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Evol
Denise and Gavin are over. 381 days into their love affair, Gavin shut the door and Denise is all alone. At day 380, Denise is trying to figure out how to salvage what's left of their relationship and by day 200, they are even happier than the day they met; day 1 when Denise knows beginnings are merely endings in disguise. But what doesn't kill us will break our hearts. Travel back 381 days and bear witness to the goodbye before the hello.
- GenresRomance
286 pages, Paperback
Published May 20, 2018
36 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia A. Rodriguez
24 books397 followersCynthia hates writing her own bio. In her down-time, you can find her watching movies, ranging anywhere from classic to action flicks (she has a weakness for Marvel adaptations), and reading any novel she can get her hands on.
She loves hearing from her readers! You can reach Cynthia at cynthia.a.rodriguez6@gmail.com. Both her Twitter and Instagram handles are @thecynrodriguez.
She loves hearing from her readers! You can reach Cynthia at cynthia.a.rodriguez6@gmail.com. Both her Twitter and Instagram handles are @thecynrodriguez.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
May 24, 2018
"Love. Something so universal and sought after. didn't the world know that the same thing stitching you up was the thing that ripped you to shreds to begin with?"
1 day into Evol, I realized Cynthia A. Rodriguez was back and even though I knew she was going to shred my heart into pieces, I read her words anyway.
At day 2, I was a mess. EVOL made my heart soar even as it stole my breath and heart at the same time.
At day 5, I'm sure I'm going to be still thinking about this book. Because while reading about a couple falling in love is charming, reading about a couple falling out of love is so different, so consuming, so beautifully tragic.
"I don't want a hurt to match my own. I want a love to soothe it."
Cynthia A. Rodriguez writing is as powerful as it's vulnerable. It's poetic. It's pure magic. Her words destroy you all the while they hug you—and they hug you so hard you feel it in your bones. I found myself relating to Denise on such a personal level that I couldn't help but feel everything she was feeling.
"I was drowning, and he wasn't trying to save me. All I could do was sink."
It's so hard to be the one holding the glue when you know is over, searching for hope in every touch, every word. In this book, Denise was the brave one, the one trying to make things work, the one risking her heart, but that didn't make her perfect—she was far from it. She was real. Both of them were. But unlike Denise, Gavin was not brave and I fucking hated him, or maybe not.
There were a lot of scenes that made me feel everything, but there was one scene in particular that made me sob happy tears. If you have read and loved Cynthia’s books before, you will understand.
EVOL was like riding a wave. A unique wave of love and redemption—a soul-searing love story that will leave scars on your heart.
"Women should never build shrines with the pieces of their broken hearts."
If you read one book this year, make it this one.
You can find me here: INSTAGRAM
May 26, 2018
Where to start?.... So I am one of those people that likes to read spoilers & negative reviews before I pick up anything to read because if I know in advance all the bad stuff that are my personal reading triggers, then I can skip and avoid aggravation. With “Evol", there were no bad reviews and no spoilers, so I decided to give it a chance because I was intrigued with all the 5 star reviews and the story starting from backwards. And you know what? I’m not a big fan of it.
In any romance, when you go in not knowing if there is a HEA, most of us won’t be that invested. It was also confusing and very hard to follow through so I kept skimming page after page to see what the problem is. By the time I found out I was like okay….
As for how they fell in love and split, for me it was not that much interesting, so really I don’t know what all the fuss was because I did not much care for it. Others may feel differently and that’s fine because at least this is an author who took a chance and did something different, so I give her that.
In any romance, when you go in not knowing if there is a HEA, most of us won’t be that invested. It was also confusing and very hard to follow through so I kept skimming page after page to see what the problem is. By the time I found out I was like okay….
As for how they fell in love and split, for me it was not that much interesting, so really I don’t know what all the fuss was because I did not much care for it. Others may feel differently and that’s fine because at least this is an author who took a chance and did something different, so I give her that.
May 21, 2018
“Because when you love big, you never fully come back from it. Big love makes big mistakes and comes back even bigger.”
I have to say this: Cynthia A. Rodriguez has a type of writing that is cathartic, emotional, and vulnerable all at the same. With me saying that, she created a unique story that left me grasping for more of her words. Gimme more.
