Rating: TBD because I have thoughts. SO many thoughts.
Let’s just start with the obvious: this book made me FEEL things frustration, sadness, a touch of rage but that doesn’t automatically make it a five-star experience. I’m still sorting out my feelings, so let’s just call this the review where I respectfully air my grievances.
First off, I DETEST third person POV, BUT there’s so much dialogue that eventually I stopped noticing the narrator. It didn’t ruin the story, which surprised me. That said, from about chapter four on, this was full-blown sorrow-soaked drama. And not the fun kind. The “somebody please go to therapy” kind.
Robyn was an interesting FMC flawed, layered, and different from what I usually read. But for someone with such a strong support system (family, friends, resources!), her behavior was hard to excuse. Like, ma’am… you’re a beloved star with trauma, sure, but also: no vacation until Dave? No real follow-through with AA? No therapy? No consistent coping mechanisms? It started giving Woe Is Me: The Extended Cut without much effort toward healing. Like I get it’s not for everyone but being that she went for treatment for alcoholism prior too I just think it’s crazy she ain’t keep no tokens, take away no notes, make connections at the treatment facility NOTHINGGG just crying and lashing out at her family.
Ezekiel should’ve been gone three emotional breakdowns ago. The fact that Robyn never pressed charges or even told the cops that her ex man was literally terrorizing her?? Whew. And then she barely tells her parents, stays snapping on her family—but didn’t curse Jada out when she had the perfect opportunity? I was stressed. Zeek’s storyline was also left dangling. Like… is he alive? Did we just let him seize into the abyss? I also don’t like a bunch of pop culture references sorry they just take away the fiction vibes lol.
Now, David. An okay MMC. Not bad, not great. But the man had trauma, IED, wasn’t taking his meds, and wasn’t on anybody’s couch. Like sir, *at least* talk to Jesus or a journal. I just kept wondering what the reader was supposed to feel sympathy? Hope? Confusion? Because I mostly felt like I needed someone to intervene.
And LUKE? Don’t even get me started. Hated him the whole time. He brought nothing but bad vibes, hater energy, and unresolved trauma that nobody asked for. If “my daddy died” is supposed to explain his behavior… sir, please. That man been dead and you’ve been drunk. Try again. Like you Mike and David all lost the same daddy and they not haters so what’s tea Luke ?
Also: Mike and Dylan’s POVs? Unnecessary. They didn’t add enough to justify the page time. And while it’s not a cliffhanger, I *really* wish we were told upfront this was a series. A lot of meaningful info was clearly being held back to tee up book two and I’m not sure if I care enough to follow through unless the next book really delivers. Like flashbacks, closure, the works.
Now for the good: Robyn’s entire family carried. From her mama to every sister and her niece, they were the best part of the book—funny, real, and ride-or-die. I even liked Emory, though I won’t lie… Luke needed a whooping. Like Dylan style put him in a coma or something so he can have his come to Jesus moment. Cus every-time I thought he was changing he went right back to being Weird AF and we the reader just don’t get enough of an explanation.
In short: I’m not mad I read it. I just need more detail and less spiraling if I’m coming back for part two. Oh and the Chris Brown references in a book where someone experiences DV is CRAZYYYYYYY and a lil tacky if you ask me. I know everyone don’t feel how I feel toward abusers when they can back flip but yeah that def turned me off too