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Purple Hearts
When a soldier with a troubled past and a struggling songwriter agree to a marriage of convenience for the military benefits, neither expects much after saying “I do.” Then tragedy strikes, and the line between what’s real and what’s pretend begins to blur in this smart and surprising romance perfect for fans of Nicholas Sparks and Jojo Moyes.
Cassie Salazar and Luke Morrow couldn’t be more different. Sharp-witted Cassie works nights at a bar in Austin, Texas to make ends meet while pursuing her dream of becoming a singer/songwriter. Luke is an Army trainee, about to ship out for duty, who finds comfort in the unswerving discipline of service. But a chance encounter at Cassie’s bar changes the course of both their lives
Cassie is drowning in medical bills after being diagnosed with diabetes. When she runs into her old friend Frankie, now enlisted in the Army, she proposes a deal: she’ll marry him in exchange for better medical insurance and they can split the increased paycheck that comes with having a “family.” When Frankie declines, his attractive but frustratingly intense friend Luke volunteers to marry Cassie instead. What she doesn’t know is that he has desperate reasons of his own to get married. In this unforgettable love story, Cassie and Luke must set aside their differences to make it look like a real marriage...unless, somewhere along the way, it becomes one...
Cassie Salazar and Luke Morrow couldn’t be more different. Sharp-witted Cassie works nights at a bar in Austin, Texas to make ends meet while pursuing her dream of becoming a singer/songwriter. Luke is an Army trainee, about to ship out for duty, who finds comfort in the unswerving discipline of service. But a chance encounter at Cassie’s bar changes the course of both their lives
Cassie is drowning in medical bills after being diagnosed with diabetes. When she runs into her old friend Frankie, now enlisted in the Army, she proposes a deal: she’ll marry him in exchange for better medical insurance and they can split the increased paycheck that comes with having a “family.” When Frankie declines, his attractive but frustratingly intense friend Luke volunteers to marry Cassie instead. What she doesn’t know is that he has desperate reasons of his own to get married. In this unforgettable love story, Cassie and Luke must set aside their differences to make it look like a real marriage...unless, somewhere along the way, it becomes one...
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,615 reviews
August 12, 2022
the movie did it better
August 2, 2022
This book is straight up military propaganda with a raging racist conservative male love interest and a feminist female character, both the book and film are terrible and not worth your time. This book isn’t “enemies to lovers” it’s a liberal girl falling for a racist conservative who doesn’t even change his viewpoints. Anyways this book is awful
January 1, 2024
"She seemed to skip shame and go straight for forgiveness."
1 star book, 5 star movie.
1 star book, 5 star movie.
August 18, 2022
DNF @ 29%
This book / netflix movie adaptation has been extremely over hyped for all the wrong reasons.
It is highly problematic and screams racism, misogyny, and military propoganda.
"To bombin' some mothafuckin' Arabs!"
I just.. have no words. That is beyond tasteless.
Just because a book has the tropes of a marriage of convenience, one bed, and taking care of someone — does not mean you should be romanticizing and blatantly ignoring harmful behaviour.
This could have been done so well. The poc rep from the fmc and the struggles of having diabetes but limited access to health care. But it just went downhill SO FAST.
Would not recommend supporting either the book or the netflix adaptation.
This book / netflix movie adaptation has been extremely over hyped for all the wrong reasons.
It is highly problematic and screams racism, misogyny, and military propoganda.
"To bombin' some mothafuckin' Arabs!"
I just.. have no words. That is beyond tasteless.
Just because a book has the tropes of a marriage of convenience, one bed, and taking care of someone — does not mean you should be romanticizing and blatantly ignoring harmful behaviour.
This could have been done so well. The poc rep from the fmc and the struggles of having diabetes but limited access to health care. But it just went downhill SO FAST.
Would not recommend supporting either the book or the netflix adaptation.
September 3, 2022
2.9 🌟 para Purple Hearts de Tess Wakefield.
📖 Honestamente, leí este libro sólo porque vi la adaptación de Netflix y me gustó. No conocía su existencia antes y no creo que valga lo suficiente para explotar como un fenómeno de ventas a pesar de la gran popularidad que obtuvo la película... Porque, aunque ustedes no lo crean, sí existen las obras audiovisuales que superan en calidad a la historia escrita. Y es totalmente lo que sucede con esta novela.
◾ Los guionistas de Netflix supieron eliminar las partes más odiosas de la protagonista para lograr que en la pantalla el público pudiera empatizar con ella. Y transformaron una historia que muy dudosamente se podría considerar de "amor" en un drama romántico. Yo los aplaudiría.
➡️ Pero bueno, como acá no estamos reseñando la película sino el libro vamos a hablar propiamente de él (contiene spoilers):
◾ La narración de Wakefield es extremadamente simple. Por un lado, eso facilita una lectura ágil y rápida de la historia pero, por el otro, ocasiona que en los momentos culmines y centrales de la trama la prosa no profundice en los sentimientos y conflictos de los personajes.
◾ La verdadera red flag de esta novela es Cassie Salazar y no Luke Morrow, lo que me lleva a mi siguiente punto.
◾ ¿Qué libro se leyó la gente que hace review´s en las que habla exclusivamente del machismo y racismo de Luke sin mencionar en ningún momento las cientos de actitudes horribles de la protagonista? Que me pasen su versión de la novela porque me interesa comparar páginas.
◾ Luke tiene tres comportamientos reprochables en todo el libro y ambos están al comienzo de la historia. El primero se da la noche que conoce a Cassie en el bar cuando no hace ni dice nada en el momento en que uno de sus compañeros tira un comentario misógino y paternalista a la protagonista. El segundo cuando le propone a Cassie casarse sin contarle su pasado como adicto y las deudas que tiene por ello. El tercero cuando, después del casamiento arreglado, están cenando todos los militares con sus respectivas parejas y varios de ellos exteriorizan opiniones xenofóbicas sobre los árabes sin que Luke diga ni haga nada para frenarlas. Por todas estas actitudes, él se arrepiente y termina pidiendo disculpas.
