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All The Ways You Never Loved Me
EMMIE DAWSON
Seventeen-year-old Emmie Dawson lives on Main Street in northeastern Ohio, thirty-two minutes from the Pennsylvania border, and four hours from Cleveland, as any true Ohioan, would explain.
Her father is a Liberal Arts teacher at the local college, while her mother runs the only flower shop in town that specializes in weddings. Of which there are many.
They live next to Bradley Barnes, the son of her parent's best friends and assumed soulmate for Emmie.
Everything seems to be planned out for her.
Her career, her love life.
All of it.
It should be as easy as breathing, but secretly she wants more.
Much more.
And then he shows up and shatters everything.
His eyes are like fire. His touch like a flame.
His words sink deep into her and settle there, refusing to let her go.
But is his arrival a blessing or a curse?
NOX VAN DOREN
Seventeen-year-old Nox Van Doren lives in Pennsylvania with his dad and stepmother, who is now pregnant with an unwelcome sibling.
Nox has been in trouble on and off his whole life. Lashing out. Spending time in therapy. Desperately trying to get his emotions and impulses under control.
His mother committed suicide when he was seven and he's never fully recovered from the loss. She left nothing but a scrapbook full of pictures and broken poetry that he treasures above all other things.
He's fearful that her fate is his own.
But then he sees Emmie.
More than that. He touches her.
He feels something shift deep inside as a small gasp escapes her glossed lips.
And everything changes.
But is she enough to save him?
Seventeen-year-old Emmie Dawson lives on Main Street in northeastern Ohio, thirty-two minutes from the Pennsylvania border, and four hours from Cleveland, as any true Ohioan, would explain.
Her father is a Liberal Arts teacher at the local college, while her mother runs the only flower shop in town that specializes in weddings. Of which there are many.
They live next to Bradley Barnes, the son of her parent's best friends and assumed soulmate for Emmie.
Everything seems to be planned out for her.
Her career, her love life.
All of it.
It should be as easy as breathing, but secretly she wants more.
Much more.
And then he shows up and shatters everything.
His eyes are like fire. His touch like a flame.
His words sink deep into her and settle there, refusing to let her go.
But is his arrival a blessing or a curse?
NOX VAN DOREN
Seventeen-year-old Nox Van Doren lives in Pennsylvania with his dad and stepmother, who is now pregnant with an unwelcome sibling.
Nox has been in trouble on and off his whole life. Lashing out. Spending time in therapy. Desperately trying to get his emotions and impulses under control.
His mother committed suicide when he was seven and he's never fully recovered from the loss. She left nothing but a scrapbook full of pictures and broken poetry that he treasures above all other things.
He's fearful that her fate is his own.
But then he sees Emmie.
More than that. He touches her.
He feels something shift deep inside as a small gasp escapes her glossed lips.
And everything changes.
But is she enough to save him?
554 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 13, 2021
45 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Rue Volley
114 books770 followersRue Volley, who also writes as Elle Lee Hicks, lives in the Midwest in an old Victorian house with her husband and a spoiled Pug, crafting immersive, character-driven stories. She loves curling up in her favorite hoodie on rainy days with a great whodunit and collecting book trophies. Rue is a dedicated mood reader and never leaves the house without her Kindle Oasis, an iced coffee, and a list of books to buy.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 25, 2023
I think a lot of people can relate to Emmie and Nox's story. Even if they don't suffer from any of the mental things these two do. I know I related to them both in equal measure.
This book is everything a story like this should be. It will rip your heart open and leave it flayed and gushing until the last sentence and it's worth every second of the emotional torture. Contemporary anything isn't anywhere near my genre and I loved this. I absolutely recommend this book to those who love a good story about love, self hate, and learning how to accept yourself, flaws and all.
I give this book 5 of 5 Paws and hope we'll get to visit with Emmie and Nox again someday.
This book is everything a story like this should be. It will rip your heart open and leave it flayed and gushing until the last sentence and it's worth every second of the emotional torture. Contemporary anything isn't anywhere near my genre and I loved this. I absolutely recommend this book to those who love a good story about love, self hate, and learning how to accept yourself, flaws and all.
I give this book 5 of 5 Paws and hope we'll get to visit with Emmie and Nox again someday.
April 15, 2021
I would venture enough to say this is one the best things Rue Volley has ever written.
It’s real, raw, intense, and sucks you in so quickly.
It’s real, raw, intense, and sucks you in so quickly.
September 17, 2022
Great!
I loved this story. I wasn't crazy about the going back and forth and POV repeat but it was a great story and dealt with some real mental issues which I can relate to.
I loved this story. I wasn't crazy about the going back and forth and POV repeat but it was a great story and dealt with some real mental issues which I can relate to.
June 20, 2021
The perfect book!
I do believe I may have just found my all time favorite author.
All the Ways You Never Loved me is about two teens, Emmie and Nox, who suffer from mental illnesses and teams. They’re drawn to each other but neither knows why.
All his life Nox has been told that he’s not good enough. He wasn’t good enough to keep his mom alive, he wasn’t good enough to stay out of trouble, he wasn’t a good enough son, a good enough boyfriend, a good enough person…he believes the worst of himself, but then he meets Emmie and she makes him want to be better. Makes him want to fight the voices in his head and stay regular with his medication.
Emmie has OCD and anxiety. Her entire life has been spent living according to a pattern. Her pillows are organized a certain way, she does certain things on certain days, her clothes are color coordinated, and she has to check the locks on the door seven times before she’s content to sleep. She hated change, but then along comes Nox and she starts to wonder if change might be a good thing.
The two set out to help each other heal despite feeling like they might destroy each other.
This book is full of raw emotions. It’s full of truth and it’s addictive. Once you start reading it, you won’t want to stop.
I do believe I may have just found my all time favorite author.
All the Ways You Never Loved me is about two teens, Emmie and Nox, who suffer from mental illnesses and teams. They’re drawn to each other but neither knows why.
All his life Nox has been told that he’s not good enough. He wasn’t good enough to keep his mom alive, he wasn’t good enough to stay out of trouble, he wasn’t a good enough son, a good enough boyfriend, a good enough person…he believes the worst of himself, but then he meets Emmie and she makes him want to be better. Makes him want to fight the voices in his head and stay regular with his medication.
Emmie has OCD and anxiety. Her entire life has been spent living according to a pattern. Her pillows are organized a certain way, she does certain things on certain days, her clothes are color coordinated, and she has to check the locks on the door seven times before she’s content to sleep. She hated change, but then along comes Nox and she starts to wonder if change might be a good thing.
The two set out to help each other heal despite feeling like they might destroy each other.
This book is full of raw emotions. It’s full of truth and it’s addictive. Once you start reading it, you won’t want to stop.
February 10, 2022
I couldn’t put in down! There is so much emotion within the pages that you’re dragged down below the surface right along with Emmie and Nox. Nox is so broken by his past and his mental state is so tenuous you just want to catch him in a hug and hold on tight until he feels real and loved. His pain often brought me to tears. Emmie struggles with her own mental illness but at least she has a loving family and friends she counts on. They’re drawn to each other in an all-consuming way. Both struggle with their feelings and their mental issues don’t help. Then Emmie’s stable family and friends group is thrown into chaos with revealed secrets and Nox unfortunately and accidentally breaks her heart. Full of angst, tension, self doubt, mental health issues, family dynamics and sacrifice this story shows the horrors that depression and other mental issues can create. BUT with the right motivation and doctors who understand and are able to help some people really can get better. The surprise twist at the end makes your emotions go full circle and I’m truly glad it ended the way it did. If I could give more stars I would.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 4, 2021
What a heart wrenching but beautiful love story!!
The characters were absolutely phenomenal!! I loved reading and getting to know Nox and Emmie and all of Emmie's friends. These characters made this story feel so real. And all the emotions that ran through it, made my emotions feel as if I was watching a movie and seeing the rawness of each character during the movie.
The storyline was really awesome!! The way the story comes to life and shows that not everyone's lives are full sunshine and daisies. Volley brought forth a realness in this story and the characters. A truth that many people try to avoid. It's full of hate, compassion, teenage troubles and a love so strong that nothing could break it, though it tried. This is a new writing adventure for this author and I believe she hit it perfectly. This story has made it to my top five favorites for 2021 and I highly recommend it!!
The characters were absolutely phenomenal!! I loved reading and getting to know Nox and Emmie and all of Emmie's friends. These characters made this story feel so real. And all the emotions that ran through it, made my emotions feel as if I was watching a movie and seeing the rawness of each character during the movie.
The storyline was really awesome!! The way the story comes to life and shows that not everyone's lives are full sunshine and daisies. Volley brought forth a realness in this story and the characters. A truth that many people try to avoid. It's full of hate, compassion, teenage troubles and a love so strong that nothing could break it, though it tried. This is a new writing adventure for this author and I believe she hit it perfectly. This story has made it to my top five favorites for 2021 and I highly recommend it!!
February 25, 2022
This is the first book I have read by this author. I really liked the storyline and plot of the story. But the same scenes from each persons POV got annoying. I felt like I was reading the same scene twice but in the other person's POV. It really took away from the story, and I struggled to finish it.
This book deals with mental issues including cutting, suicide, OCD, and Schizophrenia.
Nox has been sent to live at his aunts house after getting kicked out of 6 schools. He has been nothing but trouble for his dad and new wife.
He meets Emmie and doesn't think that he is good enough for her. He feels that he is too damaged and will end up ruining her.
Style: Slowburn YA
Story: ⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🔥/5
Enjoyment: 3/5
Series: standalone
Cliffhanger: No
KU: Yes
Dual POV
HEA: Yes
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book deals with mental issues including cutting, suicide, OCD, and Schizophrenia.
Nox has been sent to live at his aunts house after getting kicked out of 6 schools. He has been nothing but trouble for his dad and new wife.
He meets Emmie and doesn't think that he is good enough for her. He feels that he is too damaged and will end up ruining her.
Style: Slowburn YA
Story: ⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🔥/5
Enjoyment: 3/5
Series: standalone
Cliffhanger: No
KU: Yes
Dual POV
HEA: Yes
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 25, 2022
Being a teenager is hard. Being a teenager in a modern world is hard. Being a teenager who is feeling all the feels in the modern world with a focus on the real and rawness of the effect of mental illness amidst raging teenage hormones, angst, and identity crisis and you have a modern YA masterpiece. Rue Volley presents us with Emmie and Nox who at seventeen have so much to unpack and explore and learn and we are in for the ride. The splash of pop culture references with a Dash and Lilly/Nick and Norah vibe are the icing on this teenage emotional roller-coaster. A definite read for the YA and teenage crews.
May 4, 2021
Oh, Emmie, Nox...you are now part of me. This book is absolutely amazing. There are very few books in all of those that I have read that have made me sob like this one did. I felt it in my soul. The way Rue speaks of the trials these two characters go through as they navigate their own mental illnesses along with trying to find their places in each other's worlds is so relatable. I feel this so deeply as someone with mental illnesses of my own. Excuse me while I go and re-read this amazing book.
March 1, 2022
All The Ways You Never Loved Me
Rue Volley
Nox and Emmie are beautifully, heartbreakingly, wonderfully written characters. There is so much you can connect with, in these characters. The story is wonderful and I cried like a baby reading parts of this book. This book will set you off on a rollercoaster of emotions but it is so worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Rue Volley
Nox and Emmie are beautifully, heartbreakingly, wonderfully written characters. There is so much you can connect with, in these characters. The story is wonderful and I cried like a baby reading parts of this book. This book will set you off on a rollercoaster of emotions but it is so worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 26, 2025
great story. bad execution.
I liked the idea of this book. And i did finish it. But the repeating of what happened word for word from each character’s POV in individual chapters was tedious and frustrating and could’ve been done in a smoother transition. Also, was there just no editor or proofreader for this book? The grammar and the amount of typos was unforgivable. It made it difficult to read and made me have to re-read sentences. Cute story. Bad execution.
