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Awakened
Abby Blackwell doesn't have time for guys.
She doesn't have time for anything other than studying for her exams and getting ready for Uni, but guys are most definitely at the bottom of her agenda; especially confident, popular ones like Jake Taylor. But Jake has other ideas. He's determined to make her notice him, and somehow he manages to get under her skin. Before she knows it, Jake has awakened something in Abby, something she didn't know was there, and she can't get enough of him.
Soon, they've agreed to a no strings, short-term fling, on the basis that it remains totally secret. This suits Abby perfectly, but as Uni draws closer and she and Jake become more and more entwined, she starts to realise that letting him go might be the very last thing she wants to do...
She doesn't have time for anything other than studying for her exams and getting ready for Uni, but guys are most definitely at the bottom of her agenda; especially confident, popular ones like Jake Taylor. But Jake has other ideas. He's determined to make her notice him, and somehow he manages to get under her skin. Before she knows it, Jake has awakened something in Abby, something she didn't know was there, and she can't get enough of him.
Soon, they've agreed to a no strings, short-term fling, on the basis that it remains totally secret. This suits Abby perfectly, but as Uni draws closer and she and Jake become more and more entwined, she starts to realise that letting him go might be the very last thing she wants to do...
560 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 7, 2021
155 people are currently reading
985 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
October 30, 2021
DNF at 48%. Abby is horrible to Jake. Like. Abusive bitch horrible to him. I just cannot even read more because of how much I hate Abby and the way she treats Jake. Her saying “you forced me”. GTFO with that shit. He’s being abused by Abby and he keeps coming back for more. And not cute, kinky “abuse”. This is real fucking verbal and emotional abuse. I’m angry at the thought of this book.
July 18, 2022
At first I’m reading and then it’s good. And then in the middle I’m fighting the urge to skim because erm well it’s just straight hanky panky. Like an overdose of it. And then I force my way to the end because I hate hate hate not finishing books.
And when I tell you the ending got me good I- The fight was so so realistic and good. Both Jacob and Abby were hitting where it hurt and yet they both made total and absolute sense to me. It didn’t feel overly angsty or childish it felt so raw and real and omg. Literally biting my fist because the dialogue really shone a light on how quick things can change and how good people can both get really nasty. How good people can still have toxic behaviors.
Abby made me more angry than not but she was so relatable I couldn’t really get mad. She was faulty but honest and refreshing. Like if I couldn’t have got inside her head she would have made me so angry but because I knew where she was coming from I had to admit I understood. A lot of her insecurities felt like mine. Especially high school me. I ran away from a lot of things because if there was a small chance it could go bad I didn’t think I’d be able to handle the pain. I’m still a work in progress but a lot of reviews have been hitting Abby hard and I get it. She’s very annoying lmao. But she’s also a kid. A mildly infuriating teenager who isn’t as expressive as she should be and is dealing with some obvious residual trauma.
As much as it annoys me sometimes, I would rather read about a flawed character who redeems herself than read about a character that’s too perfect.
This felt like real stuff. So many YA authors write high school like it’s insanity and drugs and passed out teens everywhere. And for some people yeah maybe. But for me at least, high school was messy because of intricate details like this. I wasn’t out drinking every night but I did have issues with communicating, making friends, feeling insecure. I had issues with my family, feeling misunderstood, etc. The problems in this book felt tangible for me. A lot more like what I was going through at that time in my life.
Jacob was also a really dynamic character even though we weren’t in his head. However, he kind of had the same issue that Charlie had in the perks of being a wallflower. Hung up for a girl who yes, had feelings for him but because he wasn’t honest about it right away, he let things go way too far. He didn’t even give Abby the chance to love him the way he wanted because he was not telling the whole truth. Abby might have reacted the way he assumed but we don’t know that. He projected on to her instead of giving her the chance to make that call for herself. So he can’t really be mad about the way she reacted when he finally was honest but it came out like that. His whole spiel about honesty and he couldn’t be honest with her?
I get why he decided against it but when things started changing and progressing he should have said something. Especially since the author kept alluding to the fact that Jacob has had a thing for Abby for a long period of time. Way before she even knew.
The fight was harsh but they both weren’t being honest and when you take into account their age, yeah it makes sense. It wasn’t healthy but man it felt exactly right. Kept me on the edge of my seat.
I loved the dialogue. I loved it loved it. Sometimes I’d laugh at the British slang but other than that it felt organic and it strengthened my affection for the characters.
I’m only taking away a star because the wink wink action was fine at first but eventually felt misplaced. And because even though I was defending Abby above I can’t defend her decision to go back and tell Jacob she didn’t want it after she said and acted on her desire when she did. Blurring the lines of consent is not ever okay. You can’t do that to someone ever. Whether you like them or not. Be clear about what you want and don’t want because it can and will make things dangerous and confusing if you aren’t honest.
That aside, I’m so excited for the next book and I can’t wait to read more of this authors work. She’s insanely talented. Also I’m coming off a book high so I’m rambling with giddiness.
Will I be back to edit and or change my rating once it wears off? Who knows?
3.5 stars.
And when I tell you the ending got me good I- The fight was so so realistic and good. Both Jacob and Abby were hitting where it hurt and yet they both made total and absolute sense to me. It didn’t feel overly angsty or childish it felt so raw and real and omg. Literally biting my fist because the dialogue really shone a light on how quick things can change and how good people can both get really nasty. How good people can still have toxic behaviors.
Abby made me more angry than not but she was so relatable I couldn’t really get mad. She was faulty but honest and refreshing. Like if I couldn’t have got inside her head she would have made me so angry but because I knew where she was coming from I had to admit I understood. A lot of her insecurities felt like mine. Especially high school me. I ran away from a lot of things because if there was a small chance it could go bad I didn’t think I’d be able to handle the pain. I’m still a work in progress but a lot of reviews have been hitting Abby hard and I get it. She’s very annoying lmao. But she’s also a kid. A mildly infuriating teenager who isn’t as expressive as she should be and is dealing with some obvious residual trauma.
As much as it annoys me sometimes, I would rather read about a flawed character who redeems herself than read about a character that’s too perfect.
This felt like real stuff. So many YA authors write high school like it’s insanity and drugs and passed out teens everywhere. And for some people yeah maybe. But for me at least, high school was messy because of intricate details like this. I wasn’t out drinking every night but I did have issues with communicating, making friends, feeling insecure. I had issues with my family, feeling misunderstood, etc. The problems in this book felt tangible for me. A lot more like what I was going through at that time in my life.
Jacob was also a really dynamic character even though we weren’t in his head. However, he kind of had the same issue that Charlie had in the perks of being a wallflower. Hung up for a girl who yes, had feelings for him but because he wasn’t honest about it right away, he let things go way too far. He didn’t even give Abby the chance to love him the way he wanted because he was not telling the whole truth. Abby might have reacted the way he assumed but we don’t know that. He projected on to her instead of giving her the chance to make that call for herself. So he can’t really be mad about the way she reacted when he finally was honest but it came out like that. His whole spiel about honesty and he couldn’t be honest with her?
I get why he decided against it but when things started changing and progressing he should have said something. Especially since the author kept alluding to the fact that Jacob has had a thing for Abby for a long period of time. Way before she even knew.
The fight was harsh but they both weren’t being honest and when you take into account their age, yeah it makes sense. It wasn’t healthy but man it felt exactly right. Kept me on the edge of my seat.
I loved the dialogue. I loved it loved it. Sometimes I’d laugh at the British slang but other than that it felt organic and it strengthened my affection for the characters.
I’m only taking away a star because the wink wink action was fine at first but eventually felt misplaced. And because even though I was defending Abby above I can’t defend her decision to go back and tell Jacob she didn’t want it after she said and acted on her desire when she did. Blurring the lines of consent is not ever okay. You can’t do that to someone ever. Whether you like them or not. Be clear about what you want and don’t want because it can and will make things dangerous and confusing if you aren’t honest.
That aside, I’m so excited for the next book and I can’t wait to read more of this authors work. She’s insanely talented. Also I’m coming off a book high so I’m rambling with giddiness.
Will I be back to edit and or change my rating once it wears off? Who knows?
3.5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2022
Edit - Alright, I'm upgrading this to 5 stars because I actually went back and started re-reading this involuntarily two days later. (Again, I say, the chemistry is STRONG with this one.) Yeesh. My re-reads are rare, so anything that gets me to do that is five stars in my book.
....
Summary: Popular jock has crushed on nerdy, sensitive girl for years. Finally makes a move. First time love, angst, drama, ensues.
The chemistry in this one was off the charts. This also felt a little too realistic for comfort sometimes. I've had this type of reaction when crushing in my teenage years. The drama and angst and how each MC responded felt totally plausible from a teenage perspective. I could see myself having the same thoughts and decisions when I was in the same place. Not sure I would read part 2 if it's just more of the same, but I certainly enjoyed the first round here.
....
Summary: Popular jock has crushed on nerdy, sensitive girl for years. Finally makes a move. First time love, angst, drama, ensues.
The chemistry in this one was off the charts. This also felt a little too realistic for comfort sometimes. I've had this type of reaction when crushing in my teenage years. The drama and angst and how each MC responded felt totally plausible from a teenage perspective. I could see myself having the same thoughts and decisions when I was in the same place. Not sure I would read part 2 if it's just more of the same, but I certainly enjoyed the first round here.
November 16, 2023
DNF @48%
This is just the same conversation and sex scene on one, continuous loop for 560 pages. I give up.
This is just the same conversation and sex scene on one, continuous loop for 560 pages. I give up.
March 4, 2023
DNF at 15%
It’s a pretty long book, and already I’m dying from this same scene:
MMC: Abby, I like you. I want to get to know you.
FMC: *trembles and avoids eye contact. Cannot make coherent sentences*
MMC: kisses her
FMC: *internal dialog about how much she loves it but still refuses to answer ANY of his questions*
Eventually, the FMC tells him (more like he has to play 20 questions), that she basically doesn’t want to talk to him or know him or be seen with him, but she wants to kiss him and let him get her off (and she doesn’t seem to expect to return the favor). How… nice?
There is zero plot except a girl with zero personality or social skills, who has somehow caught the attention of a popular guy. She has almost no dialog and she’s kinda a jerk to him. Based on other reviews, it appears that is basically the entire book so I’m quitting now.
It’s a pretty long book, and already I’m dying from this same scene:
MMC: Abby, I like you. I want to get to know you.
FMC: *trembles and avoids eye contact. Cannot make coherent sentences*
MMC: kisses her
FMC: *internal dialog about how much she loves it but still refuses to answer ANY of his questions*
Eventually, the FMC tells him (more like he has to play 20 questions), that she basically doesn’t want to talk to him or know him or be seen with him, but she wants to kiss him and let him get her off (and she doesn’t seem to expect to return the favor). How… nice?
There is zero plot except a girl with zero personality or social skills, who has somehow caught the attention of a popular guy. She has almost no dialog and she’s kinda a jerk to him. Based on other reviews, it appears that is basically the entire book so I’m quitting now.
November 11, 2021
2.5 stars
Much of this book felt repetitive for no good reason. When I reached the 50% mark I was surprised at how little had happened plot-wise. Abby is an extremely toxic and unlikable character. Jake isn't a peach himself but he deserves much better than Abby, who claims she loves him in her inner monologues but her actions never back this up in the slightest. The lack of communication between the two is entirely her fault because she is never able to form coherent sentences which lends to the repetitive nature of the novel.
I did enjoy Turner's writing style and will probably pick up the next book in the series just to see how they wrap things up but my hopes aren't the highest if I'm being honest.
Much of this book felt repetitive for no good reason. When I reached the 50% mark I was surprised at how little had happened plot-wise. Abby is an extremely toxic and unlikable character. Jake isn't a peach himself but he deserves much better than Abby, who claims she loves him in her inner monologues but her actions never back this up in the slightest. The lack of communication between the two is entirely her fault because she is never able to form coherent sentences which lends to the repetitive nature of the novel.
I did enjoy Turner's writing style and will probably pick up the next book in the series just to see how they wrap things up but my hopes aren't the highest if I'm being honest.
maybe
March 20, 2023Self note
"zero plot except a nerdy girl with zero personality or social skills, who has somehow caught the attention of a popular, hot guy."
"zero plot except a nerdy girl with zero personality or social skills, who has somehow caught the attention of a popular, hot guy."
