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Maladaptive
I daydream to escape the life that was handed to me. I dream of better so that I don't wake more broken than when I closed my eyes the night before. And I dream of him because, without him, I wouldn't have survived.
Noya is a seventeen year old girl living in the middle lane. She doesn't want to stand out. She doesn't want to be noticed because people who are seen fall prey to falling too fast, and when you have skeletons that she has in her closet, it's easier to hide them when nobody notices you scream.
**Available December 1st**
Noya is a seventeen year old girl living in the middle lane. She doesn't want to stand out. She doesn't want to be noticed because people who are seen fall prey to falling too fast, and when you have skeletons that she has in her closet, it's easier to hide them when nobody notices you scream.
**Available December 1st**
- GenresRomance
480 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2021
About the author
Shaina Anastasi
22 books162 followersShaina Anastasi is a romantic fantasy author who loves delving into magic, blending elements of science fiction and horror into her work.
She loves pushing boundaries and crafting stories that stem from an overflowing mind filled with chaotic imagination.
Lately, she’s been dabbling in horromance and enjoying all things spooky and dark.
When she's not writing through the late hours of the night–keeping the ghosts company–Shaina creates Emergency Evacuation Diagrams for her day job and is also a full-time carer and cat enthusiast.
Your cat pics won't go unnoticed!
She loves pushing boundaries and crafting stories that stem from an overflowing mind filled with chaotic imagination.
Lately, she’s been dabbling in horromance and enjoying all things spooky and dark.
When she's not writing through the late hours of the night–keeping the ghosts company–Shaina creates Emergency Evacuation Diagrams for her day job and is also a full-time carer and cat enthusiast.
Your cat pics won't go unnoticed!
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 29, 2021
I originally wrote this review for Reedsy. Full review can be found here: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/mal...
Trigger warnings for this book: highly dysfunctional family dynamics, sexual harassment, bullying, extreme violence, emotional abuse, physical abuse
Noya is a seventeen year old girl who often daydreams to escape her reality. She lives in a world where she is constantly in a fight or flight mode, and she never feels safe. Noya wants to be invisible, because if she is invisible she can slip through life without too much trouble. But when she catches the eye of a boy at her school, she quickly realizes she does not need to be invisible, after all.
This story is a easy read - I was drawn in right away, and could not wait to find out what was going to happen with Noya. I was rooting for her to receive the help and support she so desperately needed, and I was enthralled with the romance between her and Conner.
However, this book was marketed as a romance and I think it would be better suited as a coming of age story. Throughout the story, Noya is finding her way and learning who she is. She begins to stand up to her demons, and fights for the life she knew she always deserved. I found this aspect much more compelling than the love story (and it was actually much more believable than the romance -- the way they quickly fell in love and moved so fast did not feel realistic to me in the slightest).
This book could also use a huge edit. I found many grammar errors and mis-spellings throughout the book. I think having a few more eyes on this book before publication would have helped clean the grammar and maybe editing a few of the unrealistic parts would help.
Overall, I enjoyed this read and I would recommend it to readers who enjoy coming of age stories, books about mental health, and anyone who has used music as a coping skill.
Trigger warnings for this book: highly dysfunctional family dynamics, sexual harassment, bullying, extreme violence, emotional abuse, physical abuse
Noya is a seventeen year old girl who often daydreams to escape her reality. She lives in a world where she is constantly in a fight or flight mode, and she never feels safe. Noya wants to be invisible, because if she is invisible she can slip through life without too much trouble. But when she catches the eye of a boy at her school, she quickly realizes she does not need to be invisible, after all.
This story is a easy read - I was drawn in right away, and could not wait to find out what was going to happen with Noya. I was rooting for her to receive the help and support she so desperately needed, and I was enthralled with the romance between her and Conner.
However, this book was marketed as a romance and I think it would be better suited as a coming of age story. Throughout the story, Noya is finding her way and learning who she is. She begins to stand up to her demons, and fights for the life she knew she always deserved. I found this aspect much more compelling than the love story (and it was actually much more believable than the romance -- the way they quickly fell in love and moved so fast did not feel realistic to me in the slightest).
