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The Pact #2
The Anti-Relationship Year
Johanna Palmer is very much over relationships. After a scarring experience her freshman year of college, she’s decided she would much rather have something fun than something serious.
Her best friend Miller has seen it all—the tears, the parties, the drunken phone calls at four in the morning when she needed a ride. In fact, there might be several things Miller saw that Jo herself can’t remember.
Things Miller can’t forget.
With the whirlwind of senior year underway, Jo just wants to move on, get her degree, and land her dream job. But her past might not be as easy to outrun as she’d hoped.
The Anti-Relationship Year is a companion to The Anti-Virginity Pact, but both books can be read as standalones.
Her best friend Miller has seen it all—the tears, the parties, the drunken phone calls at four in the morning when she needed a ride. In fact, there might be several things Miller saw that Jo herself can’t remember.
Things Miller can’t forget.
With the whirlwind of senior year underway, Jo just wants to move on, get her degree, and land her dream job. But her past might not be as easy to outrun as she’d hoped.
The Anti-Relationship Year is a companion to The Anti-Virginity Pact, but both books can be read as standalones.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2021
971 people are currently reading
10446 people want to read
About the author
Katie Wismer
13 books3,641 followersKatie Wismer writes books with a little blood and a little spice (sometimes contemporary, sometimes romantasy.)
Be the first to know about upcoming projects, exclusive content, and more by signing up for her newsletter at katiewismer.com. Signed books are also available on her website, and she posts monthly bonus content on her Patreon (including a Patreon-exclusive book!)
When she's not reading, writing, or wrangling her two perfect cats, you can find her on her YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok.
Be the first to know about upcoming projects, exclusive content, and more by signing up for her newsletter at katiewismer.com. Signed books are also available on her website, and she posts monthly bonus content on her Patreon (including a Patreon-exclusive book!)
When she's not reading, writing, or wrangling her two perfect cats, you can find her on her YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok.
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May 20, 2022Don't take recs from booktok you say?? Damn, good idea. I could write a really long review about how bad this was but I don't think I want to give this any more time but just know this: it was really fucking bad.
The title doesn't even make any sense, it has nothing to do with the book????
The title doesn't even make any sense, it has nothing to do with the book????
September 8, 2022
It contained years but read and felt like a shot story. I also never read chapter titles so was over half way through until I realised there were two timeframes between which Katie alternates. Classic Nat.
January 26, 2021
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Also note: This is the second book in a companion series and I have not read the first, you do not need to read the first to read the second.
I am very picky with my college romances. I've been burned by too many mediocre ones, so I went into this one hesitant to what I would find and I'm happy to say that I loved it. I was barely able to put it down, using every spare moment of my time to read. I loved Jo, Miller, their friendship and the friends to lovers development.
The book is told in dual timelines, the first one being Jo and Millers freshman year of college, and the second being their last semester before graduation. I really liked seeing how they both grew and changed in each small timeline as well as over the course of the four years, it was really well done and we were able to really connect with the characters by seeing this development.
I also really loved the romance and friendship in here, it built in a way that felt organic and I wasn't blindsided or confused by how each of the characters reacted with one another. The development of the friendship and then the development of the relationship were well done and didn't feel like it was missing anything.
There were also moments that connected back to the first book, The Anti Virginity Pact, but it didn't feel forced and I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything by not having read the first book. Katie did a great job at creating a book that derived from one but was its own story.
My absolute favorite thing was the honesty I felt in this book. All of Jo's emotions were raw, real, and hit so deeply. There were a lot of things in there that I normally wouldn't see included in a typical romance but are pivotal to the college and just overall human experience so I am glad that some tougher topics were covered. The way mental health was portrayed and handled was something that has stuck with me since.
However, I will say that it felt short. The two timelines were good, but I feel as if we could've gotten more from both of them. Some things that happened were touched on lightly and then wrapped up so quickly, it felt like it was there to be there. I just wish we had gotten a little more time with each of these characters because it felt like we had just broken the surface.
Overall this book exceeded all of my expectations, I loved it, I felt for Jo and I resonated with her and the choices she made. It's really nice to see yourself in the characters you read and Jo felt like an alternate version of myself. I loved her, I loved Miller, I loved their story I just wanted more.
Also note: This is the second book in a companion series and I have not read the first, you do not need to read the first to read the second.
I am very picky with my college romances. I've been burned by too many mediocre ones, so I went into this one hesitant to what I would find and I'm happy to say that I loved it. I was barely able to put it down, using every spare moment of my time to read. I loved Jo, Miller, their friendship and the friends to lovers development.
