Corinne [semi-hiatus]'s Reviews > The Words

2nd read: 3.5 - 3.75 stars

I liked it better the second time around. I guess I connected more with the characters now.
There are still things I don't like, for instance how Lennon treated George and how George turned out to be a bit of a douche all of a sudden. And how the first hookup btw Lennon and Phoenix started (the one in the bus). It just didn't make sense to me.

I also tried the audiobook but it was awful. It literally made my ears bleed. The narrators were either too detached and boring or too dramatic and annoying. Bummer!

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1st read: 3-3.5 stars

Not sure how to rate this one. Struggling here big time.

Tropes:
🎸 rockstar romance
🎸 second chance
🎸 hate to love / revenge plot
🎸 on the road
🎸 smut, smut, smut

This book is long, 700 pages. Quite a big commitment for the reader and maybe a duet would have been more appropriate.
It deals with a lot of hard hitting topics: high school bullying, body shaming, dyslexia, child abuse, domestic abuse, toxic relationships, Rockstar lifestyle, alcohol and drug abuse, early onset dementia, death of a loved one.
In terms of topics, this is probably Ashley Jade's most serious book, although still very smutty.

It follows the story of Lennon and Phoenix.
The first part of the book focuses on the last few months of high-school and then there's a 4 year time jump to present day.
18 year old Lennon is a good girl, living a cushy life albeit not perfect. Her dad's a song writer so he provides a pretty good living for her. She's smart, has good grades and has a passion for rock music. But her life isn't perfect. Her mom died at birth and she's using food as her crutch. So she's on the heavier side, the target of bullying from her peers and has no friends.
Phoenix is that mysterious unattainable guy in school, the smoker, dangerous, cold type and Lennon has a major crush on. His home life is bad. Mom left when he was 7 to save herself from an abusive relationship but left him to fend for himself against an abusive dad. He's got undiagnosed dyslexia but he's this effortless amazing musician. Together with his only friend, Storm, they're in a band.
Lennon is tasked with helping him graduate and they end up striking an unlikely friendship. Just after graduation, Phoenix and Storm catch their big break, not before Phoenix betraying Lennon in a big way and destroying their friendship.

This first part of the book felt under-developed to me. The bullying aspect was not treated enough, I felt Lennon sometimes came off more grown up than she was and I didn't buy into the relationship, felt no emotion. She was always in awe of Phoenix and constantly bringing herself down. I don't have a problem with it because I was this girl as well but I felt no sympathy towards her.

The second part focuses on present day, when Phoenix and his band, Sharp Objects achieved international fame. Phoenix is spiraling out of control with drugs and booze and Lennon ends up being hired as his sober companion.
They have a long back and forth hate to love relationship due to his betrayal for which he doesn't apologize until about 80%. Aside from this, I felt there was a lot of tell and not enough show.
Their relationship felt toxic for the most part of this book and solely based on sexual attraction, Lennon constantly thinking about what an amazing performed Phoenix is and always comparing him to the sun (at nauseam).
I didn't particularly like either character but at least Phoenix stayed true to himself and managed to redeem his actions by the end. Can't say the same for Lennon who was indecisive all the time. Her hot / cold attitude was frustrating. She had a real issue with Phoenix but she'd put it aside all the time cause the sex was great or he was in pain and she was the only one who could understand and support him. But every now and again she would remember why she was upset and fight with him again.

The book lacked the usual sarcastic humor and emotion I expect and enjoy from Ashley Jade. I felt very detached reading it, with the exception of a few scenes. There was no breathtaking buildup of emotion.

That being said, the book is addictive and I was eager to learn what happens next but I felt some topics lacked depth (Rockstar life, loss of creative control etc)

I guess the author tried to tackle too many heavy topics and some were better treated then others. I liked how the impact of child abuse was dealt with, Phoenix's spiraling and Lennon's help with that, the grief and guilt after the death of a loved one. The last topic felt really personal to the author as I was reading it.

***ARC generously provided by author in exchange for an honest review.