One word to describe this book? Altering. Why? Because
for once, a book veered onto the one side of relationship not many authors want
to talk about; abuse, negligence and horror. I was expecting something from
this book but what I read, was not it. I cannot pinpoint why the
experience was haunting despite me having read so many dark romances. I
literally read and then re-read The Cat & Mouse Duo by H.D.
Carlton. It doesn’t get much darker than that book peeps. I came to the
conclusion that whereas Zade Meadows set his intentions right there, clear as
day from the get go, Mr. Neurosurgeon did not. A twisted romance that hit home
despite there not being a place for it do have such an effect. I have never
witnessed, experienced – nor do I hope to ever witness – domestic abuse myself
or a loved one ever. Yet, I related to Lily like I was her. Something about the
way Colleen Hoover wrote pulls apart the fibres in your heart, tugs them out of
place then makes you stitch them back up with a sense of reality.
This book entitled an air of melancholia, distress
whilst encapsulating the end in a roundabout way of life.
What does Red-headed Lily Bloom, a Neurosurgeon and a
once homeless man have in common? Absolutely nothing. I normally do my research
before buying a book. There’s a difference between going into my local
Waterstones, browsing the What’s Hot Section in the romance corner and
straight out just seeing a book on TikTok, ordering it on Amazon prime without
so much as reading the blurb – which can I just say even if I did, nothing
could prepare me for what I read.
Nowhere did I see the word domestic abuse, sexual assault
or a fucked-up Ryle. The most chilling part was that this man did
everything to lure Lily to only then use her as a human punching bag. The fact
that this happens in real life makes it so much more revolting. The notion that
the love we want in books cannot be found but the abuse can is a stark mirror
contrast between what we know and what we don’t want to know. Colleen made us
sift through the values of society, norm, fascination and sanity all in one
book. If that wasn’t enough, she wrote another one and boy do I have some
thoughts on that. A little snippet? Nope. Not getting one.
Lily Bloom was the witness of her parents messed up relationship
that had the same rinse and repeat cycle; assault, forgiveness, reconciliation
and repeat. After delivering a horrendous eulogy at her father’s funeral,
she went back to Boston to take a breather on a rooftop of a building she
didn’t live in. During the midst of her moping on the ledge of the roof-top,
incomes a Ryle who’s kicking a chair about and that’s how the initial meeting
started a story that only Ryle knew about.
Lily had guts to open a business. If you’re read my About
tab on my blog, then you know I’m working towards becoming a Literary Agent
and opening my own PR firm in New York. It’s something that takes a while but
more than the obvious money issues, it comes down to second guessing everything
you do. So, for the first half of the book, it was a dream come true.
Everything was falling into place for Lily until it wasn’t anymore. I especially
enjoyed the little glimpses Allysa (Ryle’s sister) gave to Lily without her
knowing. Or anyone for that matter.
Domestic Abuse isn’t something that is to take lightly
in any matter. Whether fiction or real life. The reasons behind it go far
beyond what we can think. Whilst the reasons never justify an outburst, it was
appreciated that we got to know why Ryle does what he does and why he doesn’t
bloody stop. Hint, hint book 2.
The most surreal moment was when Lily finally understands
why her mother endured so many years of trauma, torture and anxiety. The little
outburst she forgave which Ryle explained as if there is such a
thing. Discovering the why’s she asked herself and her mother countless times
was the most surreal moment. There was one part – if you’ve read it, you know
what – that I couldn’t believe I read. I couldn’t believe that Ryle we were all
rooting for in the first half of the book could essentially rape Lily. Despite
their daughter being the thread that had to be intact for her mental
wellbeing, the way it happened made me sick to my stomach. It was terrible.
I’ve read dark romances but like I said knowing the unknown in something so
heavily based around homelessness and domestic abuse just hit home in a place I
never know existed inside of me both mentally and emotionally.
It Ends with Us. The line that killed us all at the end of the story.
Lily finally broke that cycle her mother never could. Her mother never wanted
to. The life her mother never got to have because she was to in denial. If it
wasn’t for a persistent Atlas, there would have maybe been no Lily in the
future which would have been a much more distraught ending than her mothers.
Alas. It would have been a quick read but to many breaks from the heavy scenes
got me reconsidering my life. However, like Lily, I preserved. All was good in
the household…..until the second book came out.
I cannot forget that my heart was so incredibly warm when I found out Atlas was the owner of his own restaurant Bib's. No more sleeping in the cold, hoping for food and hiding his love for Lily.
Some constructive criticism. The first one was that at
times it was moving a bit fast. The second being the diary entries were longgg
and at times unnecessary. I get it. We are discovering the bond between a
young Lily and Atlas but we could have done more without the details. Finally,
some lines were just a little cringe. Like so cringe that I had to close an eye
to skim past the line. Very acute differences. The pending Literary Agent in me
can see how it will effect a book. The reader in me just forgoes the problems.
Who am I kidding. Nothing in me forgoes anything. The flowers a nice
touch and genius.
What's a book without a few hiccups? Exactly. Nothing.
I’ve seen the cast for the movie. First I was like ‘immediately
no. catastrophically a no’ because in my mind that is not a Lily Bloom, nor
is that a Ryle or an Atlas. However, after seeing certain behind the
scene snippets on TikTok, I feel like the casting is slowly making sense to me.
I am able to see Ryle in Justin Baldoni. I’ve seen the opinions on the outfit choices
of the characters but quite frankly I’m not even bothered. I am a bit upset
that the release date has changed from February to June but alas. I shall wait.
I mean if Blake Lively is in it, I’m watching it.
Despite everything, I still really admired the read. I
will be planning to re-read it after I finish the second one. I don’t know how but it has made it to my top
5.
As I publish this review, the next one is basically
writing itself. No hints in Vivian fashion. Like I always say, it’s not about
mystery but about elegance.
Don't forget to check out my review on the movie both starring and directed by Justin Baldoni in late June. I can't wait to wreck havoc on the whole movie. Reviewing it is going to be better than watching it for someone like me. It's going to be good.
Until next time, I’m off for more job hunting and
reading some more paper pages.
Vivian.
Don’t forget to keep reading, because as long as you
do, it’s making a struggling authors day that much better. Reach for the starts
of success.
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