YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Brave by Zoe Dawson

In the season of hope, in the season of giving…

How far would you go for your friend?

Alissa Thompson has been the good girl her whole life. Her uninterested parents don’t understand her hopes and dreams. But this Christmas when her steadfast childhood friend Charlie needs her more than ever, she can’t back down. Crossing the line means being braver than she has ever been in her life. It means changing and growing and taking a stand.

Dakota Gray was brave in the face of debilitating fear. But he lost himself in that blood soaked day and has shunned everything he once knew. Now shattered and broken, he hides out in isolation, his wounds beyond healing. His heart closed, his emotions buried, he’s a man on the edge of self-destructing. Little does he know that courage would be found in another searching for the strength to be brave.

Now snowbound in the Colorado Rockies one week before Christmas, Alissa thought this was about her journey and her friend, about setting him free. But from the moment she meets Dakota, she learns about what real bravery is all about. What real love is all about. But is the season enough, her courage enough, her love enough to heal this hero’s brave heart and in the end set herself free?

I enjoyed Dawon's A Perfect Mess even if it was too clichéd, so I hope this one is just good too, or even better! :)

I might join you, Rachel but it will be a little bit late since I have one buddy read now (April 1st) and also another one on tomorrow, April 2nd.

Rachmi wrote: "I might join you, Rachel but it will be a little bit late since I have one buddy read now (April 1st) and also another one on tomorrow, April 2nd."

Okay! That's okay. I have two other buddies to start today as well so I understand how hectic it gets! Start whenever you wish and I can still try and discuss it with you. :)

Sorry guys but I read this this morning but didn't have access to a computer so I just took notes as I read it. Here is what I thought:

12% - (view spoiler)[Not a great start at all. Totally clichéd. Alissa's descriptions of how hot Dakota is, is simply pathetic.

It also really bugs me how all NA protagonist have to be "wounded" or "tortured". Plus, Dakota is a girl's name. :) (hide spoiler)]

14% - (view spoiler)[She feels safe!? How does she know Dakota isn't a serial killer or a rapist or something?? (hide spoiler)]

15% - (view spoiler)[He knew where her car was? How? (hide spoiler)]

32% - (view spoiler)[I'm so bored. (hide spoiler)]

34% - (view spoiler)[Wow, so cheesy! (hide spoiler)]

40% - (view spoiler)[That's just weird. (hide spoiler)]

43% - (view spoiler)[You don't even know me... they even admit it!! (hide spoiler)]

50% - (view spoiler)[She bosses him around like a slave. Its so annoying! (hide spoiler)]

56% - (view spoiler)[That was awkward!! (hide spoiler)]

67% - (view spoiler)[That is seriously so horrible and sickening! :'( (hide spoiler)]

70% - (view spoiler)[Wow, insensitive much!? (hide spoiler)]

73% - (view spoiler)[Her "humour" isn't even funny... (hide spoiler)]

75% - (view spoiler)[Oh, she loves him now. How long have the known each other...? (hide spoiler)]

78% - (view spoiler)[They mated slowly.... Wow, how romantically put... not!~ (hide spoiler)]

90% - (view spoiler)[I couldn't even care less at the moment. (hide spoiler)]

93% - (view spoiler)[Oh my God!? What!? No. He didn't!! (hide spoiler)]

100% - (view spoiler)[Not my sort of book. Nup. Not at all. I didn't like it. Clichéd. Boring. Not even great that great romance. Not really impressed. (hide spoiler)]

9% (view spoiler)[Alright I'm really curious, what is in the backpack? (hide spoiler)]

Amanda wrote: "9% [spoilers removed]"

Hmm it becomes really obvious later on which is a shame. :(

12% (view spoiler)[ I agree, it's very insta-love. Like give your character a flaw in their appearance. Nope, he's a perfect ten and so is she. I don't really think it's off to a great start either. It's an easy read and I'm a little intrigued, so I'm going to keep going. Honestly it's a little over-dramatic, like how many times did I just read the word 'demons'. My guess is that she has Charlie's ashes in that bag, just a prediction. (hide spoiler)]

I'll join! :) its past 1am though so I'll start when I wake up :)

12% response: (view spoiler)[It is and I hate how the characters are always so flawless. I do agree that I loved that it was easy to read. It is very dramatic and very predicable. She uses the word "demon" waaay too much. (hide spoiler)]

Kate wrote: "I'll join! :) its past 1am though so I'll start when I wake up :)"

Okay!! :)

14% (view spoiler)[ I agree, you just fucking met this guy. He's obviously got some issues. She's all helpless and damsel in distress and he's her knight in shining armor. It's so cliche it's almost humorous. (hide spoiler)]

Amanda wrote: "14% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Very, very clichéd. Yawn!! (hide spoiler)]

Rachel wrote: "12% response: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I just read which was phenomenal and this in comparison... well... But what I wanted to say was that in Deeper the characters had flaws, that was probably one of my favorite parts of the book. Their appearances weren't perfect, yet they found the beauty in each other. I mean they weren't ugly but like, I'm tired of everyone looking so perfect, it's not real at all. (hide spoiler)]

16% End of chapter 2 (view spoiler)[ Okay he is clearly shell shocked as fuck. I would not feel safe with someone who clearly is pretty fucked up. He isn't in his right mind, what if he thinks your a terrorist (I'm assuming he's a solider) and tries to kill you. He's losing his shit. (hide spoiler)]

17% (view spoiler)[ ASK ABOUT MY BAG AND I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING. (hide spoiler)]

20%(view spoiler)[ She has the same spirit as Elsa? Well how the fuck would you know. You met her like an hour ago. And I'm pretty sure I've sprained an ankle before and didn't need to be carried everywhere. (hide spoiler)]

Amanda wrote: "Rachel wrote: "12% response: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Really!? It sounds good. Should I check it out?? :)

Amanda wrote: "16% End of chapter 2 [spoilers removed]"

Exactly!!

Amanda wrote: "20%[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I hated that as well. She was completely babied and it was just a sprained ankle!! I tore my calf muscle and let me tell you, that is very damn painful but I walked myself around (admittedly on crutches) for a minimum of three months. I didn't need to be carried!! (hide spoiler)]

This story annoyed me a lot too.
(view spoiler)[If I could just yell at Alyssa to shut the hell up! Her description of Dakota was annoying! It's like every opportunity she could get, she'll insert some adjective to describe how hot he is. And I hated the part where she's bossing him around too. I mean, hello? You just met the guy!!!!! I guess for her it doesn't matter if he's a rapist or not 'cause she totally wants it. *rolling my eyes* (hide spoiler)]

Danna wrote: "This story annoyed me a lot too.
[spoilers removed]"

My thoughts exactly. Trying to write my review now but all I can say is how much it bugged me!!

Reading your opinion, I don't think I want to read it anymore :(

Rachel wrote:
My thoughts exactly. Trying to write my review now but all I can say is how much it bugged me!!"

Gave it 1 star too. So disappointed.

Danna wrote: "Rachel wrote:
My thoughts exactly. Trying to write my review now but all I can say is how much it bugged me!!"

Gave it 1 star too. So disappointed."

Me too. Not good at all.

Rachmi wrote: "Reading your opinion, I don't think I want to read it anymore :("

No Rachmi, I don't think you do. Give a go if you want but I wouldn't recommend you do. It was pretty terrible.

Rachel wrote: "Rachmi wrote: "Reading your opinion, I don't think I want to read it anymore :("

No Rachmi, I don't think you do. Give a go if you want but I wouldn't recommend you do. It was pretty terrible."

That's it! I don't want to read it. I still have a lot of ARCs I need to read, don't want to waste my time on book you don't like. Sorry guys you have to suffered it for me :D

Good choice Rachmi! Aha, I am sorry about that too. :) Never mind though. Hopefully my next book will be better. :)

Let's hope Disconnected will be better. It's my first book for this month :D You're going to read it too, right?

Yeah I am reading Disconnected. Reading Shatter Me first though. I hope it is better too! :D

Rachel wrote: "Yeah I am reading Disconnected. Reading Shatter Me first though. I hope it is better too! :D"

I'm curious of what you thought about Shatter Me since I'm in the minority side :D

I am just reading it for the first time now. It's so weird at the moment but I am only a few chapters in so hopefully it improves!! :)

That good eh Rachel?!

Rachmi, I wouldn't set your hopes too high for Disconnected ☹

Yep!! Ahahaha! Wouldn't recommend this one. :)

I don't think I'll bother now.

I wouldn't recommend you do. :)

Whoa you guys are fast! Its just April 1st here.

I've just started.
10%(view spoiler)[ That was a way confusing start for me! These characters seem weird! (hide spoiler)]

Rachel is in Australia so it's like 2am on April 2nd for her! We're always doing this to one another because of the time difference ☺

Yes that's what I thought! :) I was about to sleep when they started reading so I figured I'd be late!! this is such a diverse group that's why! :)

I'm always confusing rachel because I tell her 'we'll start tomorrow' which is usually a different day for her, so I'll mean wednesday, and she'll think thursday. So easy to do though!

Rachel and I have quite similar different zone. She's only 2 hours ahead from mine. It's 11:45 pm April 1st here in Jakarta, Indonesia. I think I always read earlier than you guys but then have to end it earlier too, so I guess it's quite fair :D

I'm going to finish it just because it's not very long.

34%(view spoiler)[ This book is so unrealistic (hide spoiler)]

43%(view spoiler)[ Just ask me anything and I'll tell you. But then I'll act super guarded, but really I'm an open book. Ugh barf. (hide spoiler)]

Amanda wrote: "43%[spoilers removed]"

This sounds awful!

52% (view spoiler)[ "you've helped me more than you know." You literally JUST fucking met. Shut up. (hide spoiler)]

Amanda wrote: "52% [spoilers removed]"

really?

It's just comical at this point.

Oh dear, glad I didn't decide to read it!

55% (view spoiler)[ "Dakota? Where's my coffee?" Uhm, get it your fucking self he's not your goddamned slave. (hide spoiler)]