The book is told in dual timelines, the first one being Jo and Millers freshman year of college, and the second being their last semester before graduation. I really liked seeing how they both grew and changed in each small timeline as well as over the course of the four years, it was really well done and we were able to really connect with the characters by seeing this development.
I also really loved the romance and friendship in here, it built in a way that felt organic and I wasn't blindsided or confused by how each of the characters reacted with one another. The development of the friendship and then the development of the relationship were well done and didn't feel like it was missing anything.
There were also moments that connected back to the first book, The Anti Virginity Pact, but it didn't feel forced and I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything by not having read the first book. Katie did a great job at creating a book that derived from one but was its own story.
My absolute favorite thing was the honesty I felt in this book. All of Jo's emotions were raw, real, and hit so deeply. There were a lot of things in there that I normally wouldn't see included in a typical romance but are pivotal to the college and just overall human experience so I am glad that some tougher topics were covered. The way mental health was portrayed and handled was something that has stuck with me since.
However, I will say that it felt short. The two timelines were good, but I feel as if we could've gotten more from both of them. Some things that happened were touched on lightly and then wrapped up so quickly, it felt like it was there to be there. I just wish we had gotten a little more time with each of these characters because it felt like we had just broken the surface.
Overall this book exceeded all of my expectations, I loved it, I felt for Jo and I resonated with her and the choices she made. It's really nice to see yourself in the characters you read and Jo felt like an alternate version of myself. I loved her, I loved Miller, I loved their story I just wanted more.
March 28, 2021
2/5 stars!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I'm sad because I really wanted to love this book. Upon gathering my thoughts and feelings about everything in this book, I've come up with the conclusion that the things that I dislike outweigh the things that I like. Before going into this, I expected it to be a new adult romance as it is pitched that way as well. However, it reads more like a women's fiction in a new adult setting with a romantic subplot for me. And I felt that way because everything is focused on Jo alone and Miller and their relationship does not have the same amount of exposure Jo has as one of the main characters of this book. In the romance books that I have read and what I wanted to read in my romance, are equal footing or exposure for both the hero and the heroine. It's not that I don't like Johanna's character, it's just that I liked Miller more. And it sucks because Miller has a lot of potentials to add a lot more to the story than being just the guy every reader wants or fantasizes to be with in real life. I also don't like the then timeline a lot. I know why the author put those in there, but still, I don't see the point of everything that happened in that timeline except to show the readers how fucked up Jo's freshman year is. There's nothing wrong with that, but after you've shown me how great of a person Miller is, I'm sorry, but I don't fucking care about the details of Jo's failed love life. Every time I got to the then timeline, I swear I instantly got unmotivated and it actually got me into reading slumps. It's really painful to read because we're stuck in Jo's head even if it is in the third person's point of view and you just got to wait for her life to be fucked and that's not fun to read. I'm still salty about Miller's lack of point of view and internal thoughts whatsoever and I'm never going to be not salty about it ever.
I've read a lot of books with dual timelines, but sadly, this didn't do anything for me. The writing is great and it actually is one of the things that I loved in this book. You can really tell that the author is skilled and very good at her craft. I just didn't like how the story was told and executed. If you like the things I mentioned above that I disliked, though, then I would recommend this book to you. Despite my opinions, I can still see this being loved by other readers, so I still suggest giving it a try and see for yourself. Objectively speaking, it's not horrible. It just didn't deliver what I expected from it as a romance novel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I'm sad because I really wanted to love this book. Upon gathering my thoughts and feelings about everything in this book, I've come up with the conclusion that the things that I dislike outweigh the things that I like. Before going into this, I expected it to be a new adult romance as it is pitched that way as well. However, it reads more like a women's fiction in a new adult setting with a romantic subplot for me. And I felt that way because everything is focused on Jo alone and Miller and their relationship does not have the same amount of exposure Jo has as one of the main characters of this book. In the romance books that I have read and what I wanted to read in my romance, are equal footing or exposure for both the hero and the heroine. It's not that I don't like Johanna's character, it's just that I liked Miller more. And it sucks because Miller has a lot of potentials to add a lot more to the story than being just the guy every reader wants or fantasizes to be with in real life. I also don't like the then timeline a lot. I know why the author put those in there, but still, I don't see the point of everything that happened in that timeline except to show the readers how fucked up Jo's freshman year is. There's nothing wrong with that, but after you've shown me how great of a person Miller is, I'm sorry, but I don't fucking care about the details of Jo's failed love life. Every time I got to the then timeline, I swear I instantly got unmotivated and it actually got me into reading slumps. It's really painful to read because we're stuck in Jo's head even if it is in the third person's point of view and you just got to wait for her life to be fucked and that's not fun to read. I'm still salty about Miller's lack of point of view and internal thoughts whatsoever and I'm never going to be not salty about it ever.
