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Beautifully Flawed #2
Faded Perfection
Seconds.
That’s all it takes to have everything ripped away from you.
No one knows this better than Adam Beckerson and River Ahlers.
Each is fighting a losing battle with the death of Bobby and the fallout it causes. Adam loses a brother; River her best friend.
And while Adam finds himself fading into the bottom of a bottle, River finds the only thing she can do is run away from everything-- including Adam.
Sometimes when you lose everything, you lose yourself. The important part is finding your way back again.
That’s all it takes to have everything ripped away from you.
No one knows this better than Adam Beckerson and River Ahlers.
Each is fighting a losing battle with the death of Bobby and the fallout it causes. Adam loses a brother; River her best friend.
And while Adam finds himself fading into the bottom of a bottle, River finds the only thing she can do is run away from everything-- including Adam.
Sometimes when you lose everything, you lose yourself. The important part is finding your way back again.
- GenresRomance
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2016
2 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
About the author
Cassandra Giovanni
17 books626 followersCassandra doesn't remember a time when she wasn't writing. In fact, the first time she was published was when she was seven years old and won a contest to be published in an American Girl Doll novel. Since then Cassandra has written more novels than she can count and put just as many in the circular bin. Her personal goal with her writing is to show the reader the character's stories through their dialogue and actions instead of just telling the reader what is happening. Besides being a writer, Cassandra is a professional photographer known for her automotive, nature and architectural shots. She is happily married to the man of her dreams and they live in the rolling hills of New England with their daughter and two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 13, 2016
Book #2 starts right where we left Adam and River in the first book.
DO NOT KEEP ON READING MY REVIEW IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE FIRST BOOK YET!!!!!!
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Ok - Bobby and Tara have been in a car accident and Bobby died. Tara is in a coma and it doesn't look good. :/
Now it's all about how Adam and River deal with Bobby's death.
Bobby was Adam's only real family. His parents only ever cared for Bobby, but Bobby and Adam loved each other, like good brothers are supposed to. They were best friends.
Just like River was Bobby's best friend. He wanted more - he was in love with her his whole life - but River was always in love with Adam.
And now it's only River and Adam.
And they can't deal with the loss.
River tries. She tries to be there for Adam, she goes back to work and tries to start life again.
But Adam. He's not doing great. He's losing himself in alcohol, and River doesn't know how to deal with that on top of her own grief.
And then towards the middle of the book, things change - you could call it a plot-twist...
And suddenly nothing is as it was before. The chances for a HEA seem to get smaller every day....
WHAT WiLL HAPPEN TO RIVER & ADAM???
WiLL THE ALCOHOL AND GRIEF DESTROY THEIR LOVE???
WiLL THERE BE A CLiFFHANGER???
Nope - I'm not telling you ☺
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OY! How long we had to wait to hear how River and Adam's story will go on...
And now here they are.
And it's so heartbreakingly sad to watch them fight through their grief.
I just wanted them to get over it faster and to go talk to a therapist and to fight more...But it's really hard. For both of them. Adam is 'dealing' with/through alcohol and not talking to River. And River, she's trying so hard to keep everyone and everything together. But she's not dealing with her own grief. She's getting lost trying to help Adam and Tara.
I loved the story and finished it in one night.
Now I can't wait to see what will happen in the next book!!!!
Where there some things I didn't like?
Hm, yeah...like in the first book, the sexiness was missing a bit. I think Cassandra is a bit afraid of writing explicit sex scenes! ☺ I would've loved to see them in the first book and I would've loved to see them here - even though it's not really appropriate here with the whole grieving mood. But still, I missed it. I didn't even know there were still books out there without sex in it. Other than christian romances!☺☺☺
Another thing.... this plot-twist kind of thing - am I allowed to talk about that?? Hm, not sure if it would spoil too much. OK, I'm putting it in a spoiler-thingy ☺
FADED PERFECTION was the perfect second book in this great series. A book about two grieving people who should be there for each other, but have a really hard time with everything. Go and buy the book to see what will happen. ☺
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July 16, 2016
It seems like I have been waiting forever for this second book.
This review may contain spoilers for book 1.
Following the accident and Bobby's death, River and Adam are struggling to cope. River tries to get things back to normal and help Adam but he really struggles in this one. However when I just thought I knew where the story was going the author throws in a new character and a big twist in the story and now i have no idea where is it going to go.
This book is really well written by the author, I found it an emotional read, I cried at times. It was a page turner and I wanted to keep reading. I can't to find out how the story is going to conclude and I am hoping for a HEA for these characters as they have all been through so much they deserve it.
Overall an a great emotional read.
* I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
This review may contain spoilers for book 1.
Following the accident and Bobby's death, River and Adam are struggling to cope. River tries to get things back to normal and help Adam but he really struggles in this one. However when I just thought I knew where the story was going the author throws in a new character and a big twist in the story and now i have no idea where is it going to go.
This book is really well written by the author, I found it an emotional read, I cried at times. It was a page turner and I wanted to keep reading. I can't to find out how the story is going to conclude and I am hoping for a HEA for these characters as they have all been through so much they deserve it.
Overall an a great emotional read.
* I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
August 18, 2016
Faded Perfection is an excruciating masterpiece. The hard fought and sweetly savored victory quickly became a waking nightmare. No one was immune from its horrific impact, and nothing was left unscathed. Even the sacred pieces of those involved were forever marred and skewed. No one ever thinks about the far-reaching and unimaginable impact that one life can have on many until that hell comes to take residence.
The life River thought she desperately wanted for so long was almost within her grasp when the pieces began to rain down around her. The faster she tried to pick them up and put them back together the more they warped and changed shape on her until she realized that they would never fit together like had always dreamed. Her dreams didn’t exist anymore, and without them she beings to wonder who she is now. Just when she begins to walk a new and unknown path, West enters her life in an unexpected way. He breathes new life and awakes new dreams within her heart. Will River allow herself to take hold of a new beautifully, radiant future, or will the past hold her forever captive to her regrets and guilt?
If I thought that Adam and River were perfect for each other, I have to admit that River and West are just as good together if not better. Because of their mutual scarred pasts, they are able to raise up and brighten the life of the other. Their power is limitless and so is their capacity for love. They are exactly what the other needs and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. However, I feel a deep nagging that neither of our beautiful characters have fully dealt with their pasts, and that we have a tough road ahead that requires walking, climbing, and crawling in order to reach the end.
Cassandra Giovanni is truly a master at twisting and coaxing the deepest emotions from your very soul. She doesn’t cut any corner nor does she cut her readers any slack. You feel every raw and excruciating step that her incredible characters take. She makes you appreciate and even love the complexity of the human condition. We are flawed at our very core, but we will always be a beautiful creation.
The life River thought she desperately wanted for so long was almost within her grasp when the pieces began to rain down around her. The faster she tried to pick them up and put them back together the more they warped and changed shape on her until she realized that they would never fit together like had always dreamed. Her dreams didn’t exist anymore, and without them she beings to wonder who she is now. Just when she begins to walk a new and unknown path, West enters her life in an unexpected way. He breathes new life and awakes new dreams within her heart. Will River allow herself to take hold of a new beautifully, radiant future, or will the past hold her forever captive to her regrets and guilt?
If I thought that Adam and River were perfect for each other, I have to admit that River and West are just as good together if not better. Because of their mutual scarred pasts, they are able to raise up and brighten the life of the other. Their power is limitless and so is their capacity for love. They are exactly what the other needs and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. However, I feel a deep nagging that neither of our beautiful characters have fully dealt with their pasts, and that we have a tough road ahead that requires walking, climbing, and crawling in order to reach the end.
Cassandra Giovanni is truly a master at twisting and coaxing the deepest emotions from your very soul. She doesn’t cut any corner nor does she cut her readers any slack. You feel every raw and excruciating step that her incredible characters take. She makes you appreciate and even love the complexity of the human condition. We are flawed at our very core, but we will always be a beautiful creation.
November 15, 2016
Man!!! This author sure knows how to write an emotional book!! The feels!!! Wow! This book was NOT what I was expecting at all. It took a very surprising turn, but one that I am VERY happy with.
* * Please know that book one MUST be read prior to this one as these are NOT standalone novels. If you have not read book one, STOP READING THIS REVIEW.
River and Adam were both lost souls in this book. Bobby's sudden death broke them beyond what words could ever explain. My heart ached for them!!! They were both in a painful limbo, unsure about how to continue living. They only seemed to cause each other pain, and it all went down hill from there.
Adam made me so angry!! And Tara--omg! I was SO happy for River when she finally chose to put herself first.
She deserved to find herself.
She deserved to find happiness.
Enter West.
MAN!!!!! I was beyond glad they met. He was DELICIOUS and just what she needed. I'm curious to see where their relationship goes!!
To say I am BEYOND READY for book three is THE understatement of the year!!!!
* * Please know that book one MUST be read prior to this one as these are NOT standalone novels. If you have not read book one, STOP READING THIS REVIEW.
River and Adam were both lost souls in this book. Bobby's sudden death broke them beyond what words could ever explain. My heart ached for them!!! They were both in a painful limbo, unsure about how to continue living. They only seemed to cause each other pain, and it all went down hill from there.
Adam made me so angry!! And Tara--omg! I was SO happy for River when she finally chose to put herself first.
She deserved to find herself.
She deserved to find happiness.
Enter West.
MAN!!!!! I was beyond glad they met. He was DELICIOUS and just what she needed. I'm curious to see where their relationship goes!!
To say I am BEYOND READY for book three is THE understatement of the year!!!!
March 29, 2017
Faded Perfection (Beautifully Flawed #2) is one of my most anticipated book of the year. I’m a die-hard fan of Cassandra Giovanni’s and really have been anxiously waiting to see how River Ahlers and Adam Beckersons’ lives continue to intertwine. Flawed Perfection ended with heartbreak and Cassandra propels the story forward as River and Adam deal with theirs. The situation is desperate so while River and Adam deal with grief and the depression in different ways, their connection flounders. Where Flawed Perfection was angsty, Faded Perfection is distressing. But I don’t want that to put anyone off. It’s an amazing continuation in the series! I've had to wait a day, a few days actually, because I will say, this book gutted me and I’m not sure how I feel with where things were left. But there is promise…
From the very first book I read by Cassandra, I saw how she takes life stories involving everything from falling in love, to experiencing heartbreak, conflict, and emotional abuse, and creates a story that is sensitive to these elements of life She doesn’t gloss over these items, and she doesn’t offer solutions to everything. This makes her stories always feel very real. There are just so many levels of complexity involving this friends to lovers scenario. Between their personal histories and the family situation they are in a constant up-hill battle. They both put their heads in the sand and their communications are increasingly strained. River is left heartbroken and now the reality of how isolated she’s become eats away at her. She’s left with so many doubts and although her grieving process isn’t necessarily harmful, there are consequences and damage is done. With Adam, his sensitive artistic soul is in a perpetual state of anguish. His coping methods do point to a destructive path. He is so changed but as an #AdamGroupie I couldn’t be angry at him. I’m not happy with him, but he deserves sympathy and compassion. He is truly tortured, both in his head and heart. With circumstances far beyond anyone's control it really looks like there could be irreversible damage.
With any series read I try hard not to expect a storyline to go a certain way. I have ideas but it’s the authors and their characters and we don’t always get what we think we want. I think it’s brave for an author to step away and let a character heal, outside of our expectations. After all, life isn’t always kittens and rainbows. Now this story isn’t over, but by the end of Faded Perfection I was left wondering ( in a state of low level anxiety mind you), what happens when the hero isn’t who you think it is nor should they be?
When I finished the book, near midnight during the workweek, I knew I wouldn’t be able to roll over and sleep. I got up and paced and tried again. I found myself on my back with tears pouring down the side of my face. I tried chanting …”it’s only a book, it’s only a book”, but come on, I’m almost never that kind of reader. There is not one single piece in the story line that caused this reaction, it’s the book in it’s entirety and my feelings ran the entire gamut from distraught to proud and back to distraught again. When you see a character find their way, on a path you hadn’t anticipated, its a mixed bag. Heartbroken and yet relieved, but then again I’m all kinds of anxious and my heart aches just thinking about it. Faded Perfection is a 5++ Stars are and is my 2016 #1BookHangover, deserving my highest recommendation. The release of book 3, Finding Perfection (scheduled for Oct 1st) can’t come soon enough!
From the very first book I read by Cassandra, I saw how she takes life stories involving everything from falling in love, to experiencing heartbreak, conflict, and emotional abuse, and creates a story that is sensitive to these elements of life She doesn’t gloss over these items, and she doesn’t offer solutions to everything. This makes her stories always feel very real. There are just so many levels of complexity involving this friends to lovers scenario. Between their personal histories and the family situation they are in a constant up-hill battle. They both put their heads in the sand and their communications are increasingly strained. River is left heartbroken and now the reality of how isolated she’s become eats away at her. She’s left with so many doubts and although her grieving process isn’t necessarily harmful, there are consequences and damage is done. With Adam, his sensitive artistic soul is in a perpetual state of anguish. His coping methods do point to a destructive path. He is so changed but as an #AdamGroupie I couldn’t be angry at him. I’m not happy with him, but he deserves sympathy and compassion. He is truly tortured, both in his head and heart. With circumstances far beyond anyone's control it really looks like there could be irreversible damage.
With any series read I try hard not to expect a storyline to go a certain way. I have ideas but it’s the authors and their characters and we don’t always get what we think we want. I think it’s brave for an author to step away and let a character heal, outside of our expectations. After all, life isn’t always kittens and rainbows. Now this story isn’t over, but by the end of Faded Perfection I was left wondering ( in a state of low level anxiety mind you), what happens when the hero isn’t who you think it is nor should they be?
When I finished the book, near midnight during the workweek, I knew I wouldn’t be able to roll over and sleep. I got up and paced and tried again. I found myself on my back with tears pouring down the side of my face. I tried chanting …”it’s only a book, it’s only a book”, but come on, I’m almost never that kind of reader. There is not one single piece in the story line that caused this reaction, it’s the book in it’s entirety and my feelings ran the entire gamut from distraught to proud and back to distraught again. When you see a character find their way, on a path you hadn’t anticipated, its a mixed bag. Heartbroken and yet relieved, but then again I’m all kinds of anxious and my heart aches just thinking about it. Faded Perfection is a 5++ Stars are and is my 2016 #1BookHangover, deserving my highest recommendation. The release of book 3, Finding Perfection (scheduled for Oct 1st) can’t come soon enough!
June 18, 2016
Five+++ star read. This is my second book by Cassandra Giovanni and I am loving her writing! This book has love, angst, bitterness, heartbreaks, depression, and abuse. Oh, just so many feels. Faded Perfection is just that..it was written in perfection.
I love River and Adam and want them together! But with the loss of Adam’s brother/River’s best friend and Tara, River’s best friend, injuries, they are both fighting to hold themselves together. River hides herself in her work to keep from dealing with her grief and staying strong for Adam. Adam hides behind a bottle of alcohol to keep himself numb of any feelings or dealing with anything. River is trying to help Adam cope with the death, but with the alcohol abuse and not wanting to help himself, she decides that Adam is beyond help. So she decides to step away to give him his space and save herself from the depression. Will they find their way back to each other after time apart?
Faded Perfection is the second book to the Beautifully Flawed Series. You have to read book 1 Flawed Perfection first. You will not be disappointed in either book. I would and have already recommended these books!
I love River and Adam and want them together! But with the loss of Adam’s brother/River’s best friend and Tara, River’s best friend, injuries, they are both fighting to hold themselves together. River hides herself in her work to keep from dealing with her grief and staying strong for Adam. Adam hides behind a bottle of alcohol to keep himself numb of any feelings or dealing with anything. River is trying to help Adam cope with the death, but with the alcohol abuse and not wanting to help himself, she decides that Adam is beyond help. So she decides to step away to give him his space and save herself from the depression. Will they find their way back to each other after time apart?
Faded Perfection is the second book to the Beautifully Flawed Series. You have to read book 1 Flawed Perfection first. You will not be disappointed in either book. I would and have already recommended these books!
September 16, 2016
**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**
It may have taken the author two years to get the second book in the series published, but wow. It had me ugly crying almost immediately.
I did not read the first book again in order to remember what had happened, and you do get little reminders and i kind of wish i had, even if it meant that it packed that much more of a punch and i would have had even uglier tears shed at times.
Both characters have had a tragedy destroy their lives and both cope in different ways.
The ending is not what i was expecting at all, but strangely it works and i am very much interested to see what happens next in the lives of Adam and River.
I was also sad to see this book end, i could have read so much more in one sitting of the life of River.
It may have taken the author two years to get the second book in the series published, but wow. It had me ugly crying almost immediately.
I did not read the first book again in order to remember what had happened, and you do get little reminders and i kind of wish i had, even if it meant that it packed that much more of a punch and i would have had even uglier tears shed at times.
Both characters have had a tragedy destroy their lives and both cope in different ways.
The ending is not what i was expecting at all, but strangely it works and i am very much interested to see what happens next in the lives of Adam and River.
I was also sad to see this book end, i could have read so much more in one sitting of the life of River.
Read
February 16, 2016The first chapters of Faded Perfection are available freely on Wattpad! So excited!
http://w.tt/20Y1MDH
http://w.tt/20Y1MDH
June 27, 2016
~5 + Stars~
“The only person who can find you-the real you-is yourself. Maybe you ran from who you were because you weren’t that person anymore. Now you just have to find out who you are now and learn to love that person.” ~West~
I have been waiting for what seems like forever for this book to come out, and I have to say it was well worth the wait. It picks up right where the first book ended, with my heart breaking for Adam and River. They have suffered a devastating loss, and in this book, they deal with their grief in very different ways.
At times, Faded Perfection was very hard for me to read…yes, I cried. Cassandra Giovanni broke my heart in places, but she does such a phenomenal job of capturing the true grief of losing someone you love. Adam and River dealt with their grief in very different ways which caused a deep chasm in their relationship. There were times I didn’t like either one of them, but I could empathize with them. River took care of Adam, and in the process, she lost herself. While this is a story of love and loss, it’s also a story of self-discovery. River matured so much within the pages of this book. My heart broke for Adam, but I also wanted to kill him at times. I felt the same way about Tara as well. I can only imagine surviving what she did, but I felt like she wasn’t loyal to River, who came as much as she could to visit her and support her in the hospital. When West was introduced, oh my, there are no words for this man. He’s had his share of pain as well, but he cares very deeply for River. He’s the rock that she so desperately needs.
I thought Giovanni did an outstanding job with her first book. She had an ending that I wasn’t expecting. In this one, she shows how such a devastating loss affects the people who are left behind to pick up the pieces. It was amazing seeing the choices each made, from alcoholism, denial, tears, anger, etc. I know River’s story is far from over. It will be interesting to see how the relationships all pan out. I’m not sure if I’m Team Adam or Team West yet…although, right now, I’m in West’s corner. Looking forward to the last book in this emotional trilogy!!!!
***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***
“The only person who can find you-the real you-is yourself. Maybe you ran from who you were because you weren’t that person anymore. Now you just have to find out who you are now and learn to love that person.” ~West~
I have been waiting for what seems like forever for this book to come out, and I have to say it was well worth the wait. It picks up right where the first book ended, with my heart breaking for Adam and River. They have suffered a devastating loss, and in this book, they deal with their grief in very different ways.
At times, Faded Perfection was very hard for me to read…yes, I cried. Cassandra Giovanni broke my heart in places, but she does such a phenomenal job of capturing the true grief of losing someone you love. Adam and River dealt with their grief in very different ways which caused a deep chasm in their relationship. There were times I didn’t like either one of them, but I could empathize with them. River took care of Adam, and in the process, she lost herself. While this is a story of love and loss, it’s also a story of self-discovery. River matured so much within the pages of this book. My heart broke for Adam, but I also wanted to kill him at times. I felt the same way about Tara as well. I can only imagine surviving what she did, but I felt like she wasn’t loyal to River, who came as much as she could to visit her and support her in the hospital. When West was introduced, oh my, there are no words for this man. He’s had his share of pain as well, but he cares very deeply for River. He’s the rock that she so desperately needs.
I thought Giovanni did an outstanding job with her first book. She had an ending that I wasn’t expecting. In this one, she shows how such a devastating loss affects the people who are left behind to pick up the pieces. It was amazing seeing the choices each made, from alcoholism, denial, tears, anger, etc. I know River’s story is far from over. It will be interesting to see how the relationships all pan out. I’m not sure if I’m Team Adam or Team West yet…although, right now, I’m in West’s corner. Looking forward to the last book in this emotional trilogy!!!!
***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***
July 12, 2016
This is the second book in the Beautifully Flawed Series and book one needs to be read first.
As Adam Beckerson and River Ahlers come to terms with their loss, nothing prepares them for the future. Adam blames himself and River is not sure that they will be able to make it through.
When Adam overhears some cruel words from his mother, Vickie, he sinks farther and farther into the bottle and River feels like she can no longer reach him and help him. River sinks herself into her job and knows she has to save herself somehow.
As Tara recovers, River turns to her but it turns out that she is not the only one who has turned to her and soon everything turns upside down for the two of them.
When River gets promoted and her job is in a new town she wonders if she will ever be able to start over and find herself again.
This book is chalked full of emotional moments and that feeling of despair! There is so much inside this book that can be considered spoilers for writing the review and I really don't want to spoil a thing!!
River is deemed to be so strong yet she really isn't and it completely upset me that she really didn't feel like she had anyone to rely on through dealing with her grief. She wanted to help Adam but didn't know how on her own and to hear that Adam was opening up to Tara and not her must have been so heartbreaking for her. I understood her actions and how alone she truly felt.
Adam just self-destructed in this book and I felt as though he was so wrapped up in the bottle that he was never there for River when she needed him. Both processed grief differently and I wish the two had more communication but the lack of it led to their downfall.
I must admit that I really changed my opinion on Tara in this book. She knew more about Adam then River did and she blamed River for everything. No one was there for River and yet everyone seemed to think that she didn't support others. I really feel as though a best friend should not stab you in the back as quick as Tara did, especially with her relationship with Bobby.
This is such a great series and I am super hopeful that River is able to continue with some happiness as she completely deserves it!
Please come out with book 3 soon as I am super desperate to read it!!
As Adam Beckerson and River Ahlers come to terms with their loss, nothing prepares them for the future. Adam blames himself and River is not sure that they will be able to make it through.
When Adam overhears some cruel words from his mother, Vickie, he sinks farther and farther into the bottle and River feels like she can no longer reach him and help him. River sinks herself into her job and knows she has to save herself somehow.
As Tara recovers, River turns to her but it turns out that she is not the only one who has turned to her and soon everything turns upside down for the two of them.
When River gets promoted and her job is in a new town she wonders if she will ever be able to start over and find herself again.
This book is chalked full of emotional moments and that feeling of despair! There is so much inside this book that can be considered spoilers for writing the review and I really don't want to spoil a thing!!
River is deemed to be so strong yet she really isn't and it completely upset me that she really didn't feel like she had anyone to rely on through dealing with her grief. She wanted to help Adam but didn't know how on her own and to hear that Adam was opening up to Tara and not her must have been so heartbreaking for her. I understood her actions and how alone she truly felt.
Adam just self-destructed in this book and I felt as though he was so wrapped up in the bottle that he was never there for River when she needed him. Both processed grief differently and I wish the two had more communication but the lack of it led to their downfall.
I must admit that I really changed my opinion on Tara in this book. She knew more about Adam then River did and she blamed River for everything. No one was there for River and yet everyone seemed to think that she didn't support others. I really feel as though a best friend should not stab you in the back as quick as Tara did, especially with her relationship with Bobby.
This is such a great series and I am super hopeful that River is able to continue with some happiness as she completely deserves it!
Please come out with book 3 soon as I am super desperate to read it!!
June 10, 2016
I was provided a copy of the book by the Author for an honest review.
Wow I just finish reading this book and if I felt in love with the first book in the series I felt more in love with this one. This book had me Mad, and Crying like a baby, I couldn't put the book down I wanted more, I love the characters but started to not like one of the character hope that one changes in the next book of the series, I am going to keep this short since I don't want to give anything away.
If you read the first book ( Flawed Perfection ) then you met River, Adam, Bobby and Tara.
The story pick up right where it left in the first book, after receiving the bad news about Bobby and Tara, River and Adam are trying to deal with everything that has going on, while River is worrying about everyone and everything else, Adam is getting worse by no knowing how to deal with the grieving. every day River gets herself up and tried to cope with her feeling and trying to be their for Adam. But Adam is gone so far with the drinking and always leaving her by herself, and to top it off Tara is taking his side. Months after the accident and seen how her life is River decided that it was time for a change and time to move out and move on. After getting a promotion on her job and moving to another place and trying new things she decide to get a tattoo that's where she meets the Sexy talented and famous artist West. What River was not expecting was for that to be the same person that her boss and new friend had warn her about staying away. what she was not expecting was for her life of being in the dark to start getting brighter cause of West.
I hated the way how Adam treated River at the begging of the book, but I am glad that it happened like that and she got to find her self again, I love how west and River are together, love it how West agreed to be just her friend to get to know her, and love it how that friendship grows to something more.
I really love and enjoy reading this book, Author Cassandra Giovanni THANK YOU once again for introducing me to this Awesome characters and this Wonderful Amazing book love it and CANT WAIT to read the final book in the series.
Wow I just finish reading this book and if I felt in love with the first book in the series I felt more in love with this one. This book had me Mad, and Crying like a baby, I couldn't put the book down I wanted more, I love the characters but started to not like one of the character hope that one changes in the next book of the series, I am going to keep this short since I don't want to give anything away.
If you read the first book ( Flawed Perfection ) then you met River, Adam, Bobby and Tara.
The story pick up right where it left in the first book, after receiving the bad news about Bobby and Tara, River and Adam are trying to deal with everything that has going on, while River is worrying about everyone and everything else, Adam is getting worse by no knowing how to deal with the grieving. every day River gets herself up and tried to cope with her feeling and trying to be their for Adam. But Adam is gone so far with the drinking and always leaving her by herself, and to top it off Tara is taking his side. Months after the accident and seen how her life is River decided that it was time for a change and time to move out and move on. After getting a promotion on her job and moving to another place and trying new things she decide to get a tattoo that's where she meets the Sexy talented and famous artist West. What River was not expecting was for that to be the same person that her boss and new friend had warn her about staying away. what she was not expecting was for her life of being in the dark to start getting brighter cause of West.
I hated the way how Adam treated River at the begging of the book, but I am glad that it happened like that and she got to find her self again, I love how west and River are together, love it how West agreed to be just her friend to get to know her, and love it how that friendship grows to something more.
I really love and enjoy reading this book, Author Cassandra Giovanni THANK YOU once again for introducing me to this Awesome characters and this Wonderful Amazing book love it and CANT WAIT to read the final book in the series.
June 23, 2016
Faded Perfection (Beautifully Flawed #2) by Cassandra Giovanni I have been anxiously awaiting reading Faded Perfection since I read Flawed Perfection back on February 25, 2014. I was not disappointed. Grant it, I was saddened by a lot of the events that took place. I really like both Adam Beckerson and River Ahlers. My heart broke for them in the first book. I want to see them both happy. They are both struggling with Bobby Beckerson’s death in this story; both dealing with his death in different ways. The pain they both suffered is heartrending.
I really love River. She buries herself in her career. She doesn’t have many friends and losses the ones she has after Bobby’s death. I was extremely disappointed in Tara. I feel like River was there for her when she was in the hospital, and she let her down. Unfortunately, things like that happen in real life, making the story more credible.
I love River’s boss, Jesse. He is a wonderful mentor and friend. I appreciate how he looks out for her. I thought it was great that he got her to use her photography outside her job with him and get to meet some other people.
I liked the introduction of West Brighton character. He is good for River, recognizing a kindred spirit. I’m an animal lover, so I enjoyed the beagles.
I was disappointed by both Adam’s and River’s moms in this story. I don’t understand how they could be the way they were with their children. I did respect both fathers, especially River’s dad.
Cassandra Giovanni does an amazing job creating a believable and heartfelt story. Not everything is perfect. The characters have major obstacles they need to overcome. Faded Perfection is extremely well-written. I am highly anticipating book three Finding Perfection (Beautifully Flawed, #3).
Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
I really love River. She buries herself in her career. She doesn’t have many friends and losses the ones she has after Bobby’s death. I was extremely disappointed in Tara. I feel like River was there for her when she was in the hospital, and she let her down. Unfortunately, things like that happen in real life, making the story more credible.
I love River’s boss, Jesse. He is a wonderful mentor and friend. I appreciate how he looks out for her. I thought it was great that he got her to use her photography outside her job with him and get to meet some other people.
I liked the introduction of West Brighton character. He is good for River, recognizing a kindred spirit. I’m an animal lover, so I enjoyed the beagles.
I was disappointed by both Adam’s and River’s moms in this story. I don’t understand how they could be the way they were with their children. I did respect both fathers, especially River’s dad.
Cassandra Giovanni does an amazing job creating a believable and heartfelt story. Not everything is perfect. The characters have major obstacles they need to overcome. Faded Perfection is extremely well-written. I am highly anticipating book three Finding Perfection (Beautifully Flawed, #3).
Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
February 3, 2022
This is the second book in the Beautifully Flawed Series and book one needs to be read first.
This book is chalked full of emotional moments and that feeling of despair! There is so much inside this book that can be considered spoilers for writing the review and I really don't want to spoil a thing!!
River is deemed to be so strong yet she really isn't and it completely upset me that she really didn't feel like she had anyone to rely on through dealing with her grief. She wanted to help Adam but didn't know how on her own and to hear that Adam was opening up to Tara and not her must have been so heartbreaking for her. I understood her actions and how alone she truly felt.
Adam just self-destructed in this book and I felt as though he was so wrapped up in the bottle that he was never there for River when she needed him. Both processed grief differently and I wish the two had more communication but the lack of it led to their downfall.
I must admit that I really changed my opinion on Tara in this book. She knew more about Adam then River did and she blamed River for everything. No one was there for River and yet everyone seemed to think that she didn't support others. I really feel as though a best friend should not stab you in the back as quick as Tara did, especially with her relationship with Bobby.
This is such a great series and I am super hopeful that River is able to continue with some happiness as she completely deserves it!
Please come out with book 3 soon as I am super desperate to read it!!
This book is chalked full of emotional moments and that feeling of despair! There is so much inside this book that can be considered spoilers for writing the review and I really don't want to spoil a thing!!
River is deemed to be so strong yet she really isn't and it completely upset me that she really didn't feel like she had anyone to rely on through dealing with her grief. She wanted to help Adam but didn't know how on her own and to hear that Adam was opening up to Tara and not her must have been so heartbreaking for her. I understood her actions and how alone she truly felt.
Adam just self-destructed in this book and I felt as though he was so wrapped up in the bottle that he was never there for River when she needed him. Both processed grief differently and I wish the two had more communication but the lack of it led to their downfall.
I must admit that I really changed my opinion on Tara in this book. She knew more about Adam then River did and she blamed River for everything. No one was there for River and yet everyone seemed to think that she didn't support others. I really feel as though a best friend should not stab you in the back as quick as Tara did, especially with her relationship with Bobby.
This is such a great series and I am super hopeful that River is able to continue with some happiness as she completely deserves it!
Please come out with book 3 soon as I am super desperate to read it!!
December 10, 2017
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews Thank you to Jena for letting me take part in this tour. I LOVED the first book in this series, Flawed Perfection (currently free) and I have been desperately waiting 2 years for the sequel, which did not disappoint. If you have NOT read the first book please do not read on as it WILL contain spoilers for book one.
After her best friend Bobby Beckerson dies in a car accident River doesn't only lose a best friend but a part of herself. Struggling with her own grief she doesn't know how to help her boyfriend, Adam, Bobby's brother. Adam turns to drink to numb the pain while River turns to work.
Unable to help each other the pair start to question if they should really be together. I'm going to leave the story there because I don't want to ruin anything.
I spent the first 50% of this book blubbing. I felt all of River's emotions as she tried to deal with her grief of losing Bobby and I had to let the tears our.
I spent the rest of the book egging River on. Wanting her to take control of her life. To break through the storm and come out better and stronger than before.
This book is beautifully written. It flows from paragraph to paragraph, chapter to chapter with like a river to the sea the pace is perfect.
I can't wait to see what happens next and I really hope I don't have to wait too long for it.
After her best friend Bobby Beckerson dies in a car accident River doesn't only lose a best friend but a part of herself. Struggling with her own grief she doesn't know how to help her boyfriend, Adam, Bobby's brother. Adam turns to drink to numb the pain while River turns to work.
Unable to help each other the pair start to question if they should really be together. I'm going to leave the story there because I don't want to ruin anything.
I spent the first 50% of this book blubbing. I felt all of River's emotions as she tried to deal with her grief of losing Bobby and I had to let the tears our.
I spent the rest of the book egging River on. Wanting her to take control of her life. To break through the storm and come out better and stronger than before.
This book is beautifully written. It flows from paragraph to paragraph, chapter to chapter with like a river to the sea the pace is perfect.
I can't wait to see what happens next and I really hope I don't have to wait too long for it.
June 19, 2016
***** 5 cranky stars *****
Flawed Perfection (book 1) left us heartbroken for River and Adam, and we’re left in a haze of sadness and loss. River and Adam are dealing with their sorrow in opposites ways yet together by ignoring, denying and all out anger.
River has become a shell of the once outgoing girl she used to be, trying to hold herself together, all the while scared to death with Adam and his coping abilities. He’s literally drowning his pain, and she has no clue how to save him.
Can River help redeem Adam before it’s too late? Does time and distance really heal wounds of the heart? Heartbreaking ride through love, loss and recovering what’s been lost after tragedy strikes. Questions still remain, and we can only hope we find the answers!
http://twistedbookcur.blogspot.ch/201...
June 15, 2016
Faded Perfection (Beautifully Flawed #2)
By Cassandra Giovanni
***5 stars***
I’ve literally been waiting almost 2 yrs for this story, and it didn’t disappoint at all. Flawed Perfection (book 1) ended in total heartbreak for River, Adam and everyone involved, and we pick up right at the point of no return. River and Adam are dealing with their depression in different yet similar ways, ignoring, denying and plain old anger.
River has become a walking zombie, trying to hold herself together somehow, on top of being scared with Adam and his coping abilities. He’s wiping away any chance of personal recovery in River’s eyes, and she’s lost at what to do to help him.
Will River and Adam find their way back to each other? Have opinions and people stepped in their way of a HEA? Does time and distance really heal wounds of the heart? So many questions left at the end of this one, and I can’t wait to find the answers in Finding Perfection (book 3). An absolutely tragic yet beautiful story of love, loss and finding your way back from the darkness.
By Cassandra Giovanni
***5 stars***
I’ve literally been waiting almost 2 yrs for this story, and it didn’t disappoint at all. Flawed Perfection (book 1) ended in total heartbreak for River, Adam and everyone involved, and we pick up right at the point of no return. River and Adam are dealing with their depression in different yet similar ways, ignoring, denying and plain old anger.
River has become a walking zombie, trying to hold herself together somehow, on top of being scared with Adam and his coping abilities. He’s wiping away any chance of personal recovery in River’s eyes, and she’s lost at what to do to help him.
Will River and Adam find their way back to each other? Have opinions and people stepped in their way of a HEA? Does time and distance really heal wounds of the heart? So many questions left at the end of this one, and I can’t wait to find the answers in Finding Perfection (book 3). An absolutely tragic yet beautiful story of love, loss and finding your way back from the darkness.
August 16, 2016
I think I spent most of the book not breathing. The emotions were too strong, my chest was tight and I just couldn't breath.
The strength of this book, and this series really, is in the power of the emotions. The characters feel real, and their thoughts and emotions feel so realistic that it's hard not to get sucked right in and almost become them. The story has a mostly dark feel, River and Adam are both fighting grief and depression and a full range of emotions that go with those two.
I read this in 2 days, and was left so drained. It felt like everything was wrung out of me, and I need time to absorb and recover. But that's the best possible feeling because it meant I felt the book so deeply. I am just in awe of how this series sucks me in and takes control of my emotions.
This book didn't have the same type of ending as the first (sigh of relief there), but the overall story isn't finished. There are still loose ends to be dealt with, I just hope it doesn't take another 2 years for next book to be available.
The strength of this book, and this series really, is in the power of the emotions. The characters feel real, and their thoughts and emotions feel so realistic that it's hard not to get sucked right in and almost become them. The story has a mostly dark feel, River and Adam are both fighting grief and depression and a full range of emotions that go with those two.
I read this in 2 days, and was left so drained. It felt like everything was wrung out of me, and I need time to absorb and recover. But that's the best possible feeling because it meant I felt the book so deeply. I am just in awe of how this series sucks me in and takes control of my emotions.
This book didn't have the same type of ending as the first (sigh of relief there), but the overall story isn't finished. There are still loose ends to be dealt with, I just hope it doesn't take another 2 years for next book to be available.
July 18, 2016
**SPOILER FREE**
With watching our teenage daughter go through similar situations this week that I was reading in this book, it really felt close to home. As if when reading I was losing sense of reality as I was dealing with it in real life. This book is well written and the characters and story plot will pull you in right from page one. During the course of this week I had to lay the book down a few times and just walk away. Not because it was a bad read, completely opposite, it's a great read. But dealing with the reality of it in life and reading at the same time, my emotions were all over the place. But this book also gave me emotions of hope... If you haven't read this book yet, you're really missing out!
*received for an honest review*
With watching our teenage daughter go through similar situations this week that I was reading in this book, it really felt close to home. As if when reading I was losing sense of reality as I was dealing with it in real life. This book is well written and the characters and story plot will pull you in right from page one. During the course of this week I had to lay the book down a few times and just walk away. Not because it was a bad read, completely opposite, it's a great read. But dealing with the reality of it in life and reading at the same time, my emotions were all over the place. But this book also gave me emotions of hope... If you haven't read this book yet, you're really missing out!
*received for an honest review*
August 29, 2016
This book hit really close to home on how it feels when someone you love is gone. You truly do lose yourself and sometimes those around you until you finally have to break away and find yourself. River and Adam are both drowning with no way to help each other. With the loss of one life, River loses two more people that mean so much to her in the process. River finally finds herself breaking free and with the help of new friends, she finds herself all over again, her true self. Life is too short to never find your true self even when things seem hopeless. Cassandra Giovanni captured my heart both in the first book and this one. I can't wait for the next book in this series.
June 19, 2016
Book 2 the of Beautifully flawed series was so emotional!
Picking up from a traumatic event turns all lives upside down.
Relationships torn, bonds broken, losing one’s self day after day.
Everything fading before your eyes.
Omg this was so hard because I truly love River’s character and all throughout
I believed she could be the glue that Bobby once was.
But life took these friends on a different path.
I can not wait for the conclusion in Finding Perfection
I was graciously gifted a copy inexchange for an honest review.
Picking up from a traumatic event turns all lives upside down.
Relationships torn, bonds broken, losing one’s self day after day.
Everything fading before your eyes.
Omg this was so hard because I truly love River’s character and all throughout
I believed she could be the glue that Bobby once was.
But life took these friends on a different path.
I can not wait for the conclusion in Finding Perfection
I was graciously gifted a copy inexchange for an honest review.
June 24, 2016
When the terrible accident takes Bobby away from them. It destroys lives. Everyone begins to self destruct. River throws herself into working while Adam throws himself into drinking until River feels like she's losing herself do she moves when her company expands. She finds herself again. But Adam finds himself thrown into music with her ex best friend. This book is so emotional.
September 14, 2016
This is the story of how a trio of friends goes to only being a duo. The dynamic is changed, the feelings are different, and the future is drastically changed. River, Adam, and Bobby have been best friends forever. Their friendship goes beyond just friends since Adam and Bobby both are in love with River yet River is in a relationship with Adam. When Bobby dies both Adam and River must figure out how to keep living.
The drinking, the lack of sleep, working long hours, and lack of communication are all things that are working against Adam and River. Cassandra Giovanni did a great job of portraying the grief and how people react to the loss of someone they love. For some relationships it would pull them together and some it pulls them apart. While this is not an easy topic to talk about in this book grief is handled with care, truth, and realistically. It is not pretty, it is not easy, and a person can’t know how they will handle it until they are in the situation.
The twist… holy cow! I didn’t see it coming. Once it happen I was thrilled and am still happy with how the story went. This is the perfect book to follow up to Flawed Perfection (book one).
I have hopes of how book three will continue the story but know that I will be surprised there too. This is a series full of heart. I recommend checking out the entire series, which should be read in order.
The drinking, the lack of sleep, working long hours, and lack of communication are all things that are working against Adam and River. Cassandra Giovanni did a great job of portraying the grief and how people react to the loss of someone they love. For some relationships it would pull them together and some it pulls them apart. While this is not an easy topic to talk about in this book grief is handled with care, truth, and realistically. It is not pretty, it is not easy, and a person can’t know how they will handle it until they are in the situation.
The twist… holy cow! I didn’t see it coming. Once it happen I was thrilled and am still happy with how the story went. This is the perfect book to follow up to Flawed Perfection (book one).
I have hopes of how book three will continue the story but know that I will be surprised there too. This is a series full of heart. I recommend checking out the entire series, which should be read in order.
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