◾ Ahora bien, si me tengo que poner a hablar de todo lo que hace mal Cassie esta reseña se haría interminable. Vamos con los hechos más resonantes:
◾ Durante todos esos meses en los que Luke se encuentra como soldado activo en el exterior, Cassie se pone de novia con el baterista de su banda sin contarle a Luke ese detalle (a pesar de que él no le iba a reprochar nada siempre y cuando fuera cuidadosa porque es consciente de que su relación no era "real") y sin contarle a su novio que está casada legalmente con un militar. O sea, engaña a ambos al mismo tiempo.
◾ Lo único que le pidió Luke a Cassie antes de irse a combatir a un país extranjero era que guardara el papel con el nombre y la dirección de su hermano menor en caso de que tuviera que notificarlo por si algo malo le sucedía en servicio... ¿Qué hace Cassie con ese papel? Se pasa su importancia por donde no le da el sol, lo deja por ahí y ni se acuerda de su existencia hasta que la tragedia toca su puerta. Re considerada la chica.
◾ Cuando Luke vuelve a Estados Unidos herido de gravedad y con una mínima capacidad de movilizarse por su cuenta, Cassie decide abandonarlo día y noche en su departamento para que se las arregle como pueda y se traslada con su novio, al que no le quedó otra que confesarle que tiene un marido.
◾ Lo anterior causa que Luke caiga en un estado de depresión que lo lleva a incurrir nuevamente en las drogas (por abuso de su medicación para el dolor) ya que se siente solo, encerrado e inútil. Al punto de que no se puede bañar sin ayuda. Una que Cassie no le proporciona porque no le interesa nadie más que sí misma. Ni siquiera el tipo gracias al cual está viviendo una calidad de vida mejor.
◾ Cuando Cassie se da cuenta que Luke está tocando fondo un día que casualmente pasa por su departamento, ¿adivinen qué hace? Nada. Se va nuevamente para no verlo. Incluso cuando encuentra a su marido medio desvanecido y sin capacidad de respuesta por el abuso de pastillas.
◾ Cuando Luke regresa a su país para cumplir su papel como esposo de Cassie, ella sale durante meses con su novio a LUGARES PÚBLICOS donde cualquiera podía identificarla y denunciar que su matrimonio era una farsa ante la Junta Militar. Hecho que produciría una pena grave para su marido pero, nuevamente, a ella no le importa.
📖 Así podría seguir por horas pero creo que entienden mi punto. Cassie nunca se arrepiente por todo lo que hace ni reconoce haber accionado mal... ¿Quién puede empatizar con una protagonista así y encima tener el tupé de señalarlo a él como el malo de la relación? Perdón, pero yo no puedo. No se trata de si es una mujer o un hombre, es un personaje horrible.
📖 Otra cosa que no me gustó del libro es que durante toda la historia Luke se interesa por conocer a su esposa, por lo cual termina enamorándose de ella incluso desde la distancia. En cambio, Cassie sólo reconoce el atractivo físico de Luke en algunas ocasiones pero jamás muestra interés real en él como persona (los mensajes de texto y las videollamadas eran más una obligación que otra cosa), ni mucho menos muestras de amor o cariño. Hasta que llegamos a las últimas páginas donde de repente, después de enterarse cómo él se sacrifica por ella, decide que ya no está más enamorada de su novio sino que siente cosas por su marido y ahí terminamos... ¿Se supone que eso es una historia romántica? A mí no me convence para nada.
➡️ En fin, los que sólo vieron la adaptación cinematográfica les recomendaría que se queden con ella y no manchen ese recuerdo leyendo la novela a menos que estén buscando precisamente eso.
📖 Honestamente, leí este libro sólo porque vi la adaptación de Netflix y me gustó. No conocía su existencia antes y no creo que valga lo suficiente para explotar como un fenómeno de ventas a pesar de la gran popularidad que obtuvo la película... Porque, aunque ustedes no lo crean, sí existen las obras audiovisuales que superan en calidad a la historia escrita. Y es totalmente lo que sucede con esta novela.
◾ Los guionistas de Netflix supieron eliminar las partes más odiosas de la protagonista para lograr que en la pantalla el público pudiera empatizar con ella. Y transformaron una historia que muy dudosamente se podría considerar de "amor" en un drama romántico. Yo los aplaudiría.
➡️ Pero bueno, como acá no estamos reseñando la película sino el libro vamos a hablar propiamente de él (contiene spoilers):
◾ La narración de Wakefield es extremadamente simple. Por un lado, eso facilita una lectura ágil y rápida de la historia pero, por el otro, ocasiona que en los momentos culmines y centrales de la trama la prosa no profundice en los sentimientos y conflictos de los personajes.
◾ La verdadera red flag de esta novela es Cassie Salazar y no Luke Morrow, lo que me lleva a mi siguiente punto.
◾ ¿Qué libro se leyó la gente que hace review´s en las que habla exclusivamente del machismo y racismo de Luke sin mencionar en ningún momento las cientos de actitudes horribles de la protagonista? Que me pasen su versión de la novela porque me interesa comparar páginas.
◾ Luke tiene tres comportamientos reprochables en todo el libro y ambos están al comienzo de la historia. El primero se da la noche que conoce a Cassie en el bar cuando no hace ni dice nada en el momento en que uno de sus compañeros tira un comentario misógino y paternalista a la protagonista. El segundo cuando le propone a Cassie casarse sin contarle su pasado como adicto y las deudas que tiene por ello. El tercero cuando, después del casamiento arreglado, están cenando todos los militares con sus respectivas parejas y varios de ellos exteriorizan opiniones xenofóbicas sobre los árabes sin que Luke diga ni haga nada para frenarlas. Por todas estas actitudes, él se arrepiente y termina pidiendo disculpas.
◾ Ahora bien, si me tengo que poner a hablar de todo lo que hace mal Cassie esta reseña se haría interminable. Vamos con los hechos más resonantes:
◾ Durante todos esos meses en los que Luke se encuentra como soldado activo en el exterior, Cassie se pone de novia con el baterista de su banda sin contarle a Luke ese detalle (a pesar de que él no le iba a reprochar nada siempre y cuando fuera cuidadosa porque es consciente de que su relación no era "real") y sin contarle a su novio que está casada legalmente con un militar. O sea, engaña a ambos al mismo tiempo.