This book could also use a huge edit. I found many grammar errors and mis-spellings throughout the book. I think having a few more eyes on this book before publication would have helped clean the grammar and maybe editing a few of the unrealistic parts would help.
Overall, I enjoyed this read and I would recommend it to readers who enjoy coming of age stories, books about mental health, and anyone who has used music as a coping skill.
December 10, 2022
5 stars
This is like a powerful book, you might cry,
Everything Noya has to go through😭😭😭
And Andy, like what the hell is wrong with you dude? That’s counted as sexual assault, you should go to jail
Some lines from the book I thought might be good to list:
“What is it that makes you so different from anyone else I’ve known?”
“I’m not done talking to you,
-What if I’m done talking to you?”
“What are you afraid of?”
“Did someone hurt you? Is that why you’re so withdrawn and flinch and don’t like violence, because you’ve seen it and… and” —he swallows— “felt it.”
“Conner:
That girl is you”
“You saw the photo, Sarah, Did it ever occur to you that someone hurt me more than you ever could?”
But this is a really emotional destroying book, Shaina you did good!
But since it involves topics, there could be triggers, here is a list of what I think could be triggering,
CW: sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, child abuse, child neglect, trauma, Alcohol abuse, mention of character using drugs, cheating
This is like a powerful book, you might cry,
Everything Noya has to go through😭😭😭
And Andy, like what the hell is wrong with you dude? That’s counted as sexual assault, you should go to jail
Some lines from the book I thought might be good to list:
“What is it that makes you so different from anyone else I’ve known?”
“I’m not done talking to you,
-What if I’m done talking to you?”
“What are you afraid of?”
“Did someone hurt you? Is that why you’re so withdrawn and flinch and don’t like violence, because you’ve seen it and… and” —he swallows— “felt it.”
“Conner:
That girl is you”
“You saw the photo, Sarah, Did it ever occur to you that someone hurt me more than you ever could?”
But this is a really emotional destroying book, Shaina you did good!
But since it involves topics, there could be triggers, here is a list of what I think could be triggering,
CW: sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, child abuse, child neglect, trauma, Alcohol abuse, mention of character using drugs, cheating
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2021
When I first read the description , my thought was that this sounds really dramatic and I read to see what would happen. And it starts out very sad. Noya is living in a broken home with her drunk father who abuses her. As the book progresses things improve with the help of Connor. And does end on a happy note. But the abuse Noya faces is the primary focus of the book. Keep that in mind should you decide to read this.
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.
September 1, 2026
It was a nice read!! The only reason I rated lower than I initially wanted was because of the time frame of everything.
Throughout the entire book there's so much happening, so much developing— you don't find out how long it's been since it started until about 70% in if I'm not mistaken? And Spoiler Alert: It's all in the spam of a month.
I thought it started at the beginning of the school year but it actually starts around early to mid October. Considering how fast they were moving and how understanding his parents were, I was so thoroughly confused and surprised.
Aside from that, I did enjoy the read. The way Connor cared for her was touching, to be loved is to be seen. The way Noya still managed to stand up for herself in other ways outside of her home was remarkable. I honestly wouldn't have been disappointed if they stayed as friends.
Also would like to add that I enjoyed Sammy's character when it came to how open and expressive she was. Talk about no real filter. She reminded me of myself a bit too much!
Throughout the entire book there's so much happening, so much developing— you don't find out how long it's been since it started until about 70% in if I'm not mistaken? And Spoiler Alert: It's all in the spam of a month.
I thought it started at the beginning of the school year but it actually starts around early to mid October. Considering how fast they were moving and how understanding his parents were, I was so thoroughly confused and surprised.
Aside from that, I did enjoy the read. The way Connor cared for her was touching, to be loved is to be seen. The way Noya still managed to stand up for herself in other ways outside of her home was remarkable. I honestly wouldn't have been disappointed if they stayed as friends.
Also would like to add that I enjoyed Sammy's character when it came to how open and expressive she was. Talk about no real filter. She reminded me of myself a bit too much!
October 13, 2026
This book was genuinely so sad, but so worth it. It felt like a wattpad book but in the best way possible. Noya was going through so much, but I loved that she stood up for herself even when she was being bullied, most of the time the FMC in books never stands up to the bully so I am so glad she did!
I loved how this book really represented what maladaptive day dreaming really is and how it affects you, it was spot on. “I love music. It’s my life, and sometimes I interject myself into the music I listen to. This time, I thought of you while having it on repeat.”
I loved the way Conner was just there for her, he didn’t push her to open up or anything, just listened. I didn’t understand how the fell in love so quickly, but they are seventeen and the book was a bit short so I get how it played out in the end.
It was set in the UK, which I loved. Most books I read are just set in America and I rarely find one set in the UK.
I am so glad Noya found Conner, and even his family helped her to grow and I love that they accepted her as one of their own!
Also, is it just me or is this so Katniss and Peeta!? “What is your favourite colour?” Conner asks as I finish serving the lady at the register. “I love the colour green.”
“Orange,” I answer.”
I loved how this book really represented what maladaptive day dreaming really is and how it affects you, it was spot on. “I love music. It’s my life, and sometimes I interject myself into the music I listen to. This time, I thought of you while having it on repeat.”
I loved the way Conner was just there for her, he didn’t push her to open up or anything, just listened. I didn’t understand how the fell in love so quickly, but they are seventeen and the book was a bit short so I get how it played out in the end.
It was set in the UK, which I loved. Most books I read are just set in America and I rarely find one set in the UK.
I am so glad Noya found Conner, and even his family helped her to grow and I love that they accepted her as one of their own!
Also, is it just me or is this so Katniss and Peeta!? “What is your favourite colour?” Conner asks as I finish serving the lady at the register. “I love the colour green.”
“Orange,” I answer.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2026
This book was okay, there were a lot of typos throughout the Kindle version of the book. The story was really good but felt so insta love between Conner and Noya. It was nice that the story actually followed Noya and focused on her experiences but certain things just didn’t add up with her character. For example the plot sideline of Sarah-Jean. It didn’t feel like it fit in the story Noya is very passive during everything but randomly she can stand up to this one girl. The ending was also not that great but overall the story and execution was pretty decent.
October 21, 2023
Phenomenal
Wow what can I say.. I can resonate with Noya in so many ways.
This is most definitely worth reading I got so into the book it was as if I was there. I was happy to see the trigger warning but I was actually OK reading it. You really fall in love with the main characters and want to sleep and fight others.
Shaina's writing is absolutely amazing please if nothing else give it a read.
P. S I need a Connor in my life
Wow what can I say.. I can resonate with Noya in so many ways.
This is most definitely worth reading I got so into the book it was as if I was there. I was happy to see the trigger warning but I was actually OK reading it. You really fall in love with the main characters and want to sleep and fight others.
Shaina's writing is absolutely amazing please if nothing else give it a read.
P. S I need a Connor in my life
August 16, 2026
The relationship between Noya and Conner was a bit fast but I am not the insta love fan. Read the kindle edition and huge amount of typos throughout, even characters names, and some sentences that didn’t make sense. Decent story.
October 16, 2026
This story has a lot of potential but it just wasn't executed properly. There was a lot of grammar mistakes and sometimes I had a hard time following the story. This story seemed like an insta love story between Conner and Noya.
August 19, 2026
Tampoco es que sea mala la historia y la verdad es triste pero el libro no es muy bueno
October 29, 2026
I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE REAL ENDING
WHAT THE HELL
I WAS SO SCARED
AND SO SAD
BUT THEN I WAS SO HAPPY
I FELT SO MANY FEELINGS
I ACTUALLY THOUGHT THAT- oh god I’ve gotta take a deep breath
WHAT THE HELL
I WAS SO SCARED
AND SO SAD
BUT THEN I WAS SO HAPPY
I FELT SO MANY FEELINGS
I ACTUALLY THOUGHT THAT- oh god I’ve gotta take a deep breath
August 17, 2026
7 ⭐️
omg that very last bit literally pages before the end of the book had me hyperventilating and on the verge of comitting book abuse wow.
omg that very last bit literally pages before the end of the book had me hyperventilating and on the verge of comitting book abuse wow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews