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Writings on the Wall: Arlissa's Story
A young woman chases a life worthy of a primetime drama and realizes the consequences of her actions a little too late in this heartbreaking yet reality-shifting Coming of Age story by Goddess A. Brouette.
If you had the chance to recall every event that led you to your biggest regret- would you take it?
In a small town in Nevada, Arlissa Benson feels trapped by a broken clock- doomed to an eternity of lackluster days repeated on an endless loop. The voice of her dead sister rings in her head, urging her to do more! Be more! Just like the movies they used to watch together. And when her best friend decides to drag her to Los Angeles to start a music career-- Arlissa's test begins.
Falling for Hollywood poster boy and boxer Xavier Amari was never part of the plan. Taken by his mystery and wounded past- she's lured into the dark and beautiful world of celebrity status.
Those Arlissa meets along the way try to save her from herself but she's blinded by glitz, glamor, and a tumultuous romance. What she doesn't realize is the truth has always been written in blood right before her. Living life as they do in the movies is anything but a game... Especially when no one is playing fair. Can Arlissa catch herself before it's too late?
If you had the chance to recall every event that led you to your biggest regret- would you take it?
In a small town in Nevada, Arlissa Benson feels trapped by a broken clock- doomed to an eternity of lackluster days repeated on an endless loop. The voice of her dead sister rings in her head, urging her to do more! Be more! Just like the movies they used to watch together. And when her best friend decides to drag her to Los Angeles to start a music career-- Arlissa's test begins.
Falling for Hollywood poster boy and boxer Xavier Amari was never part of the plan. Taken by his mystery and wounded past- she's lured into the dark and beautiful world of celebrity status.
Those Arlissa meets along the way try to save her from herself but she's blinded by glitz, glamor, and a tumultuous romance. What she doesn't realize is the truth has always been written in blood right before her. Living life as they do in the movies is anything but a game... Especially when no one is playing fair. Can Arlissa catch herself before it's too late?
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 22, 2021
Easily put, Writings on the Wall: Arlissa’s Story is indeed a masterpiece from start to finish. From the very beginning, it is extremely gritty: with characters who are intense, relatable, and sometimes an utter nuisance (which you eventually learn to accept and appreciate). Thrills throughout the entirety of the story, as well as the bone-chilling decisions made on behalf of Arlissa, make the journey of finding herself within this whole new atmosphere as interesting as it is long... And she’s in for a treat.
October 16, 2021
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is Arlissa's story. When her best friend is given an opportunity to go to LA to fulfill her dreams, Alissa is kind of force to go with her.
While living there, we find out her past, which is tragic and her present, full of rich and superficial people.
Did I enjoy this book? Not really. I found myself a lot of times questioning Arlissa's decisions. Honestly, the story is a little bit slow.
This is Arlissa's story. When her best friend is given an opportunity to go to LA to fulfill her dreams, Alissa is kind of force to go with her.
While living there, we find out her past, which is tragic and her present, full of rich and superficial people.
Did I enjoy this book? Not really. I found myself a lot of times questioning Arlissa's decisions. Honestly, the story is a little bit slow.
August 16, 2025
DNFing…
September 21, 2021
Writings on the Wall- Arlissa's Story by Goddess A. Brouette, is indeed a story where teenagers do not know what they want from life. In this dilemma, they commit some grave mistakes which they regret for life. The plot is slow for first few chapters. But, after that it picks up pace with vital turning points. Although, I was disappointed with the climax. The only fact which I liked about the book is that it has portrayed teenagers and their problems in a good manner. I literally felt myself saying why the hell Arlissa doing this? So, I would give the book only 4 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Read more on bibliophileverse.blogspot.com
Read more on bibliophileverse.blogspot.com
March 1, 2023
…if hurt people really hurt people, then who was I going to hurt?
Nineteen-year-old Arlissa Benson doesn’t know what to do with her life, so when her friend Alejandra drags her to Los Angeles, she takes the opportunity to figure herself out. She soon meets the attractive professional boxer, Xavier Amari, and becomes slowly immersed in LA culture, both for better and for worse. It turns out there’s more to Hollywood than the glitz and glamour, and when Arlissa tangles herself in a web of her own bad decisions, there might be no digging her way out. Everything might start out innocently enough, but when drug use, selfishness, past trauma, and an impulsive nature start to have serious consequences on Arlissa’s relationships, there’s nothing left except regret.
I quite liked this book. I’m happy it was written in first person so that I could really get inside Arlissa’s head and see her thought process. She’s not a perfect person by any means, but that’s kind of the point. She’s flawed, even irredeemably flawed at times, but that’s why her future gets more and more bleak as the story progresses. Don’t expect a happy ending. This is a story about how getting caught up in your own BS hurts not just yourself, but the people around you, and at a certain point you can’t take back what you’ve said or done. Goddess A. Brouette has a unique approach to storytelling and isn’t afraid to write characters who are broken and can’t necessarily be saved by plot armor.
Nineteen-year-old Arlissa Benson doesn’t know what to do with her life, so when her friend Alejandra drags her to Los Angeles, she takes the opportunity to figure herself out. She soon meets the attractive professional boxer, Xavier Amari, and becomes slowly immersed in LA culture, both for better and for worse. It turns out there’s more to Hollywood than the glitz and glamour, and when Arlissa tangles herself in a web of her own bad decisions, there might be no digging her way out. Everything might start out innocently enough, but when drug use, selfishness, past trauma, and an impulsive nature start to have serious consequences on Arlissa’s relationships, there’s nothing left except regret.
I quite liked this book. I’m happy it was written in first person so that I could really get inside Arlissa’s head and see her thought process. She’s not a perfect person by any means, but that’s kind of the point. She’s flawed, even irredeemably flawed at times, but that’s why her future gets more and more bleak as the story progresses. Don’t expect a happy ending. This is a story about how getting caught up in your own BS hurts not just yourself, but the people around you, and at a certain point you can’t take back what you’ve said or done. Goddess A. Brouette has a unique approach to storytelling and isn’t afraid to write characters who are broken and can’t necessarily be saved by plot armor.
September 3, 2021
Writings on the Wall: Arlissa's Story by Goddess A. Brouette is a tour de force and not at all what I expected. I had anticipated that the story would follow the usual love story narrative as the typical elements were in place. However, this story was anything but typical; joltingly. the story begins and ends in the same place. Arlissa Benson and Xavier Amari form a toxic bond which fuels this story. I thought that the author would compromise the ending for our comfort. I was wrong. The emotional roller-coaster dizzying ride of this story will leave you reeling!
I voluntarily read a copy of this book from Netgalley and this review is of my honest opinion.
I voluntarily read a copy of this book from Netgalley and this review is of my honest opinion.
September 20, 2021
I’m speechless, I don’t even know where to start. This book is full of emotions, peer pressure and living your dreams. I have to say that this coming of age story of Arlissa is powerful and very moving too. I love how Arlissa’s story feels so real and personal. I love that the characters are so innocent to start their journey then change, due to society and the demands of their chosen careers. Most of all I love this book because the Arlissa and her friends deal with realign situations that no one like to talk about. I would recommend this book to everyone who wants to become famous.
May 14, 2024
Disclaimer: The genre is far outside my usual reading material.
Opinion: I give this book three stars subjectively. It was a bit of a slower paced book, but quite well written and flavorful. It was a bit sad and I felt it accurately reflected a lot of the psychological, emotional and relational struggles that sometimes happen in real life with real people. It wasn’t a light or fun read. I did have some plot related questions at the end, which are not answered in book one.
I was given a copy of this book for a free and honest review.
Opinion: I give this book three stars subjectively. It was a bit of a slower paced book, but quite well written and flavorful. It was a bit sad and I felt it accurately reflected a lot of the psychological, emotional and relational struggles that sometimes happen in real life with real people. It wasn’t a light or fun read. I did have some plot related questions at the end, which are not answered in book one.
I was given a copy of this book for a free and honest review.
August 13, 2024
Listen. This book was a WILD rollercoaster ride. Arlissa is 19 years old, and to think that she made the decisions she made had me wanting to shake her a bit, but after reading everything she went through? I want to hug her now. I read the whole book in a day, and I kept messaging @goddessabrouettebooks through it because my heart was breaking!
And we hate Xavier. Okay byeeeee 🫡🤣
🖤 Diverse Cast
🖤 Coming of Age Story
🖤 Present Day Hollywood
🖤 Assistant to Model FMC
🖤 Boxer MMC
🖤 Slowburn
🖤 Multiple Love Interests
🖤 Dark Themes & Grief
And we hate Xavier. Okay byeeeee 🫡🤣
🖤 Diverse Cast
🖤 Coming of Age Story
🖤 Present Day Hollywood
🖤 Assistant to Model FMC
🖤 Boxer MMC
🖤 Slowburn
🖤 Multiple Love Interests
🖤 Dark Themes & Grief
August 22, 2021
Arlissa’s Story is a infuriating tragedy that I couldn’t put down. Brouette’s debut novel is full of fundamentally flawed and layered characters that swept off my feet and left me heartbroken. I’m unsure whether Brouette orchestrated a beautiful (yet unexpecting) tragedy accidentally, or if Arlissa’s fate was predestined from her creation. Regardless, I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for the release of a sequel. Arlissa’s Story is an overall masterpiece and my favorite read of 2021.
September 7, 2021
Happiness usually hides from us between all the diversions this world has and keeps us fooling around in the wrong directions. Happiness likes to be right in front of us but we keep looking, struggling because we see through it. If we are lucky we may finally get it into our life. This book got me thinking about it since page one. The way is written is so captivating and easy to keep you up all night until you find your way to the end and make your conclusions.
Absolutely astonishing!!!
Absolutely astonishing!!!
June 17, 2023
Writings On The Wall: Arlissa's Story is a difficult book to describe. It awakened a large range of emotions in me; it took me back to a time when I was clueless about the danger of the real world.
The characters' evolution is beautifully written, and it is almost like watching a car crash, you know you must look away but you can't, even though you know what's coming.
That book should be nicknamed " Some dreams are not meant to be followed."
The characters' evolution is beautifully written, and it is almost like watching a car crash, you know you must look away but you can't, even though you know what's coming.
That book should be nicknamed " Some dreams are not meant to be followed."
January 20, 2022
DNF @ 32%
It was just awkward for me that her dead sister was her conscience and therbefore was a person talking in her mind. Alissa was not really interesting to me, i started early on questioning her decicions and how she was.
It was just awkward for me that her dead sister was her conscience and therbefore was a person talking in her mind. Alissa was not really interesting to me, i started early on questioning her decicions and how she was.
February 19, 2023
This book is amazing!!! Once I started reading it I never wanted to put it down. There were twists and turns throughout. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen next, the author through another surprise at me.
April 21, 2024
Woah, I need a sequel!!!!! The story and the characters were so real and the emotional rollercoaster of it all definitely gave me euphoria vibes. I need answers because I for sure didn't think it'd end the way it did.
December 17, 2024
It was difficult to find the motivation to keep reading. The main characters were not likeable. The middle dragged on. I kept waiting to see when the prologue happened. Guess this is a series? Stuff with her sister's voice was never explored. Overall a letdown.
November 21, 2023
Favorite quote, “Always trust your instincts, Alissa.”
February 17, 2024
An interesting story if you’re looking for teenage struggles, gritty characters that grow on you, and an interesting take on character growth.