I've read a lot of books with dual timelines, but sadly, this didn't do anything for me. The writing is great and it actually is one of the things that I loved in this book. You can really tell that the author is skilled and very good at her craft. I just didn't like how the story was told and executed. If you like the things I mentioned above that I disliked, though, then I would recommend this book to you. Despite my opinions, I can still see this being loved by other readers, so I still suggest giving it a try and see for yourself. Objectively speaking, it's not horrible. It just didn't deliver what I expected from it as a romance novel.
April 5, 2021
I didn't want it to end!
This story was so well written. I couldn't put it down and at the same time had to pace myself so I could stay in the world longer. The timing between the scenes in the future and the scenes in the past were so perfect. It made the emotional impact of the situations hit that much harder.
This story was so well written. I couldn't put it down and at the same time had to pace myself so I could stay in the world longer. The timing between the scenes in the future and the scenes in the past were so perfect. It made the emotional impact of the situations hit that much harder.
January 25, 2021
First, thank you, Katie, for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I’m not joking when I say I devoured this.
To start off, let me just say “friends to lovers” romances are usually not what I pick up, but this one really did it for me. Before I gush on about my new crush, here are a few of my favorite things about TARY:
1. This book balanced the fluffy / cheesy scenes (that we ALL love and appreciate in romance) with serious content very well. I’m very impressed with the underlying themes she wove into the story (to avoid potential spoilers, I won’t list them).
2. The characters were very realistic. This one ties with #1 above with some of the “lessons” we get in this novel.
3. I genuinely laughed several times during my read. I have like 10+ highlights to prove it... but I will save posting my favorites until after the book has released.
4. Smooth writing style. I’m not sure if people will understand this one, but a big reason I DNF books is because the tempo (or flow) feels off?? Idk how to explain that better, but this book reads like a warm knife cutting through butter. Effortlessly. It was so easy to follow that I’d forget that I was reading.
5. Saving the best for last: Miller. He is just a sweet gum ball and I need more of him in my life.
Okay, gushing time. Thank you Katie for ruining my expectations for men. Miller is just everything. Understanding, open, perceptive. Him and jo make such a good pair, but I AM SERIOUSLY JEALOUS. WTH.
On a finishing note if you’ve even read this far into my review: potatoes do, indeed, fix everything.
To start off, let me just say “friends to lovers” romances are usually not what I pick up, but this one really did it for me. Before I gush on about my new crush, here are a few of my favorite things about TARY:
1. This book balanced the fluffy / cheesy scenes (that we ALL love and appreciate in romance) with serious content very well. I’m very impressed with the underlying themes she wove into the story (to avoid potential spoilers, I won’t list them).
2. The characters were very realistic. This one ties with #1 above with some of the “lessons” we get in this novel.
3. I genuinely laughed several times during my read. I have like 10+ highlights to prove it... but I will save posting my favorites until after the book has released.
4. Smooth writing style. I’m not sure if people will understand this one, but a big reason I DNF books is because the tempo (or flow) feels off?? Idk how to explain that better, but this book reads like a warm knife cutting through butter. Effortlessly. It was so easy to follow that I’d forget that I was reading.
5. Saving the best for last: Miller. He is just a sweet gum ball and I need more of him in my life.
Okay, gushing time. Thank you Katie for ruining my expectations for men. Miller is just everything. Understanding, open, perceptive. Him and jo make such a good pair, but I AM SERIOUSLY JEALOUS. WTH.
On a finishing note if you’ve even read this far into my review: potatoes do, indeed, fix everything.
July 3, 2024
I want to first thank the author, Katie Wismer, for an ARC copy!! This is my forth book I've gotten to read of hers and its one of my favorites. But they all are. Every single one is written so beautifully. So many times while reading I sat there thinking how beautiful it's written. The story of Jo will sit with me, in a different way than Mare's (MC Of The Anit-Virginty Pact). Mare's was about escape, Jo's was about perseverance. How many things could go wrong in College, well if you'd ask Jo a lot.
I think everything handle from trauma, to reflection past selves, to anxiety, to college life was handle with ease. During many parts of the novel I could relate/feel for what Jo was going through. It was an honest portrayal of a naïve girl going off to college. Finding a best friend (who I want) and a rocker who screams trouble and might just be that.
