⋆ ⁎ ★° ⁀ ➷ 5 stars 

“I just really need it to be a love story. You know? I really, really need it to be that.” “I know,” she says. “Because if it isn’t a love story, then what is it?” 

 

Beautifully written, and immensely uncomfortable to read, but I found it impossible to look away. I grew very uncomfortable reading Vanessa when she was 15, but that also told me those where the parts I needed to read. 

 

I felt so much for 15 year old Vanessa. She was grieving both him, the relationship, and herself, and I honestly feel so sad for her, because he was the only man that she had ever truly loved - even if she didn’t understand how wrong the relationship was. The fact that she held on to her beliefs so hard and didn’t falter I think speaks to volume on her abuse. Vanessa was protecting Vanessa from Vanessa, she needed it to be a love story, not grooming. 

 

P.S. I’m not using the steamy counter on this book for obvious reasons. While in technicality I could use them, I don’t comfortable using a hotness scale on rape…Just know what it is descriptive, but not in a lot of detail - but more than enough details.