I’m gonna have to sit on this one

OK. Im ready to talk about this now.
I had a lot to process because i had a lot of good feelings and a lot of bad feelings.

FIRST. I loved Jennifer Hartmann's books Still Beating and The Wrong Heart. BUT i feel she has failed to capture the magic of those two novels ever since. I keep reading her new stuff with high hopes, but i've been let down by mediocre writing time and time again. I'm not such a stan anymore. :(

MOVING ON

This book felt a little tried and over done.
I love an age gap novel. But they are HARD to do well. Nothing ever compares to Birthday Girl- which in my opinion sets the standard.
This book didn't quite hit the mark for me, for a number of reasons.
1. it was long af. too long. jfc it was long.
2. I felt like there were a ton of triggers that required some serious content warnings.
3. I can not believe the relationship with his daughter went the way it did. The basis for that particular conflict in the book was literally held together with tape and bubble gum. It was just so so flimsy.
4. HE LET HER GO. Hated that entire montage. It was fucking stupid (excuse my french).
5. I don't care how hot you are, or how mature you look for your age, or how sexual you are (ESP if its trauma based). There is not a single 17 year old who would act the way Haley did.

Tara was annoying and Haley was like a manic pixie dream girl from the early 2000's. Very much a pick me-not like the other girls type of character.

the more i think about it the less i like this novel. Im glad it was on KU cuz i would have been PISSED if i bought it