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Coates Academy #1
The Story of Us
When Violet Ayaz and Isaac Evans discover they share a birthday, they don't expect it to lead to a friendship, let alone a relationship. Five years of secret birthday meetings and stolen moments pass, and the two realise they can't deny their feelings any longer.
But when Isaac doesn't turn up on their seventeenth birthday and the two break up, Violet is left heartbroken and all of their plans for the future disappear.
Isaac attempts to reconnect all summer break, but as their last year of school begins, Violet refuses to listen.
Their final year already has enough challenges as they both contemplate their future, but the biggest challenge comes when Violet and Isaac are forced to work on a project together.
Is this a chance for the two to rekindle their relationship that's been years in the making, or will they go their separate ways when the final school bell rings?
But when Isaac doesn't turn up on their seventeenth birthday and the two break up, Violet is left heartbroken and all of their plans for the future disappear.
Isaac attempts to reconnect all summer break, but as their last year of school begins, Violet refuses to listen.
Their final year already has enough challenges as they both contemplate their future, but the biggest challenge comes when Violet and Isaac are forced to work on a project together.
Is this a chance for the two to rekindle their relationship that's been years in the making, or will they go their separate ways when the final school bell rings?
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2024
541 people are currently reading
8648 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 430 reviews
July 4, 2025
3.75 stars!⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
(Spoiler-free 🐵💚🦋)
Almost a 4 star!
Such a cuute romance book!! We have some Taylor references too ofc 🤭
While the romance is really good the representation of having pressure put on you or having to meet up standards some parents put for there children
Was a little sad to read :(
But other than that everything was really good, a little repetitive in the end which I why i gave it 3 stars ⭐️
I would recommend if you want a good Second chance romance and in need of a fast paced book! <3
💌𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬:
જ⁀➴“𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙮 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙨.
‘𝙄 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧.”
જ⁀➴“𝙅𝙖𝙖𝙣𝙪.”
“𝙈𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚, 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡.
𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.”
𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬🎵:
The story of us -Taylor Swift
Back to December -Taylor Swift
The Other Side of the door -Taylor Swift
Jump then fall -Taylor Swift
Two people -Gracie Abrams
Cedar -Gracie Abrams
Risk -Gracie Abrams
Family line -Conan Gray
Rating: 3.75/5
Spice: 0/5
Age rating: 12+
(Spoiler-free 🐵💚🦋)
Almost a 4 star!
Such a cuute romance book!! We have some Taylor references too ofc 🤭
While the romance is really good the representation of having pressure put on you or having to meet up standards some parents put for there children
Was a little sad to read :(
But other than that everything was really good, a little repetitive in the end which I why i gave it 3 stars ⭐️
I would recommend if you want a good Second chance romance and in need of a fast paced book! <3
💌𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬:
જ⁀➴“𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙮 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙨.
‘𝙄 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧.”
જ⁀➴“𝙅𝙖𝙖𝙣𝙪.”
“𝙈𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚, 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡.
𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.”
𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬🎵:
The story of us -Taylor Swift
Back to December -Taylor Swift
The Other Side of the door -Taylor Swift
Jump then fall -Taylor Swift
Two people -Gracie Abrams
Cedar -Gracie Abrams
Risk -Gracie Abrams
Family line -Conan Gray
Rating: 3.75/5
Spice: 0/5
Age rating: 12+
July 12, 2024
2.5⭐️ I really wanted to DNF this after the first 100 pages because nothing happened!! And I know it’s a second chance romance so it will take a bit of time to get into but I just couldn’t! I was so bored, like the chapters were dragging and it was very repetitive like the FMC would say something in her chapter and the MMC would say the same in his and this happens a lot.
I really wanted to like this but it just not a bit of me :(
I really wanted to like this but it just not a bit of me :(
January 24, 2025
5 ★
💫┆ʚɞ 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 ୨ৎ
guys i loved this book so much omg
it's my first annotated books so that's rlly exciting!!
rtc <3
💫┆ʚɞ 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 ୨ৎ
guys i loved this book so much omg
it's my first annotated books so that's rlly exciting!!
rtc <3
July 2, 2024
I love this book so much that I struggle to put my feelings into words. This book is sweet, comforting, youthful, emotional, and real! I could go on with more words to describe it but the best one that I can think of is complex. This book is so incredibly complex. I sometimes struggle with YA romances because they often feel too surface level, but this book dove into so many different types of conflicts, relationships, and experiences that teenagers face and because of that complexity, it felt so realistic. Although this book was YA, it was also incredibly mature, but not too mature for teenagers to read and relate to. In fact, this book felt so incredibly “teen” that it often made me feel nostalgic of my teen years! Isaac and Violet’s love story encapsulates the extreme power of teenage first love!
“Jaanu, my life, my soul. When you first told me what that word meant, I couldn't believe there was a single word that could describe how I felt about you. The fact that you could teach me what that word was just feels like another reason that we're fated.”
Every time I think about Isaac and Violet, I want to scream and cry and throw up! Their love is so soft and gentle. It is everything that you would want in a romance book! Isaac is the definition of down bad. That boy loves Violet so insanely much and it is proven by how much effort he puts into getting her back after they breakup. And Violet is my sweet and cautious girl! I feel so protective of Violet (I’m aware she’s fictional) because I feel like I AM Violet. A girl that could be seen as shy and quiet who is actually just protective of her heart! And the way that Isaac respects Violet’s protectiveness and loves her the way she is makes me cry! They are so careful and attentive with each other in the way all good partners should be.
When looking beyond the main characters into the other relationships in the book, that care is still there. Whether it is Isaac’s best friend Luke, his sister Izzy, or Violet’s best friend Avery, all the characters care so deeply for the people that they are linked to. They showcase the importance of friendships in your teen years and how even when it feels like your heart has been run over by a truck or your mind is bouncing in circles in your head, the right person can calm you down and help you out! I love the side characters in this book probably equally to the main characters!!!
I love this book so so so deeply. It has become something in my life that is hard for me to talk about because I find myself saying “I just love it so much!” with a crazy (borderline insane) smile every single time. I can not recommend this book more! Zarin Madiyha is an author who has not only written an amazing debut but is only going to improve from here!
Thank you Zarin for the ARC!
*
Full review to come but everyone should know how special of a book this is! I absolutely love Isaac and Violet with my whole heart and somehow love this book even more than that!
“Jaanu, my life, my soul. When you first told me what that word meant, I couldn't believe there was a single word that could describe how I felt about you. The fact that you could teach me what that word was just feels like another reason that we're fated.”
Every time I think about Isaac and Violet, I want to scream and cry and throw up! Their love is so soft and gentle. It is everything that you would want in a romance book! Isaac is the definition of down bad. That boy loves Violet so insanely much and it is proven by how much effort he puts into getting her back after they breakup. And Violet is my sweet and cautious girl! I feel so protective of Violet (I’m aware she’s fictional) because I feel like I AM Violet. A girl that could be seen as shy and quiet who is actually just protective of her heart! And the way that Isaac respects Violet’s protectiveness and loves her the way she is makes me cry! They are so careful and attentive with each other in the way all good partners should be.
When looking beyond the main characters into the other relationships in the book, that care is still there. Whether it is Isaac’s best friend Luke, his sister Izzy, or Violet’s best friend Avery, all the characters care so deeply for the people that they are linked to. They showcase the importance of friendships in your teen years and how even when it feels like your heart has been run over by a truck or your mind is bouncing in circles in your head, the right person can calm you down and help you out! I love the side characters in this book probably equally to the main characters!!!
I love this book so so so deeply. It has become something in my life that is hard for me to talk about because I find myself saying “I just love it so much!” with a crazy (borderline insane) smile every single time. I can not recommend this book more! Zarin Madiyha is an author who has not only written an amazing debut but is only going to improve from here!
Thank you Zarin for the ARC!
*
Full review to come but everyone should know how special of a book this is! I absolutely love Isaac and Violet with my whole heart and somehow love this book even more than that!
September 20, 2024
TROPES:
𐦍 artist x writer
𐦍 boarding school
𐦍 friends to lovers
𐦍 forced proximity
𐦍 secret relationship
*ೃ༄ beta review
⁀➴ plot
isaac and violet met on coates academy on year seven. they learned they share the same birthday, and now they always meet in secret. fast forward years later, they confess their feelings for one another and have a secret relationship. but something happens that ends everything between them.
they’re meant to be but will they find their way back to each other? only time will tell. soon after, they are brought back together when two teachers make them partners in a project, but how will everything turn out when violet can’t even look at isaac’s face... and what will happen with their future now that it’s the last year of school and their relationship has not been fixed?
⁀➴ characters
ᯓ★ isaac evans
i’m gonna lay all my cards down and say that i love isaac evans, he was trying to make violet fall in love with him again but i was the one who fell !!!!! this guy went through a lot and if i was him, i don’t know if i could handle everything. he’s an amazing person, an incredible friend, brother and boyfriend but oh my god this man suffered so much and all because of two people who should love him for who he’s.
his relationship with his parents is one of the main plots in the story and it touched me. it’s only based on him attending law school in oxford by pure pressure because that’s it, his parents don’t care about his well being, his friendships or how he’s doing mentally, all that matters is oxford. but he doesn’t want to attend oxford or study law and it becomes a problem once his parents understand this.
i was so proud that we saw on the flashbacks that isaac started looking at other universities that focus on animation because this is his true passion and he was chasing it !!! but it was so sad to read how he wanted to do what he loved but his parents wouldn’t let him pursue it to then the third act happening.
isaac really deserves the world and unfortunately his parents aren’t good parents. he couldn’t understand why they acted this way because aren’t we supposed to study what we want? and it was such a different emotion involving his parents and his future that in the end, it affected his relationship with violet resulting the end of their relationship and it wrecked him. they had their future planned out but everything got put away because of his parents manipulations and threats. i still can’t believe that isaac has parents like that, it’s literally their kid and they treat him this way???? i’m so glad that isaac has his friends and izzy because they always support isaac and that’s what parents are supposed to do, not threat your kid because he refuses to study what you want.
well YOU SEE HOW THIS MAN SUFFERED??? but let’s talk about fun things !! him texting violet for the first time in a long time was so funny and relatable, he cracks me up. i’m still traumatized and i’m so sorry but he was iconic for the “you, violet. you’re my problem.” like we never saw this coming, i still cry and laugh when i read this line.
ᯓ★ violet ayaz
violet my girl !!!!! she’s my everything <3 obsessed with books just like us !!!! she’s a bit stubborn but she’s worth it and we love her, yeah she made some mistakes but nobody is perfect !
let’s also talk about violet parents’ but mostly about her mom who’s overprotective which made violet want to be dependent at a really young age since she was the one to suggest joining the boarding school coates academy. at first her mom didn’t like the idea but violet really needed some space, unlike isaac’s parents, violet’s mom wanted the best for her daughter so she let her study at the academy, even if it meant they would only see each other during some weekends and breaks.
their relationship gets healthier and of course they have some bumps during the story but nothing like isaac’s experience. but… violet’s dad known as sperm donor, i despise him !!!! i really don’t know how we was able to abandon his wife and kid. it breaks my heart that violet was comparing herself with him, all because she really wanted to study at the academy but never in a million years it compares to him abandoning them !!!!!!
in my opinion, i think a lot of readers got done with violet because she didn’t want to talk to isaac but she’s only 17, teenagers can be stubborn when they’re mad and poor violet really thought isaac wanted to break up with her for no reason, she might not know his reasons but the break up also broke her :(
ᯓ★ isaacviolet
they’re sunrise and sunset. they’re fated. of course they would find their way back to each other <3
about the past and flashbacks. jesus christ the flashbacks were painful because we know that deep down there was a reason for their break up but to see them so happy over the years to the present chapters in which they almost don’t talk… it broke me !!!! the flashbacks had such beautiful scenes and they way they would always do something special for their birthday <33 all the birthday cards and gifts :( and please isaac’s love for the butterfly hair clips :(
one of my fav things from the flashbacks is the whole jaanu meaning ! we learn why isaac loves to call violet as jaanu and what it means to them. and one parallel that breaks my heart is when they mention isaac getting a drivers license. before they broke up, they talked about him getting his license so he could drive her to their date and after the school year ended… he got his license but he didn’t have her so there was no reason to be happy for earning his license… can you hear me crying?
and please the way they always encouraged each other???? SO CUTE !!!! violet is the main reason why isaac gathered courage to pursue animation and isaac always loved to know what violet was working on it because he knows she’s meant to be a writer, just like she knows he’s meant to be an artist, even when he didn’t believe in himself.
since they were paired in a project, isaac has the chance to win violet’s trust again. this man climbed mountains but he got her heart <3 who wouldn’t love a bookstore scavenger hunt????? please he did all of this for her !!!! what a man. no one is doing it like him ! everything was so thoughtful because he remembered all her favorite and meaningful books she loves and i won’t even say about what happened at the end of their date :,)))
to this day one of my fav scenes of them together is when she takes care of him, he was so vulnerable and it was right after the “you broke up with me” card lol but it’s okay because all is well !!!! and the funniest is the “drowned rat” scene !
⁀➴ side characters
ᯓ★ izzy evans
i love izzy !!! she’s such a sunshine ! she’s the cutest, smartest and the best matchmaker ! and drops the best lines <3 i swear, if isaacviolet managed being a secret and izzy discovered, i’m even more scared of what she’ll be able to do when she grows up, good luck isaac !
izzy’s the youngest sibling, she didn’t support what her parents did to isaac and was concerned about herself and isaac but she knew her big brother would help <3 their bond is so beautiful, he acts like a dad sometimes but probably because theirs’ suck lol but it’s good to know that izzy has isaac :,) him saying he wants to find out if she’s interested on someone, good luck isaac !
she also has violet !!!!!! my girls !!!!!! they’ve been friends for a long time and izzy looks up to her and isaac, it’s so cute and the whole braiding thing it was so special and like it actually helped them being friends but i bet izzy knew they would end up being family !