Read
May 15, 2024Unfortunately I had to DNF this book. I just never wanted to pick it up and I lost interest. Not for me! Writing was good but just didn’t hook me in I’m afraid
July 9, 2025
slow and hate the main character. hard to finish
May 4, 2023
Writings on the Wall: Arlissa's Story is a dramatic twisted tale full of mystery and turmoil. This story focuses on a broken young heroin who carries with her a childhood trauma that affects each decision that she makes as she tries to navigate her way into adulthood. The author Goddess A. Brouette does a fantastic job building and retaining a certain level of tension throughout this story. From start to end this roller coaster ride kept me holding on tight.
To me this book reads a bit like a Wattpad story with scene after scene of action and drama. One line that repeated frequently, '...eyes rolled to the back of ...head' and the use of the word "orbs" repeatedly to describes eyes added to the Wattpad vibe. These few things made me feel like this book could benefit from a good editor.
The theme, content and characters of this book were strong. Brouette most certainly has a great mind for story telling. She is the type of author that I would love to follow and witness her growth as she matures within her craft. This story is filled with so much passion I want to give it 5 stars but there are a few things that miss the mark for that. When the story concludes I feel like I am still left wondering about the true mystery of what happened in the end. The connection between the characters was a little too automatic for me and the career path of a 5 ft tall girl becoming a world famous super model was a little too far fetched to ever convince me.
In the end I believe this story could be worthy of 4 stars if it could spend a little time with the right editing team. With the way it's written now I'd give it closer to 3. I really hope to see more work from Brouette in the future. Her potential is 100% there. I just hope she finds herself partnered with a good editing team. I know the road can be harder for Indie Authors but there are resources out there varying from free courses offered at libraries to free BETA readers you can find on most social media platforms. To Goddess A. Brouette I plead, don't give up! You have so much talent and this story was proof of that. Thank you for giving me a chance with your story. It was a pleasure to read.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Enchanted Ink Publishing. I am leaving this review here voluntarily.
To me this book reads a bit like a Wattpad story with scene after scene of action and drama. One line that repeated frequently, '...eyes rolled to the back of ...head' and the use of the word "orbs" repeatedly to describes eyes added to the Wattpad vibe. These few things made me feel like this book could benefit from a good editor.
The theme, content and characters of this book were strong. Brouette most certainly has a great mind for story telling. She is the type of author that I would love to follow and witness her growth as she matures within her craft. This story is filled with so much passion I want to give it 5 stars but there are a few things that miss the mark for that. When the story concludes I feel like I am still left wondering about the true mystery of what happened in the end. The connection between the characters was a little too automatic for me and the career path of a 5 ft tall girl becoming a world famous super model was a little too far fetched to ever convince me.
In the end I believe this story could be worthy of 4 stars if it could spend a little time with the right editing team. With the way it's written now I'd give it closer to 3. I really hope to see more work from Brouette in the future. Her potential is 100% there. I just hope she finds herself partnered with a good editing team. I know the road can be harder for Indie Authors but there are resources out there varying from free courses offered at libraries to free BETA readers you can find on most social media platforms. To Goddess A. Brouette I plead, don't give up! You have so much talent and this story was proof of that. Thank you for giving me a chance with your story. It was a pleasure to read.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Enchanted Ink Publishing. I am leaving this review here voluntarily.
March 5, 2024
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this book and I think Goddess has a nice career ahead of her. My only drawbacks were Arlissa’s internal monologue with her sister left me a bit frustrated at times and the timeline confused me a bit. Otherwise I genuinely enjoyed the characters and the world building. I’m excited for book 2 and Aly’s story.
I enjoyed this book and I think Goddess has a nice career ahead of her. My only drawbacks were Arlissa’s internal monologue with her sister left me a bit frustrated at times and the timeline confused me a bit. Otherwise I genuinely enjoyed the characters and the world building. I’m excited for book 2 and Aly’s story.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews