It felt at beginning as a slap on my face ...
590067
It felt at beginning as a slap on my face, that's how brutal truth was... but it was at the right time.  Now gradually coming to my senses and learning to be different. Thank you.
3281080
It was an interesting story that took a while to get going and become involving. Well written via the stream of thought of the main character. The ending was to leave one with a why would these people do that to her, but the main character finally realized that she put much to much emotion and thought into what this family really did think and feel for her. She was fabricating castles in the air. Sometimes i felt like slapping her and shouting get real.
3647991
Every woman that has been physically or mentally abused will be able to identify with Pecan. The shame you feel as well as the happy face you put on for the world to hide the truth. This story was heartbreaking in it's accuracy of emotion and I found myself angry over the unfairness that the family was dealt. I wanted to yell at Pecan to stand up for herself and her children. Overall I enjoyed this book even though I was somewhat disappointed with the way that it ended.
3486432
From almost the beginning I could see where this story was going and it made me feel oddly uncomfortable.  My feelings got worse as I continued reading the book.  For a book club I belong to.
It ended as I hoped it would nd I was glad to be done with it.
690305
It might be me, but I feel like it sticks to me the whole time I'm in the shower :(
1882687
When a blurb begins by telling me to be aware and that I won't know whats coming, Im expecting it to knock me off of feet. Thats a pretty bold and lofty statement, right? To be fair I didn't have everything completely sussed out, but by the time I was at the end of this book I was so ready to just be done reading that frankly, I didn't care much anymore.

Initially I felt really bad for the protagonist, Yasmin. Shes a fifteen year old girl with a weight problem and no real friends. Shes a loner and a very odd duck, but shes bullied and teased and that always pulls at my heartstrings. Soon enough, you realize that Yasmin has very obsessive thoughts and compulsions, she concocts wildly elaborate fantasies that were very disturbing. Shes overly obsessed with her classmate, Alice and she would be rambling and go off on these strange tangents that made my eyes glaze over. It was all just a bit too much for.

Her innermost thoughts and rantings make up a good portion of the first half of this book, then she notices a weird older man is also watching Alice and her obsession turns to him instead. She inserts herself into his life and things turn dark and creepy, fast. Normally for me thats a good thing, but here? Not my cup of tea. I think the overall concept of the story wasn't anything like I expected it to be and instead of being happily surprised by this, I was frustrated and annoyed by it. It made me feel unsettled and gross, like I needed a shower by the time I got to the ending.

I do want to give credit to Kavanaghs writing though, shes clearly talented, this book just wasn't for me.
369055
*ARC provided by Little Bird publicity in exchange for an honest review*
This was my first read by these two authors and I was definitely intrigued ever since I first read the synopsis. This book is about 3 different families that live in houses that are side-by-side who decide to literally tear down the walls keeping them apart. As soon as I read the synopsis, I was expecting a lot of drama and my expectations were met for the most part. The characters gave me a bad feeling in my stomach right off the bat with the foreshadowing.
I read this book in one sitting; It was easy to get through but not easy to swallow. A lot of the behavior these characters took part in was completely unacceptable and I have to admit, some of them hurt me as if it was personal. The lines between these relationships blur so much and we are made to witness them without being able to help in any way. One relationship out of the 3 impacted me the most. So much so that I'm still reeling from how it ended. I won't go into detail but I just wanted to mention how torn I was about it. I can't imagine going through what this character did and I hope I never do. It is one of my worst fears, as it is for a lot of us, and I was made to see it play out. It was painful and soul-wrecking.
Besides all the wrongdoing, I really loved how each relationship was very distinct from each other. There were 3 different dynamics that were easy to follow. The ending most definitely has me asking for a sequel. That cliffhanger was completely out of the blue for me since I had already accepted the terms I thought the book was going to end in. But no, I was left reeling even more from a last punch Elizabeth and Melissa decided to throw in. Even though I was sympathetic to a certain character, I gave this a low rating because I couldn't really relate to them as they were double my age. All in all, I am very glad I gave this book a try and I can't wait to see what else these authors have in store for us.
3.5 stars!
2284883
boy did it hurt. left a mark over two months after having to take out, i can't imagine someone really dedicated to the look  would have to and i guess i just was not that dedicated
2181181
This book had to keep drawing me back.  I found myself wanting to give Jessie a slap up the side of the head for risking her marriage.  But then the other characters drew me back and I pitied Whit on the deaths of his wife and baby and his seeking solace in the monastery.
3102617
It was good until it got not so great. I know he was a beast, but I'm not a fan of blood and scars. What beauty wants to be bruised until there is physical pain. There is a difference between pain from submission, and pain from something clawing into your skin. Don't get me wrong the story wasn't all bad, it had its perks. I'm an adult, sex scenes don't bother me, but my golly from beginning to end. Sheesh!
2629545
I haven't tested it yet, but it feels like if I were to throw it at someone's face, they would have a head injury while I only have a bit of blood on the case
1022739
..but I already feel more understood than I have in my whole life just from reading the previews.  It's all the things that us already undervalued and unappreciated stepmothers think and feel there in print.  But now I realise I am not the only one.  I actually thought that with time and closeness my stepchild and I would feel more loving towards each other. I didn't realise that he would grate on my nerves even more over time and that everything and anything I do for him would be taken with no thanks or appreciation at all.  I'm sure I am not a horrible person but just by having this person in my life and doing the best I can I feel like a failure and a rotten human being.  This book changes all of that.
1091564
First couple chapters, I bawled my eyes out. Hysterics. I'm not sure I've ever cried so hard in a book. I had to take a couple week break from the book. So I took some time off then gradually continued with the book. I enjoyed it but I found myself thinking, "just get on with it, Emi" I'm not sure if I felt this way becauseI took so long to finish it, or if I felt the book was sort of dragging. Overall, I enjoyed it. I'll be reading book 3 soon, which I think is in Jack's perspective.
4506302
I found it interesting but there were parts of it I felt uneasy about and I really cant put into words as to why I felt as I did just too facile
2961284
when I tell you that what happened is not anywhere near what i was expecting. I was feeling bad because i was talking out loud and telling one of the characters that he needed to go get on meds and the whole time he was right and couldn't prove it. Ugh the worst feeling ever. I cant say too much other wise i will give the story away
372979
Starting Over brought to my attention  (we all suffer the same pain).  It has helped me to let go of the anger and resentment; let go of the past and stop blocking my blessings.
4454672
Ugh...I really didn't feel any benefits. Maybe I didn't stick with it long enough. Just felt uncomfortable and itchy!!!  It didn't release any tension, just made me itch.