August 26, 2025
this was so good but so FRUSTRATING. omg she was literally horrible to him and that ending pmo. BUT i ate this up 😁😁😁
June 13, 2025
Abby is a studious high school girl whose sole focus is her school and work. She has no friends, no boyfriends, and she likes it that way. When popular jock Jake sits next to her in a study hall one day, she’s wildly suspicious of his motives. He claims he wants to take her out on a date. Why is he suddenly interested in a mousy, nerdy nobody like her? She’s convinced he’s mocking her, laughing at her, and somersaults between feelings of tepid longing and deep unease. She finds herself agreeing to hook up with him, but with the expectation of complete secrecy.
Jake has liked Abby for a long, long time; far before she ever even knew he existed. He sops up any bit of attention Abby is willing to give him, always afraid she’ll run away and change her mind at the slightest provocation. So he doesn’t rock the boat. When Abby at least seems willing to hook up, Jake never asks for anything more. He waits, patiently, coaxingly, for Abby to realize that he’s safe for her to fall in love with. He’s already fallen for her, after all. But Abby is far too insecure to see it. A tumultuous back and forth, emotional affair proceeds over the course of a few short weeks. Neither leave quite the same.
This book, and its sequel, were very long. The first 60% is mostly Abby and Jake hooking up. Then it starts to get more romantic and personal (or at least we see those moments). But a lot of it is repetitive. Abby is a deeply insecure teenager. For almost every conversation with or about Jake, she seems hyper aware of their differences in social standing. She continually pushes him away because of her fear that he never really liked her at all.
With that being said, I think if you can push through all that it is a pretty emotional story. I shed a tear or two for the sequel (this ends kinda on a cliffhanger).
I would recommend this only to readers who are not annoyed or angry with heroines like this, because I think a lot of people hate Abby for pushing Jake away without understanding why she did it. Or rather, how she could be so irrational. However, I do think that it’s made very clear that she doesn’t really intend to hurt him. He is too worried about her reaction to confront her properly. So they go in circles. Very soap opera esque. But ultimately heartwarming, I’d say.
Jake has liked Abby for a long, long time; far before she ever even knew he existed. He sops up any bit of attention Abby is willing to give him, always afraid she’ll run away and change her mind at the slightest provocation. So he doesn’t rock the boat. When Abby at least seems willing to hook up, Jake never asks for anything more. He waits, patiently, coaxingly, for Abby to realize that he’s safe for her to fall in love with. He’s already fallen for her, after all. But Abby is far too insecure to see it. A tumultuous back and forth, emotional affair proceeds over the course of a few short weeks. Neither leave quite the same.
This book, and its sequel, were very long. The first 60% is mostly Abby and Jake hooking up. Then it starts to get more romantic and personal (or at least we see those moments). But a lot of it is repetitive. Abby is a deeply insecure teenager. For almost every conversation with or about Jake, she seems hyper aware of their differences in social standing. She continually pushes him away because of her fear that he never really liked her at all.
With that being said, I think if you can push through all that it is a pretty emotional story. I shed a tear or two for the sequel (this ends kinda on a cliffhanger).
I would recommend this only to readers who are not annoyed or angry with heroines like this, because I think a lot of people hate Abby for pushing Jake away without understanding why she did it. Or rather, how she could be so irrational. However, I do think that it’s made very clear that she doesn’t really intend to hurt him. He is too worried about her reaction to confront her properly. So they go in circles. Very soap opera esque. But ultimately heartwarming, I’d say.
June 25, 2022
well, this was quite a ride.
there admittedly is like... a shocking amount of smut in this, especially towards the beginning. however, as the story progresses, it also becomes a surprisingly sweet romance.
i liked the ML a lot—he's the one pursuing the FL, and he's incredibly persistent. he did have a temper, and he did argue with the FL a lot, but i'm hoping that that's something that he works on in the next book. i appreciated that he didn't give up on the FL, and i always love MLs who fall first.
as for the FL: she annoyed me (she was so wishy-washy and mean). at the same time, though, i can sort of relate to her insecurities and concerns. it's important to remember that these characters are only just about the graduate high school—they're immature, and don't communicate well, but that's just the territory that comes with being eighteen.
aside from their (frequent) misunderstandings, they're very sweet with each other. i loved the scenes where they opened up to each other and got along well, because the chemistry is SO obviously there. i applaud the author for that!
the steam was also, for what it's worth, well-written. although it was a bit repetitive at times, and i had a hard time parsing the fact that it was a high school boy dirty talking like that, it was still better than a lot of other steamy books i've read. it doesn't hurt that the ML is quite generous, lol.
i'm definitely excited for the next book! i hope to see the characters mature and work out their differences.
there admittedly is like... a shocking amount of smut in this, especially towards the beginning. however, as the story progresses, it also becomes a surprisingly sweet romance.
i liked the ML a lot—he's the one pursuing the FL, and he's incredibly persistent. he did have a temper, and he did argue with the FL a lot, but i'm hoping that that's something that he works on in the next book. i appreciated that he didn't give up on the FL, and i always love MLs who fall first.
as for the FL: she annoyed me (she was so wishy-washy and mean). at the same time, though, i can sort of relate to her insecurities and concerns. it's important to remember that these characters are only just about the graduate high school—they're immature, and don't communicate well, but that's just the territory that comes with being eighteen.
aside from their (frequent) misunderstandings, they're very sweet with each other. i loved the scenes where they opened up to each other and got along well, because the chemistry is SO obviously there. i applaud the author for that!
the steam was also, for what it's worth, well-written. although it was a bit repetitive at times, and i had a hard time parsing the fact that it was a high school boy dirty talking like that, it was still better than a lot of other steamy books i've read. it doesn't hurt that the ML is quite generous, lol.
i'm definitely excited for the next book! i hope to see the characters mature and work out their differences.
November 6, 2021
Young lust, first love, in all of its agonizing glory. A bit much with the repetitive early sexual escapades, so I ended up skipping over lots of that, but once Abby and Jake started engaging in real dialogue the story became much more engaging. Such sweet, conflicted, heart-breaking, young characters. Everything to them is so intense and overwhelming that they let themselves unwittingly hurt each other before they can think anything through.
