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The Illusion of Us
In "The Illusion of Us," Ava and Ethan are the embodiment of a perfect love story. Celebrating six years of shared laughter, love, and dreams, they stand on the brink of a blissful future, their wedding just around the corner. Ava's heart is full; her life with Ethan is everything she ever wanted.But in an instant, the world as Ava knows it comes crashing down. A single conversation, accidentally overheard, threatens to shatter her happily ever after. Ethan, in a moment of unguarded honesty with his friend, expresses deep regrets about their relationship, confessing that waking up next to Ava feels like a torture, not the blessing it seemed.Faced with this painful revelation, Ava stands at a life-altering crossroads. Will she confront the painful truth and watch her dream crumble? Or will she cling to the remnants of what they had, hoping it's enough?
283 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2024
522 people are currently reading
376 people want to read
About the author
KLastella
4 books25 followersKrista Lastella, also known as KLastella, is an aspiring author who lives in the US with her loving and supportive husband, their happy and very energetic little girl, and their adorable golden retriever named Mochi (sticky rice).
Krista is passionate about crafting stories that either tug at her readers' hearts or drive them mad. With a particular knack for writing angst-filled tales, she thrives on exploring deep, emotional narratives. Though she acknowledges that she still has much to learn, her wide imagination ensures she never runs out of stories to tell.
Her goal is to connect with readers through her unique voice and compelling plots, leaving them eagerly anticipating her next creation.
You can follow Krista on her social media accounts:
Instagram: @klastella06
Facebook Page: klastella06
Krista is passionate about crafting stories that either tug at her readers' hearts or drive them mad. With a particular knack for writing angst-filled tales, she thrives on exploring deep, emotional narratives. Though she acknowledges that she still has much to learn, her wide imagination ensures she never runs out of stories to tell.
Her goal is to connect with readers through her unique voice and compelling plots, leaving them eagerly anticipating her next creation.
You can follow Krista on her social media accounts:
Instagram: @klastella06
Facebook Page: klastella06
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
June 6, 2024
SPOILERS
The book opens with Ava and Ethan celebrating their engagement with their friends.
They seemed to be a happy couple, in love, committed to each other. They were tender and playful with one another and never fought.
They had the perfect relationship, they were the ideal couple.
Ava was head over heels in love with Ethan. There was nothing she wouldn't do for him.
They started dating back in College. Ethan was showing interest in one of Ava's friends, Violet.
As Violet suddenly moved to France, Ethan eventually started dating Ava.
They've been together for six years.
Ethan was now a young doctor doing his residency.
On New Years Eve the couple celebrated with their friends. That night they got word that Violet was coming back after a six year absence.
Ethan's demeanour changed after that, he was unusually quiet and did not approach Ava sexually since. He blamed his behaviour on pressure of work.
On Ethan's birthday Ava overheard a conversation between Ethan and his friend Tony.
Ethan was saying: "l've never loved Ava. For the past six years, l've never learned to love her.
Violet was my world, then she left, leaving nothing, not even a simple explanation.
I tried to love Ava, but every time l told her 'l love you' it was a lie.
Every kiss, every embrace its torture.
Waking up next to her, seeing Ava's face instead of Violet's...it's a daily nightmare, a reminder of what l'd lost and what l was pretending to have.
I hate it. I hate the pretence, the charade of a love l can't feel.
Every 'l love you' only meant for Violet.
I am living a lie,and it's killing me inside.
I've been waiting, hoping Violet would come back. I planned to leave Ava then.
Now Violet is coming back. I don't know how to break it to Ava.
I don't want to hurt her. She's been wonderful to me but l have to break up with her.
I'm figuring out the right time".
Heartbroken and in shock Ava stepped inside and never told anything to anyone about what she just heard. Not even Ethan.
From that day on Ava started to avoid him. Kept her distance, barely talked to him and pretended sleep at night.
For six years she was living a lie.
Ethan's love was an illusion.
She knew now that the wedding would never happen.
At a friend's party, Ethan arrived late...with Violet. Apparently he'd picked her up from the airport.
Ava knew nothing about it.
When Ethan and Violet got on the balcony, Ava eavesdropped.
She heard Ethan promising Violet to break it off with Ava.
Ava's best friend urged her to fight for him.
In the next many days, Ethan would come late at home. He would blame it on the overload of work at the Hospital.
He would never meet her eyes. Ava knew he was lying.
It was Ethan's day off. He said he was assigned a shift at the Hospital the last minute.
Ava found out it was not true. She drove to the Hotel Violet was staying.
Through the lounge window, she spotted Ethan and Violet sitting together at one of the tables.
After that Ava was determined to bridge the distance between them but Ethan seemed distant and unreachable.
It was now two weeks away from the wedding day.
Ava knew she should confront him but fear of his answer stopped her.
She loved him and the possibility of losing him was painful.
One week before the wedding, Ava catched Ethan and Violet kissing.
Him telling Violet that he loved her.
Ethan looked guilty when he saw Ava and Violet looked triumphant.
The story continues...
Ethan told Ava so many lies that if you line them up, they can reach the moon.
This is the author's first and only book. She is big on angst and she is not afraid to write uncomfortable and unpopular themes. She is very talented and l wish and urge her to continue writing books.
The book opens with Ava and Ethan celebrating their engagement with their friends.
They seemed to be a happy couple, in love, committed to each other. They were tender and playful with one another and never fought.
They had the perfect relationship, they were the ideal couple.
Ava was head over heels in love with Ethan. There was nothing she wouldn't do for him.
They started dating back in College. Ethan was showing interest in one of Ava's friends, Violet.
As Violet suddenly moved to France, Ethan eventually started dating Ava.
They've been together for six years.
Ethan was now a young doctor doing his residency.
On New Years Eve the couple celebrated with their friends. That night they got word that Violet was coming back after a six year absence.
Ethan's demeanour changed after that, he was unusually quiet and did not approach Ava sexually since. He blamed his behaviour on pressure of work.
On Ethan's birthday Ava overheard a conversation between Ethan and his friend Tony.
Ethan was saying: "l've never loved Ava. For the past six years, l've never learned to love her.
