Title/Author: Bad Romance by Heather Demetrios
Publisher: Henry Holt
In a nutshell (Publisher):
Grace wants out. Out of her house, where her stepfather wields fear like a weapon and her mother makes her scrub imaginary dirt off the floors. Out of her California town, too small to contain her big city dreams. Out of her life, and into the role of Parisian artist, New York director―anything but scared and alone.
Enter Gavin: charming, talented, adored. Controlling. Dangerous. When Grace and Gavin fall in love, Grace is sure it’s too good to be true. She has no idea their relationship will become a prison she’s unable to escape.
Deeply affecting and unflinchingly honest, this is a story about spiraling into darkness―and emerging into the light again.
Verdict: Must-Read for YA!
My thoughts:
This book was one of the books picked for me for one of my reading challenges – that is to read out of my comfort zone – YA & romance. And I’m glad I read this!
I felt like the author wrote my entire high school love story in one book, almost to a T! No joke! I shared my own experience below.
It started off with the usual girl (Grace) falls for boy (Gavin) introduction. Grace didn’t think she would ever be good enough to be dating the popular, talented, and charming musician, Gavin. But when she found out he tried to commit suicide, she sent him a note of consolation on a whim. This note was the start to their relationship. Grace was over the moon when Gavin reciprocated her feelings. And they started dating. Love was a bed of roses UNTIL Gavin started being over possessive and protective.
He started calling her ‘not deep’, made her do silly, embarrassing, self-deprecating things just to ask her to prom; picked out her prom dress, reading her diary, etc. She kept telling herself she needed to call off the relationship but changed her mind when he started behaving all romantic and understanding again.
She went through this whole cycle whole cycle and roller coaster of emotions again and again, when he mentally tortured her, called her names, forced himself on her, sexually abused her and just when she reached her limit he acted all sweet and loving again, letting her to think he did all that our of love – his sacrifices, his possessiveness, his stalking – was to show how much he loved her.
Against her own judgement and best friends advice, she trusted him. She even sacrificed her dreams of going to NY for him.
Have you read this? What did you think? If you haven’t, do you intend to? Have you experienced something similar to the MC? Please share with me your thoughts!
Hooked On Bookz 
I’m very sad that you went through something like that. Hopefully life is much better now.
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Thank you, Rosie. Yes, life is definitely much better now. That experience really opened my eyes.
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Awe, Jee. Sorry to hear that. This is why I can’t read books with any such context. I too have had such a bad relationship experience that I barely got away with my life, although he tried. The girl after me was not so lucky (he killed her). Living in fear for years was horrible. All this is looong ago and I have healed, but I cannot read anything with toxic relationships. Talk about trigger! 😦 But I am glad you still liked the book.
XOXO
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Omg Scarlett! I’m so so sorry you had to go thru those dark moments! 😢I’m just so glad you’ve healed. I’m so sorry to know what happened to that girl. Has he been caught?? I hope he gets what he deserves! I must admit it was a difficult read for me bringing back those awful memories. But in a way, I’m glad I read it so I can recommend it to my kids when they’re old enough to read books like these, so they’re aware. Thank you for sharing with me your experience, Scarlett…xoxo
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Sounds like a powerful book. And, just look at the complexity of the cover…beautiful and complicated at the same time. I have had many female university students who were caught up or even trapped in similar beautiful yet complicated relationships.
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This relationship is so toxic it can harm both parties if it nothing is done. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone…This book is an important read to create awareness especially among young adults or teens going through peer pressure and all these raw and new emotions…
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I remember wanting this ARC so badly! 🙂
I wish there weren’t so many “love” stories like but there are, mostly due to the way we, women, have been taught we have to accept all kind of things!
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How true! It’s something I hope to instill in my kids – to not to take sh** from others!!
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And to know how to stand up for themselves!
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Jee, I’m so sorry that you went through such a horrific time in your life. I’m very happy you realize it wasn’t a safe relationship for you to be in. The sounds like a powerful and emotional read, and whether or not we’ve been in an abusive relationship at any level, should give it a read.
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I can’t agree with you more! This is so important to create awareness!
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And thank you, Rose! I’m just glad and thankful that it’s over. Alrhough it took me awhile to get over it, the experience taught me a good lesson.
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Of course, this isn’t an easy feat to get over. I’m glad you go through it. 😊
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Thank you! 🤗
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🤗
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