However, one thing I REALLY dislike is when authors do this whole cliffhanger thing when the other book won't be released for months. I don't mind if it's a couple of weeks or so but I read so many books that I will often forget a lot of what the first story was about and by the time the follow-up is released I am involved in other books. Please write the entire thing and release the parts quickly, otherwise, you may lose readers for the next part.
However, one thing I REALLY dislike is when authors do this whole cliffhanger thing when the other book won't be released for months. I don't mind if it's a couple of weeks or so but I read so many books that I will often forget a lot of what the first story was about and by the time the follow-up is released I am involved in other books. Please write the entire thing and release the parts quickly, otherwise, you may lose readers for the next part.
June 20, 2021
Wow!
So lucky to have read this book. It’s a steamy treasure hard to come by. I swooned for Abby and Jake more times than I can count and wasn’t sure where the direction of the story was taking me, but the direction it led makes me give even more props to the author for the authenticity and layers it peels back!!! My only deep concern is I really hope the sequel comes out soon! I’m desperate for it!
So lucky to have read this book. It’s a steamy treasure hard to come by. I swooned for Abby and Jake more times than I can count and wasn’t sure where the direction of the story was taking me, but the direction it led makes me give even more props to the author for the authenticity and layers it peels back!!! My only deep concern is I really hope the sequel comes out soon! I’m desperate for it!
November 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️. 5 The book is about two 18 year old high schoolers - Abby and Jake.
Abby is the awkward, nerdy shy girl whose world revolves around books, academics and her job in a bookstore. She mostly keeps to herself, has MAJOR insecurities, mostly pertaining to the way her father treated her mother and also her when she was a kid — basically manipulation, verbal abuse etc. He was an on again off again father, and didn’t have a good relationship with Abby. It’s been 3 years since he died and her mother is single by choice, a nurse and a student so she doesn’t have enough time to date. She is a perpetual singleton, due to which Abby has some trust issues in regards to men and relationships. She is naive and afraid of being made fun of.
Jake is the all star football player, handsome, moderately rich, attractive and a hunk (are we still using this word?!) in his own right. He is bold, impulsive and honest. His relationship with his father is strained due to the fact that his father compares him to his older brother who is studying in Oxford and is the studious type, having his life/career planned out which is the opposite of Jake. Jake doesn’t know what he wants to do after High school and wants to take a gap year and explore his options (making his father furious and frustrated). He has an okay relationship with his mother but he hates that his parents drink and cannot have “fun” without having alcohol in their body. So he follows a strict diet of no alcohol except for a weekend a month. Jake also has anger issues which he inherited from his father.
Back to the meeting of Abby and Jake. Abby is studying in the study room and Jake approaches her and tries to have a conversation, Abby is surprised and flushes all over (this has been mentioned a million times throughout the book, how Abby flushes easily due to being a redhead). Anyway, Jake kisses her the next day in the study room and Abby runs off. He tries to kiss her again and Abby is all over him after that. They have instant (?) chemistry and fool around for a good 3 weeks until one fateful night Abby decides to lose her virginity to Jake. They do the deed and from then on, they’re constantly fucking, without any meaningful communication until 40-50% into the story, where it feels like they both have started having feelings towards each other. Mind you, this is a third person POV and we only get Abby’s POV not Jake’s so sometimes it’s hard to understand what’s going on his mind but, sometimes through his actions it feels like he genuinely cares for Abby.
Anyway, they start having some good communication after 70% into the book and Abby is willing to reveal her relationship to others (she had kept a rule since day 1 of their deal to keep whatever they are doing a secret and she was very strict about it. Jake went along with it but eventually, he didn’t want to keep them a secret, but kept quiet due to Abby’s adamancy).
She feels she might love Jake and wants to tell him until one day Jake’s friend approaches Abby during Lunchtime and hits on her, Abby is shocked, while Jake threatens his friend and proceeds to sit at Abby’s table. Abby wants Jake to leave her alone but he doesn’t, she tries to leave but Jake stops her and kisses her in front of the whole school in the lunch room and Abby is beyond humiliated. Her friends are somewhat supportive of her relationship with Jake but she still is unsure. Later on, she has a conversation with her mother where her mother reveals how Abby’s father was controlling and didn’t try her mother to grow into her own person (she had Abby when she was 18) and she advises Abby that passion can be manipulative at times, but mostly her mother approves of Jake and encourages her relationship if it “feels” right.
During the end of the book, we find Jake and Abby trying to navigate their relationship and have a huge (MAJOR) argument. They both accuse each other of things which aren’t true. Jake calls her an boring A grade bitch. Abby says he is manipulative and made her do things she didn’t want to. They both know these things aren’t true, but due to the heat of the moment, they both lose themselves and they have THE break up of all breakups and it ends on a cliffhanger. Basically, Abby decides to end their relationship and Jake is pleading with her, they both are crying but Abby leaves his house and doesn’t turn back and walks into the rain crying.
Final thoughts - this book is repetitive and redundant at times. The spicy scenes are in EVERY chapter and can get on your nerves at times, cuz they feel the same with some tweaks here and there. Some usage of words are like ALOT. The conversations they have during sex is OTT boring.
For example :
Jake will say “you want me to fuck you?”
Abby replies “yes, I do”
Jake says “yeah? You do?”
Abby then says “yeah, I do”
These type of conversations are seen almost throughout the book. The book is around 750 pages and could’ve been cut down to half. Needed some good editing, because the initial chapters felt VERY boring, and I literally had to drag myself to read. The story gets interesting during the 50% mark and the ending is devastating for sure. Although, I didn’t like some parts of the book but I did end up loving it as a whole, and is looking forward to reading the next book.
This the longest review I have ever done of a book, but I hope it’s helpful for those who are curious and doesn’t mind any spoilers.
Abby is the awkward, nerdy shy girl whose world revolves around books, academics and her job in a bookstore. She mostly keeps to herself, has MAJOR insecurities, mostly pertaining to the way her father treated her mother and also her when she was a kid — basically manipulation, verbal abuse etc. He was an on again off again father, and didn’t have a good relationship with Abby. It’s been 3 years since he died and her mother is single by choice, a nurse and a student so she doesn’t have enough time to date. She is a perpetual singleton, due to which Abby has some trust issues in regards to men and relationships. She is naive and afraid of being made fun of.