Violet was my world, then she left, leaving nothing, not even a simple explanation.
I tried to love Ava, but every time l told her 'l love you' it was a lie.
Every kiss, every embrace its torture.
Waking up next to her, seeing Ava's face instead of Violet's...it's a daily nightmare, a reminder of what l'd lost and what l was pretending to have.
I hate it. I hate the pretence, the charade of a love l can't feel.
Every 'l love you' only meant for Violet.
I am living a lie,and it's killing me inside.
I've been waiting, hoping Violet would come back. I planned to leave Ava then.
Now Violet is coming back. I don't know how to break it to Ava.
I don't want to hurt her. She's been wonderful to me but l have to break up with her.
I'm figuring out the right time".
Heartbroken and in shock Ava stepped inside and never told anything to anyone about what she just heard. Not even Ethan.
From that day on Ava started to avoid him. Kept her distance, barely talked to him and pretended sleep at night.
For six years she was living a lie.
Ethan's love was an illusion.
She knew now that the wedding would never happen.
At a friend's party, Ethan arrived late...with Violet. Apparently he'd picked her up from the airport.
Ava knew nothing about it.
When Ethan and Violet got on the balcony, Ava eavesdropped.
She heard Ethan promising Violet to break it off with Ava.
Ava's best friend urged her to fight for him.
In the next many days, Ethan would come late at home. He would blame it on the overload of work at the Hospital.
He would never meet her eyes. Ava knew he was lying.
It was Ethan's day off. He said he was assigned a shift at the Hospital the last minute.
Ava found out it was not true. She drove to the Hotel Violet was staying.
Through the lounge window, she spotted Ethan and Violet sitting together at one of the tables.
After that Ava was determined to bridge the distance between them but Ethan seemed distant and unreachable.
It was now two weeks away from the wedding day.
Ava knew she should confront him but fear of his answer stopped her.
She loved him and the possibility of losing him was painful.
One week before the wedding, Ava catched Ethan and Violet kissing.
Him telling Violet that he loved her.
Ethan looked guilty when he saw Ava and Violet looked triumphant.
The story continues...
Ethan told Ava so many lies that if you line them up, they can reach the moon.
This is the author's first and only book. She is big on angst and she is not afraid to write uncomfortable and unpopular themes. She is very talented and l wish and urge her to continue writing books.
June 6, 2024
Wattpad read. Did I like it?
Yes and no.
She is his rebound. When they were at college he was with another girl, but she left him and he decided to hook up with the heroine just to make her jealous. He never loved her but things progressed and they were together for years, lived together until he proposed to her and then of course ow decided to come back. He basically had been writing love text to her even after he was with the heroine telling her he loved her and was waiting for her, what a pathetic excuse for a man, and the heroine listens to him while he tells a friend he feels sick when he watch her sleep near him because he sees ow face instead and he doesn’t want to marry her. After ow is back he starts seeing ow behind his fiancé back, and she knows it. The heroine tries to fight for him, which I found really sad and pathetic because if I ever heard what she heard I would have dumped his sorry ass after hitting him hard with a golf club just on his teeth. And maybe I would have boinked all his male friends, and brothers and cousins too if he had any. Just because. She leaves him after she catches him kissing ow and declaring her he loves her, and she lives for four years in another country where she has his daughter, hiding her from him. The hero realizes after she leaves him that he truly loves her and he doesn’t love ow instead, it was only a stupid thought he had but it’s too late. Sadly the heroine is anyway unable to move on which I found once again very pathetic and depressing because she had a very nice and sexy male friend who would have been so eager to be with her, so why not being someone’s first choice instead of settling for being a losers consolation prize? These things I will never be able to understand. She never even hooks up with any man at all, really? Who does this nowadays? And for a loser, a liar and a cheat. Not in my life. After four years she goes back to her town because her father has had a health issue and she meets the hero again. He had some hard years without her and was never able to move on, it’s not clear if he was celibate or not, but it’s hinted there was never any other woman so I suppose that at least he was celibate. Not that it changes much. There’s a brief groveling but not satisfactory enough and imo he didn’t suffer enough or else we don’t see enough of his wallowing in pain and despair. Of course in the end all is well but I am not happy with their reunion, she should have had at least four men during their separation, one for each year, but I would have been happier if she had married om instead but she was never even tempted. What a sad thing that women have always to be portrayed as emotionally dependent and weak creature without a backbone that are unable to understand their own power and their own worth and are happy to settle with the crumbles of attentions that a man give them. A strong woman after such a betrayal would have moved on to a better man, learning her lesson and trying to find someone who valued, cherished and loved her as she deserved, basically giving her the queen treatment. But no, she refuses better options and stays with the man who chose her as second best and kept living another woman during all the years he was with her. I just can’t.
Yes and no.
She is his rebound. When they were at college he was with another girl, but she left him and he decided to hook up with the heroine just to make her jealous. He never loved her but things progressed and they were together for years, lived together until he proposed to her and then of course ow decided to come back. He basically had been writing love text to her even after he was with the heroine telling her he loved her and was waiting for her, what a pathetic excuse for a man, and the heroine listens to him while he tells a friend he feels sick when he watch her sleep near him because he sees ow face instead and he doesn’t want to marry her. After ow is back he starts seeing ow behind his fiancé back, and she knows it. The heroine tries to fight for him, which I found really sad and pathetic because if I ever heard what she heard I would have dumped his sorry ass after hitting him hard with a golf club just on his teeth. And maybe I would have boinked all his male friends, and brothers and cousins too if he had any. Just because. She leaves him after she catches him kissing ow and declaring her he loves her, and she lives for four years in another country where she has his daughter, hiding her from him. The hero realizes after she leaves him that he truly loves her and he doesn’t love ow instead, it was only a stupid thought he had but it’s too late. Sadly the heroine is anyway unable to move on which I found once again very pathetic and depressing because she had a very nice and sexy male friend who would have been so eager to be with her, so why not being someone’s first choice instead of settling for being a losers consolation prize? These things I will never be able to understand. She never even hooks up with any man at all, really? Who does this nowadays? And for a loser, a liar and a cheat. Not in my life. After four years she goes back to her town because her father has had a health issue and she meets the hero again. He had some hard years without her and was never able to move on, it’s not clear if he was celibate or not, but it’s hinted there was never any other woman so I suppose that at least he was celibate. Not that it changes much. There’s a brief groveling but not satisfactory enough and imo he didn’t suffer enough or else we don’t see enough of his wallowing in pain and despair. Of course in the end all is well but I am not happy with their reunion, she should have had at least four men during their separation, one for each year, but I would have been happier if she had married om instead but she was never even tempted. What a sad thing that women have always to be portrayed as emotionally dependent and weak creature without a backbone that are unable to understand their own power and their own worth and are happy to settle with the crumbles of attentions that a man give them. A strong woman after such a betrayal would have moved on to a better man, learning her lesson and trying to find someone who valued, cherished and loved her as she deserved, basically giving her the queen treatment. But no, she refuses better options and stays with the man who chose her as second best and kept living another woman during all the years he was with her. I just can’t.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2025
4.5 This is how you write betrayal and grovel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Romance authors take note, this is how far you can actually take the audiences feelings, and still manage to make it heart melting romantic. ❤️
I am a little speechless tbh. This was the betrayal, grovel romance I have been searching for my whole life. I had the whole spectrum of emotions from start to finish.
