Publication Date: May 17, 2016
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Series: n/a
No. of Pages: 474 pages

R E V I E W

WARNING: This review may contain spoilers.

First things first. I might be a little late for reading this book, but still, I want to make a review because I fell in love with it. My first impression upon reading the title was “cheesy and lousy” because why not? This is the first (ever) book of Jennifer L. Armentrout that I’ve read. So I guess, my first impression never lasts (sometimes) and I was so so wrong for judging the title (sorry Jennifer, FORGIVE ME).

This book made me think about the profound and deep meanings of life and how it differs from one another. At first, I was easily attached to Mallory. Not that I have the same painful past but because I related myself with her. I love her transformation until the end. Who wouldn’t? We all know that dealing with that kind of past is hard and it may drag you down for the rest of your life. But she did it! And I admit, I get butterflies in my tummy too whenever Rider tell sweet things to Mallory. I just feel like he was directly talking to me! Hahaha.

I love Ainsley and Jayden’s personality in here because I can really feel the free-spirited vibes from them. I also love the strictness of Carl because he reminded me of my papa when I was a teenager. What I’ve learned from Paige was that people cope up with their fears and painful experiences differently. We should learn to face and deal with it.

Lastly, I just hope that there will be a novella for Hector and Ainsley because I’m sure I will love that! Overall, I am head over heels in love with this book!

★★★★★

F A V O R I T E L I N E S

“Anxiety circled like a viper waiting to attack with its crippling venom.”

“Happy and whole. Knowing he was okay meant I could officially close that chapter of my life.”

“Frustration bloomed inside me, because I knew I could talk, but every time there was a perfect moment for me to speak up, I got too caught up in overthinking what I could say.”

“Words were not my enemy or the monster under my bed, but they held so much power over me. They were like ghost of a loved one, forever haunting me.”

“I didn’t give anyone the satisfaction of my attention.”

“You never really know someone, not even family sometimes. People show you what they want you to see. You have to remember that.”

“People can say crap. They can think whatever they want, but you control how you feel about it.”

“”I know you deserve better, but I want to be better. I want to be that for you.”

“….nothing last forever, but some things, some scars, ran too deep to ever fade away.”

“Forever was something we all took for granted, but the problem with forever was that it really didn’t exist.”

“I want to be the guy worthy of your love, and I swear, if you’ll have me, I’ll do everything in my power to be that man. I’ll never stop trying.”

“My past was a part of me and it molded who I was today, but it was not the sum of who I was to become.”

S Y N O P S I S

Growing up, Mallory Dodge learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime. Now, after years of homeschooling, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at a public high school. But she never imagined she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.

It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet soon it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory must make a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants and the truths that need to be heard.