Jake is the all star football player, handsome, moderately rich, attractive and a hunk (are we still using this word?!) in his own right. He is bold, impulsive and honest. His relationship with his father is strained due to the fact that his father compares him to his older brother who is studying in Oxford and is the studious type, having his life/career planned out which is the opposite of Jake. Jake doesn’t know what he wants to do after High school and wants to take a gap year and explore his options (making his father furious and frustrated). He has an okay relationship with his mother but he hates that his parents drink and cannot have “fun” without having alcohol in their body. So he follows a strict diet of no alcohol except for a weekend a month. Jake also has anger issues which he inherited from his father.
Back to the meeting of Abby and Jake. Abby is studying in the study room and Jake approaches her and tries to have a conversation, Abby is surprised and flushes all over (this has been mentioned a million times throughout the book, how Abby flushes easily due to being a redhead). Anyway, Jake kisses her the next day in the study room and Abby runs off. He tries to kiss her again and Abby is all over him after that. They have instant (?) chemistry and fool around for a good 3 weeks until one fateful night Abby decides to lose her virginity to Jake. They do the deed and from then on, they’re constantly fucking, without any meaningful communication until 40-50% into the story, where it feels like they both have started having feelings towards each other. Mind you, this is a third person POV and we only get Abby’s POV not Jake’s so sometimes it’s hard to understand what’s going on his mind but, sometimes through his actions it feels like he genuinely cares for Abby.
Anyway, they start having some good communication after 70% into the book and Abby is willing to reveal her relationship to others (she had kept a rule since day 1 of their deal to keep whatever they are doing a secret and she was very strict about it. Jake went along with it but eventually, he didn’t want to keep them a secret, but kept quiet due to Abby’s adamancy).
She feels she might love Jake and wants to tell him until one day Jake’s friend approaches Abby during Lunchtime and hits on her, Abby is shocked, while Jake threatens his friend and proceeds to sit at Abby’s table. Abby wants Jake to leave her alone but he doesn’t, she tries to leave but Jake stops her and kisses her in front of the whole school in the lunch room and Abby is beyond humiliated. Her friends are somewhat supportive of her relationship with Jake but she still is unsure. Later on, she has a conversation with her mother where her mother reveals how Abby’s father was controlling and didn’t try her mother to grow into her own person (she had Abby when she was 18) and she advises Abby that passion can be manipulative at times, but mostly her mother approves of Jake and encourages her relationship if it “feels” right.
During the end of the book, we find Jake and Abby trying to navigate their relationship and have a huge (MAJOR) argument. They both accuse each other of things which aren’t true. Jake calls her an boring A grade bitch. Abby says he is manipulative and made her do things she didn’t want to. They both know these things aren’t true, but due to the heat of the moment, they both lose themselves and they have THE break up of all breakups and it ends on a cliffhanger. Basically, Abby decides to end their relationship and Jake is pleading with her, they both are crying but Abby leaves his house and doesn’t turn back and walks into the rain crying.
Final thoughts - this book is repetitive and redundant at times. The spicy scenes are in EVERY chapter and can get on your nerves at times, cuz they feel the same with some tweaks here and there. Some usage of words are like ALOT. The conversations they have during sex is OTT boring.
For example :
Jake will say “you want me to fuck you?”
Abby replies “yes, I do”
Jake says “yeah? You do?”
Abby then says “yeah, I do”
These type of conversations are seen almost throughout the book. The book is around 750 pages and could’ve been cut down to half. Needed some good editing, because the initial chapters felt VERY boring, and I literally had to drag myself to read. The story gets interesting during the 50% mark and the ending is devastating for sure. Although, I didn’t like some parts of the book but I did end up loving it as a whole, and is looking forward to reading the next book.
This the longest review I have ever done of a book, but I hope it’s helpful for those who are curious and doesn’t mind any spoilers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2024
In every ch the fmc behaves like a bitch to the mc they have sex and make up and when i tell it happens in every ch it really fcking does at one point I literally didn’t feel like reading the book anymore. Mc is understanding and good but fmc idk wth is wrong with her she says so absurd and bitchy things to mc and only cares abt her
January 4, 2026
DNF
🚮
made it 18% of the way through & couldn’t go any further.
FL lack of communication and coherent sentences? no.
lack of plot? again. no.
not for me
🚮
made it 18% of the way through & couldn’t go any further.
FL lack of communication and coherent sentences? no.
lack of plot? again. no.
not for me
January 25, 2022
Firstly, I'm so glad I gave this one a try. I literally found this book yesterday by accident, but I soon as I started it I couldn't stop. And I'm not even sorry that I've just spent 8 hours of my weekend reading this book. Yes, the sex started to get repetitive at some point. And I don't really enjoy so much of it usually. But as soon as Abby and Jake started opening to each other the book became much more interesting to me.
I hope that in the second book both Jake and Abby will grow up, fix their own problems and insecurities, have a real, serious and good talk about their feelings to each other. I so much want them to resolve those problems and have a happy ending after all.
Jake was not perfect, though I mostly understand his frustration and anger. It was so obvious that he loved Abby. She kept saying to herself that he was an asshole, but I found myself thinking so many times that it was her! It was so disappointing how she always couldn't find words for her feelings, how she was scared of other people all the time and didn't think how she might be wrong about it. Her lying about him forcing her made me angry! And how scared she was about other people finding out. I felt Jake's pain every time she said that she doesn't want him to tell anyone about them.
They both need therapy. Jake for his anger and Abby for her insecurity.
My review is so chaotic. I'm sorry. I tried to put some of my thoughts into the right words, but not sure I did it right. Already waiting for Undone.
I hope that in the second book both Jake and Abby will grow up, fix their own problems and insecurities, have a real, serious and good talk about their feelings to each other. I so much want them to resolve those problems and have a happy ending after all.
Jake was not perfect, though I mostly understand his frustration and anger. It was so obvious that he loved Abby. She kept saying to herself that he was an asshole, but I found myself thinking so many times that it was her! It was so disappointing how she always couldn't find words for her feelings, how she was scared of other people all the time and didn't think how she might be wrong about it. Her lying about him forcing her made me angry! And how scared she was about other people finding out. I felt Jake's pain every time she said that she doesn't want him to tell anyone about them.
They both need therapy. Jake for his anger and Abby for her insecurity.
My review is so chaotic. I'm sorry. I tried to put some of my thoughts into the right words, but not sure I did it right. Already waiting for Undone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2022
I loved Cathrine Turner's writing and I'm really looking forward to the sequal to this book. However, I had a really hard time liking Abby as a character. She had very little development through the story and I didn't feel that her thoughts and actions were justified- she would be thinking something but doing something entirely different. Her answer to everything was always "I don't know". I just felt so bad for Jake through the whole book. But Catherine's writing got me invested enough in these characters to be excited for the next installment.
November 30, 2021
560 pages that could have easily been 300 if it weren’t for all the repetitive conversations and arguments. We just kept going round and round. The MC’s personality never evolved. She just kept repeating the same conservations in her head and with the male character over and over and over. 560 pages and there was no ending. It just stops mid-argument/break-up. Not worth it.
October 30, 2021
This book is probably my favorite I've read this year. It is steamy, sweet and heartbreaking. Ugh. I can't get over these characters, and Jake...I love you sweet Jake. I am anxiously awaiting part two.
July 20, 2022
a beautiful book
A truly touching story. I have yet to find a book that portrays the fine balance of teenage insecurity, angst, and lust so accurately. Thank you for sharing your words with the world.
A truly touching story. I have yet to find a book that portrays the fine balance of teenage insecurity, angst, and lust so accurately. Thank you for sharing your words with the world.
June 19, 2021
I loved the slow burn and the roller coaster passion! Can’t wait for book 2!
January 31, 2023
well, well done you made it to the first place in the worst books i’ve ever read!
January 2, 2025
I’m going to bash my head into a wall.
May 3, 2025
I shouldn't have rated this. So for the writing alone, which is quite fine, I'd rated it. I haven't read the whole book. Maybe I'd go back when the mood strikes me.
I've come across this from a book rec at Reddit. I got intrigued because readers say the couple's separation was heart wrenching. I always go to reviews first, so as not to waste my time. I balance the positives and the negatives.
Still, like I said I was intrigued. Yet I didn't have the patience to read a long book of push and pull with a single POV from a whiny insecure heroine. Besides I'm into dual POVs. So I cheated. Bad of me. Not my usual. Since I've already had a bit of an understanding of how the story went, I've skipped to the last three chapters😛.
I'd give it to this author. She has got a good grasp with her words. She has really great potential. Yet the back and forth, push and pull interaction between the two MCs, especially from the final chapter, lots of heavy dialogues amounting to nothing, well not until the end, were quite frustrating. The hero in this chapter seemed to have some mood swings comparable to a calm sea, then some raging storm battering it, then calm again. Rinse repeat. Heroine's self doubt and insecurity, conflicting emotions were tiring. Having conclusions of their own, in every word that came out of their mouths was exasperating.Their conversation ranged from hot, cold, hard, soft, angry, calm and so on. In the three chapters that I've read, I saw the pattern and style. Repetitive, going in circles. They were communicating but not really. This, considering I haven't read the whole book, I felt quite exhausted already, leaving me feeling heavy. Maybe I was just tired too, having already read a few books prior. If I was more into it, I could have had really understood these two. They were young, hurting, insecure and in love. Not mature enough to get hold of the situation and their emotions.
Now I'm more intrigued to read the second one? Though I'm still quite not so sure, because the style is a bit discouraging. Nevertheless this would definitely be in my list.
I've come across this from a book rec at Reddit. I got intrigued because readers say the couple's separation was heart wrenching. I always go to reviews first, so as not to waste my time. I balance the positives and the negatives.
Still, like I said I was intrigued. Yet I didn't have the patience to read a long book of push and pull with a single POV from a whiny insecure heroine. Besides I'm into dual POVs. So I cheated. Bad of me. Not my usual. Since I've already had a bit of an understanding of how the story went, I've skipped to the last three chapters😛.
I'd give it to this author. She has got a good grasp with her words. She has really great potential. Yet the back and forth, push and pull interaction between the two MCs, especially from the final chapter, lots of heavy dialogues amounting to nothing, well not until the end, were quite frustrating. The hero in this chapter seemed to have some mood swings comparable to a calm sea, then some raging storm battering it, then calm again. Rinse repeat. Heroine's self doubt and insecurity, conflicting emotions were tiring. Having conclusions of their own, in every word that came out of their mouths was exasperating.Their conversation ranged from hot, cold, hard, soft, angry, calm and so on. In the three chapters that I've read, I saw the pattern and style. Repetitive, going in circles. They were communicating but not really. This, considering I haven't read the whole book, I felt quite exhausted already, leaving me feeling heavy. Maybe I was just tired too, having already read a few books prior. If I was more into it, I could have had really understood these two. They were young, hurting, insecure and in love. Not mature enough to get hold of the situation and their emotions.
Now I'm more intrigued to read the second one? Though I'm still quite not so sure, because the style is a bit discouraging. Nevertheless this would definitely be in my list.
September 26, 2022
3.5/5
I found out about this book on Reddit and I just finished the "After" series and it was recommended as something similar. I can see it. Jake isn't toxic but the smut is just as good.
The beginning, well, the first 1/3 of this book was very tough to get through. First off, Jake just develops this random fascination with Abby and approaches her in class. We find out later where this fascination comes from but we find out so much later that I am frustrated with them by the time I do. They don't talk, they just smash.
Also, the smut is great but is kind of repetitive at some parts. The intimate scenes could have been more descriptive to balance out the dirty talk. Also, where did this random sexual chemistry come from? How are they in love? They don't speak.
Abby doesn't communicate until like the last third of the book. Jake is a great communicator and I like him. Abby is a realistic character though but she needed more lines. But when Abby did talk, she was just being a tad bit mean to Jake. But Jake's meanness will come out later. I must address the cafeteria scene. I think it was realistic. While wrong on Jake's part, it was realistic. However, Jake's anger issues were kind of dropped on us, which is actually quite realistic in intense relationships like this. Can I say "realistic" again?
By the time we get to the end of the book, I become engulfed. They begin to communicate, share information about themselves, and kind of develop a bond outside of the bedroom. Abby even starts to have dialogue! Now, I am invested.
The ending of the book was fantastic. The dissolution of the relationship was realistic and well written. I truly felt the characters emotions and wanted more.
I like Catherine Turner's writing style and just wish that the information about the romance came out earlier.
Having said that, I am 20% through book 2 and that is already a 5/5 for me. So, read this one, hang on tight, and read #2 cause its worth the ride.
I found out about this book on Reddit and I just finished the "After" series and it was recommended as something similar. I can see it. Jake isn't toxic but the smut is just as good.
The beginning, well, the first 1/3 of this book was very tough to get through. First off, Jake just develops this random fascination with Abby and approaches her in class. We find out later where this fascination comes from but we find out so much later that I am frustrated with them by the time I do. They don't talk, they just smash.
Also, the smut is great but is kind of repetitive at some parts. The intimate scenes could have been more descriptive to balance out the dirty talk. Also, where did this random sexual chemistry come from? How are they in love? They don't speak.
Abby doesn't communicate until like the last third of the book. Jake is a great communicator and I like him. Abby is a realistic character though but she needed more lines. But when Abby did talk, she was just being a tad bit mean to Jake. But Jake's meanness will come out later. I must address the cafeteria scene. I think it was realistic. While wrong on Jake's part, it was realistic. However, Jake's anger issues were kind of dropped on us, which is actually quite realistic in intense relationships like this. Can I say "realistic" again?
By the time we get to the end of the book, I become engulfed. They begin to communicate, share information about themselves, and kind of develop a bond outside of the bedroom. Abby even starts to have dialogue! Now, I am invested.
The ending of the book was fantastic. The dissolution of the relationship was realistic and well written. I truly felt the characters emotions and wanted more.
I like Catherine Turner's writing style and just wish that the information about the romance came out earlier.
Having said that, I am 20% through book 2 and that is already a 5/5 for me. So, read this one, hang on tight, and read #2 cause its worth the ride.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2023
I read this on a whim based off a recommendation from a smut book thread and I have thoughts.
But before I get into that, if you just want a VERY smutty book with dirty talk, lots of detail and chapters on chapters of those intense encounters that usually happen only 3-5 times in more well-known smut books, this is for you. This book is basically all of those moments in the middle 400 pages — chapter after chapter.
Now for the review to help your decision:
1. This is the smuttiest book I’ve ever read. 12/10 smut. It’s essentially all hanky panky so do with that what you will. (Apologies for using the term hanky panky but it works.)
2. This book has no plot beyond two sexually active teenagers who can’t get enough of each other. It definitely doesn’t read like a Colleen Hoover or Lucy Score book so if that’s what you’re looking for, it might not be for you. In fact, it was hard to read at times, leaving me thinking… how did this get published? And yet I kept reading.
3. This book is extremely repetitive and lacking depth, especially the first 1/3. But after the first 50 pages, things start to happen. Jake, the ML coaxes Abby, the FL, the try new things and this pattern continues until the last few chapters. Again, the first 1/3, you’ll be asking yourself if you’re accidentally rereading a chapter but it eventually moves on.
4. It’s almost like the author decided they wanted to incorporate some substance and storyline into the last 100 pages of the book. I found myself, at this point, wanting to skim over the dialogue. It didn’t match with the rest of the book and felt random.
5. This book didn’t need to be 500+ pages. And this review didn’t need to be this long.
With all of this being said, I WILL be reading the second book because I have to know what’s next with these two. I’m definitely still curious outside of this critique so not a total fail for me.
But before I get into that, if you just want a VERY smutty book with dirty talk, lots of detail and chapters on chapters of those intense encounters that usually happen only 3-5 times in more well-known smut books, this is for you. This book is basically all of those moments in the middle 400 pages — chapter after chapter.
Now for the review to help your decision:
1. This is the smuttiest book I’ve ever read. 12/10 smut. It’s essentially all hanky panky so do with that what you will. (Apologies for using the term hanky panky but it works.)
2. This book has no plot beyond two sexually active teenagers who can’t get enough of each other. It definitely doesn’t read like a Colleen Hoover or Lucy Score book so if that’s what you’re looking for, it might not be for you. In fact, it was hard to read at times, leaving me thinking… how did this get published? And yet I kept reading.
3. This book is extremely repetitive and lacking depth, especially the first 1/3. But after the first 50 pages, things start to happen. Jake, the ML coaxes Abby, the FL, the try new things and this pattern continues until the last few chapters. Again, the first 1/3, you’ll be asking yourself if you’re accidentally rereading a chapter but it eventually moves on.
4. It’s almost like the author decided they wanted to incorporate some substance and storyline into the last 100 pages of the book. I found myself, at this point, wanting to skim over the dialogue. It didn’t match with the rest of the book and felt random.
5. This book didn’t need to be 500+ pages. And this review didn’t need to be this long.
With all of this being said, I WILL be reading the second book because I have to know what’s next with these two. I’m definitely still curious outside of this critique so not a total fail for me.
January 4, 2022
I would have loved this book. I’m not much for reviews so I don’t have much to say. The author has the best writing style that creates a vivid scene in your head. Even each chapter was perfectly focused, episodic in the writing style
SPOILERS BELOW!!.
the end ruined the whole love story for me. Jake absolutely went off on Abby. I think maybe if he would have just said a few nasty things to her his rage would have still been impactful. But I can no longer be comfortable with him as a love interest. He kissed her in front of everyone and it was very clearly non consensual. She even says how she was trying to push away from him. And then again he kisses her and gropes her in his room when he is verbally abusing her. How can I feel safe with him as a character if he is literally sexually assaulting her in ‘a blind rage’
And how he is grabbing on to her arm painfully and refusing to let her leave his room. Absolutely disgusting. He went from a loving character with anger issues and impulse control to a psycho that is a danger to women. Why would he say all those disgusting things and then claim them all to be lies? That he didn’t ‘mean it’. That’s literally not possible. He meant it when he said it. Or he didn’t mean it and said it only to manipulate Abby. The author should have not made him so unforgivable. I will probably keep reading for the steamy sex. But the romance and immersion was very much broken for me. Jake is a disgusting person.