Tiny spoilers from the first 50%.
Ava and Ethan have been together for 6 years, they met in college and we start with their engagement party. Everything is picture perfect, the friendships, their relationship, their careers. They are the “it” couple. Ava is clearly super in love and patient with Ethan. He seems smitten too.
Ethan used to date Ava’s friend, Violet. She however vanished mysteriously during college, and was never heard from in the friend group again.
Ethan started dating Ava soon after. He always downplayed any attachment to Violet and Ava didn’t even know they dated.
At a Thanksgiving party, Violet texts the whole friend group and announces her return to the US. Everyone seems a little concerned and Ava doesn’t really understand why. But she is soon to find out.
Ethan starts to withdraw from Ava, and they are about 8 weeks away from their wedding.
Over the next few weeks Ethan start making secret phone calls and texts, he avoids Ava and intimacy and withdraws from her. Ava is not an aggressive person, she has a softness to her, and she really believes in Ethan.
At a party for Ethan, Ava overhears a conversation between Ethan and his best friend.
It’s always been Violet, Ava was a placeholder, he always meant to leave Ava when Violet returned.
Every kiss, every I love you was always for Violet. Waking up next to Ava was a nightmare. I proposed because I did not know how to get out, but it was always Violet. I don’t want to destroy Ava, but it was always the plan to leave❤️🩹
Ava has a literal trauma response to this, she decides to think and not react. She is in disbelief, their wedding is like 4 weeks away. She always believed Ethan loved her, but she is slowly realizing he never did.
A few weeks go by, and Ava still hasn’t confronted Ethan, she is struggling and is falling apart, and he is watching it happen but he is too busy with his own feelings.
She is waiting to see if he will break the engagement or perhaps chose her over Violet. Yes this was a hard portion of the book. I was giving her grace, because she is such a different personality than me and I wanted to see what her motivations were, because mine would have been so different.
So Ava is a deer in headlights, remember she is very soft and a pensive type.
At a another dinner party, she waits for Ethan to arrive, he was supposed to be there hours ago, and she knows he left work too. He arrives late with Violet on his arm!
Violet is gloating and all over Ethan. Ava walks in on them embracing and sharing I love you’s. They don’t see her, Violet pressures Ethan to leave Ava, and he kind of commits to it, but never really does.
Ethan is literally seeing Violet daily at this point while living with Ava. Who is breaking down mentally, and is coming down to the the last straw.
She tried, she tried to fight for the relationship. But the humiliations kept coming and it was out of her control. She finally has had enough!
By the time she gives up on them, on him, he has wronged her in so many ways that you don’t think there is enough grovel left in the world to make this book romantic!
But you would be wrong. Ethan’s heart is shattered the moment he snaps out of his illusions, and reality sets in. It was glorious to behold. 🙌
“When I lost you, I lost the only version of me that ever made sense”
50 % betrayal➕50 % grovel 🟰 ⚖️
So why not a full 5⭐️ honestly it probably should be, the writing is a little inexperienced. But the author had so much courage and I tip my hat to her.
Should you read it? YES ABSOLUTELY 💕
Romance authors take note, this is how far you can actually take the audiences feelings, and still manage to make it heart melting romantic. ❤️
I am a little speechless tbh. This was the betrayal, grovel romance I have been searching for my whole life. I had the whole spectrum of emotions from start to finish.
Tiny spoilers from the first 50%.
Ava and Ethan have been together for 6 years, they met in college and we start with their engagement party. Everything is picture perfect, the friendships, their relationship, their careers. They are the “it” couple. Ava is clearly super in love and patient with Ethan. He seems smitten too.
Ethan used to date Ava’s friend, Violet. She however vanished mysteriously during college, and was never heard from in the friend group again.
Ethan started dating Ava soon after. He always downplayed any attachment to Violet and Ava didn’t even know they dated.
At a Thanksgiving party, Violet texts the whole friend group and announces her return to the US. Everyone seems a little concerned and Ava doesn’t really understand why. But she is soon to find out.
Ethan starts to withdraw from Ava, and they are about 8 weeks away from their wedding.
Over the next few weeks Ethan start making secret phone calls and texts, he avoids Ava and intimacy and withdraws from her. Ava is not an aggressive person, she has a softness to her, and she really believes in Ethan.
At a party for Ethan, Ava overhears a conversation between Ethan and his best friend.
It’s always been Violet, Ava was a placeholder, he always meant to leave Ava when Violet returned.
Every kiss, every I love you was always for Violet. Waking up next to Ava was a nightmare. I proposed because I did not know how to get out, but it was always Violet. I don’t want to destroy Ava, but it was always the plan to leave❤️🩹
Ava has a literal trauma response to this, she decides to think and not react. She is in disbelief, their wedding is like 4 weeks away. She always believed Ethan loved her, but she is slowly realizing he never did.
A few weeks go by, and Ava still hasn’t confronted Ethan, she is struggling and is falling apart, and he is watching it happen but he is too busy with his own feelings.
She is waiting to see if he will break the engagement or perhaps chose her over Violet. Yes this was a hard portion of the book. I was giving her grace, because she is such a different personality than me and I wanted to see what her motivations were, because mine would have been so different.
So Ava is a deer in headlights, remember she is very soft and a pensive type.
At a another dinner party, she waits for Ethan to arrive, he was supposed to be there hours ago, and she knows he left work too. He arrives late with Violet on his arm!
Violet is gloating and all over Ethan. Ava walks in on them embracing and sharing I love you’s. They don’t see her, Violet pressures Ethan to leave Ava, and he kind of commits to it, but never really does.
Ethan is literally seeing Violet daily at this point while living with Ava. Who is breaking down mentally, and is coming down to the the last straw.
She tried, she tried to fight for the relationship. But the humiliations kept coming and it was out of her control. She finally has had enough!
By the time she gives up on them, on him, he has wronged her in so many ways that you don’t think there is enough grovel left in the world to make this book romantic!
But you would be wrong. Ethan’s heart is shattered the moment he snaps out of his illusions, and reality sets in. It was glorious to behold. 🙌
“When I lost you, I lost the only version of me that ever made sense”
50 % betrayal➕50 % grovel 🟰 ⚖️
So why not a full 5⭐️ honestly it probably should be, the writing is a little inexperienced. But the author had so much courage and I tip my hat to her.
Should you read it? YES ABSOLUTELY 💕
April 21, 2024
Read it on Wattpad
Starts out angsty; great bcus I don’t have patience
‘Overheard’ trope…
He says: he loves OW, never loved h
OW comes back to town
Emotional cheating by H; secretly meets the OW
The h was a major doormat for a long while—absolutely maddening
She sees OW kiss H, he doesn’t stop it
She finally leaves him, but never holds him to account
Separation for 5 yrs; he can’t find her; both celibate
Secret baby—daughter
OM in her life but platonic; he loves her
H/h reconciliation; he pursues her
Writing was off at first but improved
I really felt the h’s angst 🥲
The secret daughter reveal was super disappointing
I’m too lazy to give this a proper review.
Starts out angsty; great bcus I don’t have patience
‘Overheard’ trope…
He says: he loves OW, never loved h
OW comes back to town
Emotional cheating by H; secretly meets the OW
The h was a major doormat for a long while—absolutely maddening
She sees OW kiss H, he doesn’t stop it
She finally leaves him, but never holds him to account
Separation for 5 yrs; he can’t find her; both celibate
Secret baby—daughter
OM in her life but platonic; he loves her
H/h reconciliation; he pursues her
Writing was off at first but improved
I really felt the h’s angst 🥲
The secret daughter reveal was super disappointing
I’m too lazy to give this a proper review.
February 21, 2025
2.5 Stars
I struggled with this one. I can get behind a soapy, dramatic, OTT plot. H’s acting like assholes – I’m there. Nasty wannabe OW lurking about – all the better. Cheating/cheating-ish shenanigans – are all good. I’ll even put up with a pathetic doormat for a while as long as she’s generating misery as she’s being kicked around. BUT I HATE it when that drama is supplied by flipping the script or giving characters completely new personalities with no development.
All throughout the book the characters’ actions and attitudes were manipulated to change immediately with no development or explanation just to fit the specific narrative needed at that point. It was illogical and frustrating. I can’t do this without spoiling the major plot outline, so please stop if you haven’t or plan to read this.
I struggled with this one. I can get behind a soapy, dramatic, OTT plot. H’s acting like assholes – I’m there. Nasty wannabe OW lurking about – all the better. Cheating/cheating-ish shenanigans – are all good. I’ll even put up with a pathetic doormat for a while as long as she’s generating misery as she’s being kicked around. BUT I HATE it when that drama is supplied by flipping the script or giving characters completely new personalities with no development.
All throughout the book the characters’ actions and attitudes were manipulated to change immediately with no development or explanation just to fit the specific narrative needed at that point. It was illogical and frustrating. I can’t do this without spoiling the major plot outline, so please stop if you haven’t or plan to read this.
October 5, 2025
It had all the potentials but the execute was somewhat poor. First it felt quite flat and didn't provoke any feelings, good or bad, for the majority. The couple seems to have the perfect relationship, almost too perfect to be believable. The heroine after the overheard scene decides just to fight for him doing what? Just being the perfect fiancee instead of confronting him. And there's later so many signs that he's lying but she still decides to fight for him. Girl!!! Wtf?!? But when she finally sees them kissing then she came to the conclusion that it's over. But guess what! Before she leaves his ass, they spend the night together even though she was betrayed and he knows it.
And then she vanishes and goes to Alaska where she gives birth to their child (without informing the father for its existence) and makes her life there until she has to come back due to her father's heart attack after 4-5 years. The reconciliation was lukewarm and the scene when he finds out his daughter was...odd. He didn't even get angry for hiding her for so much time missing major steps in his daughter's life.
And then just like that they get back together. OK...
And then she vanishes and goes to Alaska where she gives birth to their child (without informing the father for its existence) and makes her life there until she has to come back due to her father's heart attack after 4-5 years. The reconciliation was lukewarm and the scene when he finds out his daughter was...odd. He didn't even get angry for hiding her for so much time missing major steps in his daughter's life.
And then just like that they get back together. OK...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2024
I guess I was in the mood for a rage read because that’s what this crap was. It wasn’t even the fact that he was meeting up with his ex in secret for a while and said all the crap about how he never loved the FMC and he hated waking up next to her and touching her. No this awful book goes down to the FMC. Literally the biggest doormat i have ever read about in the 1800+ books I’ve read. She sees them together, knows he’s been lying to her and still doesn’t say anything and planned to proceed with the wedding! This woman (idiot is a better description) then sees her fiancé kissing his ex and STILL plans to proceed with the wedding and then when she finally confronts him she has SEX with him as a goodbye!!!! Like are you freaking kidding me. Probably the most frustrating book I’ve ever read in my life. My GR girlies will HATE this book so don’t even waste your time. It’s not worth it even if you just want something angsty. It’s beyond that.
