded already. And if you can't heed the survival instinct that every living creature is born with, then that's on you.
Nothing about Beatrice's life supports her decision to allow Sebastian's abuse to continue.
She didn't come from an abusive background. She didn't have neglectful parents. She had a normal upbringing. She had close friendships. She was well-adjusted and knew right from wrong. She didn't lack self-esteem. The fact that she let her boyfriend use her as a punching bag makes no logical sense. We aren't talking about someone who didn't know better and didn't have plenty of support in her life! She could have gone to any number of people who would have helped and protected her. I don't give two shits who her abuser was or how powerful his family, the truth will out. I can't imagine staying with someone who harmed me and blamed me for it, or not telling someone I was being threatened. If some arsehole put his hands on me you can bet I'd pay him back with interest. And I'm not in the minority here. Nevertheless, this writer would have you believe that even in this day and age, with all the awareness about abusive relationships, women are still as weak and easily victimised as Beatrice.
But Beatrice's decision to make best friend Maverick pay for her inability to stick up for herself? Just, no. She deserved all the backlash and more. IMO she got off too easy. I have no sympathy for stupid. I don't understand countering a bad action with a worse one. She was disloyal and utterly pathetic and yet this story is twisted in such a way as to make her look admirable and resilient, and deserving of forgiveness. Maverick is cast in a poor light for hating her and not understanding why she did what she did.
Wtf.
What a fucking joke.
The biggest joke of all is their HEA.
Please, mate. Forgive her if you must - right before you run to the opposite end of the earth to get the most possible distance from her. Her neediness will suck that guy dry. The writer doesn't even try to paint Beatrice as a survivor, or courageous. She paints her as a victim that will never be whole. Her panic attacks and anxiety never improve, she has many "bad days" and "will need medication for the rest of her life."
???
What fecking ever. That's not admirable! That's remaining beaten down and needing drugs as a crutch and making someone carry you through life. News flash - we're supposed to be evolving, and evolving means getting stronger, not weaker.
Imagine being saddled to a limp noodle like Beatrice and slowly having your will to live sucked out by her needy, pathetic fragility. No, thank you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2023
Just something about this book🥺🥰. Duel pov. Idek what to say. She struggles with mental health after her toxic high school relationship. He thought he hated her for what she did. After two years of no contact they meet again at college and reconnect. I cried. I ate this book up.
Rate: 4.6/5
Smut: 2/5
Rate: 4.6/5
Smut: 2/5
October 13, 2023
i'm sorry but i did not like this at all
May 20, 2023
Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spicy content 🌶🌶🌶 /5
Spice quality 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥/5
I received this as an ARC copy, and my thoughts are honest and my own.
In this book, we follow Bea, who has been living in her protective bubble for two years. But she forces herself to go to college. However, she never expected to see the one mistake that she has made in her life.
Bea is an absolutely fantastic character, and honestly, she is so easy to relate to. She's holds her own and doesn't take any shit from anyone even though she has some mental health issues. With good reasons.
I have seen some books that have mental health issues in them due to trauma, and they always miss the mark. However, this book doesn't miss that mark at all, and it is so well written.
Please, do heed the trigger warnings as everyone is different and your mental health is important.
The world building in this book is amazing and well done. And can I just say that Mav, *swoon* while he was an ass through the book (until later), where can I get myself one of him! He is so tormented by his own feelings that I found myself screaming at him multiple times.
I could not put this book down, and it has gone straight into my favourites! And two epilogue's!! I loved that we got two, so there were no lingering questions.
I never wanted this book to end, and now that it has, I will definitely be re reading it in the future.
I highly recommend this book.
Spicy content 🌶🌶🌶 /5
Spice quality 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥/5
I received this as an ARC copy, and my thoughts are honest and my own.
In this book, we follow Bea, who has been living in her protective bubble for two years. But she forces herself to go to college. However, she never expected to see the one mistake that she has made in her life.
Bea is an absolutely fantastic character, and honestly, she is so easy to relate to. She's holds her own and doesn't take any shit from anyone even though she has some mental health issues. With good reasons.
I have seen some books that have mental health issues in them due to trauma, and they always miss the mark. However, this book doesn't miss that mark at all, and it is so well written.
Please, do heed the trigger warnings as everyone is different and your mental health is important.