◾ Lo único que le pidió Luke a Cassie antes de irse a combatir a un país extranjero era que guardara el papel con el nombre y la dirección de su hermano menor en caso de que tuviera que notificarlo por si algo malo le sucedía en servicio... ¿Qué hace Cassie con ese papel? Se pasa su importancia por donde no le da el sol, lo deja por ahí y ni se acuerda de su existencia hasta que la tragedia toca su puerta. Re considerada la chica.
◾ Cuando Luke vuelve a Estados Unidos herido de gravedad y con una mínima capacidad de movilizarse por su cuenta, Cassie decide abandonarlo día y noche en su departamento para que se las arregle como pueda y se traslada con su novio, al que no le quedó otra que confesarle que tiene un marido.
◾ Lo anterior causa que Luke caiga en un estado de depresión que lo lleva a incurrir nuevamente en las drogas (por abuso de su medicación para el dolor) ya que se siente solo, encerrado e inútil. Al punto de que no se puede bañar sin ayuda. Una que Cassie no le proporciona porque no le interesa nadie más que sí misma. Ni siquiera el tipo gracias al cual está viviendo una calidad de vida mejor.
◾ Cuando Cassie se da cuenta que Luke está tocando fondo un día que casualmente pasa por su departamento, ¿adivinen qué hace? Nada. Se va nuevamente para no verlo. Incluso cuando encuentra a su marido medio desvanecido y sin capacidad de respuesta por el abuso de pastillas.
◾ Cuando Luke regresa a su país para cumplir su papel como esposo de Cassie, ella sale durante meses con su novio a LUGARES PÚBLICOS donde cualquiera podía identificarla y denunciar que su matrimonio era una farsa ante la Junta Militar. Hecho que produciría una pena grave para su marido pero, nuevamente, a ella no le importa.
📖 Así podría seguir por horas pero creo que entienden mi punto. Cassie nunca se arrepiente por todo lo que hace ni reconoce haber accionado mal... ¿Quién puede empatizar con una protagonista así y encima tener el tupé de señalarlo a él como el malo de la relación? Perdón, pero yo no puedo. No se trata de si es una mujer o un hombre, es un personaje horrible.
📖 Otra cosa que no me gustó del libro es que durante toda la historia Luke se interesa por conocer a su esposa, por lo cual termina enamorándose de ella incluso desde la distancia. En cambio, Cassie sólo reconoce el atractivo físico de Luke en algunas ocasiones pero jamás muestra interés real en él como persona (los mensajes de texto y las videollamadas eran más una obligación que otra cosa), ni mucho menos muestras de amor o cariño. Hasta que llegamos a las últimas páginas donde de repente, después de enterarse cómo él se sacrifica por ella, decide que ya no está más enamorada de su novio sino que siente cosas por su marido y ahí terminamos... ¿Se supone que eso es una historia romántica? A mí no me convence para nada.
➡️ En fin, los que sólo vieron la adaptación cinematográfica les recomendaría que se queden con ella y no manchen ese recuerdo leyendo la novela a menos que estén buscando precisamente eso.
August 22, 2022
IM FREE! 🙌 (someone get me a paracetamol)
It was so not what I was expecting. That’s for sure.
I’m actually really disappointed. I skimmed almost all of the book. The whole premise of the book started really late and it took me 70% of the book to actually FEEL something for the characters other than annoyance. I fell asleep 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 while reading, it was ridiculous.
Don’t get me started on the racist comments in this 💆🏻♀️
The romance felt so forced and awkward I felt kind of icky. And the MCs actions were so stupid, I for real lost brain cells while reading this. I tried so hard to embrace the romance but I was just hearing crickets.
Cassie had her (microscopic) good parts but then BAM her whole persona changed like that. She was so insensitive it was shocking. It was like after the halfway mark she made terrible decisions one after the other and I felt like scratching my eyes out.
Luke was a rock most of the book—and not in the good sense. Like I felt for him at times, right? But then he’d just speak and I’m like ?? Really?!
And the ending?! What was that??
I usually have 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 highlights from a book but my pockets are empty. 𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒.
Buddy read with @Cara.
Girl thanks for being so patient with my procrastinating ass 😘
It was so not what I was expecting. That’s for sure.
I’m actually really disappointed. I skimmed almost all of the book. The whole premise of the book started really late and it took me 70% of the book to actually FEEL something for the characters other than annoyance. I fell asleep 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 while reading, it was ridiculous.
Don’t get me started on the racist comments in this 💆🏻♀️
The romance felt so forced and awkward I felt kind of icky. And the MCs actions were so stupid, I for real lost brain cells while reading this. I tried so hard to embrace the romance but I was just hearing crickets.
Cassie had her (microscopic) good parts but then BAM her whole persona changed like that. She was so insensitive it was shocking. It was like after the halfway mark she made terrible decisions one after the other and I felt like scratching my eyes out.
Luke was a rock most of the book—and not in the good sense. Like I felt for him at times, right? But then he’d just speak and I’m like ?? Really?!
And the ending?! What was that??
I usually have 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 highlights from a book but my pockets are empty. 𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒.
Buddy read with @Cara.
Girl thanks for being so patient with my procrastinating ass 😘
August 3, 2022
- 1/5 stars -
first book i’ve dnf’ed. it’s a big fat no for me. i watched the movie first because i wanted to see what everyone was talking about. awful. luke in the movie is a misogynistic, racist gun nut and his army friend, armando, who he claims he doesn’t tolerate (but does…) is the ultimate asshole. i tried to read the book (stupidly thinking) it had some redeemable quality but there was no chemistry between the two even mid-way through the book. just not my taste. sorry not sorry.
first book i’ve dnf’ed. it’s a big fat no for me. i watched the movie first because i wanted to see what everyone was talking about. awful. luke in the movie is a misogynistic, racist gun nut and his army friend, armando, who he claims he doesn’t tolerate (but does…) is the ultimate asshole. i tried to read the book (stupidly thinking) it had some redeemable quality but there was no chemistry between the two even mid-way through the book. just not my taste. sorry not sorry.
