Strung

Seaside #5

by Rachel Van Dyken

Two brothers.

Who knew that the sleepy town of Seaside, Oregon would eventually be the location of both our downfall and our redemption?

Drugs, sex, lies, shame...it all led us to the Coast. It led us to her.

And ever since we met her.

Our lives have never been the same.

You may think you know what really happened--but you don't. After all, there's two sides to every story.

This is ours.


This book is Tear (the first book from the Seaside Series) told from Alec and Demetri's POV.

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Music, Audiobook, High School, Celebrity

166 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 7, 2014

About the author

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of mafia and contemporary romances.

Hey guys I'm rarely on Goodreads, if you need to reach me feel free to email!
EMAIL ME: rachelvandykenauthor@gmail.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-...

Reviews

[Lauren ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Re-read (1): 2.5 STARS ☆

⋙ Things about this book ⋘

⇢ Medium angst + low steam factor

⇢ Cheating + a love triangle

⇢ At 4% this book was summed up already
↳ "it’s like someone’s dropped us into a lame teen movie."

⇢ I am not one to comment on covers, but the editing with the eyes only being blue and the rest black & white is something I feel I did to edit celebrity crushes in middle school. This is a low grade cover, meaning it looks like a cheaply edited photo of a generic model photo stock.

⇢ Both brother's fantasize about Nat and felt a deep connection starting at 5% until ~85%, then Alec is the winner to claim Nat as his.

═════════════════ •°• :⚠️: •°•═════════════════
Warning my review contains spoilers so read as you may!
═════════════════ •°• :⚠️: •°•═════════════════

MAIN CHARACTERS

↬ Nat: main heroine (h), innocent, & naive.
↬ Demetri: other man (OM) {realistically his connection romantically was not there with Nat}, younger brother, infatuated with Nat, & struggling with addiction
↬ Alec: broody hero (H), conflicted, & likes to be in control of situations

STORY PLOT

*Disclaimer* This book was supposed to give readers more insight into the boys but it is just the same telling as Tear just from the boys POVs mixed with the trope I loathe so much - insta-lust/love. That being said, story plot for Tear/Strung.

Alec and Demetri Daniels are two brothers in their late teens that are considered 'rock royalty.' With that status, comes the rock 'n' roll lifestyle — sex, drugs, and music. Their relationship is splintered when Alec spiraled out of control and did the unforgivable act of screwing his girlfriend. That action had a domino effect which resulted in death for Demetri's girlfriend and Alec's & her son. Alec who is older and one in the control has cleaned up his act since then and sets out to make it is mission to make things right with Demetri by taking a hiatus from music. He wants to get Demetri to stop spiraling but with their relationship in shambles, it is like Alec is talking to a brick wall. Demetri is hurt still with Alec's actions and would rather numb the pain than seek help for his addiction. Once on hiatus, they decide to finish school and meet Nat and both brother's instantly are attracted to her and feel a strong connection. This leads to further splintering of their relationship as both brothers equally want her but what we as the reader learn is Nat loves them both in a different way as Nat loves & cares for Demetri but is not in love with him.

✧ Where did the story & MC fall flat to me? ✧

➙ The book had many cliche teen movie moments that in all honesty were just too cheesy for me.

(1) When the boys met Nat she tripped & they were their to help her up. Then both boys were instantly attracted to her
(2) She dropped her pencil when Alec entered class and their fingertips brushed & had that "jolt attraction"
(3) Nat was serenaded by Demetri at a school dance

➙ Lackluster characters: Majority of the book discussed attraction to Nat or Nat being the the addiction instead of drugs. There was no further character development to any of these characters which I found very frustrating & disappointing.

➙ Conflict of interest with therapist: Both boys are currently patients of Nat's mom (who is a world renown psychiatrist). Both are interested in her daughter and have a relationship with Nat... That is a conflict of interest for Nat's mom since that is her daughter but she keeps seeing both boys still for sessions...

➙ Cheating: I am never big on cheating so I am kinda shock I rated this so high when I originally read the book... Anyways, the main h cheated on Demetri 3x with Alec. Lastly, what I found hypocritical with the main h was she walked around high and mighty and gave Demetri the 3rd degree when he cheated but when she did it, it was okay I guess because all she wanted was Alec.



OVERALL

Strung was lacking MC development and overall quite problematic. Maybe my taste changed or I didn't notice before but it is literally the same story as Tear (1st book in the series told only from Nat's perspective). The story basically did not add to Tear, it feels more like snippets of boys POV during certain situations in Tear. I wished I loved it like I did when I initially read it, but I did not unfortunately.

I rated it a 2.5 stars because it was too problematic and just lacked greatly in development. Yet, it still held my interest enough to finish it.

` ✨ 5 stars (old rating) ⇢ 2.5 stars (new rating)

* * *

🌠 Originally read: September 2018 // 5 stars

[Juanita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why did he have to be attracted to the exact same girl that stole my breath away?

and there you have it, two brothers in love with the same girl ugh! I chose to read this one instead since it was from the guys POV. So I will skip Tear and jump to the following book

[Darcy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m thinking that I shouldn’t have read this one first, that it should have been read after Tear as it’s the same story, but from the boys side. I did like their insight, how each of them liked the same girl, but for different reasons. I think Demetri realized it was more friendship, but pushed for more because he wanted it to be more, while Alec knew it could be more for him from the start, but stepped back because he hurt his brother in the past.

With the ending you get the feeling that Alec and Natalie have a real shot at things and that Demetri is really ok with the friendship he has with Natalie and is in a better place to find something real of his own.

[H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book. I always love getting the guys pov's and this was awesome getting into Alec and Demetri's heads from book 1 Tear. Every time I read a Rachael Van Dyken book I can't put it down. From the minute I start I don't want to stop.

[Shell Roush · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically the same story as Tear, only from the perspective of the two brothers. You really don't get much more story development out of it.

[SHALAMAR · Rating 1 out of 5]

Audible, - stopped at 30%, could not get into it at all.

[Lydia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started this b/c I got the first book in the next series in an audible sale and since this one and the series is in audible included I could listen for free.

First of all, as I've seen from other reviews and now seeing the publication dates, this story REALLY should have been read as book 1.5 and not .5. I've not yet read book 1 but I am hoping that it will be a bit more of a linear story with a follow-able story line. This felt very disjoined with a lot of moments missing.

I never connected to any of the 3 main characters, Alec, Demetri, and Natalee. It maybe that more character development is done in books 1 and 2 which are written before this one, but since I've not read it, I am missing out on probably important moments. I never saw why the guys were attracted to her, never understood or felt the "insta" love they seamed to have. I never really understood why she ever started "dating" D. She starts off as stand-offish to both of them and then all of a sudden she and D are "together" and then not, and then there are all the weird moments A steps in to "help". Oh and this is sorta clean but then I'm not sure. She ended up making out with both and nearly sleeping with both guys at some point during the story. Both guys stopped it before it got too far. So I think she still has her V-card, but with the ending as it was, maybe we don't get that moment from the guys POV??

I actually really did not care for Natalee at all, and at times would live to have had her POV, clearly that is coming next, but nearly every time we see her in this story she is crying or on the verge of tears. She is basically a useless female in this story. The things that set her off are small or things she shouldn't be be crying over. She barley knows Demetri and he is kissing another girl and she completely freaks out and bursts into tears. Maybe b/c the original story was written in 2012 but not a fan of Natalee at all.

Then there is her mother who is a psychologist and seeing A and D (though honestly we only see them meet with her once and they don't really make any noticeable changes) and yet is perfectly fine with her daughter dating and hanging out these two at all times of the night. I just don't understand that at all.

Starting out my main problem with the story was the narrator, his voice was fine, but he dod noting to change his voice when in A's POV vs D's POV. So there were times that I didn't know who I was listening to until the other brother showed up and names started being used. Towards the middle and end the narrator never got better and the story got really jumpy.

This also has one troupe I know I hate (love triangles) and one I'm realizing I don't care for (rockstars). I'm also not a fan of so much drug/alcohol use in the HS setting, I know it happens, that does not mean I need to like it or even condone it. I guess I should stop reading HS romance.

I will go on to listen to Tear, just to hopeful clear up this mess, not sure yet if I'll finish the series

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alec and Demetri Daniels make up the rock band AD2. Both of the brothers have met rock bottom, or as close as Alec is planning the let them get to. Now they are in Seaside Oregon to go through rehab and therapy while taking a step back from their rock star lives. On the first day at their new school Alec and Demetri meet a girl names Natalee and as history repeats itself they both fall for her.

Strung is written in Alec and Demetri's point of view. It is so easy for people to assume they know what someone else's life is like, or that someone else's life is without problems because they have money or privilege. Watching Alec and Demetri struggle to not only mend the rift in their own relationship but support one another because they are the only family the other has, while at the same time tearing each other apart because they cant stop the feelings that they have is so sad to see but also has you rooting them on.

Definitely worth the read. A great series.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally don’t like books that retell the story from a different POV, but I can’t get enough Alex and Demitri. While this book is technically supposed to be read before Tear, I suggest reading it after. For me, it added another layer of the story that gives Tear more depth.

What is there to say? Yes, a lot of it is the same story as Tear, just from Alex and Demetri’s POV, but we get a little more of the brothers’ back stories and what was going on in their lives behind the scenes during the events of Tear.

It’s a quick read and if you’re a fan of Alex and Demetri like I am, this is one you don’t want to miss.

[Selenity Jade (Coffee Addicts Book Reviews) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.

First, despite the fact this says prequel to Tear, I wouldn't read it until AFTER you read Tear. This one isn't exactly a novel with a story, it's basically a collection of scenes from book 1 from the brothers' POV.

Secondly, I didn't particularly like Tear but it was much better written than this, even though I had huge issues with the main character choosing to date the brother who kept messing up over Alec until the end.

So my conclusion after reading the 1st book and trying this one again, is I am not particularly interested in reading more in this series. I'll try another series by this author before I write her off my TBR list.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audible Review

Overall 2 out of 5 stars
Performance 3 out of 5 stars
Story 2 out of 5 stars

Should not be book .5.
This should not be marketed as book .5 in the series, it needs to be 1.5. I wish I had read some reviews before starting this, I definitely would have held off reading it until after I read book 1. It really does not make sense to read this as a prologue/prelude to the series- it's disjointed and just does not work. It would make much more sense to read Tear first, to get to know all the characters.

The narration was fine, I liked both narrators.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an intro to AD2 and how they fell in love with the same girl. Demetri and Alec are trying to get themselves straightened out. Natalee is a girl from a small town. She’s nothing special but somehow grabs the attention of two famous rockers.

This is the POV from the guys and how they struggle with addiction, pasts, and the school. It was interesting to read and you can’t help but feel for both of them. You can’t help who you fall in love with.

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been at least 5 years since I've read this book the first time. It is just as fantastic the second go round. Rachel Van Dyken always pulls the best out of her character and this is no exceptions. Giving us an introduction to the main characters of The Seaside Series.
Alec and Demetri Daniels are teenage rock gods and in need of getting there lives back in order. Natalee Murray lives next door.
This book will give you feels and emotion for what's to come.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strung (Seaside #0.5) was a great read by Rachel Van Dyken. Alec and Demetri are brother's who are sent to Seaside, Oregon. They are taking a break from music and traveling which leads to their redemption. Seaside lead them to Nat which changes both of their lives. This book is from Alec and Demetri's POV in Tear, book one of the Seaside Series. I really enjoyed reading this book and cant wait to read more by the author.

[the_sharks_are_circling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally completed this book. Its taken me so long as I quit half way through. In the end if got back into it and found it was OK.
Demitri is really troubled, Alec was misunderstood both had issues.
The plot to the book is a little random at times. Like someone just threw ideas onto paper and went with it. I cant say it's the best written book I've read but it has made me want to know what happens next.

[Natasha Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this version of events. This is told from Alec and Demetria’s view on the first book when they meet Nat. We revisit the love triangle and get to see the full spectrum of how everything unfolds.

I believe this book was written much later but it should be read in the order of book 1, 2, 3 and then this one. That’s my personal opinion because it does give some things away that we didn’t find out until book 3 when we get to Alec’s full story.

[Coryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really eye opening to what the boys were going through during the time the first book about Nat takes place. There are a lot of things you aren't privy too. This was the last book I read in this series and I really enjoyed all of them. It was the first series of Rachel's I read and I was very impressed!

[Dhamiera Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good story, but it went slow to me. the plot was foreseeable and the characters were predictable, but the overall story was good. At time, it was hard to decipher Alec and Demetri, but the narration was good.

[Bookcat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this was a very interesting listen between two rockstar brothers from BC and a small town girl who isn't starstruck. Loooved this tentative little love triangle tiptoeing on eggshells and how it tackles issues with addiction, the media, highschool, trauma and conflict.

[Kylie Cooper · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was kind of disappointed that this was titled as a prequel, but it’s just Tear in the boys’ POV…

I was more so hoping to see everything that went down with Alec, Demetri, and the baby. And the drugs. Before Tear started.

[Laid-Back Book Bitches · Rating 5 out of 5]

I probably should have read this book after Tear. But I really enjoyed the guys point of view. This was my first book from this author and I am looking forward to starting the second book. These are must reads!

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was almost a 5star rating....
The struggles of young rockstars and drug addiction.... very sad.
But Nat annoyed me abit. Knowing very well which brother she wanted. Which just highlights the innocence of her.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 Stars
Audiobook
Great story, enjoyable narrative

[Corinne Akers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recap!

[Christina Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so in love with AD2. This whole series has been a great read.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐

I normally love Rachel van Dykens writing style but not with this book. I found everything a little bit half-hearted and rushed. I hope it gets better.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny, easy read

[Shel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Made it to 28% just felt to YA for me

[Autumn Breier · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 out of 5 Stars

Strung is book 0.5 or 6 in the Seaside Series. I liked Strung. I loved Alec, Demetri and Nat.

[Tristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wouldn't be reading this before Tear and very glad I didn't. The guys POV isn't a complete view of the story so it makes more sense to list it as 1.5 in the series.