When we meet Jo in the pervious novel her actions reminded me of those Millers here. No mater what always taking Mare's side. That what Miller does here. No mater what the problem is Miller is there. Saving her time and time again in the best ways. Miller is a character that I want to meet in real-life. To have a best friend like him, like Jo, is spectacular and barely seen in writing. Most of the time the friends are mean like other characters in the book. And yet second time around Wismer surprise me without kind her character can be to someone who just needs help. Someone who just someone in her corner.
If you can't tell I loved it. And will surely be picking up whatever Wismer puts out next.
Non-Spoiler Review Video Form: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQtyh...
Spoiler Review/Vlog: (Coming March 30th)
I think everything handle from trauma, to reflection past selves, to anxiety, to college life was handle with ease. During many parts of the novel I could relate/feel for what Jo was going through. It was an honest portrayal of a naïve girl going off to college. Finding a best friend (who I want) and a rocker who screams trouble and might just be that.
When we meet Jo in the pervious novel her actions reminded me of those Millers here. No mater what always taking Mare's side. That what Miller does here. No mater what the problem is Miller is there. Saving her time and time again in the best ways. Miller is a character that I want to meet in real-life. To have a best friend like him, like Jo, is spectacular and barely seen in writing. Most of the time the friends are mean like other characters in the book. And yet second time around Wismer surprise me without kind her character can be to someone who just needs help. Someone who just someone in her corner.
If you can't tell I loved it. And will surely be picking up whatever Wismer puts out next.
Non-Spoiler Review Video Form: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQtyh...
Spoiler Review/Vlog: (Coming March 30th)
April 2, 2021
Jo was redeemed
TARY
I laughed, i cried, i screamed because hell Grey! All the feelings and I loved it!
We follow Jo on teo different timelines of freshman year of college and senior year. We also follow her journey with her friendships that lasted the years and relationships that didnt survive the chapter.
This was really fun. I didnt like Jo in TAVP i thought she was a bad influence on Mere but Jo definitely redeemed herself and I think she is my favorite.
I also really liked the throwbacks to Mere here and there for the people that read both books. Its wasn’t confusing if you didnt read TAVP it was just that added bit of nostalgia.
TARY
I laughed, i cried, i screamed because hell Grey! All the feelings and I loved it!
We follow Jo on teo different timelines of freshman year of college and senior year. We also follow her journey with her friendships that lasted the years and relationships that didnt survive the chapter.
This was really fun. I didnt like Jo in TAVP i thought she was a bad influence on Mere but Jo definitely redeemed herself and I think she is my favorite.
I also really liked the throwbacks to Mere here and there for the people that read both books. Its wasn’t confusing if you didnt read TAVP it was just that added bit of nostalgia.
June 1, 2022
im not really a fan of friends to lovers trope but i guess this one is decent. i still honestly dont get the reason for the title because???? literally question markS. i feel for jo when everything in her life fell apart and when even her only friend seemed to be fading away from her life as well.
what i liked:
1. its fast paced
2. even with the past-present format, it's not confusing
3. jo and miller's friendship
what i didnt like:
1. serious shit happened to her but i dont think they were addressed properly throughout the book
2. omission of the song and interview with grey . idk full lyrics and the interview should've been included for the readers to know how awful the shit were??
what i liked:
1. its fast paced
2. even with the past-present format, it's not confusing
3. jo and miller's friendship
what i didnt like:
1. serious shit happened to her but i dont think they were addressed properly throughout the book
2. omission of the song and interview with grey . idk full lyrics and the interview should've been included for the readers to know how awful the shit were??
April 21, 2022
(2.5)
wow this made me feel nothing at all and also the worst third act conflict in a romance book ever 🥰
wow this made me feel nothing at all and also the worst third act conflict in a romance book ever 🥰
May 4, 2022
Don’t let the title fool you. It makes absolutely 0 sense to the plot entirely. This books needs a new title for sure.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this book! It was quite short which made it a quick read, though I usually like them a bit longer to fully develop but this worked fine.
I’m OBSESSED with Miller. That man is 👌🏼🤌🏻🥵😍🥺 just everything you want in a book boyfriend. I need a Miller please.
I would’ve liked if it had’ve been touched on properly what happened to Jo. Like that’s kinda considered r*pe but it was never called out for what it was which was annoying. And I would’ve liked more of a presence of Meredith, since we really only see her at the very end. There was that one phone call but it fades out instantly and we just move on.
I really loved Jo and Miller’s banter though, it felt really real and authentic and made me laugh a lot.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this book! It was quite short which made it a quick read, though I usually like them a bit longer to fully develop but this worked fine.