CHEATING
OW DRAMA
AND EVERYTHING ABOVE IS A TRIGGER!!!
CHEATING
OW DRAMA
AND EVERYTHING ABOVE IS A TRIGGER!!!
Read
September 18, 2024DNF. The writing was just too florid for me. Plus I don't care for heroines that chase the hero. Total denial is creepy and reeks of desperation. It was like a perfume commercial from the 70s.
April 19, 2024
2.5
This had a great angsty plot. The first 60% was excellent. With better writing chops this book could’ve been stellar. As there aren’t many writers doing my trope proud, I hesitate only 3 starring this. But it just doesn’t make the cut for more.
As the author gains more experience I’m sure her books will get better.
I look forward to those.
This had a great angsty plot. The first 60% was excellent. With better writing chops this book could’ve been stellar. As there aren’t many writers doing my trope proud, I hesitate only 3 starring this. But it just doesn’t make the cut for more.
As the author gains more experience I’m sure her books will get better.
I look forward to those.
June 20, 2024
This book was rough. The h is a complete doormat. She ignored Ethan’s behavior for a long time. Then the big secret made Eva a terrible person. Somehow all of that was glossed over and forgiven. The Brian character deserved better!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2024
This book felt like an old bodice ripper, but without almost any ripping. Lots of purple prose that goes nowhere: A couple of fade to black scenes didn’t do much for the story. On that topic, this author is in desperate need of an editor who can help trim the many (MANY) inconsequential scenes that add nothing to the story and distract readers like me whose drive to read is fueled by angst!
As other reviewers have noted, this h is quite the doormat. She might really be at the top of the Doormat game, if there is a competition to be had. The H, on the other hand, is doing his best to win the Beta Male gold
Medal, and has pretty much clinched that title by the end. I was so revolted by that I almost had to stop reading, but because I wanted to see any tiny hint of a spine from her, I persevered.
All in all, I’m giving it 2.5 stars rounded up.
As other reviewers have noted, this h is quite the doormat. She might really be at the top of the Doormat game, if there is a competition to be had. The H, on the other hand, is doing his best to win the Beta Male gold
Medal, and has pretty much clinched that title by the end. I was so revolted by that I almost had to stop reading, but because I wanted to see any tiny hint of a spine from her, I persevered.
All in all, I’m giving it 2.5 stars rounded up.
May 8, 2024
There's doormats, then there's Ava 🙄
May 5, 2024
Cheating = H kisses OW; goes on intimate dates with OW; emotionally distances himself from h and gives the energy to the OW, so emotional cheating
h sees H with OW = h sees the H and OW kiss
Grovel = H has been pining for the OW for years and started dating the h to make OW jealous; H stayed in relationship with h because it was easy and h catered to him. When OW comes back, H emotionally cheats and eventually cheats physically. H would also jump whenever the OW would call and abandon the h. h has enough after she sees the kiss and leaves. Four years later she comes back. Come to find out, H has been celibate, had looked for the h the whole time, has not been in contact with OW, had a light bulb moment when he saw the h's face after his kiss with the OW ( OMG, he really does love the h and his feeling for the OW was nostalgic and not true feelings). Fairly quickly after h returns, they reconcile and have HEA. It was rushed with the grovel a bit short, but good read.
h sees H with OW = h sees the H and OW kiss
Grovel = H has been pining for the OW for years and started dating the h to make OW jealous; H stayed in relationship with h because it was easy and h catered to him. When OW comes back, H emotionally cheats and eventually cheats physically. H would also jump whenever the OW would call and abandon the h. h has enough after she sees the kiss and leaves. Four years later she comes back. Come to find out, H has been celibate, had looked for the h the whole time, has not been in contact with OW, had a light bulb moment when he saw the h's face after his kiss with the OW ( OMG, he really does love the h and his feeling for the OW was nostalgic and not true feelings). Fairly quickly after h returns, they reconcile and have HEA. It was rushed with the grovel a bit short, but good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2024
3.5
my heart 🥺❤️🩹
my heart 🥺❤️🩹
April 20, 2024
Gut wrenching Angst following stunning overheard conversations followed up by betrayal of emotional affair and CIA kiss only weeks.before the wedding.
H runs off to hide,lick her wounds,start new life. H had concurrently discovered how narcissistic and duplicitous the other woman and that he was merely confused and wrapped up in the past.The tables turn and karmicaly,he is the one suffering.
5 year POS,secret baby,om love of her...but eventual redemption ,reconciliation and HEA
H runs off to hide,lick her wounds,start new life. H had concurrently discovered how narcissistic and duplicitous the other woman and that he was merely confused and wrapped up in the past.The tables turn and karmicaly,he is the one suffering.
5 year POS,secret baby,om love of her...but eventual redemption ,reconciliation and HEA
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2024
Very heartbreaking
I cried a couple times in this book. Ethan was an awful person. She loved him so much but he was still in love with his old girlfriend from six years before. The things she heard say and the things she saw were heartbreaking. That kiss she saw with him and violet put me over the edge. He was just a loser. So why was I rooting for him at the end! I should have been rooting for daddy Brian. He was the better msn for sure. He said he only kissed violet that one time but I don't know. She was vile. I hated her alot. I wasn't sure what was going to happen at the end there. Did she make the right choice? I just don't know.
I cried a couple times in this book. Ethan was an awful person. She loved him so much but he was still in love with his old girlfriend from six years before. The things she heard say and the things she saw were heartbreaking. That kiss she saw with him and violet put me over the edge. He was just a loser. So why was I rooting for him at the end! I should have been rooting for daddy Brian. He was the better msn for sure. He said he only kissed violet that one time but I don't know. She was vile. I hated her alot. I wasn't sure what was going to happen at the end there. Did she make the right choice? I just don't know.
June 7, 2024
I see people are still very much fetishizing disgusting men and writing uncomfortable themes to ride a man’s dick and torture women and weaponizing “oh because I love him” to make said women take back garbage men.