ᯓ★ avery
i’ll never forget about how violetavery began all because of a meltdown and a pizza slice, only they can say this ! she didn’t judge violet when she told her about what happened, avery’s a cutie pie and she gave such good advices for violet, we all need an avery in our lives !
ᯓ★ luke
THIS DUDE MADE ME LAUGH SO MUCH. literally one of my favorites. he won jinhee’s heart plus every reader’s because if you hate luke, you have a problem. jinhee i’m sorry but what a man.
i’m in love with luke and isaac’s friendship (bromance) !!! they’re so close and they know each other since they were little kids :( we love the brunette and blonde duo !
i actually love how luke has jinhee’s name saved in his phone in her native language ! she taught him her language while he helped her with english and it’s just so cute !!!! i wish we could see them growing up together because i love them !
ᯓ★ jinhee
she’s a sweetheart but i feel like everybody feels intimidated by her ! anyways i love her and i wish we could see her talking to violet because this would be isaac’s top 2 fear ! top 1 is obviously violet and luke lol
ᯓ★ olivia
she’s in isaac’s friend circle but she does nothing… sorry but i said it !!! to me she isn’t special soooo moving on
ᯓ★ violet’s mom
I ALSO LOVE HER SO MUCH. she made some mistakes but she’s a good person !!!! she understood violet’s reasons and please SHE’S AN ICON !!!!!
ᯓ★ isaac’s parents
fuck you.
⁀➴ thoughts
i claim the quote “i just said, ‘hey, i think i like you’.” “oh my god, no wonder she rejected you.” since day one. for some reason it’s my favorite and i don’t care, it’s mine ! go claim another one and thank you <3
if you can’t tell by now, i loved this book !!! probably my top 1 of 2024 and it was one of the first books i read this year. there are a lot of reasons why i’ve already read 5 times and i hope everybody loves it like i do <3 this book is everything to me ! a masterpiece of ya second chance romance !
to this day i get shocked about the third act, on the first draft zarin didn’t include it and when i read it i had to scream because i knew something was coming but never in a million years i would expect something like this. i’m dumb but guys for the love of god do you understand what happened??? unfortunately it happens but it’s so fucking sad.
isaacviolet’s story touched my soul and heart a billion of times. i loved this book since the start ! i’m so grateful that i met zarin while she was writing it last year because seeing her start this to releasing it?? i’m so proud of her !!!!!
zarin madiyha, i’ll always say, thank you for letting me read your debut book. thank you for putting up with me when i would send a lot of crying emojis to you besides all the screaming. thank you for letting me read it all the versions because i had so much fun with each read. but mostly thank you for trusting me with your babies !!!! congrats on your book zarin ! i can’t wait to see what’s next !!!! i love you <3
*ೃ༄ 73 days since release day (reread #6)
OH GOD I FINALLY DID MY REREAD, ISAACVIOLET ABSTINENCE IS REAL, NO JOKES HERE. three months since my last read so ofc i reread the book and i see nothing wrong with that ! let’s bet on reread #7, i’m gonna say… january 2025 !
*ೃ༄ 4 days for release day
no i haven’t done another reread ! my review is done but i’ll only post on release day or so due to spoilers. for now, have the beginning of my review lmao WE ARE SO CLOSE TO RELEASE DAY OH MY GOD
*ೃ༄ 25 days for release day (reread #5)
hi guys… yes i did another reread… i just love them so much !!! less than a month for release day omg :,) and in the meantime i’ll be writing my arc review !!
*ೃ༄ 39 days for release day (reread #4)
i’m proud to say that i finished my fourth reread ! get ready for isaacviolet because they’ll steal your heart
*ೃ༄ 74 days for release day (reread #3)
this is best second chance ya i’ve read. i love isaacviolet SO much and the whole world will be able to read their story on july 9th <3
𐦍 artist x writer
𐦍 boarding school
𐦍 friends to lovers
𐦍 forced proximity
𐦍 secret relationship
*ೃ༄ beta review
⁀➴ plot
isaac and violet met on coates academy on year seven. they learned they share the same birthday, and now they always meet in secret. fast forward years later, they confess their feelings for one another and have a secret relationship. but something happens that ends everything between them.
they’re meant to be but will they find their way back to each other? only time will tell. soon after, they are brought back together when two teachers make them partners in a project, but how will everything turn out when violet can’t even look at isaac’s face... and what will happen with their future now that it’s the last year of school and their relationship has not been fixed?
⁀➴ characters
ᯓ★ isaac evans
i’m gonna lay all my cards down and say that i love isaac evans, he was trying to make violet fall in love with him again but i was the one who fell !!!!! this guy went through a lot and if i was him, i don’t know if i could handle everything. he’s an amazing person, an incredible friend, brother and boyfriend but oh my god this man suffered so much and all because of two people who should love him for who he’s.
his relationship with his parents is one of the main plots in the story and it touched me. it’s only based on him attending law school in oxford by pure pressure because that’s it, his parents don’t care about his well being, his friendships or how he’s doing mentally, all that matters is oxford. but he doesn’t want to attend oxford or study law and it becomes a problem once his parents understand this.
i was so proud that we saw on the flashbacks that isaac started looking at other universities that focus on animation because this is his true passion and he was chasing it !!! but it was so sad to read how he wanted to do what he loved but his parents wouldn’t let him pursue it to then the third act happening.
isaac really deserves the world and unfortunately his parents aren’t good parents. he couldn’t understand why they acted this way because aren’t we supposed to study what we want? and it was such a different emotion involving his parents and his future that in the end, it affected his relationship with violet resulting the end of their relationship and it wrecked him. they had their future planned out but everything got put away because of his parents manipulations and threats. i still can’t believe that isaac has parents like that, it’s literally their kid and they treat him this way???? i’m so glad that isaac has his friends and izzy because they always support isaac and that’s what parents are supposed to do, not threat your kid because he refuses to study what you want.
well YOU SEE HOW THIS MAN SUFFERED??? but let’s talk about fun things !! him texting violet for the first time in a long time was so funny and relatable, he cracks me up. i’m still traumatized and i’m so sorry but he was iconic for the “you, violet. you’re my problem.” like we never saw this coming, i still cry and laugh when i read this line.
ᯓ★ violet ayaz
violet my girl !!!!! she’s my everything <3 obsessed with books just like us !!!! she’s a bit stubborn but she’s worth it and we love her, yeah she made some mistakes but nobody is perfect !
let’s also talk about violet parents’ but mostly about her mom who’s overprotective which made violet want to be dependent at a really young age since she was the one to suggest joining the boarding school coates academy. at first her mom didn’t like the idea but violet really needed some space, unlike isaac’s parents, violet’s mom wanted the best for her daughter so she let her study at the academy, even if it meant they would only see each other during some weekends and breaks.
their relationship gets healthier and of course they have some bumps during the story but nothing like isaac’s experience. but… violet’s dad known as sperm donor, i despise him !!!! i really don’t know how we was able to abandon his wife and kid. it breaks my heart that violet was comparing herself with him, all because she really wanted to study at the academy but never in a million years it compares to him abandoning them !!!!!!
in my opinion, i think a lot of readers got done with violet because she didn’t want to talk to isaac but she’s only 17, teenagers can be stubborn when they’re mad and poor violet really thought isaac wanted to break up with her for no reason, she might not know his reasons but the break up also broke her :(
ᯓ★ isaacviolet
they’re sunrise and sunset. they’re fated. of course they would find their way back to each other <3
about the past and flashbacks. jesus christ the flashbacks were painful because we know that deep down there was a reason for their break up but to see them so happy over the years to the present chapters in which they almost don’t talk… it broke me !!!! the flashbacks had such beautiful scenes and they way they would always do something special for their birthday <33 all the birthday cards and gifts :( and please isaac’s love for the butterfly hair clips :(
one of my fav things from the flashbacks is the whole jaanu meaning ! we learn why isaac loves to call violet as jaanu and what it means to them. and one parallel that breaks my heart is when they mention isaac getting a drivers license. before they broke up, they talked about him getting his license so he could drive her to their date and after the school year ended… he got his license but he didn’t have her so there was no reason to be happy for earning his license… can you hear me crying?
and please the way they always encouraged each other???? SO CUTE !!!! violet is the main reason why isaac gathered courage to pursue animation and isaac always loved to know what violet was working on it because he knows she’s meant to be a writer, just like she knows he’s meant to be an artist, even when he didn’t believe in himself.
since they were paired in a project, isaac has the chance to win violet’s trust again. this man climbed mountains but he got her heart <3 who wouldn’t love a bookstore scavenger hunt????? please he did all of this for her !!!! what a man. no one is doing it like him ! everything was so thoughtful because he remembered all her favorite and meaningful books she loves and i won’t even say about what happened at the end of their date :,)))
to this day one of my fav scenes of them together is when she takes care of him, he was so vulnerable and it was right after the “you broke up with me” card lol but it’s okay because all is well !!!! and the funniest is the “drowned rat” scene !
⁀➴ side characters
ᯓ★ izzy evans
i love izzy !!! she’s such a sunshine ! she’s the cutest, smartest and the best matchmaker ! and drops the best lines <3 i swear, if isaacviolet managed being a secret and izzy discovered, i’m even more scared of what she’ll be able to do when she grows up, good luck isaac !
izzy’s the youngest sibling, she didn’t support what her parents did to isaac and was concerned about herself and isaac but she knew her big brother would help <3 their bond is so beautiful, he acts like a dad sometimes but probably because theirs’ suck lol but it’s good to know that izzy has isaac :,) him saying he wants to find out if she’s interested on someone, good luck isaac !
she also has violet !!!!!! my girls !!!!!! they’ve been friends for a long time and izzy looks up to her and isaac, it’s so cute and the whole braiding thing it was so special and like it actually helped them being friends but i bet izzy knew they would end up being family !
ᯓ★ avery
i’ll never forget about how violetavery began all because of a meltdown and a pizza slice, only they can say this ! she didn’t judge violet when she told her about what happened, avery’s a cutie pie and she gave such good advices for violet, we all need an avery in our lives !
ᯓ★ luke
THIS DUDE MADE ME LAUGH SO MUCH. literally one of my favorites. he won jinhee’s heart plus every reader’s because if you hate luke, you have a problem. jinhee i’m sorry but what a man.
i’m in love with luke and isaac’s friendship (bromance) !!! they’re so close and they know each other since they were little kids :( we love the brunette and blonde duo !
i actually love how luke has jinhee’s name saved in his phone in her native language ! she taught him her language while he helped her with english and it’s just so cute !!!! i wish we could see them growing up together because i love them !
ᯓ★ jinhee
she’s a sweetheart but i feel like everybody feels intimidated by her ! anyways i love her and i wish we could see her talking to violet because this would be isaac’s top 2 fear ! top 1 is obviously violet and luke lol
ᯓ★ olivia
she’s in isaac’s friend circle but she does nothing… sorry but i said it !!! to me she isn’t special soooo moving on
ᯓ★ violet’s mom
I ALSO LOVE HER SO MUCH. she made some mistakes but she’s a good person !!!! she understood violet’s reasons and please SHE’S AN ICON !!!!!
ᯓ★ isaac’s parents
fuck you.
⁀➴ thoughts
i claim the quote “i just said, ‘hey, i think i like you’.” “oh my god, no wonder she rejected you.” since day one. for some reason it’s my favorite and i don’t care, it’s mine ! go claim another one and thank you <3
if you can’t tell by now, i loved this book !!! probably my top 1 of 2024 and it was one of the first books i read this year. there are a lot of reasons why i’ve already read 5 times and i hope everybody loves it like i do <3 this book is everything to me ! a masterpiece of ya second chance romance !
to this day i get shocked about the third act, on the first draft zarin didn’t include it and when i read it i had to scream because i knew something was coming but never in a million years i would expect something like this. i’m dumb but guys for the love of god do you understand what happened??? unfortunately it happens but it’s so fucking sad.
isaacviolet’s story touched my soul and heart a billion of times. i loved this book since the start ! i’m so grateful that i met zarin while she was writing it last year because seeing her start this to releasing it?? i’m so proud of her !!!!!
zarin madiyha, i’ll always say, thank you for letting me read your debut book. thank you for putting up with me when i would send a lot of crying emojis to you besides all the screaming. thank you for letting me read it all the versions because i had so much fun with each read. but mostly thank you for trusting me with your babies !!!! congrats on your book zarin ! i can’t wait to see what’s next !!!! i love you <3
*ೃ༄ 73 days since release day (reread #6)
OH GOD I FINALLY DID MY REREAD, ISAACVIOLET ABSTINENCE IS REAL, NO JOKES HERE. three months since my last read so ofc i reread the book and i see nothing wrong with that ! let’s bet on reread #7, i’m gonna say… january 2025 !
*ೃ༄ 4 days for release day
no i haven’t done another reread ! my review is done but i’ll only post on release day or so due to spoilers. for now, have the beginning of my review lmao WE ARE SO CLOSE TO RELEASE DAY OH MY GOD
*ೃ༄ 25 days for release day (reread #5)
hi guys… yes i did another reread… i just love them so much !!! less than a month for release day omg :,) and in the meantime i’ll be writing my arc review !!
*ೃ༄ 39 days for release day (reread #4)
i’m proud to say that i finished my fourth reread ! get ready for isaacviolet because they’ll steal your heart
*ೃ༄ 74 days for release day (reread #3)
this is best second chance ya i’ve read. i love isaacviolet SO much and the whole world will be able to read their story on july 9th <3
July 11, 2025
❝📖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝕦𝕤 🏫❞
╰┈➤ 𝟏/𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 ⭐ (𝐃𝐍𝐅 @ 𝟐𝟎%)
i'm just gonna go straight into the review 😔 BUT- my lil bro, arthur, does my review!!! 🥹
𝕡𝕝𝕠𝕥 💚:
yasmin 🤓: i've always run away from second chance romances and this just reminds me of the reason why! 😃 okay now i'm signing off (but i'll be back heheeheh 😁)
Arthur 🪿: so from what I have heard from my sister reading this out loud. There isn't a plot for MILES to be seen. Also, there was potential but past 5% in the book the potential ran and dove out the damn WINDOW! Also, the lines in the book sound so cringey it makes me want to dig into my seat and live there! Like, you're telling me that "I hope I don't run into them, (uwu type shi 😒) But I want at the same time." like if you don't shut your squiggly diggly ahh up, and as a boy I will always know that the story has a Taylor swift song as a title, u know shi is going down. And I know this because of Yasmin. but last thing, THIS STORY IS ✨ABSOULUTE DOGSHIIIIIII✨! AND THE PLOT IS ✨HOT GARBAGE✨ AND I HATE WHOEVER HAD THE IDEA OF GIVING THE STORY SUCH ASSS WRITING! (𝙮: 𝘿𝙐𝘿𝙀 𝘾𝘼𝙇𝙈 𝘿𝙊𝙒𝙉𝙉!!!)
𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤 👤:
violet (Yasmin) 🦋 -> WHAT WAS THE POINT OF BREAKING UP W/ ISAAC IF U THINK ABOUT HIM 24/7?!?!?!? 😭 when she wanted Isaac to talk to her, GUESS WHAT SHE DID-she snapped at him and told him not to talk to her, AND HE LISTENED! 🤦
isaac (Arthur) 👓-> either isaac is mental or he was just dropped on the head as a baby ten times every day! Also if you have the required braincells to talk and have an inner monologue about your ex dream huzz, You should be able to use your damn mouth and talk to your fine shyte! Also I think Isaac should be put in a mental hospital for how durrrrrrrrrr (𝙮: 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 "𝙙𝙪𝙢𝙗" 𝙞𝙣 𝙜𝙚𝙣 𝙯 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙨 😃) he is.
𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕝𝕝 🤗:
yasmin: neither of us want u to suffer as much as I did while reading this, so please, just save ur braincells! 😁✨
--------------------------------------------------------------------
𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 💚:
my first zarin madiyha book, i'm so excited!!! i usually stay away from second chance romances, but this intrigued me!! wish me luck! 🥹💕
╰┈➤ 𝟏/𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 ⭐ (𝐃𝐍𝐅 @ 𝟐𝟎%)
i'm just gonna go straight into the review 😔 BUT- my lil bro, arthur, does my review!!! 🥹
𝕡𝕝𝕠𝕥 💚:
yasmin 🤓: i've always run away from second chance romances and this just reminds me of the reason why! 😃 okay now i'm signing off (but i'll be back heheeheh 😁)
Arthur 🪿: so from what I have heard from my sister reading this out loud. There isn't a plot for MILES to be seen. Also, there was potential but past 5% in the book the potential ran and dove out the damn WINDOW! Also, the lines in the book sound so cringey it makes me want to dig into my seat and live there! Like, you're telling me that "I hope I don't run into them, (uwu type shi 😒) But I want at the same time." like if you don't shut your squiggly diggly ahh up, and as a boy I will always know that the story has a Taylor swift song as a title, u know shi is going down. And I know this because of Yasmin. but last thing, THIS STORY IS ✨ABSOULUTE DOGSHIIIIIII✨! AND THE PLOT IS ✨HOT GARBAGE✨ AND I HATE WHOEVER HAD THE IDEA OF GIVING THE STORY SUCH ASSS WRITING! (𝙮: 𝘿𝙐𝘿𝙀 𝘾𝘼𝙇𝙈 𝘿𝙊𝙒𝙉𝙉!!!)
𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤 👤:
violet (Yasmin) 🦋 -> WHAT WAS THE POINT OF BREAKING UP W/ ISAAC IF U THINK ABOUT HIM 24/7?!?!?!? 😭 when she wanted Isaac to talk to her, GUESS WHAT SHE DID-she snapped at him and told him not to talk to her, AND HE LISTENED! 🤦
isaac (Arthur) 👓-> either isaac is mental or he was just dropped on the head as a baby ten times every day! Also if you have the required braincells to talk and have an inner monologue about your ex dream huzz, You should be able to use your damn mouth and talk to your fine shyte! Also I think Isaac should be put in a mental hospital for how durrrrrrrrrr (𝙮: 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 "𝙙𝙪𝙢𝙗" 𝙞𝙣 𝙜𝙚𝙣 𝙯 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙨 😃) he is.
𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕝𝕝 🤗:
yasmin: neither of us want u to suffer as much as I did while reading this, so please, just save ur braincells! 😁✨
--------------------------------------------------------------------
𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 💚:
my first zarin madiyha book, i'm so excited!!! i usually stay away from second chance romances, but this intrigued me!! wish me luck! 🥹💕
July 14, 2024
This book put me in my first reading slump of 2024.
I tried really hard to like it, but I honestly dreaded my daily reading time knowing that I’d have to read this book instead of any other book on my summer TBR.
The Story of Us had no plot and was more of a compilation of overly angsty scenes. Each chapter showed the MC and/or the love interest doing one of these following:
- Thinking about their breakup
- Being sad over their breakup
- Trying to act normal around their friends because they don’t know that they even dated
- Apologizing (the LI)
- Declaring that they won’t allow themselves to be hurt again (the MC)
- Crying
- Reminiscing about their relationship
“He’s worn the same aftershave for years now, a citrusy vanilla scent that always felt so comforting. I used to love seeing him every morning before school started, both of us leaving our bedrooms early enough to steal a moment together.
The smell of his perfume was always so strong because he would spray it before coming to see me, knowing how much I liked it. I would hug him tightly, press myself as close to him as possible, and wish that science could find a way for me to crawl inside his chest and always be part of him. I would hope that his perfume would transfer onto my clothes just enough so that I could feel like he was with me all day.” (p. 45)
On top of the lack of plot, I really wasn’t a fan of the writing (such as the amateur feel of the exposition being done through a classroom icebreaker activity). There was a lot of telling and barely any showing.
Now, maybe this is just me, but the interactions between the LI and his sister felt so clumsy and awkward to read.
“But you’re not allowed to use that word. No swearing until you’re sixteen.”
She sticks her tongue out at me, and I pinch her nose until she swats my hand away.
“You’re so annoying.”
“So are you.”
“You’re the worst.”
“I know you are, but what am I?” (p. 38)
Also, this book felt SO teenager-y. Like, this passage about girls only eating if they’re with their boyfriends?? 😭
“Jinhee’s already in a mood. She keeps doing this weird thing where she waits for me before she eats. She never used to do that.”
[…]
“I think most girls are like that with their boyfriends.” I shrug.
I don’t tell him that I heard it first-hand from Violet on one of those days when we considered telling people just so we could act like every other couple at school who got to sit together at meal times. There would be other times when Violet wanted a snack while we were studying but wouldn’t eat anything unless I did. I never wanted her to be hungry, so I would just eat whenever she did, leading to so many stomach aches, but it was always worth it.” (p. 56)
And this cringefest of a passage 😭:
“She’s the only person in our year in the writing club, so I guess I got lucky there.”
I try to put a positive spin on it, but it feels like my face is about to crack open from the effort of having to school my expression.
“Maybe you can get lucky in another way,” Luke says, barely finishing the sentence before Jinhee whacked him on the arm. “What did I do?”
“That was vile, Lucas. Don’t say anything like that again.” She says, and I can’t help but laugh at how ridiculous Luke looks as he apologises to her, hands clasped together like he’s begging for forgiveness.” (p. 88)
All in all, seeing how many positive reviews this book has, maybe The Story of Us just wasn’t for me, and that’s okay!
Thank you so much to the author for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review ✨
06/10/2024 — pre-review
it’s arc timeee 🤭🤭
I tried really hard to like it, but I honestly dreaded my daily reading time knowing that I’d have to read this book instead of any other book on my summer TBR.
The Story of Us had no plot and was more of a compilation of overly angsty scenes. Each chapter showed the MC and/or the love interest doing one of these following:
- Thinking about their breakup
- Being sad over their breakup
- Trying to act normal around their friends because they don’t know that they even dated
- Apologizing (the LI)
- Declaring that they won’t allow themselves to be hurt again (the MC)
- Crying
- Reminiscing about their relationship
“He’s worn the same aftershave for years now, a citrusy vanilla scent that always felt so comforting. I used to love seeing him every morning before school started, both of us leaving our bedrooms early enough to steal a moment together.
The smell of his perfume was always so strong because he would spray it before coming to see me, knowing how much I liked it. I would hug him tightly, press myself as close to him as possible, and wish that science could find a way for me to crawl inside his chest and always be part of him. I would hope that his perfume would transfer onto my clothes just enough so that I could feel like he was with me all day.” (p. 45)
On top of the lack of plot, I really wasn’t a fan of the writing (such as the amateur feel of the exposition being done through a classroom icebreaker activity). There was a lot of telling and barely any showing.
Now, maybe this is just me, but the interactions between the LI and his sister felt so clumsy and awkward to read.
“But you’re not allowed to use that word. No swearing until you’re sixteen.”
She sticks her tongue out at me, and I pinch her nose until she swats my hand away.
“You’re so annoying.”
“So are you.”
“You’re the worst.”
“I know you are, but what am I?” (p. 38)
Also, this book felt SO teenager-y. Like, this passage about girls only eating if they’re with their boyfriends?? 😭
“Jinhee’s already in a mood. She keeps doing this weird thing where she waits for me before she eats. She never used to do that.”
[…]
“I think most girls are like that with their boyfriends.” I shrug.
I don’t tell him that I heard it first-hand from Violet on one of those days when we considered telling people just so we could act like every other couple at school who got to sit together at meal times. There would be other times when Violet wanted a snack while we were studying but wouldn’t eat anything unless I did. I never wanted her to be hungry, so I would just eat whenever she did, leading to so many stomach aches, but it was always worth it.” (p. 56)
And this cringefest of a passage 😭:
“She’s the only person in our year in the writing club, so I guess I got lucky there.”
I try to put a positive spin on it, but it feels like my face is about to crack open from the effort of having to school my expression.
“Maybe you can get lucky in another way,” Luke says, barely finishing the sentence before Jinhee whacked him on the arm. “What did I do?”
“That was vile, Lucas. Don’t say anything like that again.” She says, and I can’t help but laugh at how ridiculous Luke looks as he apologises to her, hands clasped together like he’s begging for forgiveness.” (p. 88)
All in all, seeing how many positive reviews this book has, maybe The Story of Us just wasn’t for me, and that’s okay!
Thank you so much to the author for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review ✨
06/10/2024 — pre-review
it’s arc timeee 🤭🤭
April 4, 2025
yeah so this was amazing
October 12, 2025
And once again, I’m a victim of booktok🥰.
June 29, 2025
“jaanu, jaanu, jaanu. my life, my soul, my everything.”
i can safely say i’m mad at myself for leaving this on my tbr for so long. this book was sweet, sad and had so many cute moments. isaac and violet had such a pure and wholesome relationship, seeing their past and how they went from strangers to friends to lovers was so sweet but also seeing them go from lovers to not speaking was sad. my heart hurt for violet learning that isaac left her with no closure but then learning the why broke my heart for isaac. the pressure and anxiety he was dealing with was so intense especially as it was from people that should have been supporting him. his parents are such horrible people so i’m glad he had violet, a good group of friends and his sister, izzy - their bond was so precious and i’m really glad she’s getting her own story.
‘there is no doubt in my mind that isaac is the love of my life. there is no doubt in my mind that i am his.’
isaac and violet were so young when they met but they instantly had this unique connection, due to sharing a birthday. they just worked so well together and were a perfect match. the way they loved, listened and appreciated each other was so beautiful to read. i loved their little stolen moments and shared birthdays. it was so wholesome seeing such a pure and genuine love develop between these two. they were so poetic with their feelings and the way they expressed their emotions was truly special. i love how zarin wrote this couple, they were perfect and so sweet. we got so much depth about this couple as they grew up and great together both in their past and present which i loved as i really felt for this couple and you can see that they are truly fated.
‘i love you, violet.
anytime i think of my best friend, it’s you.
anytime i think of who i want beside me for the rest of my life, it’s you.
anytime i think of home, it’s you.’
July 24, 2024
DNF at 83% couldn’t take it anymore…
August 16, 2025
The beginning was good, but then I got bored probably around the 70% mark and sorta skimmed to finish the book. I like books where they show the past and in this it was cute to read about how their feelings develop and see what went wrong between them.
“I always wanted a future with you.” This was a cute friends to lovers book. A Tik-Tok made me read this book lol.
“I always wanted a future with you.” This was a cute friends to lovers book. A Tik-Tok made me read this book lol.
July 16, 2024
I am dnfing at 23%… I’m not a huge YA romance girly but all the good reviews had me excited. It was a little disappointing for me and it started to feel repetitive even that far in
August 17, 2024
boring, no plot, whiny teenagers. do not read.
July 7, 2024
4⭐���- this is the sweetest, softest YA romance book! I’m so grateful to Zarin for sending me an ARC to review, this was such a gorgeous read and so well written I still can’t believe it’s a debut.
Zarin captures the feeling of young love so perfectly - the excitement, the obsessive thoughts, the nerves and the worry of how it will affect all the other things going on in your life. Isaac and Violet’s story starts off in a difficult place, where they have broken up unexpectedly and there’s a lot of hurt between them. The Story Of Us explores first love, first heartbreak, friendships, academic pressure and the trauma of unsupportive families.
Am I the target audience for YA reads? Definitely not. Do I love to read them anyway because they open my eyes to softer views on things and entirely different perspectives to my own? Absolutely!
Isaac and Violet’s story is adorably heartfelt and moving, I highly recommend for all fans of YA romance 🫶🏼
Zarin captures the feeling of young love so perfectly - the excitement, the obsessive thoughts, the nerves and the worry of how it will affect all the other things going on in your life. Isaac and Violet’s story starts off in a difficult place, where they have broken up unexpectedly and there’s a lot of hurt between them. The Story Of Us explores first love, first heartbreak, friendships, academic pressure and the trauma of unsupportive families.
Am I the target audience for YA reads? Definitely not. Do I love to read them anyway because they open my eyes to softer views on things and entirely different perspectives to my own? Absolutely!
Isaac and Violet’s story is adorably heartfelt and moving, I highly recommend for all fans of YA romance 🫶🏼
April 25, 2025
I decided I wanted to reread this when I found out I got accepted for book twos ARC and I decided to listen to it on audio since it's out now!! I think the audiobook was really well done and it was so fun to come back to these characters. So excited for book two!
----------
*Sobbing uncontrollably*
This book was SO cute and I really loved it!!
Isaac and Violet are meant for each other and I loved watching them learn about each other and basically grow up together. Isaac loves with his whole mf chest and I was rooting for them the whole time. You cant help but root for them. I am also a sucker for a nickname and the one he gave her is cutest thing ever. I would also love to deck Isaac’s parents straight in the face-- it’s on sight. 😌👊🏽
My favorite chapter has to be chapter 38 because I just happened to be listening to Enchanted by Taylor Swift and it just made me sob.
Zarin wrote really relatable characters and scenarios. I cant wait to see what else she writes!
“we were written in the stars, but you shine the brightest out of all of them. it hasn’t been easy for us, but i don’t need it to be. every single moment we spend together, good, or bad, is life-altering just because i’m with you in it.”
----------
*Sobbing uncontrollably*
This book was SO cute and I really loved it!!
Isaac and Violet are meant for each other and I loved watching them learn about each other and basically grow up together. Isaac loves with his whole mf chest and I was rooting for them the whole time. You cant help but root for them. I am also a sucker for a nickname and the one he gave her is cutest thing ever. I would also love to deck Isaac’s parents straight in the face-- it’s on sight. 😌👊🏽
My favorite chapter has to be chapter 38 because I just happened to be listening to Enchanted by Taylor Swift and it just made me sob.
Zarin wrote really relatable characters and scenarios. I cant wait to see what else she writes!
“we were written in the stars, but you shine the brightest out of all of them. it hasn’t been easy for us, but i don’t need it to be. every single moment we spend together, good, or bad, is life-altering just because i’m with you in it.”
July 17, 2024
Thank you to Zarin Madiyha for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review. This doesn’t affect my thoughts in any way. The Story of Us is in its first week on shelves! I can’t believe Isaac and Violet’s heartwarming book is finally out in the world.
This YA romcom is an adorable, yet equally angsty second chance romance between two teenagers in their last year of boarding school. When Isaac broke up with Violet the day after their seventeenth birthday, she was determined to move on with her life and forget him. But when a school project forces them to pair up and spend time with each other, both of them soon realize that trying again might open doors for another future together.
I have so much to say about this book but to sum it up, I really enjoyed this! It’s very sweet, gut-wrenching, and the main lead is the very definition of a devoted partner; There’s green flags and then there’s Isaac Evans (I mean this in the charming way possible!). Besides the fluff, the characterization was very reflective and inspiring. Reading about Isaac felt like looking at a mirror, seeing all my insecurities and fears in him, which made him more human to me. I usually self-sabotage in relationships and having a Violet in one’s life in any way is both comforting and reassuring. The author’s portrayal of friendships is also very wholesome, and she didn’t have to add drama to make the story engaging. It really focused on forced proximity, their chemistry, and the softness of their intimacy, making this book perfect and soothing. 10/10. Highly recommend!
This YA romcom is an adorable, yet equally angsty second chance romance between two teenagers in their last year of boarding school. When Isaac broke up with Violet the day after their seventeenth birthday, she was determined to move on with her life and forget him. But when a school project forces them to pair up and spend time with each other, both of them soon realize that trying again might open doors for another future together.
I have so much to say about this book but to sum it up, I really enjoyed this! It’s very sweet, gut-wrenching, and the main lead is the very definition of a devoted partner; There’s green flags and then there’s Isaac Evans (I mean this in the charming way possible!). Besides the fluff, the characterization was very reflective and inspiring. Reading about Isaac felt like looking at a mirror, seeing all my insecurities and fears in him, which made him more human to me. I usually self-sabotage in relationships and having a Violet in one’s life in any way is both comforting and reassuring. The author’s portrayal of friendships is also very wholesome, and she didn’t have to add drama to make the story engaging. It really focused on forced proximity, their chemistry, and the softness of their intimacy, making this book perfect and soothing. 10/10. Highly recommend!
November 14, 2024
“ It's like there's a cavern inside of me, like I've been excavated, and there's no way to fill the space again because my heart was taken by someone who didn't deserve it.”
💔 I’d recommend this to you if you’re like 10 years old. One of the only things I liked about this book was the value it put into first kisses, in other books the characters always kiss way too soon and act like it’s no big deal. But don’t read this if you hate second chance.
“I get why the characters risk it all, why they fight battles, travel across the globe, do everything they can for just one kiss.”
📚 I predicted literally every single plot twist in this. Another thing I liked was how not everything was resolved, but the characters figured out they had to do what was best for them and move on. Okay but that scene at the end actually made me laugh so hard I had to hold my stomach because it physically hurt.
“In that moment, I know I’ll follow wherever she goes.”
🎨 This isn’t bad. Don’t let my low rating stop you from reading this. But it just wasn’t worth my time for me personally. This is a YA book written for teens like me, but it felt like a big let down compared to the other books I’ve been reading. It felt extremely juvenile despite being for young adults, and I’d scribble over the few curse words and give this to my younger sister.
“I decide to do everything I can to keep her smiling like that forever.”
🧑⚖️ Ughh the boarding school setting had so much potential. If we got more on the mc’s friend groups and classes, I would’ve bumped it up to a 3 star. Shame because the two main characters weren’t whiny little kids we get in almost every YA book.
2.5 stars 😭
💔 I’d recommend this to you if you’re like 10 years old. One of the only things I liked about this book was the value it put into first kisses, in other books the characters always kiss way too soon and act like it’s no big deal. But don’t read this if you hate second chance.
“I get why the characters risk it all, why they fight battles, travel across the globe, do everything they can for just one kiss.”
📚 I predicted literally every single plot twist in this. Another thing I liked was how not everything was resolved, but the characters figured out they had to do what was best for them and move on. Okay but that scene at the end actually made me laugh so hard I had to hold my stomach because it physically hurt.
“In that moment, I know I’ll follow wherever she goes.”
🎨 This isn’t bad. Don’t let my low rating stop you from reading this. But it just wasn’t worth my time for me personally. This is a YA book written for teens like me, but it felt like a big let down compared to the other books I’ve been reading. It felt extremely juvenile despite being for young adults, and I’d scribble over the few curse words and give this to my younger sister.
“I decide to do everything I can to keep her smiling like that forever.”
🧑⚖️ Ughh the boarding school setting had so much potential. If we got more on the mc’s friend groups and classes, I would’ve bumped it up to a 3 star. Shame because the two main characters weren’t whiny little kids we get in almost every YA book.
2.5 stars 😭
September 15, 2025
This was an ok read. A little bland and the writing was a little wonky but whatever. Still enjoyable
October 5, 2025
₊˚‧𐔌 the story of us | zarin madiyha | 4✩ 𝝑𝝔 ꒱₊˚‧
a nice little emotional romance that was easy to read while I was busier! I really enjoyed the emotional depth of their relationship and how their attraction towards each other was so much more than just looks-based attraction. It dragged on a little towards the end, but I also liked how the majority of the book was the characters’ internal thoughts and turmoil, despite how it sometimes felt repetitive. I feel it accurately depicted the emotional strife that so many teenagers experience. I would recommend!
₊˚‧꒰ no spice | minimal swearing | age rec: 14+ ꒱₊˚‧
a nice little emotional romance that was easy to read while I was busier! I really enjoyed the emotional depth of their relationship and how their attraction towards each other was so much more than just looks-based attraction. It dragged on a little towards the end, but I also liked how the majority of the book was the characters’ internal thoughts and turmoil, despite how it sometimes felt repetitive. I feel it accurately depicted the emotional strife that so many teenagers experience. I would recommend!
₊˚‧꒰ no spice | minimal swearing | age rec: 14+ ꒱₊˚‧
July 10, 2024
“Jaanu, Jaanu, Jaanu. My life, my soul, my everything.”
This book is so cute!!!! The amount of times I teared up because of how sweet and loving Isaac and Violet are!!!
The way Isaac talks about Violet honestly has me crying all the time 😭 Their love for each other is just so pure and genuine!
I absolutely loved the writing in this book, it was so beautifully written. The story had the perfect amount of yearning, angst, romance and fluff. And I loved seeing the both of them grow more confident in their dreams, and how they overcame their fears and issues with their parents in different ways. And the ending omg, it made me so genuinely happy🥹
Overall, I enjoyed reading this so much and I definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a sweet heartwarming read!
Thank you to author Zarin Madhiya for sending me an e-ARC! 💗
This book is so cute!!!! The amount of times I teared up because of how sweet and loving Isaac and Violet are!!!
The way Isaac talks about Violet honestly has me crying all the time 😭 Their love for each other is just so pure and genuine!
I absolutely loved the writing in this book, it was so beautifully written. The story had the perfect amount of yearning, angst, romance and fluff. And I loved seeing the both of them grow more confident in their dreams, and how they overcame their fears and issues with their parents in different ways. And the ending omg, it made me so genuinely happy🥹
Overall, I enjoyed reading this so much and I definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a sweet heartwarming read!
Thank you to author Zarin Madhiya for sending me an e-ARC! 💗
May 10, 2024
zarin i am in ur walls
June 13, 2024
3.5 stars
Very cute! The ending was perfection. I need Luke’s book ASAP.
Thanks to Zarin for the ARC!
Very cute! The ending was perfection. I need Luke’s book ASAP.
Thanks to Zarin for the ARC!
July 11, 2024
♾️/5⭐️
I connected with this book on a soul level. It's perfect.
Everyone go read it immediately.
full review on my insta https://www.instagram.com/p/C9Sqcumxa...
I connected with this book on a soul level. It's perfect.
Everyone go read it immediately.
full review on my insta https://www.instagram.com/p/C9Sqcumxa...
July 20, 2024
just wanted to let y'all know i didn't survive this book
Want to read
January 14, 2025this is looking like a contest of who can act like they care less
August 10, 2025
I picked this up because I haven’t read a YA in ages, and I wanted to read something set in high school. First off this cover is gorgeous!! I love the green color and the cartoon characters are so beautiful.
The story was okay, Violet and Issac were really sweet. Especially Issac and the things he did for Violet☺️
The boarding school set was also very fun, but the story itself… was okay like I said. I mean one minute I was giggling because of something Issac did and then the next I’m board and just want the story end. I will say that I teared up at one scene. When Issac was telling Violet why he broke up with her. I just wanted to give him the biggest hug😭 also he reacted so mature when his father kicked him out. Like I’d never imagine a 17 year old reacting like that to his parents kicking him out. Not that it wasn’t realistic just that he was very mature.
Everything else I didn’t really care about😅
Their relationship was so cute. But by the end I swear almost every page was about how much they love each other and that they’re grateful they have each other, and how much they want to spend the rest of their lives together. It was sweet the first time but I don’t need to hear it fifteen times😅
Anyway, yeah, this was sweet but also a bit boring.
Qoutes:
“I used to think there was a magnetic pull between us. Even before we started dating, every time I looked at him, he would already be looking at me. I could always tell as if I could physically feel the way his eyes would trace me,”
“He could make it feel like we were having a whole conversation just by the way he touched my hands.”
“I remember all of the Taylor Swift songs that have been on repeat since we broke up because it made me feel closer to her to listen to her favourite songs.”
“I love these moments with her when we can say nothing but feel everything. She can feel my love in the way my thumb strokes across her cheek, and I can feel hers in the way she tightens her grip on my hand, keeping me close to her.”
The story was okay, Violet and Issac were really sweet. Especially Issac and the things he did for Violet☺️
The boarding school set was also very fun, but the story itself… was okay like I said. I mean one minute I was giggling because of something Issac did and then the next I’m board and just want the story end. I will say that I teared up at one scene. When Issac was telling Violet why he broke up with her. I just wanted to give him the biggest hug😭 also he reacted so mature when his father kicked him out. Like I’d never imagine a 17 year old reacting like that to his parents kicking him out. Not that it wasn’t realistic just that he was very mature.
Everything else I didn’t really care about😅
Their relationship was so cute. But by the end I swear almost every page was about how much they love each other and that they’re grateful they have each other, and how much they want to spend the rest of their lives together. It was sweet the first time but I don’t need to hear it fifteen times😅
Anyway, yeah, this was sweet but also a bit boring.
Qoutes:
“I used to think there was a magnetic pull between us. Even before we started dating, every time I looked at him, he would already be looking at me. I could always tell as if I could physically feel the way his eyes would trace me,”
“He could make it feel like we were having a whole conversation just by the way he touched my hands.”
“I remember all of the Taylor Swift songs that have been on repeat since we broke up because it made me feel closer to her to listen to her favourite songs.”
“I love these moments with her when we can say nothing but feel everything. She can feel my love in the way my thumb strokes across her cheek, and I can feel hers in the way she tightens her grip on my hand, keeping me close to her.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
wow this called me single in so many ways
this was so cute! after finishing acotar, i needed something simple to try and fill the void and ache that series left me and this definitely did the trick, after not picking up a book for like 2 weeks i finally finished something, and very quickly too. isaac and violet have such a pure connection and you can feel the love they have for one another and ive missed that sm in a romance. it was just such a sweet ya clean romance and it’s been a minute since ive read one of those, definitely would recommend to anyone who wants a book that’s gonna make them smile (also i need to do bookstore scavenger hunt like rn)
wow this called me single in so many ways
this was so cute! after finishing acotar, i needed something simple to try and fill the void and ache that series left me and this definitely did the trick, after not picking up a book for like 2 weeks i finally finished something, and very quickly too. isaac and violet have such a pure connection and you can feel the love they have for one another and ive missed that sm in a romance. it was just such a sweet ya clean romance and it’s been a minute since ive read one of those, definitely would recommend to anyone who wants a book that’s gonna make them smile (also i need to do bookstore scavenger hunt like rn)
March 9, 2025
★ 4.75 | ❛ I decided to do everything i can to keep her smiling like that forever.❜
October 26, 2025
3.25/5 ⭐️
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