I’m OBSESSED with Miller. That man is 👌🏼🤌🏻🥵😍🥺 just everything you want in a book boyfriend. I need a Miller please.
I would’ve liked if it had’ve been touched on properly what happened to Jo. Like that’s kinda considered r*pe but it was never called out for what it was which was annoying. And I would’ve liked more of a presence of Meredith, since we really only see her at the very end. There was that one phone call but it fades out instantly and we just move on.
I really loved Jo and Miller’s banter though, it felt really real and authentic and made me laugh a lot.
January 4, 2026
When I rate a book 4stars it means I highly enjoyed the book and admire it.
December 15, 2022
3.5 stars
objectively speaking, this was not a good book. emotionally speaking, however, i liked it a lot. it was a binge read, less than three hours in one evening, so that probably has me biased, but i liked it. i'm a fucking SUCKER for messy best friends to lovers and i'm not ashamed to admit it
the second miller showed up on page, even tho i couldn't remember what the book was about, i was like yup. this is him. reliable gentle boy, i love you, and i hope you won't let me down. (he did not, in fact, let me down. he was the best fucking part about the entire book)
please do tell me why the book is named this when.... there's not any sort of anti-relationship pact or whatever in it? that kinda weirded me out bc i kept waiting for it. aside from that, this was a good thing to read when you just have no expectations and don't wanna think too hard about anything and just want to fall in love with a sweet boy who's the bestest best friend slash boyfriend ever, obvs. honestly, i wish we could have gotten more of them actually being together in the end, as much as i loved all the scenes set in the past
idk, everything that wasn't the relationship between miller and jo was barely fleshed out and i have a lot of loose ends i could bring up but i don't care enough about it lol. i would, however, have liked to see a bit more depth to millers character beyond being painfully supportive and lovely to jo
objectively speaking, this was not a good book. emotionally speaking, however, i liked it a lot. it was a binge read, less than three hours in one evening, so that probably has me biased, but i liked it. i'm a fucking SUCKER for messy best friends to lovers and i'm not ashamed to admit it
the second miller showed up on page, even tho i couldn't remember what the book was about, i was like yup. this is him. reliable gentle boy, i love you, and i hope you won't let me down. (he did not, in fact, let me down. he was the best fucking part about the entire book)
please do tell me why the book is named this when.... there's not any sort of anti-relationship pact or whatever in it? that kinda weirded me out bc i kept waiting for it. aside from that, this was a good thing to read when you just have no expectations and don't wanna think too hard about anything and just want to fall in love with a sweet boy who's the bestest best friend slash boyfriend ever, obvs. honestly, i wish we could have gotten more of them actually being together in the end, as much as i loved all the scenes set in the past
idk, everything that wasn't the relationship between miller and jo was barely fleshed out and i have a lot of loose ends i could bring up but i don't care enough about it lol. i would, however, have liked to see a bit more depth to millers character beyond being painfully supportive and lovely to jo
October 29, 2025
and I'm back ? read this in a day, no idea how thick this book was but it was an easy read. read about it somewhere, decided to try it and really liked it. Love Miller and Jo, Lil disappointed by how horrible the boy band member Grey was, as that is usually a great trope and fresh off of watching a new boy band perform I wanted some type of romance sitch that I did not get instead I was hating it cause he played the long game just to sleep with her?? like I feel like no guy waits that long to sleep with a girl unless he likes her like 🤔 And then her not EVER telling Grey that he was her first and there was no way it was anybody but his and she had to terminate the pregnancy like running into him years later and she mentions NOTHING I would have thrown it into his face ! like this man petulant child. I have so many thoughts... and opinions about this book but it was a fun read. the title also has nothing to do with the plot but yeah know felt like an early 2010s read and it was something
May 1, 2022
The Anti-Relationship Year by Katie Wismer is the second book in the Pact Series.
Unfortunately the flick between freshman and senior year per chapter, wasn’t really my style of reading and I found it hard to connect to the characters. This story was a DNF for me. But others might find that enjoyable.
I did go to start reading this book first after a TikTok, but then I noticed it was the second book in the series. Glad I picked up on that first, as Johanna was first introduced in that book.
There’s a few triggers to be aware of in this story, and the author has them listed on their website.
Unfortunately the flick between freshman and senior year per chapter, wasn’t really my style of reading and I found it hard to connect to the characters. This story was a DNF for me. But others might find that enjoyable.
I did go to start reading this book first after a TikTok, but then I noticed it was the second book in the series. Glad I picked up on that first, as Johanna was first introduced in that book.
There’s a few triggers to be aware of in this story, and the author has them listed on their website.
June 14, 2025
I normally don’t like books written in third person, but I loved this! Dual timeline between freshman and senior year of college but I wish it was also dual POV. It was a great combination of some emotional, heavy topics and light hearted, funny, rom-com vibes. Jo and Miller’s friendship was SO adorable and wholesome. There was definitely some miscommunication (no communication?) near the end which made me kind of dislike Jo, but overall I loved their story. I wish this book was longer…it ended kind of abruptly, with no epilogue. This was also the first friends-to-lovers book I’ve read that I actually liked.
April 16, 2021
This was a cute yet impactful college romance story that I really liked. I have to say I wasn't a fan of this author's first book, but this one was much more my speed.
My only gripe is I wish it would have been a bit longer as certain situations could have had more expansion.
Overall, 4 stars.
My only gripe is I wish it would have been a bit longer as certain situations could have had more expansion.
Overall, 4 stars.
May 14, 2022
Where’s the plot?? The back and forth timeline was a little much, Jo had zero character development, literally nothing comes of her oh such a big deal internship and that whole thing, and none of the conflicts were ever resolved in any satisfying way. I read this book because TikTok made it look so good and I regret wasting my time. It could’ve been good, but it didn’t hit for me.
June 1, 2021
I knew this would be 5 stars since the first chapter. I'm definitely a sucker for any book written at a college/uni setting, so me loving this was inevitable. But the characters, romance, and the writing style made this book so much better that I couldn't put it down. This is a new favourite!
May 22, 2022
Really good except for the ending??? It was super rushed and didn’t have enough of a climax and there was little to no resolution? Like what the hell- it seems like the last 1/3 of the book got chopped off. If the ending was more fleshed out- I might have given this 5 stars cause the book was really good! The ending just really needed more and would have been great.
April 4, 2021
Oh my God where do I start...
I finished this book in 2 days...
I enjoyed the first installment of the series, the Anti-Virginity pact as well, but THIS BOOK took things to the next level. To say that the writing was BRILLIANT is an understatement...
Katie Wismers writing has always been RICH and to the point, but in this book... GOSH ... I smelled, I tasted, I travelled, I remembered past lives...
You can read this book without needing to read the first book. I appreciated the references to the first book, but they were more like little jewels for the collector and not a pre-requisite for the journey.
We follow Jo and Miller throughout college through two paralell timelines. Freshmen year and senior year. These timelines in writing were very well executed.
What I found especially refreshing about the book was Miller's character. Luckily luckily luckily we are not confronted by the typical clischés of the YA genre: Miller was someone whom I met for the first time. (If you read a lot you know what Im talking about. We see it so often that ALL love interest feel, look and act the same way. Miller in this book is the first of its kind)
Jo's character also surprised me. I perceived her to be competent, capable, smart and generally knowing what she is doing - most of the time. I liked her a lot at the beginning, the middle... near the end I admit I had my eyes rolling a couple of times. But overall I think she was a very well designed character whoose decisions mirror many young women at her age, so I think its great that we can follow her around.
A minor thing that I wish was different: the way how Miller always attended to Jo's needs. At some points it felt he had no individuality, no life, no own agenda... He was always ready to jump and rescue Jo, but we never see him having needs, wants, real frustrations. Whatever Jo threw at him, he adjusted and remained accomodating. I felt that was a little bit unrealistic and I wish that I - as the reader - would have been a little tossed and turned, just for fun's sake. :)
Together with that, I guess we also avoided many of that 'angst' elements that some of us want less of in YA. So in the end, I dont know, this just has been my impression.
The book also deals with some serious issues. (I wont do spoilers here.) But interestingly these issues do not gain first raw seat in the book. Not directly. We feel that our MC struggles, but we are not really packing out these issues, we remain on the "I am trying to keep my head over the water" which has its pro's and con's.
On the pro side: I dont like when every book starts hammering the most known facts about an issue and how one should combat it, on the con's side: I felt I would have wanted Jo to actively DEAL with her challenges she is struggling with. She mostly supresses them, runs away, keeps herself busy with other stuff, develops unhealthy coping mechanisms...which is fine and usually the fist stage... but I wish she would have directly dealt with them a bit.
I guess this all is a balancing act, and I will see if my perception changes when I read the book a second time.
Overall I had super good time with this book. I cant help it I am just a sucker for a good romance and the way Kate Wismer wrote ALL the buildup, character description, sexual tension building scenes... oh gooosh... - it just BLEW MY MIND!!! I personally think this should be taught at a university!
I highly recommend this book if you want to FEEL while reading and if you like to be comsumed by a book!
I finished this book in 2 days...
I enjoyed the first installment of the series, the Anti-Virginity pact as well, but THIS BOOK took things to the next level. To say that the writing was BRILLIANT is an understatement...
Katie Wismers writing has always been RICH and to the point, but in this book... GOSH ... I smelled, I tasted, I travelled, I remembered past lives...
You can read this book without needing to read the first book. I appreciated the references to the first book, but they were more like little jewels for the collector and not a pre-requisite for the journey.
We follow Jo and Miller throughout college through two paralell timelines. Freshmen year and senior year. These timelines in writing were very well executed.
What I found especially refreshing about the book was Miller's character. Luckily luckily luckily we are not confronted by the typical clischés of the YA genre: Miller was someone whom I met for the first time. (If you read a lot you know what Im talking about. We see it so often that ALL love interest feel, look and act the same way. Miller in this book is the first of its kind)
Jo's character also surprised me. I perceived her to be competent, capable, smart and generally knowing what she is doing - most of the time. I liked her a lot at the beginning, the middle... near the end I admit I had my eyes rolling a couple of times. But overall I think she was a very well designed character whoose decisions mirror many young women at her age, so I think its great that we can follow her around.
A minor thing that I wish was different: the way how Miller always attended to Jo's needs. At some points it felt he had no individuality, no life, no own agenda... He was always ready to jump and rescue Jo, but we never see him having needs, wants, real frustrations. Whatever Jo threw at him, he adjusted and remained accomodating. I felt that was a little bit unrealistic and I wish that I - as the reader - would have been a little tossed and turned, just for fun's sake. :)
Together with that, I guess we also avoided many of that 'angst' elements that some of us want less of in YA. So in the end, I dont know, this just has been my impression.
The book also deals with some serious issues. (I wont do spoilers here.) But interestingly these issues do not gain first raw seat in the book. Not directly. We feel that our MC struggles, but we are not really packing out these issues, we remain on the "I am trying to keep my head over the water" which has its pro's and con's.
On the pro side: I dont like when every book starts hammering the most known facts about an issue and how one should combat it, on the con's side: I felt I would have wanted Jo to actively DEAL with her challenges she is struggling with. She mostly supresses them, runs away, keeps herself busy with other stuff, develops unhealthy coping mechanisms...which is fine and usually the fist stage... but I wish she would have directly dealt with them a bit.
I guess this all is a balancing act, and I will see if my perception changes when I read the book a second time.
Overall I had super good time with this book. I cant help it I am just a sucker for a good romance and the way Kate Wismer wrote ALL the buildup, character description, sexual tension building scenes... oh gooosh... - it just BLEW MY MIND!!! I personally think this should be taught at a university!
I highly recommend this book if you want to FEEL while reading and if you like to be comsumed by a book!
March 2, 2021
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars: I really loved this book! I really loved seeing more of Jo and seeing the snippets of Mare throughout the book. I loved how the book handled some important topics but it didn't go too in-depth to where it was uncomfortable to read about. I always know that a book is well written when I feel strong emotions (love/hate) and I was screaming at Grey and squealing over Miller the entire time.
Characters:
- Jo: I loved Jo so much. She was such an independent character and I loved how she didn't seem to care what either people think. I loved how she handled her emotions and had healthy coping mechanisms. I loved seeing her passion for photography as it's always been something I was interested in.
- Miller: I love Miller. He's so caring and really puts Jo before himself.
- Grey: no
Ships:
- Jo & Miller: I loved them together! I love how we got to see them in both timelines and I think it helped to build the tension and give us an explanation as to why they were interested in each other. Miller was just so sweet and they were perfect together.
Pacing:
The pacing is quite quick and I didn't have any problems with it.
Smut Scenes-Nothing graphic on page.
Content warnings:
4 stars: I really loved this book! I really loved seeing more of Jo and seeing the snippets of Mare throughout the book. I loved how the book handled some important topics but it didn't go too in-depth to where it was uncomfortable to read about. I always know that a book is well written when I feel strong emotions (love/hate) and I was screaming at Grey and squealing over Miller the entire time.
Characters:
- Jo: I loved Jo so much. She was such an independent character and I loved how she didn't seem to care what either people think. I loved how she handled her emotions and had healthy coping mechanisms. I loved seeing her passion for photography as it's always been something I was interested in.
- Miller: I love Miller. He's so caring and really puts Jo before himself.
- Grey: no
Ships:
- Jo & Miller: I loved them together! I love how we got to see them in both timelines and I think it helped to build the tension and give us an explanation as to why they were interested in each other. Miller was just so sweet and they were perfect together.
Pacing:
The pacing is quite quick and I didn't have any problems with it.
Smut Scenes-Nothing graphic on page.
Content warnings:
April 3, 2021
I have got to say some words...simple words...THIS. BOOK. IS. AMAZING!!!! I loved it so so so so so much!!!!!!!! Miller and Johanna are the cutest human beings EVER! I swear to God, if I don't get myself a boyfriend like Miller, I lived for nothing. There were so many moments where I literarly laughed in tears and then some other times that I was almost bowling my eyes out. Everything in this book seemd so real and so...yeah, well, real! And that was fascinating!
April 5, 2021
Man, fuck Grayson.
But seriously, this book was perfectly what I was in the mood for! I tend to hate "soft" guys, but Miller was so well-written in both timelines. I was worried after reviews from TAVP, but this book was everything I wanted.
But seriously, this book was perfectly what I was in the mood for! I tend to hate "soft" guys, but Miller was so well-written in both timelines. I was worried after reviews from TAVP, but this book was everything I wanted.
March 10, 2021
First thank the author, Katie Wismer, for an eARC of this book!
This is the second book in a companion type series, where you don't have to read the first book, The Anti-Virginity Pact, but there are characters from it in this book.
We follow Johanna Palmer in two separate time lines of her college experience, during her first year of college and her last, four years later. In her freshman year, we see her make new friends, she is in a relationship with an up-and-coming musician and things seem to be really working out well. Until they aren't.
Through an extremely difficult time, Johanna loses her boyfriend and most of her friends except for Miller. Can we just talk about how amazing he is throughout this book 👏👏 we all need a Miller in our life!
Each chapter goes fom freshman to senior year, we see Johanna doing regular college things and also dealing with some heavy real life, real struggles. That was an aspect that I really enjoyed, that it felt very true life college student.
I think Katie did an amazing job making me feel happy when Jo did, angry, hurt, annoyed, and I even was completely shocked at one point!
I'm just so in love with these characters, I really, really loved this book!
This is the second book in a companion type series, where you don't have to read the first book, The Anti-Virginity Pact, but there are characters from it in this book.
We follow Johanna Palmer in two separate time lines of her college experience, during her first year of college and her last, four years later. In her freshman year, we see her make new friends, she is in a relationship with an up-and-coming musician and things seem to be really working out well. Until they aren't.
Through an extremely difficult time, Johanna loses her boyfriend and most of her friends except for Miller. Can we just talk about how amazing he is throughout this book 👏👏 we all need a Miller in our life!
Each chapter goes fom freshman to senior year, we see Johanna doing regular college things and also dealing with some heavy real life, real struggles. That was an aspect that I really enjoyed, that it felt very true life college student.
I think Katie did an amazing job making me feel happy when Jo did, angry, hurt, annoyed, and I even was completely shocked at one point!
I'm just so in love with these characters, I really, really loved this book!
March 27, 2021
I absolutely love @katesbookdate I love her vlogs, her poetry, her novels, her rambunctious cats, and the fact that she can actually rock bangs!!! So when I had the chance to read an ARC of her upcoming companion to The Anti Virginity Pact, The Anti Relationship Year, I jumped at the chance! I devoured that sucker in one sitting. I love Jo and Miller. But more than that love watching Katie grow as a writer with every new piece she puts out into the world.
TARY is 5⭐️!!! I can’t wait to get my hands on a finished copy on March 30th. If you love new adult contemporary romance please consider pre-ordering this amazing book.
TARY is 5⭐️!!! I can’t wait to get my hands on a finished copy on March 30th. If you love new adult contemporary romance please consider pre-ordering this amazing book.
March 28, 2021
Thank you Katie Wismer for the opportunity to read this book. I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. I originally read the first book The Anti Virginity Pact and could not wait to read this one as well. This book sucked me in right away and I loved that this one was more focused on Johanna and her journey in college. I enjoyed every minute of this book and was flying through it so fast. There are characters you will absolutely adore like Miller and one that will make your blood boil *cough cough* Im talking to you Grey. In the end another fabulous read from Katie.
December 24, 2021
Enjoyed this book much more than the first. I think that the plot is stripped back more and better paced throughout the book. The friends-to-lovers plot was really sweet.
I just think that the book could have been a bit longer, allowing for more depth into the Jo's character arc. I felt like there was much more that could be explored.
I just think that the book could have been a bit longer, allowing for more depth into the Jo's character arc. I felt like there was much more that could be explored.
June 13, 2022
Decided not to judge the book by its cover after I saw it on a tiktok.
Never trusting twenty something white people with blonde hair
Never trusting twenty something white people with blonde hair
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