The world building in this book is amazing and well done. And can I just say that Mav, *swoon* while he was an ass through the book (until later), where can I get myself one of him! He is so tormented by his own feelings that I found myself screaming at him multiple times.
I could not put this book down, and it has gone straight into my favourites! And two epilogue's!! I loved that we got two, so there were no lingering questions.
I never wanted this book to end, and now that it has, I will definitely be re reading it in the future.
I highly recommend this book.
September 9, 2024
this book broke me and my heart felt heavy the entire time i was reading it.
August 3, 2023
(1.5/5) someone get me a bat so i can bash myself over the head with it xx
July 8, 2023
˗ˏˋ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ´ˎ˗
﹌﹌﹌
5 stars!! I started reading this book in my car, and I finished it just now. The story's structure and emotions were just perfect, in my opinion. This is the first book I've read by this author, and V totally ate. It's amazing how the characters' feelings can be felt and how you can identify to them, especially in terms of mental health. Even though the characters annoy you so much, you can understand why they act the way they do because you would have done the same thing. It was easy to relate to both Maverick and Bea by experiencing what they were both feeling and their actions. I was extremely proud of Bea as I watched her grow throughout the novel and discover who she was. The supporting cast, including Maisie and Nash, unquestionably tightened the plot. For Bea, there was a support structure in place, and it was always there. After reading this book, I started crying, and I still have tears in my eyes. Even though I usually state that I adore a book, each one is unique in their own ways, and this one's elements made me adore it even more. The phrase "Today, I became a survivor" remained in my head, and I want everyone to know that you too are survivors despite all the challenges you have encountered. I want everyone to be aware that Bea is a powerful illustration of the survivor you can be. Now, we nee a Maisie and Nash story. The last thing I want to say is to encourage you guys to read this story because it captivates you and makes you want to hold on tight. Please read the trigger warnings as well.
﹌﹌﹌
﹌﹌﹌
5 stars!! I started reading this book in my car, and I finished it just now. The story's structure and emotions were just perfect, in my opinion. This is the first book I've read by this author, and V totally ate. It's amazing how the characters' feelings can be felt and how you can identify to them, especially in terms of mental health. Even though the characters annoy you so much, you can understand why they act the way they do because you would have done the same thing. It was easy to relate to both Maverick and Bea by experiencing what they were both feeling and their actions. I was extremely proud of Bea as I watched her grow throughout the novel and discover who she was. The supporting cast, including Maisie and Nash, unquestionably tightened the plot. For Bea, there was a support structure in place, and it was always there. After reading this book, I started crying, and I still have tears in my eyes. Even though I usually state that I adore a book, each one is unique in their own ways, and this one's elements made me adore it even more. The phrase "Today, I became a survivor" remained in my head, and I want everyone to know that you too are survivors despite all the challenges you have encountered. I want everyone to be aware that Bea is a powerful illustration of the survivor you can be. Now, we nee a Maisie and Nash story. The last thing I want to say is to encourage you guys to read this story because it captivates you and makes you want to hold on tight. Please read the trigger warnings as well.
﹌﹌﹌
July 21, 2023
This book will have you crying and laughing at the same time.
Second chance
Childhood friends to lovers
Mental health rep
College
It's always been you
Oh God, this book. I have no words. This is the first book I've read that has handled mental health and the struggles with it so well. Like Beatrice struggles with it, and she openly see that but she's improving and trying to get better. The way violet writes about her panic attacks and how her friends and family are helping her is amazing. It's not like in other books where it's the characters whole personality is struggling with mental health or there's a couple of sentences written about it and pushed to the side. What i love about it as well is her struggles weren't just magically solved because of a man and some dick.
The inner turmoil and angst between the main characters of this book was so good. It wasn't too long with over explained things to it. It was heartbreaking and healing all at once.
Second chance
Childhood friends to lovers
Mental health rep
College
It's always been you
Oh God, this book. I have no words. This is the first book I've read that has handled mental health and the struggles with it so well. Like Beatrice struggles with it, and she openly see that but she's improving and trying to get better. The way violet writes about her panic attacks and how her friends and family are helping her is amazing. It's not like in other books where it's the characters whole personality is struggling with mental health or there's a couple of sentences written about it and pushed to the side. What i love about it as well is her struggles weren't just magically solved because of a man and some dick.
The inner turmoil and angst between the main characters of this book was so good. It wasn't too long with over explained things to it. It was heartbreaking and healing all at once.
June 5, 2023
“You. You are my one thing. You ground me. You bring me back to life, time and time again, without complaint. Without you, I drown. But when you’re here, with me, I thrive. You are everything.”
Where to even start with this book… the storyline was so powerful and an emotional ride between Beatrice and Maverick. This story talks about mental illness and the struggles that can occur with it through these characters.
After making a decision 2 years ago to protect the one she loves, Bea is stepping out of her comfort zone to attend college. At college, she runs into Mav and comes face to face with her biggest mistake.
The connection between these two was powerful. But with their past, they both have a lot to face with each other and inside themselves.
Without giving away any spoilers this book was truly great! You get sucked in from the very beginning and feel the pain and suffering that both Bea and Mav face. But now through the darkness, there is light. This book will be one I read again in the future and has me looking forward to reading more by Violet.
Where to even start with this book… the storyline was so powerful and an emotional ride between Beatrice and Maverick. This story talks about mental illness and the struggles that can occur with it through these characters.
After making a decision 2 years ago to protect the one she loves, Bea is stepping out of her comfort zone to attend college. At college, she runs into Mav and comes face to face with her biggest mistake.
The connection between these two was powerful. But with their past, they both have a lot to face with each other and inside themselves.
Without giving away any spoilers this book was truly great! You get sucked in from the very beginning and feel the pain and suffering that both Bea and Mav face. But now through the darkness, there is light. This book will be one I read again in the future and has me looking forward to reading more by Violet.
June 17, 2023
What a heart wrenching survival journey.
This was the first book I read by this author and I can happily say I'll definitely be reading many more.
She wrote trauma, survival and healing so accurately that you couldn't help but want everything good for Beatrice.
Maverick really did (re)develop into the best friend, boyfriend and support for her and I absolutely loved them as a couple.
I have to say though shout out to Maisie and Nash! They were literally ride or die throughout the whole story and honestly Bea's biggest supporters throughout
The only reason I haven't given 5 stars is the lack of communication was infuriating between literally everyone. So many things would have been solved much earlier had they all just been open and honest which made the story feel like it was a little longer than necessary HOWEVER I still absolutely loved it and would definitely recommend it.
This was the first book I read by this author and I can happily say I'll definitely be reading many more.
She wrote trauma, survival and healing so accurately that you couldn't help but want everything good for Beatrice.
Maverick really did (re)develop into the best friend, boyfriend and support for her and I absolutely loved them as a couple.
I have to say though shout out to Maisie and Nash! They were literally ride or die throughout the whole story and honestly Bea's biggest supporters throughout
The only reason I haven't given 5 stars is the lack of communication was infuriating between literally everyone. So many things would have been solved much earlier had they all just been open and honest which made the story feel like it was a little longer than necessary HOWEVER I still absolutely loved it and would definitely recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2023
2.5 stars for me. Started off strong but then kinda got annoyed with them having the same issue over and over again but not doing anything about it.
March 4, 2024
Goodreads, sort your shit out and give me half stars because this was a 3.5.
November 13, 2023
I was hooked at the start but then it got so boring that i just wanted it to be over
November 2, 2023
Wtf did I just read
October 27, 2023
It was very ok — I can’t get over that everyone was just ok with the lying and prison situation. Overhyped on TikTok.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2024
i probably would’ve cried at the ending if i wasn’t hungover. it was such a beautiful book and I especially love second chance romances
June 20, 2023
DNF at 16%.
The things I liked:
The premise is interesting. I love a good enemies to lovers story. I love a good mystery surrounding why they’re truly enemies. This has a lot of tropes that I typically eat up.
The things I didn’t like:
The writing felt stilted and lacked easy moving fluidity. I don’t know how to explain it, it just wasn’t easy to fall into and read very dry.
I stopped reading after the part where Maverick and Beatrice see each other on campus for the first time. It rubbed me the wrong way that it was this weirdly sexual and physical moment between them. It didn’t fit the narrative, in my opinion. And I don’t like when enemies to lovers isn’t truly enemies when one of them are biting back a moan upon first seeing each other after two years. 😅 Not to mention that every time it’s Maverick’s POV, he’s thinking about his dick being hard because of this girl he supposedly hates. It just gave me the ick. 🙃
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m picky with books, I’m picky with how a story unfolds and the plot and characters and how they resonate from a page to my heart.
Something about this isn’t story isn’t sitting right with me, so I’ll set it down for now and maybe come back to it, but it probably just isn’t for me.
The things I liked:
The premise is interesting. I love a good enemies to lovers story. I love a good mystery surrounding why they’re truly enemies. This has a lot of tropes that I typically eat up.
The things I didn’t like:
The writing felt stilted and lacked easy moving fluidity. I don’t know how to explain it, it just wasn’t easy to fall into and read very dry.
I stopped reading after the part where Maverick and Beatrice see each other on campus for the first time. It rubbed me the wrong way that it was this weirdly sexual and physical moment between them. It didn’t fit the narrative, in my opinion. And I don’t like when enemies to lovers isn’t truly enemies when one of them are biting back a moan upon first seeing each other after two years. 😅 Not to mention that every time it’s Maverick’s POV, he’s thinking about his dick being hard because of this girl he supposedly hates. It just gave me the ick. 🙃
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m picky with books, I’m picky with how a story unfolds and the plot and characters and how they resonate from a page to my heart.
Something about this isn’t story isn’t sitting right with me, so I’ll set it down for now and maybe come back to it, but it probably just isn’t for me.
October 7, 2023
Incredibly boring. Tried to be inspirational towards the end. Didn't sit right with me and felt nonsensical at times.
July 25, 2023
Started off like it would be a good angsty second chance romance but around halfway it stopped working for me. Maverick being a bully at first then all of a sudden changing his tune? Then they just randomly hook up?? And why did maverick have the weird no kiss rule??? His whole life never kissing anyone. Did not work for me 😂 Sebastian felt so random like the built up to him coming back didn’t make sense. Maverick and Bea didn’t ever really discuss her relationship with him?! Like wouldn’t they wanna hash that out? And what was she worried Sebastian would do to him?
The parents were friends but just thought we won’t say anything even though our kids have really dramatic history together 😂 and why wouldn’t Beatrice take her shirt off? Did I skim too much and miss the explanation? So many questions
The parents were friends but just thought we won’t say anything even though our kids have really dramatic history together 😂 and why wouldn’t Beatrice take her shirt off? Did I skim too much and miss the explanation? So many questions
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2023
Started off strong but began dragging around the halfway mark which is a shame because childhood friends to enemies to lovers is one of my favourites. Also a 14 year old being in an abusive relationship is a bit far fetched imo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2023
So damn dry.
July 1, 2023
the overall themes r good(could be good) butt it was too teen aimed to be good. coulda been a smash but is a pass
June 10, 2023
I cried I laughed, I loved and adored this book! @author.violetpaine you are an artist with your books. I can never give you enough praise or recommend your work enough! I am so excited my physical copy is on the way because I am going to cherish it forever.
When I heard Violet Pain was coming out with another book, I had to jump on the ARC list. Every book I've read from her so far has been a hit in my opinion. Each book has been different and I really admire her writing style. She gets me hooked from the very beginning and the characters have so much depth and great backstories. They just mesh together perfectly. I can picture the characters in their storylines and what they do throughout the book as I read it.
**If you don't like spoilers, please don't read ahead. This review is going to have some major spoilers.
Right from the start, this book takes a serious tone starting off in a courthouse setting. Our main character Beatrice is going through a tough situation as one of her friends is being dragged off to jail after a harrowing trial.
As we continue reading the beginning of this story she arrives at college and so is her ex-best friend who was found guilty. He starts by bullying her and tormenting her to leave the school because he has been through so much after the trial. He blames her for everything he's gone through, but when these two characters get forced together again, he cannot continue blaming her for something that happened through a decision he made on his own.
He does come to terms with what he's done to get himself in that situation in the past and he learns to forgive Beatrice as well. This book has the friends to enemies to lovers trope and it stands true as he admits he has always had feelings for her. They grew up together as adolescence and are now in their young adult years in college.
Beatrice has always put Maverick and his goals first before anything she's done for herself. I feel like she lost herself somewhere along the way, especially with the bad relationship she was in. But she perseveres through the tough times.
She goes through so much trauma in this book and I am so proud of this character and how she's able to overcome everything. Her abusive relationship is at the center of this story and her ex is still contacting her with threats. Throughout this book. I felt so bad for her and her current situation with Maverick because it really didn't give them time to flourish in their new relationship. But when her ex comes to get her again she's able to hold on and make a statement with the police. Realizing this is what she should have done in the beginning, she's able to find justice and push forward in her life.
Five things is the name of this book. I was curious to see why it was called five things but I learned after a few chapters exactly why the author gave this book this title. The main character Beatrice goes through so much that naming five things helps her get through her panic attacks. But at the end of this book, we realized that she has gone through so much but has also been healing with time and therapy. She no longer needs to state five things in her surroundings to help her with her panic attacks because she finds some ground with Maverick and her newfound love.
Both characters grow so much and they grow together. I absolutely loved this story and it had me in tears several times while I was reading it, but that's what makes it so good. The fact that the author had me feeling so many emotions really goes to show how well they are at writing stories. I fell in love with this one. Thank you Violet Pain for writing this beautiful story.
I'm so happy I was able to read an advance copy of this book.
#releaseday #violetpaine #indieauthor #arc #advancedreaderscopy #goodboooks #booklove #booksthatmakeyoucry #sadbooks #sadgirlbooks #truelovebooks
When I heard Violet Pain was coming out with another book, I had to jump on the ARC list. Every book I've read from her so far has been a hit in my opinion. Each book has been different and I really admire her writing style. She gets me hooked from the very beginning and the characters have so much depth and great backstories. They just mesh together perfectly. I can picture the characters in their storylines and what they do throughout the book as I read it.
**If you don't like spoilers, please don't read ahead. This review is going to have some major spoilers.
Right from the start, this book takes a serious tone starting off in a courthouse setting. Our main character Beatrice is going through a tough situation as one of her friends is being dragged off to jail after a harrowing trial.
As we continue reading the beginning of this story she arrives at college and so is her ex-best friend who was found guilty. He starts by bullying her and tormenting her to leave the school because he has been through so much after the trial. He blames her for everything he's gone through, but when these two characters get forced together again, he cannot continue blaming her for something that happened through a decision he made on his own.
He does come to terms with what he's done to get himself in that situation in the past and he learns to forgive Beatrice as well. This book has the friends to enemies to lovers trope and it stands true as he admits he has always had feelings for her. They grew up together as adolescence and are now in their young adult years in college.
Beatrice has always put Maverick and his goals first before anything she's done for herself. I feel like she lost herself somewhere along the way, especially with the bad relationship she was in. But she perseveres through the tough times.
She goes through so much trauma in this book and I am so proud of this character and how she's able to overcome everything. Her abusive relationship is at the center of this story and her ex is still contacting her with threats. Throughout this book. I felt so bad for her and her current situation with Maverick because it really didn't give them time to flourish in their new relationship. But when her ex comes to get her again she's able to hold on and make a statement with the police. Realizing this is what she should have done in the beginning, she's able to find justice and push forward in her life.
Five things is the name of this book. I was curious to see why it was called five things but I learned after a few chapters exactly why the author gave this book this title. The main character Beatrice goes through so much that naming five things helps her get through her panic attacks. But at the end of this book, we realized that she has gone through so much but has also been healing with time and therapy. She no longer needs to state five things in her surroundings to help her with her panic attacks because she finds some ground with Maverick and her newfound love.
Both characters grow so much and they grow together. I absolutely loved this story and it had me in tears several times while I was reading it, but that's what makes it so good. The fact that the author had me feeling so many emotions really goes to show how well they are at writing stories. I fell in love with this one. Thank you Violet Pain for writing this beautiful story.
I'm so happy I was able to read an advance copy of this book.
#releaseday #violetpaine #indieauthor #arc #advancedreaderscopy #goodboooks #booklove #booksthatmakeyoucry #sadbooks #sadgirlbooks #truelovebooks
April 15, 2024
Maverick and Beatrice (Bea)
Childhood friends to enemies to lovers
College
Football
Group of friends
Mental health (anxiety, panic attacks - h)
Domestic abuse survivor (h)
This was my first time reading this author, and I really loved this book. It was a unique plot and I appreciate it that it had different elements that I don’t read very often. Starting off with a courtroom scene where Beatrice does something to send Maverick to jail for a year, and then it picks up two years later after Maverick has been in college and become a big football star. Beatrice ends up joining him at the same college and the first half of the book Maverick spends trying to bully Beatrice out of the school. I didn’t enjoy those aspect as much since I don’t really love a bully romance, but it wasn’t too much and I was able to push through until he changed his ways.