SPOILERS BELOW!!.
the end ruined the whole love story for me. Jake absolutely went off on Abby. I think maybe if he would have just said a few nasty things to her his rage would have still been impactful. But I can no longer be comfortable with him as a love interest. He kissed her in front of everyone and it was very clearly non consensual. She even says how she was trying to push away from him. And then again he kisses her and gropes her in his room when he is verbally abusing her. How can I feel safe with him as a character if he is literally sexually assaulting her in ‘a blind rage’
And how he is grabbing on to her arm painfully and refusing to let her leave his room. Absolutely disgusting. He went from a loving character with anger issues and impulse control to a psycho that is a danger to women. Why would he say all those disgusting things and then claim them all to be lies? That he didn’t ‘mean it’. That’s literally not possible. He meant it when he said it. Or he didn’t mean it and said it only to manipulate Abby. The author should have not made him so unforgivable. I will probably keep reading for the steamy sex. But the romance and immersion was very much broken for me. Jake is a disgusting person.
September 3, 2022
Awakened and Undone. Well reading the titles I thought they were vampirish kind of books but then some one suggested this one and I gave it a go.
First few chapters were full of promise. Was hooked. But my god this was like infatuation at 16 where one gets charmed by a player who has is extremely shallow.
I am talking about book. Yup. It’s sex, sex and more sex. If I hear the words “w**” or “p***y” or “you are so hot” “you drive me mad” one more time. I am going to stab someone. It was ridiculous. I think the vocabulary was on a vacation and she had to make do with whatever was available.
But I have to give it. The teenage emotions and their hormones were on point. They confusion, the need, the misunderstandings or the intensity were very relatable. Yeah I could still go back to what I felt when I thought I was in “love” when I was a teen. The struggle was real. I could sympathize with both the characters. I could understand both of their point of views.
But only reading the girls POV was boring. Wish I got from both of them. Yeah well. I was bored to death and I skipped the scenes like scared frog. I still finished and In no hurry to read more about what’s going in Abby’s brain and not interested in reading more fucks and so called dirty “sexy” talk. If someone said there was boys POV then maybe I will be interested. Or else not really.
First few chapters were full of promise. Was hooked. But my god this was like infatuation at 16 where one gets charmed by a player who has is extremely shallow.
I am talking about book. Yup. It’s sex, sex and more sex. If I hear the words “w**” or “p***y” or “you are so hot” “you drive me mad” one more time. I am going to stab someone. It was ridiculous. I think the vocabulary was on a vacation and she had to make do with whatever was available.
But I have to give it. The teenage emotions and their hormones were on point. They confusion, the need, the misunderstandings or the intensity were very relatable. Yeah I could still go back to what I felt when I thought I was in “love” when I was a teen. The struggle was real. I could sympathize with both the characters. I could understand both of their point of views.
But only reading the girls POV was boring. Wish I got from both of them. Yeah well. I was bored to death and I skipped the scenes like scared frog. I still finished and In no hurry to read more about what’s going in Abby’s brain and not interested in reading more fucks and so called dirty “sexy” talk. If someone said there was boys POV then maybe I will be interested. Or else not really.
December 11, 2025
The smut was great, but repetitive at times. If they weren't progressing as a duo/couple, it wasn't really needed. some smut paragraphs seem like copies of other smut paragraphs. The amount of smut wasn't the problem to me but it started to lack creativity and differences from each other.
Abby's insecurities and self-centeredness are so real but also so random. why is she THIS insecure. like girl, you do well in school, u got a great parent, you have friends. i don't understand.
I also don't understand why jake likes her. I think if she lowered her walls enough to show her personality, I might be able to buy it. But they both seem like they care for each other for reasons outside a genuine connection. Jake seems like he idealised her, while abby seems like she only likes him for sex.
I'm halfway through the book. but.
Also I agree with other commentators, this couldve been trimmed.
Abby's insecurities and self-centeredness are so real but also so random. why is she THIS insecure. like girl, you do well in school, u got a great parent, you have friends. i don't understand.
I also don't understand why jake likes her. I think if she lowered her walls enough to show her personality, I might be able to buy it. But they both seem like they care for each other for reasons outside a genuine connection. Jake seems like he idealised her, while abby seems like she only likes him for sex.
I'm halfway through the book. but.
Also I agree with other commentators, this couldve been trimmed.
April 17, 2025
DNF at 50% because I was losing brain cells at an alarming rate.
This book reads like two Oblivion NPCs got modded to have infinite sex scenes but kept their default dialogue trees. I’m not even joking. It’s 99% the most painfully repetitive, cringey smut I’ve ever seen and 1% plot, and that 1% is being generous.
If Icebreaker was “too smutty and too pointless” for you, this book will feel like being waterboarded with lube.
Here’s a direct quote from my personal hell:
“Do you like when I play with your little 🐈?”
“Oh yeah I like that.”
“You like that?”
“Yeah. I like that.”
And I wish I was exaggerating, but no - this is literally the entire book on loop like a cursed Spotify track titled “NPC dirty talk - 10 hour version”.
I wouldn’t recommend this book to my worst enemy - not because it’s too spicy or edgy, but because it’s genuinely terrible. Reading it felt like being stuck in a low-budget porn game written by someone who’s never had a real conversation, let alone actual chemistry with another person.
The characters have zero depth, zero nuance - just blank, hypersexual caricatures with nothing to say beyond the same five recycled lines.
It’s not provocative. It’s not bold. It’s just lazy writing hiding behind the illusion of spice.
This book reads like two Oblivion NPCs got modded to have infinite sex scenes but kept their default dialogue trees. I’m not even joking. It’s 99% the most painfully repetitive, cringey smut I’ve ever seen and 1% plot, and that 1% is being generous.
If Icebreaker was “too smutty and too pointless” for you, this book will feel like being waterboarded with lube.
Here’s a direct quote from my personal hell:
“Do you like when I play with your little 🐈?”
“Oh yeah I like that.”
“You like that?”
“Yeah. I like that.”
And I wish I was exaggerating, but no - this is literally the entire book on loop like a cursed Spotify track titled “NPC dirty talk - 10 hour version”.
I wouldn’t recommend this book to my worst enemy - not because it’s too spicy or edgy, but because it’s genuinely terrible. Reading it felt like being stuck in a low-budget porn game written by someone who’s never had a real conversation, let alone actual chemistry with another person.
The characters have zero depth, zero nuance - just blank, hypersexual caricatures with nothing to say beyond the same five recycled lines.
It’s not provocative. It’s not bold. It’s just lazy writing hiding behind the illusion of spice.
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