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Shatter Me #6.5
Crede-mă
Pentru lumea întreagă, ea este formidabilă. Pentru mine, ea este lumea întreagă.
LA BINE ȘI LA RĂU
Au trecut două săptămâni de când Juliette și Warner au înfrânt o dată pentru totdeauna Restaurația. Toți cei din Sanctuar lucrează fără oprire pentru a stabiliza lumea după teribila luptă.
Lui Warner însă, gândul nu îi stă doar la mersul politicii. De când Juliette i-a acceptat cererea în căsătorie chiar înainte de căderea Restaurației, e mai mult decât dornic ca ei doi să își înceapă viața împreună.
Totuși, e complicat să găsești timp și loc pentru un strop de bucurie în mijlocul haosului. Cu resursele împuținate și stresul din Sanctuar urcând la cote alarmante, este foarte posibil ca nunta să fie amânată. Chiar și Juliette pare distrasă de toate lucrurile pe care le au de făcut în calitate de noi stăpâni ai lumii.
Warner a îndurat multe, iar fericirea alături de iubirea vieții lui se află în sfârșit la numai un pas de el. Va reuși oare să se agațe de ea o dată pentru totdeauna?
LA BINE ȘI LA RĂU
Au trecut două săptămâni de când Juliette și Warner au înfrânt o dată pentru totdeauna Restaurația. Toți cei din Sanctuar lucrează fără oprire pentru a stabiliza lumea după teribila luptă.
Lui Warner însă, gândul nu îi stă doar la mersul politicii. De când Juliette i-a acceptat cererea în căsătorie chiar înainte de căderea Restaurației, e mai mult decât dornic ca ei doi să își înceapă viața împreună.
Totuși, e complicat să găsești timp și loc pentru un strop de bucurie în mijlocul haosului. Cu resursele împuținate și stresul din Sanctuar urcând la cote alarmante, este foarte posibil ca nunta să fie amânată. Chiar și Juliette pare distrasă de toate lucrurile pe care le au de făcut în calitate de noi stăpâni ai lumii.
Warner a îndurat multe, iar fericirea alături de iubirea vieții lui se află în sfârșit la numai un pas de el. Va reuși oare să se agațe de ea o dată pentru totdeauna?
208 pages, Paperback
First published November 16, 2021
4261 people are currently reading
197524 people want to read
About the author
Tahereh Mafi
68 books72k followersTahereh Mafi is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Shatter Me series. She was born in a small city somewhere in Connecticut and currently resides in Santa Monica, California with her husband, fellow author Ransom Riggs. She can usually be found over-caffeinated and stuck in a book. Shatter Me is her first series, with television rights optioned by ABC Signature Studios; Furthermore, her first middle grade novel, is on shelves now, and Whichwood, its darker companion, will be on shelves November 14, 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 22,667 reviews
November 19, 2021
4.5 ⭐️
my heart is so full because i was smiling ear to ear reading this. like some, i agree that “imagine me” didn’t give us much closer so when i heard a new book was coming out, i almost ripped off my shirt.
first off… aaron fucking warner is a real pussy pleaser. omgg fucking chapter 8?!?! i was not prepared for how smutty it was going to be. i was expect fade to black but by the end of that chapter i was sweating all over…just like juliette and warner. my legs? DIVORCED!
what i really enjoyed from this book romance aside was the re-world building. the book explained how they plan to restore the planet to how it once was which i feel like we missed out in “Imagine me” but i’m glad to see it here.
the only critiques i have for this is i wished this novella were in multiple POVs instead of just Warner’s. And i wanted a full wedding scene. right as we got to the major plot point it ended completely.
needless to say but i fucking love these characters and just reading about them just living life and being happy made me swoon all over. reading fresh new material on the characters i grew up with felt nostalgic and blissful. these are my comfort characters and they have been for about a decade. it’s wet i think i picked up this series as it was coming out when i was in middle school and now i’m still reading and enjoying it nearly finished with college.
my heart is so full because i was smiling ear to ear reading this. like some, i agree that “imagine me” didn’t give us much closer so when i heard a new book was coming out, i almost ripped off my shirt.
first off… aaron fucking warner is a real pussy pleaser. omgg fucking chapter 8?!?! i was not prepared for how smutty it was going to be. i was expect fade to black but by the end of that chapter i was sweating all over…just like juliette and warner. my legs? DIVORCED!
what i really enjoyed from this book romance aside was the re-world building. the book explained how they plan to restore the planet to how it once was which i feel like we missed out in “Imagine me” but i’m glad to see it here.
the only critiques i have for this is i wished this novella were in multiple POVs instead of just Warner’s. And i wanted a full wedding scene. right as we got to the major plot point it ended completely.
needless to say but i fucking love these characters and just reading about them just living life and being happy made me swoon all over. reading fresh new material on the characters i grew up with felt nostalgic and blissful. these are my comfort characters and they have been for about a decade. it’s wet i think i picked up this series as it was coming out when i was in middle school and now i’m still reading and enjoying it nearly finished with college.
December 26, 2023
Girls don't want boyfriends, girls want more Shatter Me books from Warner’s POV
Want to read
July 23, 2021what in the kpop comeback faerie makeup is that cover
November 20, 2021
Glad they’re happy and all but damn they are horny mfs
Read
August 21, 20224.5 stars SO CUTE
Read
April 25, 2023dobby is freeeee
Read
January 6, 2024who tf taught juliette how to suck dick in that mental asylum
December 21, 2021
A book about Warner and Juliette’s wedding but it ends right before the wedding starts…
January 26, 2022
being a hoe for aaron and kenji isn't a phase, it's a religion, it's a lifestyle
April 2, 2024
"To the world she is formidable.
To me?
She is the world." 🥺🥺
A sweet end to the series.
Although it was an entertaining read, I gotta admit that Ignite Me should have been the end. I love the characters (excluding Jello aka Juliette) but there was no need for the chaos that happened after book 3 as it was not well executed.
Aaron and Kenji carried this series. Aaron's love for Jello was everything. Honestly, he can do better. He just got better by the book. Jello was bearable but after book 3 she completely lost herself. There was no growth for her. Kenji is the life of this series, I said what I said.
Overall, it's an okayish series yet an entertaining one.
~•~•~
I made it to the end!!! For my love, Aaron Warner ❤
To me?
She is the world." 🥺🥺
A sweet end to the series.
Although it was an entertaining read, I gotta admit that Ignite Me should have been the end. I love the characters (excluding Jello aka Juliette) but there was no need for the chaos that happened after book 3 as it was not well executed.
Aaron and Kenji carried this series. Aaron's love for Jello was everything. Honestly, he can do better. He just got better by the book. Jello was bearable but after book 3 she completely lost herself. There was no growth for her. Kenji is the life of this series, I said what I said.
Overall, it's an okayish series yet an entertaining one.
~•~•~
I made it to the end!!! For my love, Aaron Warner ❤
September 10, 2023
4.5 stars! The perfect happy ending to the series but especially to the romance!!! This novella was so so cute and gave the closure I needed for this series. I also love how this novella shows their plan for the world going forward.
June 12, 2022
so, i've been meaning to lower the rating on this one. warner and juliette are still my babies and i'll always love them, but i don't understand how this could ever be considered a wedding novella (that's how it was promoted) when the author didn't even bother to give her readers the wedding vows let alone the whole wedding. the whole novella is mostly just warner feeling miserable that juliette seems to be avoiding him and that she might be having second thoughts about the wedding. they are still having massive communication issues which is not the place your main couple should be at if it is literally the end of your series. where is all the development?
one of my biggest issues with the new trilogy, imagine me and defy me, in specific, was how different the main characters were from the original trilogy characters. i was hoping that these issues would be fixed in this one but they only got worse. for example, the original trilogy warner loved dogs (destroy me), but apparently, this new trilogy warner has no fondness for dogs. he is extremely annoyed when one keeps following him around, and will only reluctantly hold "the creature" for juliette's sake. the ignite me warner wanted to get to know his brothers and build a relationship with them, but after 3 books and 1 novella, they are still as estranged to each other as they were in the very beginning. i would've never imagined THAT warner asking his little brother what the hell he was doing at his big brother's wedding. who is this person?
even though destroy me had a whole different theme, it remains tahereh's best novella to this date. i don't know what happened to her writing cause i've been really disappointed with everything she's released lately.
one of my biggest issues with the new trilogy, imagine me and defy me, in specific, was how different the main characters were from the original trilogy characters. i was hoping that these issues would be fixed in this one but they only got worse. for example, the original trilogy warner loved dogs (destroy me), but apparently, this new trilogy warner has no fondness for dogs. he is extremely annoyed when one keeps following him around, and will only reluctantly hold "the creature" for juliette's sake. the ignite me warner wanted to get to know his brothers and build a relationship with them, but after 3 books and 1 novella, they are still as estranged to each other as they were in the very beginning. i would've never imagined THAT warner asking his little brother what the hell he was doing at his big brother's wedding. who is this person?
even though destroy me had a whole different theme, it remains tahereh's best novella to this date. i don't know what happened to her writing cause i've been really disappointed with everything she's released lately.
January 2, 2022
✨aaron warner and juliette ferrars invented the definition of soulmatism✨
i don’t even know where to start, i’m an emotional mess but the feeling of euphoria that came over me whilst reading believe me is simply unmatched. i went through a stampede of emotions, i was literally crying, smiling, and laughing through the whole novella and sometimes all at the same time. it feels like an end of an era and i’m so not ready to let go! i could feel warnette’s love seeping through the pages which made me pause reading so many times because it was just overwhemingly beautiful and adorable. i fell head over heels in love with these characters and the world several years ago and it still has such a massive hold over me. it has always been one of my favourite series’ and will continue to be! it’s been such a wild journey and i’m so freaking sad it’s finished! but honestly, this novella was truly a glorious and beautiful way to end a mind blowing series. tahereh knew how dissatisfied we were with imagine me and then delivered perfection with believe me!
“I don’t care, love. I don’t care about any of it. I just want you. I want you to be my family.”
i feel as though i have underestimated my love for warnette, everything i felt for them before was nothing compared to my absolute love for them now.
“You all insult him over and over again and he just takes it—he doesn’t even say anything—and somehow you’ve convinced yourselves it’s okay. Why? He’s a real, flesh-and-blood person. Why don’t you care? Why don’t you think he has feelings? What the hell is wrong with you?”
i was shouting along with juliette when she told the others to stop bullying our man!! We witnessed a vulnerable warner and it was gut wrenching but i loved seeing that side of him!
“I take a deep, shaky breath. I don’t know what to do with my arms, or my legs. They feel prickly suddenly; all pins and needles. I want to tear them off my body.
I’m staring at the ground when I say, “Have you changed your mind? About marrying me?”
it was truly heartbreaking to see warner second guessing everything, been uncertain and just feeling like he’s unworthy of everything, especially juliette’s love. This is what i was waiting for. I wanted to delve into his mind since we didn’t have that opportunity in imagine me. We got to be in his head as he felt more vulnerable than he ever has before and it was beautiful. there’s so much growth to these characters and it just brings tears to my eyes when i think about everything they went through! warner and juliette were destined to be soul mates and this novella reinforced that. warner has the biggest heart and i wish he was able to see himself in her eyes, his devotion to her is awe-inspiring.
“I would sleep on the cold floor of our hospital room for the rest of my life if it meant staying by Ella’s side. I can forgo quiet. I can compartmentalize my need for space. My desire for privacy.
But to lose her—”
warner in disbelief that the surprise wedding was planned in advance was so sweet because he couldn’t fathom why everyone would do this for him. I love that man i really do
“I shake my head. “It wasn’t about me. My experience doesn’t matter—”
“Of course it does. It matters to me. You don’t get to be the only one who worries about the person you love. I get to do that, too,” she says, breaking away to better look me in the eye. “You spend so much time thinking about what’s best for me. You’re always worried about my safety and my happiness and the things I might need. Why don’t I get to do that for you? Why don’t I get to think about your happiness?”
“I am happy, love,” I say quietly. “You make me happy.”
also, WARNETTE SMUT???? IT WAS SO UNEXPECTED BUT SO FUCKING GOOD. I DIDN’T KNOW HOW MUCH I NEEDED THAT BEFORE READING IT🥵
“Please,” she says, still touching me. “Aaron—”
I sink down, without warning, onto my knees. Ella steps back, confused for all of a second before her eyes widen with understanding.
“Come here, love.”
and they really would’ve had sex in graveyard if it wasn’t for kenji😂
this novella had such entertaining scenes especially the scenes between kenji, winston and warner. also, when warner said to kenji if he’s coming to stand beside him at the wedding. WHEN I TELL YOU I CRIED LIKE A LITTLE BABY. These two came such a long way and i don’t care what anyone says they’re best friends!! (obviously juliette is #1 bestie to both guys lol)
I’m trying, but I can’t stop laughing.
“Huh,” says Winston quietly. “I didn’t even know his face could do that.”
“Yeah,” Kenji says. “It’s super weird the first time you see it.”
“I can’t look away. I’m trying to look away and I can’t. It’s like if a baby was born with a full set of teeth.”
“Yes! Exactly. It’s exactly like that!”
“But nice, too.”
“Yeah.” Kenji sighs. “Nice, too.”
“Hey, did you know he had dimples? I didn’t know he had dimples.”
- warner having a favourite flower shouldn’t even be surprising at this point😂🥰
and WE GOT TO SEE WARNER WITH A DOG!!!
“Does he have a name?” she’d asked.
“He is a dog,” I’d said, frowning as I looked up. “You may call him a dog.”
that man is so funny, he’s so fucking adorable!
“Her faint, almost undetectable note of jealousy— possessiveness—only cements my smile in place.”
- warner being happy over juliette’s jealousy was actually the cutest
- warner ready to kill kenji for ruining juliette’s dress
-warner being more obsessed than juliette over her having the perfect wedding dress.. my fashion king only wants the best and im here for it
- the realisation that kenjinazeera will be his neighbours😂
“A dangerous heat builds behind my eyes and I force myself to fight it back, to remain calm, but when she sees me, she smiles—and I nearly lose the fight.
“I told you it was a nice dress,” Kenji whispers.
“Kenji.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you,” I say, still staring at Ella. “For everything.”
i knew he’d be close to crying when he saw juliette walking down the aisle. and this novella confirmed that kenji and warner are besties🥺
they explicitly and implicitly promised to love and be there for each other through their actions and words throughout the novella. They anticipated each other’s needs. We may have not got the traditional wedding vows we wanted but the declarations of their love were tied to everything that they did for one another and that in itself was all the vows I needed and it was beautiful. they both are so fucking pure and deserve everything and more!! As we know, warner and juliette would always find themselves back to each other. No matter how many times their memories were erased, they always were drawn back together and fall in love every single time. For juliette, Aaron Warner Anderson is the only emotional through line in her life that ever made sense. He's the only constant. The only steady, reliable heartbeat she’s ever had. and for warner, she is his whole damn world.
of course I needed more, I wanted warnette honeymoon and babies but I can only hope that tahereh has plans to write another novella in a few years, and I’ll be waiting!! i have been bursting at the seams with excitement ever since this novella was announced and i am so deliriously happy with it🤍
as juliette once said, i feel like i’ve been split open and stuffed with sunshine.
✨✨WARNETTE NOVELLA CONFIRMED!!!!✨✨
AND IT'S FROM WARNER'S POV!! who else is crying with me??? can't wait to see warner referring to juliette as his wife all the time, it's going to make my heart sing🦋😭
"Believe me is the devastatingly romantic fifth novella in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling SHATTER ME series, chronicling the events after IMAGINE ME, the explosive sixth novel."
I AM ON CLOUD FUCKING NINE!! aaron warner, the most precious and softest man to ever exist is back! he is my soulmate, my religion, my reason for breathing, my lifeline, my love and i can't believe he's back! tahereh has given us the most incredible gift🥳🥳🥳
we get to finally witness kenji walking juliette down the aisle, tears streaming down warner's face but has the biggest smile as he watches the love of his entire life running towards him in a beautiful wedding gown and a kenji struggling to keep up with the glowing bride!! warnette wedding vows. warner bullying kenji. warner and a dog. unhinged warner. soft warner. kenji and nazeera. warner, james and kenji content. warnette baby. warnette dates. warnette cuddles. warnette fluff. just all things domestic and warnette. the loves of my life!💖
NOVEMBER 16th, 2021. I AM READY!!!!!!!!!!
Want to read
July 23, 2021This looks like a poster for a Barbie movie.
November 17, 2021
The shatter me universe will always be a comfort series of mine and I did really love this book.
On one hand it wasn’t a wedding novel like I expected but whatever you would call it was amazing.
I always wanted more of Warner’s pov especially for the ignite me book since his feelings were strong in that and I think this book expressed those emotions very well.
The one spicy scene was also hot ngl.
Kenji was there more than Juliette and he was like always funny.
On one hand it wasn’t a wedding novel like I expected but whatever you would call it was amazing.
I always wanted more of Warner’s pov especially for the ignite me book since his feelings were strong in that and I think this book expressed those emotions very well.
The one spicy scene was also hot ngl.
Kenji was there more than Juliette and he was like always funny.
January 21, 2025
what was that
Want to read
February 25, 2022THE COVER HAS NO BUSINESS BEING THIS BEAUTIFUL. BYE ✋😭
July 31, 2023
— 5 stars ✰
”i would happily watch the world go up in
flames if anything happened to her, and if
that's not enough for you, you can go to hell.
i’ve been putting this book off for so long because i didn’t want to be “officially done” with the shatter me series.. but the time has come and i made myself (or rather madi) read this beautiful book. it was everything i hoped it to be, and more.
i always wanted more warner pov’s so imagine me finding out this book was from his pov & his pov only. despite its short length, we get more depth of warner’s character & there were so many moments were i just wanted to hug and comfort himeven if he would’ve killed me for that 🥹🫂💗
juliette and warner. my otp. my forever favorite couple. we got the closure in believe me that we all wanted to get in imagine me. it was the perfect ending for this series and i couldn’t be more happieror sad to have read this book.
”when she's here, right here, it's so much easier
to breathe. she's real when she's in my arms.”
kenji is and will always be the funniest character in this universe, he yet again made me laugh and giggle with his commentary and unhinged remakes. love him for that 🤭
i’m sad to say that i’m now done with the shatter me series but it will always be my comfort series 🤧💘
i love you, tahereh mafi.
”i would happily watch the world go up in
flames if anything happened to her, and if
that's not enough for you, you can go to hell.
i’ve been putting this book off for so long because i didn’t want to be “officially done” with the shatter me series.. but the time has come and i made myself (or rather madi) read this beautiful book. it was everything i hoped it to be, and more.
i always wanted more warner pov’s so imagine me finding out this book was from his pov & his pov only. despite its short length, we get more depth of warner’s character & there were so many moments were i just wanted to hug and comfort him
juliette and warner. my otp. my forever favorite couple. we got the closure in believe me that we all wanted to get in imagine me. it was the perfect ending for this series and i couldn’t be more happier
”when she's here, right here, it's so much easier
to breathe. she's real when she's in my arms.”
kenji is and will always be the funniest character in this universe, he yet again made me laugh and giggle with his commentary and unhinged remakes. love him for that 🤭
i’m sad to say that i’m now done with the shatter me series but it will always be my comfort series 🤧💘
i love you, tahereh mafi.
December 9, 2023
***SPOILERS WARNING: This review will contain detailed, unmarked spoilers/quotes and this will be a RANT so do not continue if you don't want to be spoiled or if you don't want to accept my aggressive thoughts about your favs. You have been warned***
Let's talk about Believe Me takes out knife
Look, I have suffered through this series for the sake of understanding the hype, and after that absolute disaster of an ending (Imagine Me,) I REALLY hope this would be good. Since the news came out, all I wished for was something that can make me feel. I was excited to see Kenji (my beloved), Warner, and the Omega Point crew again. And all I got, is some cringey bullshit, make-out sessions in a cemetery (yes you read that right), and somehow Tahereh Mafi has convinced me to hate every single character I have rooted for.
Let's discuss three sins this book has committed: Respect, Gaslight, Juliette
Respect:
Me, like every other people in the bookish community and their grandma, was so hyped for the wedding. It was the supposed highlight of the story, and I only want Warner and Juliette to be finally happy after all the (ridiculous) shit they've been through in books 5 and 6. I shouldn't have gotten my hopes high.
What was all that for? What were the 6 books + 4 novellas for if not a wedding between two people who have madly been in love since their childhood so they can finally tie the knot and enjoy their fresh start in a relationship of TRUST and RESPECT? But nope, Mafi decided that she had to add some dramatic crap for the sake of angst. WarnerJuliette (or AaronElla whatever) is the kind of couple readers are supposed to love because their bond is incredibly strong, and they see each other as an equal. But of course, Miss Juliette Ferrars decided to, as the great partner she is, to HIDE that the wedding was postponed (by her wish) to Warner aka her FUTURE HUSBAND and the groom, not to mention for a stupid reason. But that's not all, Juliette literally went on to tell everyone of the Sanctuary about the decision but the groom. And yes, it was Sam's wife (whatever her name is) who told Warner about Juliette's wish. Does that look like mutual respect to you? And all of that is for what? For the wedding? What wedding?
And even Kenji pointed it out:
Gaslight
Talking about respect, after reading this book, I decided that I now hate every single character of this book (excluding the dog) because I am speechless about the way this book deals with trauma. Warner was a punching bag for every fucking character in this book. For God's sake, he was horribly abused, physically and mentally, during his entire childhood. He was brainwashed and his father was essentially a narcissist sociopath "programming" his son to be the ruthless killer he wanted. All of that trauma and emotional isolation is not going to disappear after one month spent with his soulmate. Yet, gaslighting and spatting insults over Warner seem to be everyone's new hobby in this book. And in the end, after some nonsense "fOuNd FaMiLy" moments, suddenly everyone's apologetic and Warner became besties with them again!!! (Nesta Archeron is shaking.) On a note, that ending is the most useless one I've ever read about.
Juliette
Ah Juliette Ferrars or whatever her name is, I really wish you burn in hell. Juliette walking without a stick in her ass (finally!!) was the sole reason I prefer books 4 & 5 to the original trilogy. I was so happy that she was finally able to form some coherent thoughts of her own. And somehow that stick has returned to the place it was originally from. If I thought books 1 - 3 Juliette was annoying, oh boy I wasn't prepared for Believe Me's Juliette. Really, she lied and therefore, disrespected her future husband just for some bullshit surprise to entertain herself because her ego was so goddamn big that she can't have a wedding without a proper and grandiose ceremony in a post-destruction world where people are literally rebelling against the Sanctuary. Long live the world's selfless hero Juliette Ferrars!!
And also, for people who definitely have lots of opinions about rebuilding a post-destruction world (to the point that they insulted Warner because apparently, he has been making "bad" decisions,) people of the Sanctuary chose a leader who had the worst leading tactics and strategies ever.
Conclusion
I hate Warner. I hate Kenji. I despise Juliette. I hate everyone else except James and the dog. I am tired and I am going to sleep. Please read A Good Girl's Guide to Murder instead of this useless book bye.
Review concept inspired by Ana's review of A Court of Silver Flames. Special thanks to Denise for letting me spam her Instagram inbox, I owe my brain cells to you
Let's talk about Believe Me takes out knife
Look, I have suffered through this series for the sake of understanding the hype, and after that absolute disaster of an ending (Imagine Me,) I REALLY hope this would be good. Since the news came out, all I wished for was something that can make me feel. I was excited to see Kenji (my beloved), Warner, and the Omega Point crew again. And all I got, is some cringey bullshit, make-out sessions in a cemetery (yes you read that right), and somehow Tahereh Mafi has convinced me to hate every single character I have rooted for.
Let's discuss three sins this book has committed: Respect, Gaslight, Juliette
Respect:
Me, like every other people in the bookish community and their grandma, was so hyped for the wedding. It was the supposed highlight of the story, and I only want Warner and Juliette to be finally happy after all the (ridiculous) shit they've been through in books 5 and 6. I shouldn't have gotten my hopes high.
What was all that for? What were the 6 books + 4 novellas for if not a wedding between two people who have madly been in love since their childhood so they can finally tie the knot and enjoy their fresh start in a relationship of TRUST and RESPECT? But nope, Mafi decided that she had to add some dramatic crap for the sake of angst. WarnerJuliette (or AaronElla whatever) is the kind of couple readers are supposed to love because their bond is incredibly strong, and they see each other as an equal. But of course, Miss Juliette Ferrars decided to, as the great partner she is, to HIDE that the wedding was postponed (by her wish) to Warner aka her FUTURE HUSBAND and the groom, not to mention for a stupid reason. But that's not all, Juliette literally went on to tell everyone of the Sanctuary about the decision but the groom. And yes, it was Sam's wife (whatever her name is) who told Warner about Juliette's wish. Does that look like mutual respect to you? And all of that is for what? For the wedding? What wedding?
"Is it some kind of perverse revenge?" I ask, "Are you trying to prevent my wedding because I won't let you bring in civilians? Because I refuse to put Juliette's life in jeopardy?"
Noria is quiet for so long I'm forced to look up, to return my mind to itself. She's staring at me with the strangest look in her eyes, something like guilt - or regret - washing her out completely.
"Warner," she says quietly. "It was Juliette's idea."
And even Kenji pointed it out:
"My bad, princess." Kenji holds up both hands. "My bad. I didn't realize it was controversial to let the groom know what was happening with his own wedding, but I guess I just don't know how weddings work, do I?" He says that last part with an edge, irritation souring his expression.
Gaslight
Talking about respect, after reading this book, I decided that I now hate every single character of this book (excluding the dog) because I am speechless about the way this book deals with trauma. Warner was a punching bag for every fucking character in this book. For God's sake, he was horribly abused, physically and mentally, during his entire childhood. He was brainwashed and his father was essentially a narcissist sociopath "programming" his son to be the ruthless killer he wanted. All of that trauma and emotional isolation is not going to disappear after one month spent with his soulmate. Yet, gaslighting and spatting insults over Warner seem to be everyone's new hobby in this book. And in the end, after some nonsense "fOuNd FaMiLy" moments, suddenly everyone's apologetic and Warner became besties with them again!!! (Nesta Archeron is shaking.) On a note, that ending is the most useless one I've ever read about.
I close my eyes, scenes from the day replaying as if on an automatic loop, I seem doomed to relive the events in perpetuity, combing them for answers, for evidence of anything that might explain what's happening to my life. And despite my best efforts to shut them out, I recall Sam's voice, then Kenji's-
You're nothing by a callous, coldhearted narcissist.
I hope you know how lucky you are that Juliette tolerates your presence.
I'm sick of your attitude.
I'm sick of making excuses for your crappy behavior.
I just don't know what she sees in you.
What on earth does she see in you?
Juliette
Ah Juliette Ferrars or whatever her name is, I really wish you burn in hell. Juliette walking without a stick in her ass (finally!!) was the sole reason I prefer books 4 & 5 to the original trilogy. I was so happy that she was finally able to form some coherent thoughts of her own. And somehow that stick has returned to the place it was originally from. If I thought books 1 - 3 Juliette was annoying, oh boy I wasn't prepared for Believe Me's Juliette. Really, she lied and therefore, disrespected her future husband just for some bullshit surprise to entertain herself because her ego was so goddamn big that she can't have a wedding without a proper and grandiose ceremony in a post-destruction world where people are literally rebelling against the Sanctuary. Long live the world's selfless hero Juliette Ferrars!!
And also, for people who definitely have lots of opinions about rebuilding a post-destruction world (to the point that they insulted Warner because apparently, he has been making "bad" decisions,) people of the Sanctuary chose a leader who had the worst leading tactics and strategies ever.
Conclusion
I hate Warner. I hate Kenji. I despise Juliette. I hate everyone else except James and the dog. I am tired and I am going to sleep. Please read A Good Girl's Guide to Murder instead of this useless book bye.
Review concept inspired by Ana's review of A Court of Silver Flames. Special thanks to Denise for letting me spam her Instagram inbox, I owe my brain cells to you
April 30, 2023
WHERE'S THE REST OF YA???
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S OVER
SOMEBODY SADATE ME😫🤧😭
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S OVER
SOMEBODY SADATE ME😫🤧😭
December 9, 2023
warner and juliette are sitting in their house in the sun together rn it’s true he told me
March 1, 2023
“Believe me,” I whisper. “I do.”
I have complicated feelings about this book. I found it while I was frantically running around my Barnes and Noble trying to grab the remaining books I wanted from the closing discount sale and honestly, the only reason I picked this up was for Kenji and chapter 8 (which didn't disappoint)
I thought that this would cure my hatred for Juliette and Warner because I was tearing up on the 3rd page because they were so cute but then I wanted to smack the two of them.
It's really hard being in Warner's head, not because it's irritating (ok, sometimes it is) but because he has so much going on in there. Like the doubts and anxiety was really relatable and I felt very bad for him.
But I also can't feel bad for him when he's incredibly rude to everyone except Juliette, including my baby Kenji. If anyone harms him, I hate them.
“I didn't understand then that a home is not always a place. Sometimes, it's a person.”
I also still hate Juliette, don't even have a reason for it. She just causes Warner to have a lot of doubts.
Kenji was definitely the highlight of this book. I love him to the ends of the universe, along with Nazeera. Kenji and Nazeera book when?
Despite everything I just ranted about, this was actually so cute. Like all of the surprises and cute little moments gave me life and I found myself tearing up, laughing, and giggling, which is surprising considering my hatred.
But I'm so upset that we didn't get to hear their vows or even see the wedding! It just got cut right off!
But anyways, this was a cute quick read and I'm decently glad I finally read it, and I'm not reading anything else in this series.
4 stars
“I would happily watch the world go up in flames if anything happened to her, and if that's not enough for you, you can go to hell.”
See, it's moments like these where I'm a hypocrite. I'm irritated that Warner said this but if I were Juliette and he said this about me, I'd be on my knees for him.
I have complicated feelings about this book. I found it while I was frantically running around my Barnes and Noble trying to grab the remaining books I wanted from the closing discount sale and honestly, the only reason I picked this up was for Kenji and chapter 8 (which didn't disappoint)
I thought that this would cure my hatred for Juliette and Warner because I was tearing up on the 3rd page because they were so cute but then I wanted to smack the two of them.
It's really hard being in Warner's head, not because it's irritating (ok, sometimes it is) but because he has so much going on in there. Like the doubts and anxiety was really relatable and I felt very bad for him.
But I also can't feel bad for him when he's incredibly rude to everyone except Juliette, including my baby Kenji. If anyone harms him, I hate them.
“I didn't understand then that a home is not always a place. Sometimes, it's a person.”
I also still hate Juliette, don't even have a reason for it. She just causes Warner to have a lot of doubts.
Kenji was definitely the highlight of this book. I love him to the ends of the universe, along with Nazeera. Kenji and Nazeera book when?
Despite everything I just ranted about, this was actually so cute. Like all of the surprises and cute little moments gave me life and I found myself tearing up, laughing, and giggling, which is surprising considering my hatred.
But I'm so upset that we didn't get to hear their vows or even see the wedding! It just got cut right off!
But anyways, this was a cute quick read and I'm decently glad I finally read it, and I'm not reading anything else in this series.
4 stars
“I would happily watch the world go up in flames if anything happened to her, and if that's not enough for you, you can go to hell.”
See, it's moments like these where I'm a hypocrite. I'm irritated that Warner said this but if I were Juliette and he said this about me, I'd be on my knees for him.
February 25, 2024
･:*:･ﾟ⁀➷ 4/5 ★
Ahh i had such an amazing time rereading this!! 🥹🥹 Even though I don’t care that much about the other Shatter Me novellas, this one holds a special place in my heart & i think it’s so adorable 💘💘
Imagine Me is definitely not my fav book in the series, so i’m so so glad Tahereh Mafi decided to write this novella! THIS is the end to the series that we deserve 🫶🫶 It’s basically an extended epilogue, but i think it does a great job of tying up all the loose ends and leaving the readers satisfied with how the series concludes.
I love how realistic of an ending this one is- there are definitely still a lot of issues in this world & nothing’s perfect, but I actually prefer that to having a sugary sweet and obviously false ending. But it’s still such a cute novella!! 🤭🤭 Aaron & juliette are my everything and their relationship just feels so special after everything they’ve gone through 🥹🥹💗💗 This whole novella is from aaron’s pov and the way he thinks about Juliette?! CAN HE BE ANY MORE PERFECT 😫😫🦋🦋
Overall, such a sweet, wholesome ending to the series!! 🥹🥹🫶🫶 I’m so sad to say goodbye to this series for the second time, but i love these books & characters with my whole heart and i’m so glad Aaron and Juliette got their happy ending 💘💘
《 2024 Challenge: Book 27 of 115 》
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Time to finish this series for the second time 🥹💘 I don't want to say goodbye again 😭😭
~~~~~~~~~~~
Original review: (March 2023)
This was such a cute novella to end off the series!! 😍😍💗💗 I enjoyed the last book, Imagine Me, enough but it did feel a bit unfinished so I'm really glad we had this to properly say goodbye to the series 🥰🥰
🚨 SPOILERS FOR THE SHATTER ME SERIES. If you haven't read the entire series, don't read this review 🚨
Believe Me is basically about Warner and Juliette/Ella trying to get married- but encountering unexpected challenges. Will they have their happy ending?
I ended up really enjoying this novella!! 🤩🤩 The other ones that I read- Destroy Me and Fracture Me- were okay, but didn't do much for me, so I was a little hesitant going into this one. But it ended up being super cute and enjoyable!! 😍😍
The best part of this novella was obviously the Warnette content 🤭🤭💕💕 If you've read any of my other reviews for this series, you'll know how OBSESSED with them I am and so I ate up all their little cute moments in this 😍😍 It was from Warner's perspective, so we got to see how crazy he was for Juliette/Ella, which was amazing. They've been through so much as a couple, so I'm so glad we got to see them being happy together 🤧🤧
I feel like we also got some Warner character growth in here, which was great to see. It's so cool seeing him finally making more connections with people 🥰🥰
Other little things I loved:
• Seeing Kenji and Nazeera together- they're so cute 💗💗
• Seeing what happened after the events of Imagine Me. It was nice seeing the aftermath and having an idea of how the characters are doing 🥰🥰
• The Kenji content- love him 💕
Overall, so cute!! I would definitely recommend it if you enjoyed the Shatter Me series 💗💗
Now excuse me, I'm gonna go cry that this series is over 😭😭🤧🤧
~ 4 stars
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was so cute 😍😍 I just love Warnette sm 😩😩💗💗🤧🤧
RTC!
Ahh i had such an amazing time rereading this!! 🥹🥹 Even though I don’t care that much about the other Shatter Me novellas, this one holds a special place in my heart & i think it’s so adorable 💘💘
Imagine Me is definitely not my fav book in the series, so i’m so so glad Tahereh Mafi decided to write this novella! THIS is the end to the series that we deserve 🫶🫶 It’s basically an extended epilogue, but i think it does a great job of tying up all the loose ends and leaving the readers satisfied with how the series concludes.
I love how realistic of an ending this one is- there are definitely still a lot of issues in this world & nothing’s perfect, but I actually prefer that to having a sugary sweet and obviously false ending. But it’s still such a cute novella!! 🤭🤭 Aaron & juliette are my everything and their relationship just feels so special after everything they’ve gone through 🥹🥹💗💗 This whole novella is from aaron’s pov and the way he thinks about Juliette?! CAN HE BE ANY MORE PERFECT 😫😫🦋🦋
Overall, such a sweet, wholesome ending to the series!! 🥹🥹🫶🫶 I’m so sad to say goodbye to this series for the second time, but i love these books & characters with my whole heart and i’m so glad Aaron and Juliette got their happy ending 💘💘
《 2024 Challenge: Book 27 of 115 》
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Time to finish this series for the second time 🥹💘 I don't want to say goodbye again 😭😭
~~~~~~~~~~~
Original review: (March 2023)
This was such a cute novella to end off the series!! 😍😍💗💗 I enjoyed the last book, Imagine Me, enough but it did feel a bit unfinished so I'm really glad we had this to properly say goodbye to the series 🥰🥰
🚨 SPOILERS FOR THE SHATTER ME SERIES. If you haven't read the entire series, don't read this review 🚨
Believe Me is basically about Warner and Juliette/Ella trying to get married- but encountering unexpected challenges. Will they have their happy ending?
I ended up really enjoying this novella!! 🤩🤩 The other ones that I read- Destroy Me and Fracture Me- were okay, but didn't do much for me, so I was a little hesitant going into this one. But it ended up being super cute and enjoyable!! 😍😍
The best part of this novella was obviously the Warnette content 🤭🤭💕💕 If you've read any of my other reviews for this series, you'll know how OBSESSED with them I am and so I ate up all their little cute moments in this 😍😍 It was from Warner's perspective, so we got to see how crazy he was for Juliette/Ella, which was amazing. They've been through so much as a couple, so I'm so glad we got to see them being happy together 🤧🤧
I feel like we also got some Warner character growth in here, which was great to see. It's so cool seeing him finally making more connections with people 🥰🥰
Other little things I loved:
• Seeing Kenji and Nazeera together- they're so cute 💗💗
• Seeing what happened after the events of Imagine Me. It was nice seeing the aftermath and having an idea of how the characters are doing 🥰🥰
• The Kenji content- love him 💕
Overall, so cute!! I would definitely recommend it if you enjoyed the Shatter Me series 💗💗
Now excuse me, I'm gonna go cry that this series is over 😭😭🤧🤧
~ 4 stars
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was so cute 😍😍 I just love Warnette sm 😩😩💗💗🤧🤧
RTC!
February 2, 2022
Stop authors from continuing finished series challenge go!
No, but seriously this was absolutely pointless. The cow has been milked DRY. There was nothing left for this series in the previous three books and there certainly isn’t anything here.
The characters are all flat/out of character, the plot is just an overextended epilogue that felt like an excuse to have a sex scene, and the whole point of the novella (the wedding) doesn’t even actually happen (LMAOOO).
When this series gets another extension in a few years, whether with another useless novella like this or a useless trilogy or whatever, don’t be surprised.
Prereading review:
the way I knew there was going to be another extension to this series after Imagine Me PLEASE LET IT GOOOOOO
I sat through six books. I will read this for a hopefully better conclusion
Update: The cover is making me scream, WHO approved this?
No, but seriously this was absolutely pointless. The cow has been milked DRY. There was nothing left for this series in the previous three books and there certainly isn’t anything here.
The characters are all flat/out of character, the plot is just an overextended epilogue that felt like an excuse to have a sex scene, and the whole point of the novella (the wedding) doesn’t even actually happen (LMAOOO).
When this series gets another extension in a few years, whether with another useless novella like this or a useless trilogy or whatever, don’t be surprised.
Prereading review:
the way I knew there was going to be another extension to this series after Imagine Me PLEASE LET IT GOOOOOO
I sat through six books. I will read this for a hopefully better conclusion
Update: The cover is making me scream, WHO approved this?
November 18, 2021
My biggest concern while reading this was that Tahereh Mafi was going to pull an Elle Kennedy and make this a drama fest when all we really want is a very obvious, mushy long epilogue. And… it was totally fine!
Were there morose and morbid observations throughout? Well, Warner is narrating, so obviously. But listen, there are lots of romantic ramblings, it’s fine.
For every time Juliette is annoying or nonsensical, Aaron Warner Anderson is a perfect sunflower. I love him so much. I LOVE him. I just want him to have all the beautiful things. I’m so happy he got them.
This was beautiful and satisfying, I was super happy while reading it. Long live Warner, I love you forever, can’t wait to reread this series and fall in love with you again someday.
Were there morose and morbid observations throughout? Well, Warner is narrating, so obviously. But listen, there are lots of romantic ramblings, it’s fine.
For every time Juliette is annoying or nonsensical, Aaron Warner Anderson is a perfect sunflower. I love him so much. I LOVE him. I just want him to have all the beautiful things. I’m so happy he got them.
This was beautiful and satisfying, I was super happy while reading it. Long live Warner, I love you forever, can’t wait to reread this series and fall in love with you again someday.
March 23, 2022
It's cute how Warner and Juliette— sorry I mean Ella 🤪 think the entire world revolves around them and their stupid wedding. Actually, no, they don't think that, the entire world DOES revolve around them for no reason. Everyone is suffering because of the aftermath of the revolution or some shit and their protesting against whatever the fuck this organization is called but let's ignore that cause Warner and Juliette need to get married 😩😩😩😩😩😩😩
Here's a summary of this book
Warner: *acts like an asshole to everyone*
Everyone: *gets angry cause Warner was acting like an asshole to them for no reason*
Juliette: oMg GuYs StOp BuLlYiNg HiM hE's HuMaN tOo GRRRRRRRRRR 😠😠😠
“When it comes to you, Warner, my standards have to be low.”
Is the truest fucking statement i have ever read.
Please tell me this is a fucking joke. It just has to be. The only good part was when Warner was acting like such a Karen at the beginning cause it was hilarious as shit i got a lot of laughs from it skskkskskskksks
Overall, great for shatter me fans and warnette shippers, but torture for me.
Here's a summary of this book
Warner: *acts like an asshole to everyone*
Everyone: *gets angry cause Warner was acting like an asshole to them for no reason*
Juliette: oMg GuYs StOp BuLlYiNg HiM hE's HuMaN tOo GRRRRRRRRRR 😠😠😠
“When it comes to you, Warner, my standards have to be low.”
Is the truest fucking statement i have ever read.
Please tell me this is a fucking joke. It just has to be. The only good part was when Warner was acting like such a Karen at the beginning cause it was hilarious as shit i got a lot of laughs from it skskkskskskksks
Overall, great for shatter me fans and warnette shippers, but torture for me.
May 16, 2024
this is a wedding fucking novel without a wedding
November 23, 2021
THE COVER JUST GOT REVEALED AND ITS SO FUCKING UGLY STOP
edit; this book was so anticlimactic.
edit; this book was so anticlimactic.
February 17, 2026
I’m on BookTube now! =)
”The worst uncertainties are the ones I cannot kill or control.”
And that’s Aaron Warner in a nutshell! *lol* Joking aside I really love this man with all my heart and I’m so glad Jello and I picked up this book after so many years! I think we were both traumatized from the 6th book (whose existence I will deny until my dying day! Yes, I still feel strongly about the hell Tahereh put us through!) and quite afraid to pick up “Believe Me”. Thankfully, this book delivered once again and I’m happy with how things ended.
I’ll give you a little spoilery warning and heads-up considering “THE WEDDING”, though:
”They don’t seem to care that she’s only one person, or that she’s already given so much. The more she gives, the more they require, and the quicker their gratitude shrivels up, the desiccated remains of which become something else altogether: expectation. If it were up to them, they’d keep taking form her until they’ve bled her dry – and I will never allow that to happen.”
So first things first: I gotta be honest and address the huge elephant in the room first. I thought we’d read 177 pages of pure Warnette fluff and that everything would be fine. Well, turns out Tahereh decided for a more realistic approach and actually addressed the trauma and the responsibilities that came along with everything that happened after the sixth book. The world we see is far from perfect and Warner, Juliette, Kenji and all the others have to face quite some challenges in order to make things work. Their world is still far from peaceful and sturdy and food and electricity shortages as well as splinter groups of their enemies continue to pose constant threats. Not to mention that everyone is either idolizing Juliette and Warner or working against them in some way.
”Revolutionaries are naïve.
They don’t seem to understand how the world really works, or how difficult it is to sate the whims and wishes of so many. It’s a struggle every day to hold on to our lead, and I lose a great deal of sleep thinking about the havoc our enemies will inevitably wreak, the fear and anger they will foment against us.
Still, my own allies refuse to trust me.”
While Juliette’s words hold weight because she brought down the Reestablishment and was the face of the revolution the same can’t be said about Warner and Sam as well as Nouria are making his life more difficult than it needs to be. I was so mad at them for some of the things they insinuated and said. Ugh! No wonder Juliette felt a need to put some things into perspective. I think she is still the only one who truly sees Warner the way he is. She knows exactly what he did and sees everything he went through. Which will always make her an amazing person in my eyes! She thinks of him and his needs and puts him first. <333 Finally someone who does!
It kinda made me sad that Warner didn’t stand up for himself more, but I understood where he was coming from. With his past, his father’s abuse, everything him and Juliette went through and all the trauma they gathered over the years it must have been hard to break out of that cycle. If no one thinks you’re worthy, if you have to prove yourself time and time again, if you’re treated like sh*t by everyone and if you’re constantly reminded that you’re the enemy and not to be trusted, it’s normal that you question yourself and your actions and don’t even feel like you should stand up for yourself.
"For a long time, I hadn't wanted to forget. The ring reminded me always of my father's brutality, of the hatred that motivated me to stay alive if only to spite him.
More than that, it is all I have left of my mother.
And yet, perhaps this ring has tethered me to my own darkness, this symbol of infinite repetition fated to conjure, forever, the agonies of my past."
I swear, Warner is such a fine man and a true poet! He might have been honed into a killing machine and obviously has troubles to process his feelings, but boy, does he have a way with words. <3 I honestly hope that Warner and Juliette will get the quiet they need and that they’ll be madly in love forever. It might take a little while until they get there, but I’m confident they’ll make it work. I think Tahereh already worked on setting the mood for “Watch Me” here because it plays a couple of years later (10 I think) and is told from James’s POV. So, I’m sure we’ll get to see how everything worked out in the end and if Warnette managed to build the world they wanted to be a part of.
”There’s no one in the whole world like you,” she says, and I can practically feel her heart beating between us. “I’m so grateful for you.”
These words cause me an acute pain, a kind of pleasure that makes it hard to breathe. “I am nothing,” I say to her. “If I manage to be anything, it is only because of you.”
“Don’t say that,” she says, hugging me tighter. “Don’t talk about yourself like that.”
I hope Juliette tells him every day so that he finally starts to believe it himself. That boy is so broken, he deserves some happiness and lots of love and he also deserves friends that watch out for him and help him along the way. And speaking of friends: The way Kenji and him got closer and actually formed a tentative friendship was legit one of my favourite parts of this book. Yes, there was a lot of easy and funny banter too, we’re talking about Kenji after all, but the real moments between them hit so hard and warmed my heart! The way Kenji just knew how Warner would react and unlike all the others actually tried to understand his actions and feelings. He put a lot of time and effort into getting to know him and that’s so sweet I can’t even.
Kenji sighs. “I’m just saying that I think it probably helps you to know exactly what’s going to happen next. You like being in control. You don’t like not knowing things. You probably like to imagine things in your head before they happen.”
Not to mention the ending! Ugh! I was dead when I read chapter 14 because it was so Kenji to be there for his friends! And despite everything Warner is one of them now and if that isn’t one of the most wholesome scenes I ever read, then I don’t know! Warner might not like the way Kenji is able to look right through him, but I know they’ll get along just fine. I’m very optimistic about their friendship and I honestly can’t wait to see how things between them developed over the years. I hope “Watch Me” will answer my prayers in that regard. *lol*
Kenji, to his credit, does not laugh in my face. Instead, his expression relaxes by micrometers, his dark eyes assessing me in that careful way I detest.
“Yeah,” he says finally. “Of course I’m coming with you.”
Conclusion:
I had no idea how much I needed this book and I’m happy to say that I finally got the closure I craved for! I was worried this would end like “Imagine Me” but with “Believe Me” Tahereh definitely managed to change course once again. For me this book was absolutely necessary and I’m thankful Tahereh went for a realistic approach while still maintaining the magic that is Warnette! I’m satisfied with this well-rounded ending and I’m looking forward to read James’s story soon. ;-)
”We’ve been growing toward each other from the opposite sides of the same path since the beginning, haven’t we?”
__________________________
I had no idea I needed this book but I definitely did.
This was necessary and I’m glad so many of the open topics were addressed.
Also Juliette and Warner forever! <333 I’m so happy Jello and I went for this buddy read!
(Kenji is my boy and always will be. Love him to bits and pieces!)
Full RTC soon! Stay tuned, my friends! ;-)
___________________________
We all know I’m always late to the hype but it legit took me 4 years to get to “Believe Me”. *lol*
I think I was a little wary of picking up this novella because “Imagine Me” was …. not what I expected. (And that’s me putting it mildly. If you read my review you know my stance on things. XD)
So yeah, my bestie Jello and I decided that we’re finally ready to read about Warner and Juliette’s wedding! There’s no one else I’d rather buddy read this with, so for both of our sakes I hope that this is going to be good!
Please be good! *fingers crossed*
Find me on:
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____________________________
Wait, WAIT, WAIT!
WHAT!?!?!? 🤯
Could it be Tahereh actually heard my complains about the ending of "Imagine Me!?
If yes: This needs to be amazing.
This better be as sparkly and twinkly as the eye on the cover. *lol*
Joking aside I really hope that we'll get the ending we craved for. XD
”The worst uncertainties are the ones I cannot kill or control.”
And that’s Aaron Warner in a nutshell! *lol* Joking aside I really love this man with all my heart and I’m so glad Jello and I picked up this book after so many years! I think we were both traumatized from the 6th book (whose existence I will deny until my dying day! Yes, I still feel strongly about the hell Tahereh put us through!) and quite afraid to pick up “Believe Me”. Thankfully, this book delivered once again and I’m happy with how things ended.
I’ll give you a little spoilery warning and heads-up considering “THE WEDDING”, though:
”They don’t seem to care that she’s only one person, or that she’s already given so much. The more she gives, the more they require, and the quicker their gratitude shrivels up, the desiccated remains of which become something else altogether: expectation. If it were up to them, they’d keep taking form her until they’ve bled her dry – and I will never allow that to happen.”
So first things first: I gotta be honest and address the huge elephant in the room first. I thought we’d read 177 pages of pure Warnette fluff and that everything would be fine. Well, turns out Tahereh decided for a more realistic approach and actually addressed the trauma and the responsibilities that came along with everything that happened after the sixth book. The world we see is far from perfect and Warner, Juliette, Kenji and all the others have to face quite some challenges in order to make things work. Their world is still far from peaceful and sturdy and food and electricity shortages as well as splinter groups of their enemies continue to pose constant threats. Not to mention that everyone is either idolizing Juliette and Warner or working against them in some way.
”Revolutionaries are naïve.
They don’t seem to understand how the world really works, or how difficult it is to sate the whims and wishes of so many. It’s a struggle every day to hold on to our lead, and I lose a great deal of sleep thinking about the havoc our enemies will inevitably wreak, the fear and anger they will foment against us.
Still, my own allies refuse to trust me.”
While Juliette’s words hold weight because she brought down the Reestablishment and was the face of the revolution the same can’t be said about Warner and Sam as well as Nouria are making his life more difficult than it needs to be. I was so mad at them for some of the things they insinuated and said. Ugh! No wonder Juliette felt a need to put some things into perspective. I think she is still the only one who truly sees Warner the way he is. She knows exactly what he did and sees everything he went through. Which will always make her an amazing person in my eyes! She thinks of him and his needs and puts him first. <333 Finally someone who does!
It kinda made me sad that Warner didn’t stand up for himself more, but I understood where he was coming from. With his past, his father’s abuse, everything him and Juliette went through and all the trauma they gathered over the years it must have been hard to break out of that cycle. If no one thinks you’re worthy, if you have to prove yourself time and time again, if you’re treated like sh*t by everyone and if you’re constantly reminded that you’re the enemy and not to be trusted, it’s normal that you question yourself and your actions and don’t even feel like you should stand up for yourself.
"For a long time, I hadn't wanted to forget. The ring reminded me always of my father's brutality, of the hatred that motivated me to stay alive if only to spite him.
More than that, it is all I have left of my mother.
And yet, perhaps this ring has tethered me to my own darkness, this symbol of infinite repetition fated to conjure, forever, the agonies of my past."
I swear, Warner is such a fine man and a true poet! He might have been honed into a killing machine and obviously has troubles to process his feelings, but boy, does he have a way with words. <3 I honestly hope that Warner and Juliette will get the quiet they need and that they’ll be madly in love forever. It might take a little while until they get there, but I’m confident they’ll make it work. I think Tahereh already worked on setting the mood for “Watch Me” here because it plays a couple of years later (10 I think) and is told from James’s POV. So, I’m sure we’ll get to see how everything worked out in the end and if Warnette managed to build the world they wanted to be a part of.
”There’s no one in the whole world like you,” she says, and I can practically feel her heart beating between us. “I’m so grateful for you.”
These words cause me an acute pain, a kind of pleasure that makes it hard to breathe. “I am nothing,” I say to her. “If I manage to be anything, it is only because of you.”
“Don’t say that,” she says, hugging me tighter. “Don’t talk about yourself like that.”
I hope Juliette tells him every day so that he finally starts to believe it himself. That boy is so broken, he deserves some happiness and lots of love and he also deserves friends that watch out for him and help him along the way. And speaking of friends: The way Kenji and him got closer and actually formed a tentative friendship was legit one of my favourite parts of this book. Yes, there was a lot of easy and funny banter too, we’re talking about Kenji after all, but the real moments between them hit so hard and warmed my heart! The way Kenji just knew how Warner would react and unlike all the others actually tried to understand his actions and feelings. He put a lot of time and effort into getting to know him and that’s so sweet I can’t even.
Kenji sighs. “I’m just saying that I think it probably helps you to know exactly what’s going to happen next. You like being in control. You don’t like not knowing things. You probably like to imagine things in your head before they happen.”
Not to mention the ending! Ugh! I was dead when I read chapter 14 because it was so Kenji to be there for his friends! And despite everything Warner is one of them now and if that isn’t one of the most wholesome scenes I ever read, then I don’t know! Warner might not like the way Kenji is able to look right through him, but I know they’ll get along just fine. I’m very optimistic about their friendship and I honestly can’t wait to see how things between them developed over the years. I hope “Watch Me” will answer my prayers in that regard. *lol*
Kenji, to his credit, does not laugh in my face. Instead, his expression relaxes by micrometers, his dark eyes assessing me in that careful way I detest.
“Yeah,” he says finally. “Of course I’m coming with you.”
Conclusion:
I had no idea how much I needed this book and I’m happy to say that I finally got the closure I craved for! I was worried this would end like “Imagine Me” but with “Believe Me” Tahereh definitely managed to change course once again. For me this book was absolutely necessary and I’m thankful Tahereh went for a realistic approach while still maintaining the magic that is Warnette! I’m satisfied with this well-rounded ending and I’m looking forward to read James’s story soon. ;-)
”We’ve been growing toward each other from the opposite sides of the same path since the beginning, haven’t we?”
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I had no idea I needed this book but I definitely did.
This was necessary and I’m glad so many of the open topics were addressed.
Also Juliette and Warner forever! <333 I’m so happy Jello and I went for this buddy read!
(Kenji is my boy and always will be. Love him to bits and pieces!)
Full RTC soon! Stay tuned, my friends! ;-)
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We all know I’m always late to the hype but it legit took me 4 years to get to “Believe Me”. *lol*
I think I was a little wary of picking up this novella because “Imagine Me” was …. not what I expected. (And that’s me putting it mildly. If you read my review you know my stance on things. XD)
So yeah, my bestie Jello and I decided that we’re finally ready to read about Warner and Juliette’s wedding! There’s no one else I’d rather buddy read this with, so for both of our sakes I hope that this is going to be good!
Please be good! *fingers crossed*
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Wait, WAIT, WAIT!
WHAT!?!?!? 🤯
Could it be Tahereh actually heard my complains about the ending of "Imagine Me!?
If yes: This needs to be amazing.
This better be as sparkly and twinkly as the eye on the cover. *lol*
Joking aside I really hope that we'll get the ending we craved for. XD
July 31, 2022
Not the content I want, why is everybody mean to my hubby ?😤
2 ⭐⭐
2 ⭐⭐
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