I liked the idea of this book. And i did finish it. But the repeating of what happened word for word from each character’s POV in individual chapters was tedious and frustrating and could’ve been done in a smoother transition. Also, was there just no editor or proofreader for this book? The grammar and the amount of typos was unforgivable. It made it difficult to read and made me have to re-read sentences. Cute story. Bad execution.
April 24, 2021
Every time I read a Rue Volley book, I think this one is my favorite so far and it has not changed with this latest book. I enjoy how she keeps things current and always puts a curveball in there. I loved how it was written in both their POVs because it helps you get more into the story and characters and makes it more relatable.
June 7, 2021
Wow! I'm not sure what I can say that will do "All The Ways You Never Loved Me" justice. I was immediately sucked in and couldn't put it down for a single second. Emmie and Nox are special characters. This was definitely an emotional read. Well worth the tears!! I very highly recommend purchasing and reading This book.
February 25, 2022
This was a raw and emotional read it really was a incredible, with intriguing characters and a enthralling storyline. This show the nitty gritty of a illness and the impact it has on oneself and everyone can help each other you just need to try. A brilliant story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 25, 2021
All the feels
So many emotions, I got so wrapped up in it all! And crazy plot twists out of nowhere. I was sad when it ended because I wanted more! A few editing misses but all in all I really enjoyed it.
So many emotions, I got so wrapped up in it all! And crazy plot twists out of nowhere. I was sad when it ended because I wanted more! A few editing misses but all in all I really enjoyed it.
June 26, 2021
Amazing!
This is such an amazing story! It was very real and brought out many feelings. Towards the end I started to get very angry at the turn I thought it was taking but it didn't go the way I thought. This was a very realistic look at mental health issues.
This is such an amazing story! It was very real and brought out many feelings. Towards the end I started to get very angry at the turn I thought it was taking but it didn't go the way I thought. This was a very realistic look at mental health issues.
March 6, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. The main characters dealing with their mental health disorders and still living their lives was really well written. Rue Volley had me in tears by the end of the book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read.
April 19, 2021
I’m new to Rue Volley & I didn’t know what to expect reading this but I really enjoyed it. I’d definitely recommend reading this book.
July 9, 2021
Always fun and creative art work on the cover of Rue's books.
Read
August 4, 2021Overall an enjoyable read!
June 18, 2025
Dnf 54%
Not inherently bad, but it was just too dramatic for me and the whole repeating scenes in the other pov was tiresome and made a long book even longer.
Not inherently bad, but it was just too dramatic for me and the whole repeating scenes in the other pov was tiresome and made a long book even longer.
August 20, 2025
this could’ve been a really good story but it somehow felt really long and also rushed at the same time? lol also, the dual POV was not done well & the amount of typos was crazy
March 18, 2022
I enjoyed Knox & Emmy’s book. It was an intriguing read. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
April 20, 2021
I felt this story deep in my bones, you will not regret picking up this book. This story is amazing, it wreaked me and picked me back up over and over again. The two main characters are beautifully written and I felt every ounce of their pain and happiness with every word that is written on these pages. The struggles they face are real life struggles and it made my heart bleed for them because I can tell how some of it feels in everyday life. I can not tell you how much I love this book. If you like this author's other work, this is a must read. If you are having a bad day and want a story that will show you that you are not alone, this is a must read. Or, if you just love the amazing cover, this is a must read! I hope you enjoy as much as I did.
August 30, 2021
Really cute! I've read a few of Rue Volley's books and this is one of the best ones I've read. It is heavy on the topic of mental health, though, which is good to know. It is dual POV, and sometimes it was like reading the same chapter twice (so I'd end up scanning through paragraphs) and then some chapters flowed really well and didn't feel repetitive. I think she did a good job with it being her first dual POV book, though.
February 25, 2025
Such a beautiful emotional story..this book broke my heart but also put it back together ❤️
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews