Member Reviews
#TheWayHeLovedMe #NetGalley
Amy and Jason.
This book was raw and powerful, scary even in how real and realistic it was.
For anyone who has been in an abusive relationship, reading this might trigger the reader into having a major panic attack.
Or maybe that is just me.
For those who haven't experienced such a relationship it might open their eyes and give them a glimpse of how it can be.
Very dark and graphic at times.
My thanks to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
First love turned into a nightmare. Might not be so much of a YA material but I do think it's great to think about how to develop healthy relationships from young age.
I got through this book really quickly. The story was good, but the ending was kind of blah for me. I would recommend to someone who wants a quick read.
Normally I say a book is drawn out but this one needs to be drawn out a bit more needs a little more detail but it is a good book and she has a good story.. She could always do a rewrite if she wanted but I like this book!
Description:
"I love you." Three little words that when repeated over and over are likely to become believable. For Amy Andrews, 'I love you' comes at a price of never-ending forgiveness and hidden bruises.
Amy refuses to listen to family and friends, not wanting to see the only love she has ever known for the monster he really is. Jason is dangerous and volatile, leaving nothing but destruction in his path. Will Amy see the imminent danger before it's too late?
Or will she give every part of herself until there's nothing left? WARNING This book contains mature content and descriptive scenes that may be offensive or difficult to read
My Thoughts:
This book is not helpful at all. As a victim of psychological violence and stalking by an intimate partner, I could not finish reading beyond chapter six. Make no mistake. I am a survivor. I learned how to both recognize my damage and change what I look for in partners. I have been married in a loving relationship now for a very long time. What I am saying is there is a way out. There is a way to survive and thrive. This book is not helpful to get to the end of the tunnel.
Here are some statistics from the National Domestic Violence Hotline:
More than 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and more than 1 in 4 men (28.5%) in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Nearly half of all women and men in the United States have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime (48.4% and 48.8%, respectively).[vii]
Although the statistics seem grim, what I also know is that we survive and thrive. if 1 in 2 of us have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner, we come out of these relationships changed and strong otherwise the domestic violence statistics would be much higher. Some of us come out without the violence and outside drama that this book suggests as a "way out." That is the kind of book that YA males and females need. They need to see how you can rely on others to help you heal. They need to see how there are safe places and adult advocates who can help. They need to see what a strong friend who can help looks like. That is the kind of book we need. Not this.
An advanced copy provided by Net Galley and the Publisher for an honest review
Did I just read a Lifetime movie? If I didn't, this book certainly follows the pattern and tale of a Lifetime domestic abuse movie.
While there were quite a few parts of this book that made me mad, there we a lot of other parts that made me shake my head with disgust. I also found the book rushed and scraped together. I think 158 pages is too short of a book to portray domestic violence. That being said this is not a book for the faint of heart and definitely not a book I'd recommend for survivors of domestic abuse. There are a lot of triggers in the book that even as someone who hasn't experienced domestic abuse got to me. I also wouldn't recommend reading this book in public. I'm sure my face showed blatant disgust while waiting at the salon.
The author did an amazing job of capturing the development of an abusive relationship and the impacts the relationship has on the lives of both people involved in the relationship. Highly recommend!
Amy has always been the do good girl. She had never had a boyfriend, kissed a boy, or even been on a date. Until she met Jason. Jason was the new boy in school and Amy and Jason were instantly drawn to each other. Jason won her over quickly with his gentlemanly charm. He was so sweet and thoughtful and caring...until he wasn’t. Amy, not being experienced in love and romance, just figured this was the way it was supposed to be. Jason takes a turn for the worst and now Amy is too in love, too involved, too wrapped up in Jason to think clearly.
This book brings up mature topics that many young girls face today.
This is the first book I've read by this author. Ot is real and very raw.
It definitely captured me This story should only be read by a maturer audience.
When you read this book, you will learn explicitly about a relationship between two high students. Amy is a very quiet high school student with a best friend, named Trish. Amy's parents are very traditional. They talk and love one another.
Amy falls in love with the new student, Jason. They begin a relationship that turns extremely rocky and difficult. This book is very emotional and detailed. I would recommend this book for late high school and young adults.
I found this book very shallow and underdeveloped It's subject matter is dark but no depth of emotion was conveyed or given to the matter of domestic abuse. I had not realised it was a YA book but perhaps that is why it maybe the author is a YA too? This would explain its lack of length, descriptive prose or the feeling of any deep emotion. It was like reading a young teenagers essay. Disappointing as the subject matter could have been used as a teaching tool for youth.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book for an honest read and review. I did not read this book prior to publication date, but let me just say it is one everyone will want to read.
I do have to say it is a huge trigger warning for domestic abuse as well as rape. I was expecting the abuse but not rape, therefore thought I'd put that out there.
This book was beautifully written, as someone who has experienced both abuse and rape this book was a damn good representation. This story could have been a nonfiction story with how well the details are done. It showcases the side of both, it shows how the abuser abuses and apologizes after knowing what they did was wrong. While the victim makes up excuses for the abuser because they feel like they can't live without them or fear leaving.
Heather Tanti did an amazing job with this story, it is a short but impactful read. I am glad to have read it, it is a story I believe could be used in some cases for helping victims heal. Especially because they would learn that what they are feeling is normal, it is nothing to be ashamed of. Although they should seek help from someone they trust as well as some professional help. This is a topic that still seems taboo in todays society and I think it should be talked about more. It happens more then people think it does.
I give this book 5/5 because the representation in here was amazing, I honestly have no problematic issues in this story. I find most books based on abuse or mental illness and such have some problematic features. This one was as close to the truth as you will get without actually experiencing it.
A part of this feels like it should not be in the genre YA but then the other part...the part that I like to not think about is reminded of the fact that abusive relationships can start young and that kids need to learn that it is ok to speak out and they are not alone in the world. That it is not ok to be treated that way. I think this book could help shed some light on that.
There is a lot of honesty about this book, as bad as that sounds. The way you can hide your bruises and fear behind a smile because no one looks to hard at happy people.
This is a very dark but powerful book and one I would recommend to anyone wanting to get a glimpse at what it is like feeling stuck in a relationship like that.
I loved this book! Thought it was well written. The only I would have liked to have changed from it is I wished it was longer. I felt like we read right into the climax. I wanted more build up before the climax. The adrenaline of "Omg what's going to happen next" feeling. But other than that it was a great quick dark story. I thank you for the opportunity to read your book and I hope to see more of your work!
I have a lot of things to say about this story. First I appreciate the advanced copy. Secondly, while the book kept me wanting to read, the story starts with amy who meets Jason on page 3 or so, and they're in love by page five or so. Now, early on we see the severity of the relationship, but There could have been more relationship building between the couple, i didnt see enough good deeds on jasons part, to be surprised that he was the way he was....with little more relationship building, and a few more chapters this book could have easily been a slam dunk. However, its still getting the word out about teen abuse in relationships, I'm ok with that!
** spoiler alert ** This is pretty heavy material for young adults but unfortunately young adults face this all too often. Jason is nuts and Amy is a typical victim, which makes this book sad, depressing, tragic, and infuriating all at the same time. Anyone who’s been through this knows how it feels to believe them when they say it will never happen again, that you’re made for each other, that they need you . . . . .
I didn’t rate this higher due to the simplistic writing and the fact that it was a shorter novel.
In the plot, the story showed how sometimes our feelings hide what really is going underneath it all. Everyone sees the happiness but truly there are bad things hidden behind it all. Abuse is terrible physically and verbally. I hope every person knows they should not be treated a certain way like in the story. No one deserves to be loved that way...which really isn't love in my book (pun intended).
This book was short and to the point. Nothing sugar coated here. Amy is smart and has never had a boyfriend. She meets Jason and they start dating. Jason is from an abusive family and has only ever seen his dad abuse his mom and that is all he knows. Needless to say he treats Amy the same way and it just keeps escalating. Definitely a good book to read to understand someone who is abused and how they think, as well as how an abusive relationship works. Scary and dark but also true. The writing was a little dry and the characters were not really fully developed but the story definitely packs a punch. I read this in about 2 hours so it is quick but I also feel worth it to see how badly someone can be abused before they realize it. Worth a look!
This is a novella length book, so don’t expect anything too in depth, however, it’s straight to the point and it held my attention the entire time, I even got teary eyed at the ending, how tragic am I?! I guess that’s what a mother in her 30s will do to you! If you’re looking for a quick easy read, this is it
The topic of this book is very serious and it is important to write and talk about these things, I quite like the writing style,simple and straightforward. i would have liked more background to the story, better description of Amy's feeling for Jason, even more detailed Jason's point of view. I