June 11, 2024
2.75 stars 🌟
November 5, 2025
5 stars
OMG. Holy cow. This tore my heart out. I LOVED it. In fact, the first chance I had after I finished it, I immediately went back and reread my favorite heart wrenching parts so i could have it torn out again. I actually teared up a couple of times. It’s been a while since I felt something so potently.
6 years into the relationship, 2 months from the wedding, Ava overhears Ethan tell his friend he doesn’t love her. That he never loved her. That he’s been waiting for his ex to come home so that he could break up with her. That he asked her to marry her out of expectation. Ouch.
Then, the ex returns and he starts acting suspiciously- hiding things, being MIA, growing distant. So finally, after many painful situations, Ava decides to end things. And I’ve got to tell you some of the scenes in this book were EPIC.
Her leaving him and his reaction when he woke up? His suffering! Their meeting again after their time apart and his declaration of love? His actions to try to make her love him again? Chef’s kiss.
I soaked up every second of the angst and the suffering and SAVORED his torture. As it should be, you moron MMC. Great grovel. Fully satisfied.
Thanks, Annika, for posting your awesome review and convincing me to read this. I enjoyed every torturous moment. Totally worth it. Highly recommended!!
OMG. Holy cow. This tore my heart out. I LOVED it. In fact, the first chance I had after I finished it, I immediately went back and reread my favorite heart wrenching parts so i could have it torn out again. I actually teared up a couple of times. It’s been a while since I felt something so potently.
6 years into the relationship, 2 months from the wedding, Ava overhears Ethan tell his friend he doesn’t love her. That he never loved her. That he’s been waiting for his ex to come home so that he could break up with her. That he asked her to marry her out of expectation. Ouch.
Then, the ex returns and he starts acting suspiciously- hiding things, being MIA, growing distant. So finally, after many painful situations, Ava decides to end things. And I’ve got to tell you some of the scenes in this book were EPIC.
Her leaving him and his reaction when he woke up? His suffering! Their meeting again after their time apart and his declaration of love? His actions to try to make her love him again? Chef’s kiss.
I soaked up every second of the angst and the suffering and SAVORED his torture. As it should be, you moron MMC. Great grovel. Fully satisfied.
Thanks, Annika, for posting your awesome review and convincing me to read this. I enjoyed every torturous moment. Totally worth it. Highly recommended!!
May 12, 2024
H Ethan was worst type of H and h Ava was a doormat.
In the beginning the story shows there love for each other.
I honestly thought they were head over heels until Ava hears Ethan saying to his friend that he never loved Ava. He’s always loved. Violet crushed Ava‘s heart because the wedding was coming up and she just found this out. I didn’t understand that so when Violet all of a sudden turns up and Ethan starts coming home late from work he starts getting messages from Violet in front of Ava and he starts sticking up for Violet, you know that he’s being naughty on the side, the way he treated Ava was horrible. There is no way in the world. I would take him back. The stupid thing about it was that Ava knew that he was mucking around, yet still she continued to stay with him and not confront him. It was right in front of her, everything that was happening even when she went to Hotel and she saw him on the phone to her and he still said he was at work, she was a doormat. He knew it and he took advantage of that.
The only comfort I got out of this book is that H suffered for five years and he didn’t know about his daughter. Good job apparently he didn’t see anyone else for five years. I doubt that but that’s the way the author wanted to portray his character.
I really wish that Ava got together with daddy Brian. He was such a better man than Ethan .
In the beginning the story shows there love for each other.
I honestly thought they were head over heels until Ava hears Ethan saying to his friend that he never loved Ava. He’s always loved. Violet crushed Ava‘s heart because the wedding was coming up and she just found this out. I didn’t understand that so when Violet all of a sudden turns up and Ethan starts coming home late from work he starts getting messages from Violet in front of Ava and he starts sticking up for Violet, you know that he’s being naughty on the side, the way he treated Ava was horrible. There is no way in the world. I would take him back. The stupid thing about it was that Ava knew that he was mucking around, yet still she continued to stay with him and not confront him. It was right in front of her, everything that was happening even when she went to Hotel and she saw him on the phone to her and he still said he was at work, she was a doormat. He knew it and he took advantage of that.
The only comfort I got out of this book is that H suffered for five years and he didn’t know about his daughter. Good job apparently he didn’t see anyone else for five years. I doubt that but that’s the way the author wanted to portray his character.
I really wish that Ava got together with daddy Brian. He was such a better man than Ethan .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2025
Updated Upon Reread:
I’m adding a section called pettiness points:
1. The h finally walks out of the H’s life without a trace and sticks to it. 5 pettiness points
2. She keeps his child from him for years for a very unjustifiable reason. 1,000,000 pettiness points
3. When H is about to leave a gathering of friends to comfort the OW, the h grabs him and lays a lengthy kiss on him, thus delaying their departure. 100 pettiness points
—— old review—-
The H is weak trash and while the h remains in love with him, she does walk away, which automatically wins points. There are some groveling moments, which I appreciate.
I’m adding a section called pettiness points:
1. The h finally walks out of the H’s life without a trace and sticks to it. 5 pettiness points
2. She keeps his child from him for years for a very unjustifiable reason. 1,000,000 pettiness points
3. When H is about to leave a gathering of friends to comfort the OW, the h grabs him and lays a lengthy kiss on him, thus delaying their departure. 100 pettiness points
—— old review—-
The H is weak trash and while the h remains in love with him, she does walk away, which automatically wins points. There are some groveling moments, which I appreciate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
November 22, 2024Ava and Ethan
No ratings because I skimmed for the ow drama-doubt I’ll be back.
No ratings because I skimmed for the ow drama-doubt I’ll be back.
December 14, 2025
4.5 This is how you write betrayal and grovel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Romance authors take note, this is how far you can actually take the audiences feelings, and still manage to make it heart melting romantic. ❤️
I am a little speechless tbh. This was the betrayal, grovel romance I have been searching for my whole life. I had the whole spectrum of emotions from start to finish.
Tiny spoilers from the first 50%.
Ava and Ethan have been together for 6 years, they met in college and we start with their engagement party. Everything is picture perfect, the friendships, their relationship, their careers. They are the “it” couple. Ava is clearly super in love and patient with Ethan. He seems smitten too.