I loved that Beatrice was a strong survivor. Coming from her past relationship, you could really see her growth and strength, even despite her anxiety attacks. I love that she stood up for herself, that she put Maverick in his place when needed, and that she found her worth and desire to live a full life. I loved that when Maverick propositioned her to have a secret relationship that she basically told him to go fuck himself because she knew she was worth more than that.
It was so unique that Maverick had never kissed a girl and was saving it for Bea. It was definitely an interesting first sex scene with them because she did not want to take off her shirt and he did not want to kiss her. I enjoyed the slow progression of him finally giving in and kissing her, but I was disappointed that we didn’t get a scene where they were together and he saw her completely bare. I felt like it was a missed opportunity and it could’ve been something really beautiful and moving for her to allow Maverick to see that way for the first time during an intimate moment.
Maverick was a really great H. He was very soft and sweet with her once he pulled his head out of his ass, but it took him a while to get there. I loved the angst and the emotional back-and-forth that we got, because it really created an intense relationship between the two of them.
This book was very low spice, very vanilla. I was hoping for more scenes with them together, because a lot of the book was them talking to their friends and not each other. I wanted more couple time, more scenes with them being intimate, but we just didn’t get that. The spice was definitely on the back burner in this one.
My one criticism would be the wording choices throughout the book. The setting was supposed to be in California, but the way the characters talked, had many words that were not used in the US. It was obvious that the author was from the UK, because the way that the characters spoke at times, the things they said, are not said in California. I wish that the author would have done a little bit more research as to the wording choices because it definitely pulled me out of the story when these instances happened. Unfortunately, it was like this throughout the entire book. But, it wasn’t enough to make me not enjoy the book and I still loved it either way. I just kind of skimmed over it when it happened.
Overall rating: 5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 1/5
Angst level: 4/5
Childhood friends to enemies to lovers
College
Football
Group of friends
Mental health (anxiety, panic attacks - h)
Domestic abuse survivor (h)
This was my first time reading this author, and I really loved this book. It was a unique plot and I appreciate it that it had different elements that I don’t read very often. Starting off with a courtroom scene where Beatrice does something to send Maverick to jail for a year, and then it picks up two years later after Maverick has been in college and become a big football star. Beatrice ends up joining him at the same college and the first half of the book Maverick spends trying to bully Beatrice out of the school. I didn’t enjoy those aspect as much since I don’t really love a bully romance, but it wasn’t too much and I was able to push through until he changed his ways.
I loved that Beatrice was a strong survivor. Coming from her past relationship, you could really see her growth and strength, even despite her anxiety attacks. I love that she stood up for herself, that she put Maverick in his place when needed, and that she found her worth and desire to live a full life. I loved that when Maverick propositioned her to have a secret relationship that she basically told him to go fuck himself because she knew she was worth more than that.
It was so unique that Maverick had never kissed a girl and was saving it for Bea. It was definitely an interesting first sex scene with them because she did not want to take off her shirt and he did not want to kiss her. I enjoyed the slow progression of him finally giving in and kissing her, but I was disappointed that we didn’t get a scene where they were together and he saw her completely bare. I felt like it was a missed opportunity and it could’ve been something really beautiful and moving for her to allow Maverick to see that way for the first time during an intimate moment.
Maverick was a really great H. He was very soft and sweet with her once he pulled his head out of his ass, but it took him a while to get there. I loved the angst and the emotional back-and-forth that we got, because it really created an intense relationship between the two of them.
This book was very low spice, very vanilla. I was hoping for more scenes with them together, because a lot of the book was them talking to their friends and not each other. I wanted more couple time, more scenes with them being intimate, but we just didn’t get that. The spice was definitely on the back burner in this one.
My one criticism would be the wording choices throughout the book. The setting was supposed to be in California, but the way the characters talked, had many words that were not used in the US. It was obvious that the author was from the UK, because the way that the characters spoke at times, the things they said, are not said in California. I wish that the author would have done a little bit more research as to the wording choices because it definitely pulled me out of the story when these instances happened. Unfortunately, it was like this throughout the entire book. But, it wasn’t enough to make me not enjoy the book and I still loved it either way. I just kind of skimmed over it when it happened.
Overall rating: 5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 1/5
Angst level: 4/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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