“Women should never build shrines with the pieces of their broken hearts. No man can ever compete with the god you create from memories.”
I whole-heartedly LOVE the idea of telling stories in reverse. I was first introduced to it last year and have been yearning for more so when I seen Cynthia’s cover reveal I knew exactly what it was going to be. I had to have it.
But when I read it, it was way more than that. I love the way it’s told simply because the redemption and healing of the characters involved in this story line show themselves in completely different lights. And it really freaking worked.
”Love. Something so universal and sought after. Didn’t the world know that the same thing stitching you up was the thing that ripped you to shreds to begin with?”
I really want to point out Cynthia’s poignant and poetic writing. AGAIN. I wish I could copy and paste my entire notebook of kindle highlights but I feel like that would be the whole book and well, that’s illegal so...
This is my first novel by Cynthia but it damn sure won’t be my last. Not a chance. Seeing Denise and Gavin’s love from end to beginning was just as heart breaking as it would have been from beginning to end.
I have to say this: Cynthia A. Rodriguez has a type of writing that is cathartic, emotional, and vulnerable all at the same. With me saying that, she created a unique story that left me grasping for more of her words. Gimme more.
“Women should never build shrines with the pieces of their broken hearts. No man can ever compete with the god you create from memories.”
I whole-heartedly LOVE the idea of telling stories in reverse. I was first introduced to it last year and have been yearning for more so when I seen Cynthia’s cover reveal I knew exactly what it was going to be. I had to have it.
But when I read it, it was way more than that. I love the way it’s told simply because the redemption and healing of the characters involved in this story line show themselves in completely different lights. And it really freaking worked.
”Love. Something so universal and sought after. Didn’t the world know that the same thing stitching you up was the thing that ripped you to shreds to begin with?”
I really want to point out Cynthia’s poignant and poetic writing. AGAIN. I wish I could copy and paste my entire notebook of kindle highlights but I feel like that would be the whole book and well, that’s illegal so...
This is my first novel by Cynthia but it damn sure won’t be my last. Not a chance. Seeing Denise and Gavin’s love from end to beginning was just as heart breaking as it would have been from beginning to end.
May 20, 2018
4.5 stars
Evol by Author Cynthia A. Rodriguez is a contemporary romance novel with hopes for a second chance at love.
“You think hurt cancels out love. Or that your brain has even a fraction of control over your emotions. These are the musings of a fool.”
If you could know the end from the beginning, would it make a difference? I had no idea what to expect from this story, but I went in with fear. The blurb made it seem like one thing, and although that overview piqued my interest, I anticipated so much more.
“You don’t know longing until you’re sitting across from the person you love, the person who has your whole heart, and you can’t reach them. You can physically reach out and touch them but your words, your actions, your spirit doesn’t reach them anymore. You’re strangers. But your heart can’t tell the difference.”
I LOVED this novel. This is actually the first book I’ve read by this author, and she nailed this story. The first thing that caught my eye was the blurb and beautiful cover. But, upon opening the book, I became hooked on the chapters’ poetic beginnings; they were beautiful! Just as consuming and artistic as the prose was throughout the body of the story, these exposed the raw reality that gave weight to every stanza.
Denise was an island of intense affection. She didn’t give it out easily or to everyone. But if she let you into her atmosphere, you would know you were loved with an all-consuming love. This is both a gift and a curse. While she got so much pleasure from this, pain broke in as well. I could feel her holding onto every moment, squeezing every memory from it, dissecting it, reliving it. The only way to recall her pain was through tear-stained lenses.
“I just want him to know how I hurt, to make it not hurt so badly, to care that I love him, to . . . love me.”
Gavin made me want to scream! I really detested him. I honestly didn’t give him a chance. I connected with Denise. He hurt Denise. I loathed him. End of. Or maybe not.
“Women should never build shrines with the pieces of their broken hearts. No man can ever compete with the god you create from memories.”
This story was a slow burn and scorch of my skin. It made my heart ache with a thousand singes of pain that grew deeper and deeper as each day ticked by and the story became more clear. I was overwhelmed, like getting caught in a riptide and fighting to surface for air.
“I don’t want a hurt to match my own. I want a love to soothe it.”
Evol was an emotional journey chronicling love from end to beginning. It proved that the beauty of words can drown the soul in its depths and make it crave more while struggling to revive itself. Make time for this novel. Don’t rush it. Feel it. Let the words marinate. Digest it. Heart it.
Evol by Author Cynthia A. Rodriguez is a contemporary romance novel with hopes for a second chance at love.
“You think hurt cancels out love. Or that your brain has even a fraction of control over your emotions. These are the musings of a fool.”
If you could know the end from the beginning, would it make a difference? I had no idea what to expect from this story, but I went in with fear. The blurb made it seem like one thing, and although that overview piqued my interest, I anticipated so much more.
“You don’t know longing until you’re sitting across from the person you love, the person who has your whole heart, and you can’t reach them. You can physically reach out and touch them but your words, your actions, your spirit doesn’t reach them anymore. You’re strangers. But your heart can’t tell the difference.”
I LOVED this novel. This is actually the first book I’ve read by this author, and she nailed this story. The first thing that caught my eye was the blurb and beautiful cover. But, upon opening the book, I became hooked on the chapters’ poetic beginnings; they were beautiful! Just as consuming and artistic as the prose was throughout the body of the story, these exposed the raw reality that gave weight to every stanza.
Denise was an island of intense affection. She didn’t give it out easily or to everyone. But if she let you into her atmosphere, you would know you were loved with an all-consuming love. This is both a gift and a curse. While she got so much pleasure from this, pain broke in as well. I could feel her holding onto every moment, squeezing every memory from it, dissecting it, reliving it. The only way to recall her pain was through tear-stained lenses.
“I just want him to know how I hurt, to make it not hurt so badly, to care that I love him, to . . . love me.”
Gavin made me want to scream! I really detested him. I honestly didn’t give him a chance. I connected with Denise. He hurt Denise. I loathed him. End of. Or maybe not.
“Women should never build shrines with the pieces of their broken hearts. No man can ever compete with the god you create from memories.”
This story was a slow burn and scorch of my skin. It made my heart ache with a thousand singes of pain that grew deeper and deeper as each day ticked by and the story became more clear. I was overwhelmed, like getting caught in a riptide and fighting to surface for air.
“I don’t want a hurt to match my own. I want a love to soothe it.”
Evol was an emotional journey chronicling love from end to beginning. It proved that the beauty of words can drown the soul in its depths and make it crave more while struggling to revive itself. Make time for this novel. Don’t rush it. Feel it. Let the words marinate. Digest it. Heart it.
May 27, 2018
just finished reading this book at work and im a mess. i have tears rolling down my face. im not ready to put this book down and say goodbye. this book put me through emotions that i stored away for a year and a half. this was just beautiful and different and worth the read. i dont want to give to much away
May 28, 2018
'Strange that we don't wear our emotional trauma on our skin. I wonder what everyone would look like if we did.'
EVOL was that book that I didn't know I needed, until I started immersing myself in its pages. I saw someone mention this book on Facebook, read the blurb, and thought it sounded interesting. Little did I know what a big impact that it'd have.
'I was the all-or-nothing girl. I gave my everything to everything I did. I was entirely too empathetic for my own good and I had to remind myself that what I was willing to do for others would likely not be returned to me.'
EVOL shows a relationship from its demise to its inception. I wasn't sure what to expect with seeing a relationship in reverse. I mean, you'd already know what went wrong. How could a story like this hold my attention? The truth is, once I started reading, I knew Denise and Gavin's story would reach that dark place that we all have. You know those thoughts you have that you keep to yourself... where you try to round your edges to fit into a box better? They are ALL expressed in EVOL. All the insecurities surface and are faced head on. We're all a little broken. We all have missing pieces in our soul. Cynthia wrote a story that was so honest and straight forward, you'll start to wonder if it really is fiction because the feelings are all so real.
"I have missing pieces. And I can feel you, running your fingers over their curved edges."
Honestly, this story touched a place that I hadn't thought about in years. Around 50%, I had to put this down and walk away to take a breather. It hit a nerve in a way that I didn't think it would.
This is, for sure, on my short list of favorites from this year.
EVOL was that book that I didn't know I needed, until I started immersing myself in its pages. I saw someone mention this book on Facebook, read the blurb, and thought it sounded interesting. Little did I know what a big impact that it'd have.
'I was the all-or-nothing girl. I gave my everything to everything I did. I was entirely too empathetic for my own good and I had to remind myself that what I was willing to do for others would likely not be returned to me.'
EVOL shows a relationship from its demise to its inception. I wasn't sure what to expect with seeing a relationship in reverse. I mean, you'd already know what went wrong. How could a story like this hold my attention? The truth is, once I started reading, I knew Denise and Gavin's story would reach that dark place that we all have. You know those thoughts you have that you keep to yourself... where you try to round your edges to fit into a box better? They are ALL expressed in EVOL. All the insecurities surface and are faced head on. We're all a little broken. We all have missing pieces in our soul. Cynthia wrote a story that was so honest and straight forward, you'll start to wonder if it really is fiction because the feelings are all so real.
"I have missing pieces. And I can feel you, running your fingers over their curved edges."
Honestly, this story touched a place that I hadn't thought about in years. Around 50%, I had to put this down and walk away to take a breather. It hit a nerve in a way that I didn't think it would.
This is, for sure, on my short list of favorites from this year.
June 5, 2019
I've been following Cynthia on social media for a while now, but I had never read one of her novels. We all know how it is. We have a million books on our TBR and the science of picking our next book is something even we don't understand.
When I saw her making posts about this novel, how personal it was going to be, etc... I was intrigued. I value stories based on true stories. I love confessional tales. I could tell writing this book was taking a toll on her. That it was difficult. I believe I saw posts of hers while I was writing my own confessional novel. So I completely understood.
I love the idea of telling a story in reverse. I read the novel But I Love Him for book club some time within the past 6 months and it was refreshing. Cynthia's teasers also drew me in. They were beautiful branded and well thought. As an author, it's hard to turn that part of my brain off.
I wasn't expecting to find writing in this novel that so closely mirrored my own. Word choice, sentence structure, etc... I loved it. I felt like I was reading a book I could have written. It was so painfully honest and vulnerable. I didn't feel like I was just reading some story that popped into the author's head. This was a confession. A piece of her that was hard to give over. I understood the pain and the way one can get caught up in the kind of relationship Denise and Gavin had. I found myself wanting to push Gavin off a cliff and not understanding how they go to the point they were, but then completely getting why Denise held on. I've been there. I think a lot of us have. Also, counting down to the day they met was so nervewracking. It needed to be something that explained to me why they fell for each other. And it totally did. It was fire.
Congrats Cynthia on showing us this part of your heart. I want everyone to get a taste of your voice. It's unique and I want to devour all of your words.
When I saw her making posts about this novel, how personal it was going to be, etc... I was intrigued. I value stories based on true stories. I love confessional tales. I could tell writing this book was taking a toll on her. That it was difficult. I believe I saw posts of hers while I was writing my own confessional novel. So I completely understood.
I love the idea of telling a story in reverse. I read the novel But I Love Him for book club some time within the past 6 months and it was refreshing. Cynthia's teasers also drew me in. They were beautiful branded and well thought. As an author, it's hard to turn that part of my brain off.
I wasn't expecting to find writing in this novel that so closely mirrored my own. Word choice, sentence structure, etc... I loved it. I felt like I was reading a book I could have written. It was so painfully honest and vulnerable. I didn't feel like I was just reading some story that popped into the author's head. This was a confession. A piece of her that was hard to give over. I understood the pain and the way one can get caught up in the kind of relationship Denise and Gavin had. I found myself wanting to push Gavin off a cliff and not understanding how they go to the point they were, but then completely getting why Denise held on. I've been there. I think a lot of us have. Also, counting down to the day they met was so nervewracking. It needed to be something that explained to me why they fell for each other. And it totally did. It was fire.
Congrats Cynthia on showing us this part of your heart. I want everyone to get a taste of your voice. It's unique and I want to devour all of your words.
October 2, 2018
Evol is a well-crafted love story. The book starts with the ending of a relationship and while u read, it takes u back to the beginning.
This book is worth your time. The characters are believably raw and you will identify with them.
You will cry, you will yell, you will want to shake someone. This book will bring so many emotions to the surface. Cynthia described the characters emotions in poetic detail. I absolutely love the little poems at the beginning of each chapter. They are lovely little poems that sometimes feel like a hard punch in your gut.
You read as this couple painfully try to continue this relationship that is hanging on by threads.
It such an unusual way to tell a story, to start at the ending and take us to beginning. But it works, to me the huge difference is that i'm not blinded by the good this couple might have had in the beginning. If Cynthia would have started at the beginning of their story, i think we would desperately be trying to cling on to their love and find the redeeming qualities in it just like Denise does.
One of my top reads this year for sure!!!
This book is worth your time. The characters are believably raw and you will identify with them.
You will cry, you will yell, you will want to shake someone. This book will bring so many emotions to the surface. Cynthia described the characters emotions in poetic detail. I absolutely love the little poems at the beginning of each chapter. They are lovely little poems that sometimes feel like a hard punch in your gut.
You read as this couple painfully try to continue this relationship that is hanging on by threads.
It such an unusual way to tell a story, to start at the ending and take us to beginning. But it works, to me the huge difference is that i'm not blinded by the good this couple might have had in the beginning. If Cynthia would have started at the beginning of their story, i think we would desperately be trying to cling on to their love and find the redeeming qualities in it just like Denise does.
One of my top reads this year for sure!!!
April 11, 2019
Didn't like the style of writing - story started when H/h meet after separation then reverse backwards. Story did not flow, felt disjointed and confusing. Didn't help that I found both H/h selfish, immature and no character development. All told from the h's pos with sporadic texting between H/h long distance. The h suffered loss and H was not supportive, was in another country living his life, going out with friends and acted like the h was bothering him even though it was suppose to be both their loss. The H never told family about the h either and probably would not have returned if his mother didn't call him out on it. Didn't feel any love, just desperation on the h's part. I think the only character I liked was the h's sister to be honest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2018
“In the beginning, the song was sweet, But somewhere along the way, the melody darkened, We are the bones of what we used to be. I am melancholy in your midst; mourning and morose.”
•
•
I wasn’t ready. I WAS NOT READY FOR THE EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER this book was going to take me on. I feel like I’m still processing and might very well be on the verge of another book hangover because my heart is just... I don’t even have the right word to finish that statement because truly, I don’t know what to feel.
This book is SO unique, read from the end to the beginning. The soul-shattering pain Denise is trying to deal with pours from the pages and lances right through your heart. It hurts, for real. I can’t tell you how many times I cried.
But I smiled too. And I swooned, and I fell in love with these characters while they fell for one another. It was truly an experience I’ll never forget. So poetic and undeniably raw. Flawlessly written.
Cynthia came back to the book world with a bang and she deserves ALL the accolades. If you haven’t picked up your copy of EVOL yet, do yourself a favor and go one-click now. You’re going to turn the last page and just gape in awe.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 WELL DESERVED STARS!
•
•
I wasn’t ready. I WAS NOT READY FOR THE EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER this book was going to take me on. I feel like I’m still processing and might very well be on the verge of another book hangover because my heart is just... I don’t even have the right word to finish that statement because truly, I don’t know what to feel.
This book is SO unique, read from the end to the beginning. The soul-shattering pain Denise is trying to deal with pours from the pages and lances right through your heart. It hurts, for real. I can’t tell you how many times I cried.
But I smiled too. And I swooned, and I fell in love with these characters while they fell for one another. It was truly an experience I’ll never forget. So poetic and undeniably raw. Flawlessly written.
Cynthia came back to the book world with a bang and she deserves ALL the accolades. If you haven’t picked up your copy of EVOL yet, do yourself a favor and go one-click now. You’re going to turn the last page and just gape in awe.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 WELL DESERVED STARS!
May 28, 2018
****3.5 STARS****
I'm always open to trying something different in the world of romance books and EVOL fits that to a tee.
Review to come in just a bit. . .
I'm always open to trying something different in the world of romance books and EVOL fits that to a tee.
Review to come in just a bit. . .
July 3, 2019
This was my first read of this author and her writing is outstanding! I loved all of the little poems at the beginning of each chapter, I think I have most of them highlighted. I don’t think I loved the story being told in reverse though. The thing I got out of it was Denise’s downward spiral and going from a confident and independent woman to someone whose happiness and well being was completely dependent on a man. There were some pivotal moments where I didn’t quite understand the change in the character’s feelings or change of heart, and would’ve liked more information at those parts. Overall a good read and I will read more of this author in the future!
April 4, 2022
100% - read it.
This book is written backwards. Which, you think you're ready for, but you aren't... In more ways than one! It was hard to grasp at first. My brain literally struggled. Until it didn't, until it made sense and then I couldn't put it down. It's worth the slow crawl of the beginning to truly understand the depth of the story. The writing is fantastic and the idea of showcasing this story backwards, much like the name, gave such a dramatic effect. And as much as it's labeled a "second chance romance", it's also a sorry about family. The main character's relationship with her sister was the backbone of this book. Kudos, Cynthia!
This book is written backwards. Which, you think you're ready for, but you aren't... In more ways than one! It was hard to grasp at first. My brain literally struggled. Until it didn't, until it made sense and then I couldn't put it down. It's worth the slow crawl of the beginning to truly understand the depth of the story. The writing is fantastic and the idea of showcasing this story backwards, much like the name, gave such a dramatic effect. And as much as it's labeled a "second chance romance", it's also a sorry about family. The main character's relationship with her sister was the backbone of this book. Kudos, Cynthia!
May 22, 2018
“Love. Something so universal and sought after. Didn’t the world know that the same thing stitching you up was the thing that ripped you to shreds to begin with?”
EVOL was unlike any story I've ever read. It was such a Poetic read full of Raw anguish that will be ripping you apart with each passing page. Cynthia Rodriguez is a magician with words. You can tell this story was something so special and real to her, and the way she was able to bring it to life with and make the reader feel as it was actually happening to them was nothing short of amazing. I LOVE her work and will continue to be stalking her until I get her next masterpiece!
"I took the hurt,
And grew something beautiful from it.
I am my own magician now."
“My body should be covered in bruises. There should be bullet holes puncturing my flesh but I’m running my towel over smooth freckled skin. Strange that we don’t wear our emotional trauma on our skin. I wonder what everyone would look like if we did.”
“I give you my worst because I know you’ll love me through it.”
EVOL was unlike any story I've ever read. It was such a Poetic read full of Raw anguish that will be ripping you apart with each passing page. Cynthia Rodriguez is a magician with words. You can tell this story was something so special and real to her, and the way she was able to bring it to life with and make the reader feel as it was actually happening to them was nothing short of amazing. I LOVE her work and will continue to be stalking her until I get her next masterpiece!
"I took the hurt,
And grew something beautiful from it.
I am my own magician now."
“My body should be covered in bruises. There should be bullet holes puncturing my flesh but I’m running my towel over smooth freckled skin. Strange that we don’t wear our emotional trauma on our skin. I wonder what everyone would look like if we did.”
“I give you my worst because I know you’ll love me through it.”
November 29, 2021
Would you want to know your love story in reverse?
Evol grabbed my interest with this, how they fall out of love at the beginning, it’s what we are first introduced with and we see it unravel. It pulled me in on the first date and all three hundred plus that follows.
Cynthia weaves a story that is so unexpected as it is romantic as it is heartbreaking. I found myself thinking constantly how I would handle the situations Denise in because you see it unfolds then you see what led to it. The fascination of knowing the outcome before the action.
It was a constant surprise from the first word. It gives hope and strength to see the dark days through because after days and days who knows where it leads you too.
Evol grabbed my interest with this, how they fall out of love at the beginning, it’s what we are first introduced with and we see it unravel. It pulled me in on the first date and all three hundred plus that follows.
Cynthia weaves a story that is so unexpected as it is romantic as it is heartbreaking. I found myself thinking constantly how I would handle the situations Denise in because you see it unfolds then you see what led to it. The fascination of knowing the outcome before the action.
It was a constant surprise from the first word. It gives hope and strength to see the dark days through because after days and days who knows where it leads you too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2022
Starting from heart break this story takes us on the wild roller coaster ride back to when Denise and Gavin fell in love.
"You stopped being able to handle my soul.
You no longer had the patience
To get lost in my maze.
And so, I walked alone."
We are right there with Denise, from the moment her heart breaks to the moment she falls in love with Gavin, we get to experience all their pain before we experience their love. Falling in reverse. This story shows how easy it is to fall apart before falling together.
As always, Rodriguez wrote the perfect soul match, Denise and Gavin's story quickly crept into my heart, from being angry at their relationship to seeing how easy it is to fall in love with these flawed characters. This story was nothing short of exceptional.
"You stopped being able to handle my soul.
You no longer had the patience
To get lost in my maze.
And so, I walked alone."
We are right there with Denise, from the moment her heart breaks to the moment she falls in love with Gavin, we get to experience all their pain before we experience their love. Falling in reverse. This story shows how easy it is to fall apart before falling together.
As always, Rodriguez wrote the perfect soul match, Denise and Gavin's story quickly crept into my heart, from being angry at their relationship to seeing how easy it is to fall in love with these flawed characters. This story was nothing short of exceptional.
May 26, 2018
EVOL is the first book that I've read by the very original & highly talented Cynthia A. Rodriguez, and if I could live with myself from repeating myself over & over again in a review, I would just repeat WOW after finishing this story! However since that's not who I am, I won't, but I also refuse to give any details past the blurb because I was blown away by this story as well, so yeah, it's going to be a bumpy confusing ride of a review, so buckle up. First of all, my emotions were all over the place like it happened to me personally, that's how invested I was, so I'm now exhausted. I've never really read a story told in reverse, and while it was very different, the emotions are the same because I was just as mad at hero, felt the extreme amount of angst, sang as many colorful metaphors, and everything in between. The difference is it smashes all the boxes instead of being put inside one, and still works without being confusing! I will be reading more of this author in the future, and HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL!
June 5, 2018
This is my first read by Cynthia Rodriguez and I was blown away by her writing. It will certainly not be my last read by her. I highlighted so much of the book... her words speak to me. The book is written backwards and whilst reading the story of Denise, it felt like a déjà vu to me and I could identify to what she was going through... you start off wanting to shout and scream at Denise and at Gavin too but as we get through each day, you totally understand why things happened they did. I love the relationship between the 2 sisters too; I’d definitely want to read Sabrina’s story! The story is so relatable and the writing is on point. I would highly recommend Evol... i can’t wait to read more by Cynthia!
August 22, 2018
I honestly wasn't sure at first if I'd enjoy reading this story the way it was written but I soon found out that reading it backwards had way more punch for me with this particularly story. Knowing where they were and working back to how they started had emotions rolling in me that I might not have gotten reading it the other way around. The story of Gavin and Denise may not be a new story as in life, so many people go through so many things, but the way this was written and the words used by the author transfixed me and allowed me to discover the joy in their meeting somewhere in the middle instead of being happy then sad. I also allowed me to feel deeply the emotions for a situation or tragedy that I might not have personally ever had to deal with.
September 18, 2022
There is something about this novel, out of all Cynthia’s work, that wounds me with so much tenderness.
EVOL is lovely. In this novel, Cynthia captures the universal - how we love, how we yearn, how we survive a perpetual loss - by painting an intimate portrait of a woman caught in the never-ending ache of love and sorrow. It’s a story about sisters about the past and future, about desire and our attempts and failures to love a person and to stand up for ourselves.
To me, more than anything, it was a story about longing.
I feel spent and vulnerable. I don’t know how to come back from a book I felt so connected to.
I will forever be a fan of Cynthia, she brought life to Blue in more ways than she’ll ever know 💙
EVOL is lovely. In this novel, Cynthia captures the universal - how we love, how we yearn, how we survive a perpetual loss - by painting an intimate portrait of a woman caught in the never-ending ache of love and sorrow. It’s a story about sisters about the past and future, about desire and our attempts and failures to love a person and to stand up for ourselves.
To me, more than anything, it was a story about longing.
I feel spent and vulnerable. I don’t know how to come back from a book I felt so connected to.
I will forever be a fan of Cynthia, she brought life to Blue in more ways than she’ll ever know 💙
May 26, 2018
When I first saw this book cover, I just knew I had to read it. Yes I judge a book by its cover, and I was so excited to read it.
This was my first time reading something by this author. When I first started it I was a little confused on the timeline and what characters where who, but by the end of the book, everything works it’s way around and everything is understood.
My favorite character was Sabrina. My least favorite was Gavin. This particular story didn’t grab me and pull me in emotionally or otherwise, but I loved every bit of poetry written throughout the book.
This was my first time reading something by this author. When I first started it I was a little confused on the timeline and what characters where who, but by the end of the book, everything works it’s way around and everything is understood.
My favorite character was Sabrina. My least favorite was Gavin. This particular story didn’t grab me and pull me in emotionally or otherwise, but I loved every bit of poetry written throughout the book.
May 28, 2018
Women should never build shrines with the pieces of their broken hearts. No man can ever compete with the god you create from memories.
This was an intriguing tale of a love story starting from the end to the beginning.
The writing was raw and emotional and pulls you in from the beginning.
I will say Sabrina was possibly my fave =}
This was my first book by Cynthia not sure why I waited so long to dive into her marvelous mind.
Def add this book to your summer reading list
This was an intriguing tale of a love story starting from the end to the beginning.
The writing was raw and emotional and pulls you in from the beginning.
I will say Sabrina was possibly my fave =}
This was my first book by Cynthia not sure why I waited so long to dive into her marvelous mind.
Def add this book to your summer reading list
June 12, 2018
Have you ever read book that you feel like in some ways the heroine is you. So it's like your having and out of body experience? In some ways I'm Denise. When I got the chance to read EVOL I already knew I was going to have to take my time with it. Why? Because you know there are times when you want to avoid reality or how you just want to be stubborn/ avoid hearing the truth. That was EVOL for me. It was like open up old wounds, that took time to overcome. But let me tell you this, Cynthia did an OUTSTANDING job with this book. The heartache Denise was feeling, I felt like like I was experiencing it with her. I had to take it day by day.
EVOL wasn't just a book. It's more than that. It's an eye opener, a lesson, and an experience. Thank you Cynthia for bearing pieces of your heart with us, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t easy. That’s what I’d loved about this book, it’s so real.
EVOL wasn't just a book. It's more than that. It's an eye opener, a lesson, and an experience. Thank you Cynthia for bearing pieces of your heart with us, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t easy. That’s what I’d loved about this book, it’s so real.
July 27, 2018
This book took me a while to finish. I hate saying it, but it wasn’t my cup of tea. I do appreciate the writing and how beautiful the words were put together, the time line was way too confusing because the days at the beginning aren’t specified past or present. I did like how the story went backwards but like I said before it became a chore bc I didn’t make sense some of the time. I flip flopped between loving it and being frustrated and stopping.
May 26, 2018
I like this book,some parts were raw but honest.What i took from the story is that you need to find yourself first,forgive yourself first.I was mad at Gavin and his lack of interest when some things happened.Heroine need to overcome so much,alone.I miss Gavin's point of view.But i like the book and poetry.Sister was someone special,greatest side character i have read in long time.Bravo ❤
September 13, 2020
A love story told in reverse, that takes you from the tragic end back to the beautiful beginning.
This book was so compelling, with such a unique narrative structure and the kind of heartbreak that sticks with you long after you turn the page. The kind of prose that haunts.
This author has quickly become one of my favorites.
10/10 would recommend.
This book was so compelling, with such a unique narrative structure and the kind of heartbreak that sticks with you long after you turn the page. The kind of prose that haunts.
This author has quickly become one of my favorites.
10/10 would recommend.
March 22, 2022
Reaaaaally enjoyed this. Starts from the end and was surprisingly easy for me to navigate through, recognizing so many emotions along the way. It was kind of refreshing going through the tough stuff first. Raw and frustrating and heartbreaking.
The writing and female character growth reminded me so much of Tarryn Fisher’s work.
Cannot wait to read more!
The writing and female character growth reminded me so much of Tarryn Fisher’s work.
Cannot wait to read more!
June 7, 2018
This book touched me in ways that made me reflect in my own life. What a masterpiece.
I totally recommend this book for those that are hurting or need reflection or just getting over a relationship. It makes you think!
I totally recommend this book for those that are hurting or need reflection or just getting over a relationship. It makes you think!
June 18, 2018
3.5 Stars
This was my first read by Cynthia Rodriguez. However, it will not be me last. Her writing is so good. Reading a story in reverse is not something I had experienced before. It took me a minute to adjust and get with the program. Once I did that the story flowed for me.
This was my first read by Cynthia Rodriguez. However, it will not be me last. Her writing is so good. Reading a story in reverse is not something I had experienced before. It took me a minute to adjust and get with the program. Once I did that the story flowed for me.
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