Ethan used to date Ava’s friend, Violet. She however vanished mysteriously during college, and was never heard from in the friend group again.
Ethan started dating Ava soon after. He always downplayed any attachment to Violet and Ava didn’t even know they dated.
At a Thanksgiving party, Violet texts the whole friend group and announces her return to the US. Everyone seems a little concerned and Ava doesn’t really understand why. But she is soon to find out.
Ethan starts to withdraw from Ava, and they are about 8 weeks away from their wedding.
Over the next few weeks Ethan start making secret phone calls and texts, he avoids Ava and intimacy and withdraws from her. Ava is not an aggressive person, she has a softness to her, and she really believes in Ethan.
At a party for Ethan, Ava overhears a conversation between Ethan and his best friend.
It’s always been Violet, Ava was a placeholder, he always meant to leave Ava when Violet returned.
Every kiss, every I love you was always for Violet. Waking up next to Ava was a nightmare. I proposed because I did not know how to get out, but it was always Violet. I don’t want to destroy Ava, but it was always the plan to leave❤️🩹
Ava has a literal trauma response to this, she decides to think and not react. She is in disbelief, their wedding is like 4 weeks away. She always believed Ethan loved her, but she is slowly realizing he never did.
A few weeks go by, and Ava still hasn’t confronted Ethan, she is struggling and is falling apart, and he is watching it happen but he is too busy with his own feelings.
She is waiting to see if he will break the engagement or perhaps chose her over Violet. Yes this was a hard portion of the book. I was giving her grace, because she is such a different personality than me and I wanted to see what her motivations were, because mine would have been so different.
So Ava is a deer in headlights, remember she is very soft and a pensive type.
At a another dinner party, she waits for Ethan to arrive, he was supposed to be there hours ago, and she knows he left work too. He arrives late with Violet on his arm!
Violet is gloating and all over Ethan. Ava walks in on them embracing and sharing I love you’s. They don’t see her, Violet pressures Ethan to leave Ava, and he kind of commits to it, but never really does.
Ethan is literally seeing Violet daily at this point while living with Ava. Who is breaking down mentally, and is coming down to the the last straw.
She tried, she tried to fight for the relationship. But the humiliations kept coming and it was out of her control. She finally has had enough!
By the time she gives up on them, on him, he has wronged her in so many ways that you don’t think there is enough grovel left in the world to make this book romantic!
But you would be wrong. Ethan’s heart is shattered the moment he snaps out of his illusions, and reality sets in. It was glorious to behold. 🙌
“When I lost you, I lost the only version of me that ever made sense”
50 % betrayal➕50 % grovel 🟰 ⚖️
So why not a full 5⭐️ honestly it probably should be, the writing is a little inexperienced. But the author had so much courage and I tip my hat to her.
Should you read it? YES ABSOLUTELY 💕
Romance authors take note, this is how far you can actually take the audiences feelings, and still manage to make it heart melting romantic. ❤️
I am a little speechless tbh. This was the betrayal, grovel romance I have been searching for my whole life. I had the whole spectrum of emotions from start to finish.
Tiny spoilers from the first 50%.
Ava and Ethan have been together for 6 years, they met in college and we start with their engagement party. Everything is picture perfect, the friendships, their relationship, their careers. They are the “it” couple. Ava is clearly super in love and patient with Ethan. He seems smitten too.
Ethan used to date Ava’s friend, Violet. She however vanished mysteriously during college, and was never heard from in the friend group again.
Ethan started dating Ava soon after. He always downplayed any attachment to Violet and Ava didn’t even know they dated.
At a Thanksgiving party, Violet texts the whole friend group and announces her return to the US. Everyone seems a little concerned and Ava doesn’t really understand why. But she is soon to find out.
Ethan starts to withdraw from Ava, and they are about 8 weeks away from their wedding.
Over the next few weeks Ethan start making secret phone calls and texts, he avoids Ava and intimacy and withdraws from her. Ava is not an aggressive person, she has a softness to her, and she really believes in Ethan.
At a party for Ethan, Ava overhears a conversation between Ethan and his best friend.
It’s always been Violet, Ava was a placeholder, he always meant to leave Ava when Violet returned.
Every kiss, every I love you was always for Violet. Waking up next to Ava was a nightmare. I proposed because I did not know how to get out, but it was always Violet. I don’t want to destroy Ava, but it was always the plan to leave❤️🩹
Ava has a literal trauma response to this, she decides to think and not react. She is in disbelief, their wedding is like 4 weeks away. She always believed Ethan loved her, but she is slowly realizing he never did.
A few weeks go by, and Ava still hasn’t confronted Ethan, she is struggling and is falling apart, and he is watching it happen but he is too busy with his own feelings.
She is waiting to see if he will break the engagement or perhaps chose her over Violet. Yes this was a hard portion of the book. I was giving her grace, because she is such a different personality than me and I wanted to see what her motivations were, because mine would have been so different.
So Ava is a deer in headlights, remember she is very soft and a pensive type.
At a another dinner party, she waits for Ethan to arrive, he was supposed to be there hours ago, and she knows he left work too. He arrives late with Violet on his arm!
Violet is gloating and all over Ethan. Ava walks in on them embracing and sharing I love you’s. They don’t see her, Violet pressures Ethan to leave Ava, and he kind of commits to it, but never really does.
Ethan is literally seeing Violet daily at this point while living with Ava. Who is breaking down mentally, and is coming down to the the last straw.
She tried, she tried to fight for the relationship. But the humiliations kept coming and it was out of her control. She finally has had enough!
By the time she gives up on them, on him, he has wronged her in so many ways that you don’t think there is enough grovel left in the world to make this book romantic!
But you would be wrong. Ethan’s heart is shattered the moment he snaps out of his illusions, and reality sets in. It was glorious to behold. 🙌
“When I lost you, I lost the only version of me that ever made sense”
50 % betrayal➕50 % grovel 🟰 ⚖️
So why not a full 5⭐️ honestly it probably should be, the writing is a little inexperienced. But the author had so much courage and I tip my hat to her.
Should you read it? YES ABSOLUTELY 💕
June 16, 2024
Betrayal, Separation, growth, surprises, second chances
Loved this story. It’s the battle of first loves. He was her first love and he, secretly, held a flame for his first love. I felt her emotions as she fought for her relationship and he was letting it go so brazenly.
Originally read this on Wattpad and I am so happy to see the author publish this piece of work. This rating is purely for the quality of the story and writing. Any grammar issues are minor and don’t detract from the story at all.
This is definitely a worthy read if the readers are looking for a story that contains betrayal, angst, growth, and redemption.
I say the following to vent, but none of it takes away from the story or the actually writing. After reading this, multiple times, I would’ve liked the story and characters to give us more and do better. I didn’t love the length of the separation and not communicating life changing information.
I prefer when the MMC grovels for more pages than the betrayal and I like to see the HEA longer than a chapter or two. I like to see them succeed long term ツ
I wish that we had more of his perspective, in general.
Some spoilers******
He would’ve been a more sympathetic MMC if we saw more of his inner turmoil. Because the beginning makes it seem like he stayed bc it was easier to use her for his needs like revenge, affection, sexual release, and he didn’t want to break up a friend group.
Whether it was flashbacks about their relationship, his inner thoughts about his emotions for two people at the same time during the “good” times, or even more of him groveling when she returns.
I know there is an alternate story with a different MMC, but I liked Ethan not realizing the depths of feelings for her and fighting for their love for years. I love a good grovel and think Ethan could’ve been given a better chance at redemption and earn the readers support, rather than bring in ANOTHER man. I feel, amongst other things, it sort of cheapens her emotional intelligence bc there was OM-light here too.
Also, I’m a sucker for relationship in crisis with a HEA between them, so keeping the original FMC and MMC together when they “deserve/earn it” is kind of my jam.
*****
Loved this story. It’s the battle of first loves. He was her first love and he, secretly, held a flame for his first love. I felt her emotions as she fought for her relationship and he was letting it go so brazenly.
Originally read this on Wattpad and I am so happy to see the author publish this piece of work. This rating is purely for the quality of the story and writing. Any grammar issues are minor and don’t detract from the story at all.
This is definitely a worthy read if the readers are looking for a story that contains betrayal, angst, growth, and redemption.
I say the following to vent, but none of it takes away from the story or the actually writing. After reading this, multiple times, I would’ve liked the story and characters to give us more and do better. I didn’t love the length of the separation and not communicating life changing information.
I prefer when the MMC grovels for more pages than the betrayal and I like to see the HEA longer than a chapter or two. I like to see them succeed long term ツ
I wish that we had more of his perspective, in general.
Some spoilers******
He would’ve been a more sympathetic MMC if we saw more of his inner turmoil. Because the beginning makes it seem like he stayed bc it was easier to use her for his needs like revenge, affection, sexual release, and he didn’t want to break up a friend group.
Whether it was flashbacks about their relationship, his inner thoughts about his emotions for two people at the same time during the “good” times, or even more of him groveling when she returns.
I know there is an alternate story with a different MMC, but I liked Ethan not realizing the depths of feelings for her and fighting for their love for years. I love a good grovel and think Ethan could’ve been given a better chance at redemption and earn the readers support, rather than bring in ANOTHER man. I feel, amongst other things, it sort of cheapens her emotional intelligence bc there was OM-light here too.
Also, I’m a sucker for relationship in crisis with a HEA between them, so keeping the original FMC and MMC together when they “deserve/earn it” is kind of my jam.
*****
June 15, 2024
Sweet and angsty story
Tropes that I love in this book:
- Overheard: major moment that changes the entire storyline, and is heartbreaking
- Other Woman: there is on-screen cheating, so if that's not your thing, then you may want to reconsider. Should have a trigger warning for that.
- Grovel: there is a good grovel in the books. Is it long enough? Debateable. Does the MMC show that he has changed enough? There is a time jump, so debatable.
Why I gave it four stars - I don't like time jumps. It’s lazy. MMC still needs to do work to change and gain trust. Just my opinion.
Tropes that I love in this book:
- Overheard: major moment that changes the entire storyline, and is heartbreaking
- Other Woman: there is on-screen cheating, so if that's not your thing, then you may want to reconsider. Should have a trigger warning for that.
- Grovel: there is a good grovel in the books. Is it long enough? Debateable. Does the MMC show that he has changed enough? There is a time jump, so debatable.
Why I gave it four stars - I don't like time jumps. It’s lazy. MMC still needs to do work to change and gain trust. Just my opinion.
November 7, 2024
3 - ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
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March 30, 2025
I thought this book was just OK.
Eva was very frustrating. She had so many opportunities to either confront Ethan or end things with him. Ethan was awful. He should’ve grovelled a whole lot more because what he did to her was heartbreaking.
Eva was very frustrating. She had so many opportunities to either confront Ethan or end things with him. Ethan was awful. He should’ve grovelled a whole lot more because what he did to her was heartbreaking.
June 9, 2024
Much better!
Ok so i like this one better than the previous one where the heroine had no backbone and the "hero" was a childish crybaby. This heroine started out as a doormat but ended with a backbone.
Ok so i like this one better than the previous one where the heroine had no backbone and the "hero" was a childish crybaby. This heroine started out as a doormat but ended with a backbone.
May 29, 2024
Horrible plot and editing
Why do authors think that there’s a way to come back from hiding children from another parent. “He didn’t love me, so now he doesn’t get to know he has a child”. The h was actually worse than the “villain” of the book. I preferred Violet over Ava.
Why do authors think that there’s a way to come back from hiding children from another parent. “He didn’t love me, so now he doesn’t get to know he has a child”. The h was actually worse than the “villain” of the book. I preferred Violet over Ava.
July 21, 2024
Ava is one of the stupidest, most useless characters ever to grace the pages of a book. She makes Reddit doormats look like warriors. I can’t root for characters I hate.
The only positive about this book was the gut-punch scene. Loved it. But that was like 3 pages.
The only positive about this book was the gut-punch scene. Loved it. But that was like 3 pages.
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