April 24, 2017
Edited: 2.5 - 3 STARS
I hesitated to rate this at first because I honestly didn't know how. I'd give it 5 stars for the writing, but 2 stars for the lack of chemistry I felt between the characters. I'd give it 4 stars for the plot and the potential it had to be a really memorable story, but 2 stars because of how selfish I found the heroine and how abrupt the ending felt.
I need to mention my appreciation for the honesty this author gave to the storyline, touching on real world issues like political disagreements, dissension over foreign conflict, the healthcare crisis, drug addiction, illness, financial insecurity, the lack of support for veterans.
But I couldn't get past how self absorbed Cassie was throughout the entire book and I felt that her selfishness hindered any real build between her and Luke from becoming evident to the reader. I was just missing something, I guess. Or a lot of somethings. The writing in this book was really great and I immediately thought I'd found a gem when I started reading. Given that, I'm open to reading other work from this author, I just didn't come away feeling much for this particular story.
I hesitated to rate this at first because I honestly didn't know how. I'd give it 5 stars for the writing, but 2 stars for the lack of chemistry I felt between the characters. I'd give it 4 stars for the plot and the potential it had to be a really memorable story, but 2 stars because of how selfish I found the heroine and how abrupt the ending felt.
I need to mention my appreciation for the honesty this author gave to the storyline, touching on real world issues like political disagreements, dissension over foreign conflict, the healthcare crisis, drug addiction, illness, financial insecurity, the lack of support for veterans.
But I couldn't get past how self absorbed Cassie was throughout the entire book and I felt that her selfishness hindered any real build between her and Luke from becoming evident to the reader. I was just missing something, I guess. Or a lot of somethings. The writing in this book was really great and I immediately thought I'd found a gem when I started reading. Given that, I'm open to reading other work from this author, I just didn't come away feeling much for this particular story.
Read
July 1, 2022June 2022 re-read:
I still liked the story, but not a 5-star read as it was the first time I read it. I’d probably say a 3.75. I’m curious to watch the Netflix film at the end of July.
******
When this book was recommended to me, I thought, yeah okay, this sounds pretty good. After devouring it in a few days time, I completely understood why a friend said I needed to read it. This was beautiful. These characters & their voices came alive from the page. Their raw emotions infiltrated my own to the point where I know I'll still be thinking about them for a long time to come.
Add this book to your TBR & trust me as I am now telling you, you need to read this novel.
I still liked the story, but not a 5-star read as it was the first time I read it. I’d probably say a 3.75. I’m curious to watch the Netflix film at the end of July.
******
When this book was recommended to me, I thought, yeah okay, this sounds pretty good. After devouring it in a few days time, I completely understood why a friend said I needed to read it. This was beautiful. These characters & their voices came alive from the page. Their raw emotions infiltrated my own to the point where I know I'll still be thinking about them for a long time to come.
Add this book to your TBR & trust me as I am now telling you, you need to read this novel.
July 31, 2022
just watched the movie today bc it’s going viral and it’s actually so good. literally so so so good and i think i spent all of it crying lol. anyways the book pales in comparison to the movie which is pretty rare but in this case, the changes to the plot in the movie (which were pretty big) i think served the story and the characters better than in the book. it actually got me thinking about film/tv adaptations and how one can read a text like this and then have a complete vision and transform it into a work of art which is literally how the movie is compared to the book. excited for more book to film/tv adaptations coming soon. i’m being dramatic but anyways im obsessed w the soundtrack
January 2, 2023
Haven't seen the movie and definitely don't care to. Not a good romance nor a good sett of characters
July 27, 2023
2.5 stars
Noooo. just nooo!!!
Where do I even start...
Okay soo I loved the idea/plot of the story. I instantly fell in love with Cassie and Luke. They were promising characters. Their development, their personalities, the way they talked, everything!!!!! But speaking of a promising storyyyy, there wasn't freakin anyyyy!!!!!?
It took approximately 80% to get something exciting between the two of them. I had to push through to get to the end. I also thought about DNFing multiple times. It's kind of repetitive and it was slow, soooo slow, I felt I was dying. It was just too much.
But I liked the characters, so I kept going and hoping that the ending would compensate for the boring plot line
But good god the ending!!!!! Don't even get me started!!!!! What was that...
After everything she just shows up at his front door, tells him she loves him, then discovers that she has a show to perform and just freakin leavessss!!! That's it!!!! That was the last scene!!!!
What the actual f**k was that!!!
Where’s my proof that they’ll end up together or even see each other again!!!
We didn't get to know what happened with the case? What will happen to them? Will they settle down and build a family? Who f**cking knows!!! I'm just pissed.
¡¡¡¡¡¡I WAS LEFT WITH NOTHING. AT. ALL!!!!!!!!
I needed closure 😩.
So it was just a no for me... I hope the movie will be better. I'm so excited to watch it.
P.s: sorry it's too long but I needed a place to vent 😂🥲🥲
Edit (after 2 days): okay maybe I was a little bit too harsh on the book but I was just so disappointed. I just needed more. Plus she build a lot of tension through the whole book for nothing. I felt that the ending was rushed.
Noooo. just nooo!!!
Where do I even start...
Okay soo I loved the idea/plot of the story. I instantly fell in love with Cassie and Luke. They were promising characters. Their development, their personalities, the way they talked, everything!!!!! But speaking of a promising storyyyy, there wasn't freakin anyyyy!!!!!?
It took approximately 80% to get something exciting between the two of them. I had to push through to get to the end. I also thought about DNFing multiple times. It's kind of repetitive and it was slow, soooo slow, I felt I was dying. It was just too much.
But I liked the characters, so I kept going and hoping that the ending would compensate for the boring plot line
But good god the ending!!!!! Don't even get me started!!!!! What was that...
After everything she just shows up at his front door, tells him she loves him, then discovers that she has a show to perform and just freakin leavessss!!! That's it!!!! That was the last scene!!!!
What the actual f**k was that!!!
Where’s my proof that they’ll end up together or even see each other again!!!
We didn't get to know what happened with the case? What will happen to them? Will they settle down and build a family? Who f**cking knows!!! I'm just pissed.
¡¡¡¡¡¡I WAS LEFT WITH NOTHING. AT. ALL!!!!!!!!
I needed closure 😩.
So it was just a no for me... I hope the movie will be better. I'm so excited to watch it.
P.s: sorry it's too long but I needed a place to vent 😂🥲🥲
Edit (after 2 days): okay maybe I was a little bit too harsh on the book but I was just so disappointed. I just needed more. Plus she build a lot of tension through the whole book for nothing. I felt that the ending was rushed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2020
I’m so mad at this book! The blurb was very misleading. The novel had everything but romance. The main characters weren’t ever together aside from the fake marriage. The heroine was so self centered and had a whole boyfriend.. I kept waiting and waiting and then realized I wasted 10 hrs of my life. And that ending was so damn abrupt all I could do was ask wtf!!!
April 27, 2017
I am so disappointed, so upset.
I expected to love this. The moment I read the description, I was desperate to have it. It sounded so interesting, and The Memory Book was one of my favorite reads of 2016.
But wow, what a waste of time. The only thing I liked about it was the character of Luke. But the first 40% is boring, there is an unnecessary love triangle, and Cassie is one of the most unintentionally unsympathetic characters I've read in a long time. Luke is barely hanging on--struggling with his addiction and his injury--and she makes taunts him repeatedly. How awful can one be?
I was surprised that I made it through this. I considered DNFing it several times, and scoffed approximately every three pages when something dumb happened again. It's not like it horrible; it's just disappointing and not good. So if you decide to read this, don't get your hopes up.
I expected to love this. The moment I read the description, I was desperate to have it. It sounded so interesting, and The Memory Book was one of my favorite reads of 2016.
But wow, what a waste of time. The only thing I liked about it was the character of Luke. But the first 40% is boring, there is an unnecessary love triangle, and Cassie is one of the most unintentionally unsympathetic characters I've read in a long time. Luke is barely hanging on--struggling with his addiction and his injury--and she makes taunts him repeatedly. How awful can one be?
I was surprised that I made it through this. I considered DNFing it several times, and scoffed approximately every three pages when something dumb happened again. It's not like it horrible; it's just disappointing and not good. So if you decide to read this, don't get your hopes up.
April 23, 2017
I'm really on the fence about my review of Purple Hearts. I really enjoyed it, but I wanted so much more from the characters. The storyline felt like a Nicholas Sparks classic, but it lacked the chemistry and romance that I was craving. The characters were fun and interesting, but I just wanted them to connect more and show a little more emotion.
The writing style was fast paced and light hearted, and I found myself reading through the novel very quickly. I loved how easily the novel flowed from one page to the next, but when I had about 20 pages left in the book I started to panic a little because it seemed like so much more needed to happen. As much as I enjoyed the first portion of the book, the last bit seemed rushed and cut short.
Purple Hearts is a fun, fast paced book filled with relatable characters and real life issues. I found myself constantly wondering what I would do if put in the situations that the main characters faced. I laughed and I cried (just a little!), and I found myself not wanting this novel to end. I would definitely recommend this novel to readers who enjoy Nicholas Sparks, JoJo Moyes and other contemporary romance novels.
The writing style was fast paced and light hearted, and I found myself reading through the novel very quickly. I loved how easily the novel flowed from one page to the next, but when I had about 20 pages left in the book I started to panic a little because it seemed like so much more needed to happen. As much as I enjoyed the first portion of the book, the last bit seemed rushed and cut short.
Purple Hearts is a fun, fast paced book filled with relatable characters and real life issues. I found myself constantly wondering what I would do if put in the situations that the main characters faced. I laughed and I cried (just a little!), and I found myself not wanting this novel to end. I would definitely recommend this novel to readers who enjoy Nicholas Sparks, JoJo Moyes and other contemporary romance novels.
Want to read
July 31, 2022I had a feeling.
I haven’t watched the movie yet and I DONT think I HAVE PATIENCE FOR A MOVIE RN HOWEVER FOR A BOOK???😏
I HAVE ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD DARLING.
Let me go read it
I haven’t watched the movie yet and I DONT think I HAVE PATIENCE FOR A MOVIE RN HOWEVER FOR A BOOK???😏
I HAVE ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD DARLING.
Let me go read it
March 29, 2023
Oh no… the movie raised my expectations too much.
August 4, 2022
Honestly abysmal.
📚 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲: Fake dating, marriage of convenience, opposites attract.
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Cassie has diabetes and no healthy insurance. Luke owes money in a dangerous situation. Getting married for the benefits and the payout seems like the way to go.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: I have so much to say. I'm surprised I'm not typing this in all caps.
This book made me actively not want to watch the actual movie. Like many, I picked it up to read prior to watching the Netflix movie. And it was absolutely one of the worst romance novels I've ever read.
Cassie is a horrible main character. She's selfish and scattered and doesn't stand for anything. The writer wrote her so horribly I couldn't even root for her.
On top of that, besides one moment at the very beginning of the book, the two main characters didn't even enjoy eachother until 80 percent in. Cassie was dating someone else for the majority of the book. And her decision to break up with that someone else was just selfishly motivated and half-worked. Then her and Luke magically fall in love.
The best part? There's literally no ending. They say they love eachother... then she goes on tour (again... what? How insanely selfish.) While he's facing charges of fraud. That's it. Just like see ya bye. No epilogue. No even closure to the story.
It took me 3 days to read a book it'll normally read in a night. And it's because it was honestly horrible.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 2/5 ⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 2/5 🌶🌶
📚 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲: Fake dating, marriage of convenience, opposites attract.
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Cassie has diabetes and no healthy insurance. Luke owes money in a dangerous situation. Getting married for the benefits and the payout seems like the way to go.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: I have so much to say. I'm surprised I'm not typing this in all caps.
This book made me actively not want to watch the actual movie. Like many, I picked it up to read prior to watching the Netflix movie. And it was absolutely one of the worst romance novels I've ever read.
Cassie is a horrible main character. She's selfish and scattered and doesn't stand for anything. The writer wrote her so horribly I couldn't even root for her.
On top of that, besides one moment at the very beginning of the book, the two main characters didn't even enjoy eachother until 80 percent in. Cassie was dating someone else for the majority of the book. And her decision to break up with that someone else was just selfishly motivated and half-worked. Then her and Luke magically fall in love.
The best part? There's literally no ending. They say they love eachother... then she goes on tour (again... what? How insanely selfish.) While he's facing charges of fraud. That's it. Just like see ya bye. No epilogue. No even closure to the story.
It took me 3 days to read a book it'll normally read in a night. And it's because it was honestly horrible.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 2/5 ⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 2/5 🌶🌶
March 31, 2023
2.5/5
nie wierze, ale film>książka
nie wierze, ale film>książka
November 27, 2022
LO QUE SUFRI PARA DECIDIR CUANTAS ESTRELLAS DARLE A ESTE LIBROOO.
El libro estuvo muy lindooo, lo juro, y me dejo con esa sensacion preciosa de QUE VIVA EL AMOOOR pero me falto ese algo especial
La pareja tuvo momentos en que los ame más que a mi misma y ya estaba por armar una segunda boda pero en otros me faltaba esa cosa tan linda que me hace morir de amor.
Me gustaron los personajes principales, sus personalidades y sus problemas. Tienen algunos problemas de comunicación y no me encanto como se resulven algunas cosas pero me encariñe con ellos y quiero que sean felices siempre.
El libro se lee super rápido y te engancha, en ese sentido es buenisimo. Vi primero la película pero igual me lo leí en menos de un día sin querer dejarlo en ningún momento y no senti que tuviera momentos de sobra o algo de eso (al menos no de manera insoportable) solo que le faltaron emociones.
¡¡¡SPOILERS!!!
AME que Luke se enamoro primero! Vivo por hombres que caen primeroo 💗
No soporte que Cassie tuviera pareja PERDON SOY TOXICA. Ni quimica tenian y me sacaba tiempo con Luke estando con este chico. Creo que solo me gusto cuando terminaron. Además, Cassie dijo al principio "no soy de las que engañan" y luego se pone en pareja y lo engaña con Luke (bro, wtf?) No me interesa demasiado que engañe al novio pues ♡ luke bebe ♡ pero ¿para que me ponen al novio?
El final no me encanto pero me gusto. Es un final medio abierto al no decirte que pasa con el juicio o como van a seguir su relación pero igual esta lindo todo lo de "te amo y no me importa nada más" 💗
El libro estuvo muy lindooo, lo juro, y me dejo con esa sensacion preciosa de QUE VIVA EL AMOOOR pero me falto ese algo especial
La pareja tuvo momentos en que los ame más que a mi misma y ya estaba por armar una segunda boda pero en otros me faltaba esa cosa tan linda que me hace morir de amor.
Me gustaron los personajes principales, sus personalidades y sus problemas. Tienen algunos problemas de comunicación y no me encanto como se resulven algunas cosas pero me encariñe con ellos y quiero que sean felices siempre.
El libro se lee super rápido y te engancha, en ese sentido es buenisimo. Vi primero la película pero igual me lo leí en menos de un día sin querer dejarlo en ningún momento y no senti que tuviera momentos de sobra o algo de eso (al menos no de manera insoportable) solo que le faltaron emociones.
¡¡¡SPOILERS!!!
AME que Luke se enamoro primero! Vivo por hombres que caen primeroo 💗
No soporte que Cassie tuviera pareja PERDON SOY TOXICA. Ni quimica tenian y me sacaba tiempo con Luke estando con este chico. Creo que solo me gusto cuando terminaron. Además, Cassie dijo al principio "no soy de las que engañan" y luego se pone en pareja y lo engaña con Luke (bro, wtf?) No me interesa demasiado que engañe al novio pues ♡ luke bebe ♡ pero ¿para que me ponen al novio?
El final no me encanto pero me gusto. Es un final medio abierto al no decirte que pasa con el juicio o como van a seguir su relación pero igual esta lindo todo lo de "te amo y no me importa nada más" 💗
November 30, 2023
I never see the movie for Purple Hearts. But from some of the comments below, the movie is better. To be honest I was expecting a love story and heroism and I got none.
Do I like the book? Nope. I am not quite understanding the plot. Fake marriage and some military background. Injury etc.
2 stars
Do I like the book? Nope. I am not quite understanding the plot. Fake marriage and some military background. Injury etc.
2 stars
August 1, 2022
I decided to read this book because I watched the trailer of it's adaptation on Netflix and also because I'm always down to read a book which has the marriage of convenience trope. It sounded pretty good and the characters were well plotted but I found Cassie to be a bit selfish.
Though the issues that were put in the spotlight were real and well handled. Luke was clearly struggling and all I wanted Cassie to do was understand him, instead she kept on taunting him which hindered the build in their relationship. I'm not saying that Luke didn't do anything wrong but Cassie's behaviour annoyed me a lot more than his did. The story felt real and I liked the plot and all it's conflicts but the ending was so abrupt which was disappointing. I wanted this book to have a proper epilogue tbh.
Though the issues that were put in the spotlight were real and well handled. Luke was clearly struggling and all I wanted Cassie to do was understand him, instead she kept on taunting him which hindered the build in their relationship. I'm not saying that Luke didn't do anything wrong but Cassie's behaviour annoyed me a lot more than his did. The story felt real and I liked the plot and all it's conflicts but the ending was so abrupt which was disappointing. I wanted this book to have a proper epilogue tbh.
August 8, 2022
real rating: 2.5 stars
i watched this movie on Netflix, and it was only till after (thank you tiktok) that i found out it was originally a book! i enjoyed the movie so i thought i’d enjoy the book. boy, was i wrong! going into the book, i obviously knew the backstory of the relationship. and usually, books are better then the movies. but if i’m being honest, i feel like the movie was way better then the book.
the book is suppose to follow the relationship of Cassie and Luke, and how it goes from being fake to real. however, throughout the book, Cassie and Luke don’t actually spend a lot of time together? and both characters go from hating each other to waking up and being in love. i may not be an expert at love but i know that’s usually how it doesn’t work. i also felt that throughout the book, there aren’t very romantic or fluffy scenes between the two. maybe two or three but overall… there isn’t much. i feel like this book follows the life journey of Cassie and the life journey of Luke — the romance between the two is just a side plot throughout the book. to say i was disappointed would be an understatement when it comes to the romance aspect.
as for the characters, they were okay. i likes Cassie for the most part, and i do like how she was level headed about most things. i was also a fan of how she was true to herself and didn’t let anyone tell her to change (especially her Mother). i definitely pictured her as the Indie, Spanish girl the author was trying to portray. as for Luke, i liked him. i definitely think he was way more nicer in the book then in the movie… so that was a pleasant surprise. i also liked how we actually get to see him struggle with his addiction; and see him grow from it. the author did do well with portraying how addictions affect everyday life. for the side characters, they were typical. i wasnt a fan of Cassie’s Mother — especially since she didn’t support her daughter in her career. Luke’s family: Jake, Hailey, and JJ were a cute add on. they were a typical family and i liked how they were there for Luke (for the most part).
now let’s discuss the thing that made zero sense to me. THIS PART CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS — READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION. okay now that we got that out the way. why why why did the author make Cassie cheat on Luke with Toby? i hate the cheating trope, so the fact that it happened throughout almost the whole book was horrible. i understand that Cassie and Luke had a fake marriage; but they were still married. and when Cassie started developing real feelings for Luke, she just continued to be with Toby. that made sense how? i understand that in the beginning, Cassie was serious about Toby and only Toby… but the minute she started feeling something for Luke, she should’ve ended things with Toby (or maybe never start something to begin with????). i also think it’s weird how Luke was just, okay with it? again, i understand the marriage was fake but they were still trying to convince everyone. i don’t understand why he was okay with everything.
and lastly, let’s talk about this ending. wow, how horrible. first off, it’s a happy for now ending — which i was shocked about. i also wasnt a fan of how he never know the true ending of Luke’s trial. in the movie, he pleaded guilty but in the book we just neverrr know? if someone never watched the movie, then they just wouldn’t know what happened. i also don’t understand how all Luke and Cassie said to each other was “uh by the way, i love you” and that automatically made everything okay. like no one truly confessed their feelings and no one truly said anything. then after they say that, Cassie just leaves for her show? like what? how are we just randomly leaving it like that. the ending felt SO rushed and i felt like i was reading a poorly written wattpad book.
honestly, this book was bad. im sorry but i can’t describe it as anything else. i dont really think i’d ever say that a movie was better then a book but in this case… it was.
i watched this movie on Netflix, and it was only till after (thank you tiktok) that i found out it was originally a book! i enjoyed the movie so i thought i’d enjoy the book. boy, was i wrong! going into the book, i obviously knew the backstory of the relationship. and usually, books are better then the movies. but if i’m being honest, i feel like the movie was way better then the book.
the book is suppose to follow the relationship of Cassie and Luke, and how it goes from being fake to real. however, throughout the book, Cassie and Luke don’t actually spend a lot of time together? and both characters go from hating each other to waking up and being in love. i may not be an expert at love but i know that’s usually how it doesn’t work. i also felt that throughout the book, there aren’t very romantic or fluffy scenes between the two. maybe two or three but overall… there isn’t much. i feel like this book follows the life journey of Cassie and the life journey of Luke — the romance between the two is just a side plot throughout the book. to say i was disappointed would be an understatement when it comes to the romance aspect.
as for the characters, they were okay. i likes Cassie for the most part, and i do like how she was level headed about most things. i was also a fan of how she was true to herself and didn’t let anyone tell her to change (especially her Mother). i definitely pictured her as the Indie, Spanish girl the author was trying to portray. as for Luke, i liked him. i definitely think he was way more nicer in the book then in the movie… so that was a pleasant surprise. i also liked how we actually get to see him struggle with his addiction; and see him grow from it. the author did do well with portraying how addictions affect everyday life. for the side characters, they were typical. i wasnt a fan of Cassie’s Mother — especially since she didn’t support her daughter in her career. Luke’s family: Jake, Hailey, and JJ were a cute add on. they were a typical family and i liked how they were there for Luke (for the most part).
now let’s discuss the thing that made zero sense to me. THIS PART CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS — READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION. okay now that we got that out the way. why why why did the author make Cassie cheat on Luke with Toby? i hate the cheating trope, so the fact that it happened throughout almost the whole book was horrible. i understand that Cassie and Luke had a fake marriage; but they were still married. and when Cassie started developing real feelings for Luke, she just continued to be with Toby. that made sense how? i understand that in the beginning, Cassie was serious about Toby and only Toby… but the minute she started feeling something for Luke, she should’ve ended things with Toby (or maybe never start something to begin with????). i also think it’s weird how Luke was just, okay with it? again, i understand the marriage was fake but they were still trying to convince everyone. i don’t understand why he was okay with everything.
and lastly, let’s talk about this ending. wow, how horrible. first off, it’s a happy for now ending — which i was shocked about. i also wasnt a fan of how he never know the true ending of Luke’s trial. in the movie, he pleaded guilty but in the book we just neverrr know? if someone never watched the movie, then they just wouldn’t know what happened. i also don’t understand how all Luke and Cassie said to each other was “uh by the way, i love you” and that automatically made everything okay. like no one truly confessed their feelings and no one truly said anything. then after they say that, Cassie just leaves for her show? like what? how are we just randomly leaving it like that. the ending felt SO rushed and i felt like i was reading a poorly written wattpad book.
honestly, this book was bad. im sorry but i can’t describe it as anything else. i dont really think i’d ever say that a movie was better then a book but in this case… it was.
Read
August 5, 2022I haven't read the book and I don't plan to, but I watched the movie.
There were some themes I wished were more explored. And even though I liked Cassie's attitude, she was acting selfish sometimes and I didn't like how Luke let others treat/speak with her in the beginning 😅 BUT it wasn't a bad movie and it made me cry 🥲 for me that's a plus — and that's why I prefer books 😂
⇢ Tropes:
• Military Romance
• Hate to Love
• Marriage of Convenience
• Only one bed
There were some themes I wished were more explored. And even though I liked Cassie's attitude, she was acting selfish sometimes and I didn't like how Luke let others treat/speak with her in the beginning 😅 BUT it wasn't a bad movie and it made me cry 🥲 for me that's a plus — and that's why I prefer books 😂
⇢ Tropes:
• Military Romance
• Hate to Love
• Marriage of Convenience
• Only one bed
February 27, 2023
this score just beacuse Power Rangers is mentioned
"Nu mai eram infractori, dependenți, mincinoși sau trișori, dar ce urma, nu știam încă."
Romanul "Inimi purpurii" se încadrează în genul romance și surprinde viața a unor doi tineri, și anume Cassie și Luke. Prin urmare, viețile lor se intersectează nu din întâmplare, ci din pură voință.
Cassie este absorbită de lumea muzicii, pe când Luke întruchipează un militar în armata S.U.A. Amândoi au întâmpinat dificultăți, iar acest fapt le unește destinele. Finalul va depinde dacă va fi unul fericit sau nu.
De altfel, am auzit păreri diverse despre "Inimi purpurii". Majoritatea fiind negative totuși. Sinceră să fiu, tot ce se întâmplă nu este filtrat prin prisma logicii, altfel nu știu cum a putut fi publicat. Nici titlul nu reprezintă o semnificație aparte, să se refere strict la protagoniști.
Nu mai spun de motivele abordate, diabet? E o problemă serioasă da, dar tipa de abia dacă mânca ;))); replici penibile, comportament prostesc, lipsa logicii, nimic special la poveste, dar nimic. Nu înțeleg de ce ai face un film după cartea asta. Apropo, n-am plâns, n-am avut de ce. Mă așteptăm la ceva dramă serioasă, problemă emoționantă din cale afară, dar n-a fost așa. Stilul de scriere deloc nu m-a impresionat.
Să știți că a fost menționat Power Rangers la greeeu. Și doar asta mi-a plăcut la carte, în rest, 0.
😁
Eu voiam să-mi placă, dar n-a fost așa.
M-am uitat în jur de douăzeci de minute și la film și e un mare nu. E și mai rău decât cartea. Penibilitate next level.
🙈
"Nu mai eram infractori, dependenți, mincinoși sau trișori, dar ce urma, nu știam încă."
Romanul "Inimi purpurii" se încadrează în genul romance și surprinde viața a unor doi tineri, și anume Cassie și Luke. Prin urmare, viețile lor se intersectează nu din întâmplare, ci din pură voință.
Cassie este absorbită de lumea muzicii, pe când Luke întruchipează un militar în armata S.U.A. Amândoi au întâmpinat dificultăți, iar acest fapt le unește destinele. Finalul va depinde dacă va fi unul fericit sau nu.
De altfel, am auzit păreri diverse despre "Inimi purpurii". Majoritatea fiind negative totuși. Sinceră să fiu, tot ce se întâmplă nu este filtrat prin prisma logicii, altfel nu știu cum a putut fi publicat. Nici titlul nu reprezintă o semnificație aparte, să se refere strict la protagoniști.
Nu mai spun de motivele abordate, diabet? E o problemă serioasă da, dar tipa de abia dacă mânca ;))); replici penibile, comportament prostesc, lipsa logicii, nimic special la poveste, dar nimic. Nu înțeleg de ce ai face un film după cartea asta. Apropo, n-am plâns, n-am avut de ce. Mă așteptăm la ceva dramă serioasă, problemă emoționantă din cale afară, dar n-a fost așa. Stilul de scriere deloc nu m-a impresionat.
Să știți că a fost menționat Power Rangers la greeeu. Și doar asta mi-a plăcut la carte, în rest, 0.
😁
Eu voiam să-mi placă, dar n-a fost așa.
M-am uitat în jur de douăzeci de minute și la film și e un mare nu. E și mai rău decât cartea. Penibilitate next level.
🙈
August 24, 2017
I always find myself gravitating towards books featuring fake relationships; I find myself fully immersed with these individuals’ lives, wanting to find out how things will go and love watching the relationship evolve into something way more than either could have expected. With Purple Hearts I liked how believable the relationship became between Cassie and Luke, despite not knowing each other that long or well enough before they decided to marry one another and I liked how their feelings developed slowly over time. The situation that they found themselves in really did contribute I believe to them being able to take their relationship to the next level. Having nearly died and then relying on your fake wife to look after you really does test the depth of one’s relationship. Despite enjoying Purple Hearts overall, it was kind of slow going for me at times, there was a lot of side stories going on to which sort of took my attention away at times, especially as I was more interested in how things would go down between Luke and Cassie. However slow pace aside, Purple Hearts was a book which I couldn’t stop reading, as I mentioned before, I tend to find myself consumed with the lives of characters and that certainly was the case with Cassie and Luke.
Read
April 22, 2017I hit 44% and I had to set this aside. I was intrigued by this book because of the premise - two practical strangers marry for army medical benefits since both are in financial holes for different reasons. Sounds good to me! Unfortunately, I don't love the writing style and the dialogue is a bit wonky for me. I could forgive that if not for another reason. The real problem is that I just do not like Cassie. I've been trying to give her a chance, but she just rubs me the wrong way. Especially when she . I kept reading because I wanted to know what happens with Luke. His story is really compelling, and I want to see how things turn out for him. But Cassie is a real turn-off. I'm setting this aside in hopes of picking it up again later. (Edit to say, I did try resuming my reading. But I just couldn't get into the story and Cassie.)
August 1, 2022
This book was okay. I wanted to read it before watching the Netflix adaptation. This might be the only time I think the movie is better than the book. The plot is okay but its kinda all over the place with the characters. The fake marriage/dating trope is cute. I did enjoy the ending but just wanted more from the overall book Definitely would recommend the movie!
August 22, 2022
I applaud the producers and writers of the Netflix movie for being able to take the shell of this book and make a magical, love story because this book ain’t it
The writing is choppy, there is no chemistry, there basically is no ending and the plot while similar is very different.
Honestly if you loved the movie don’t read the book haha! Don’t make the same mistake I did!
The writing is choppy, there is no chemistry, there basically is no ending and the plot while similar is very different.
Honestly if you loved the movie don’t read the book haha! Don’t make the same mistake I did!
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