ŷ������

3.5 stars ��

He licks his bottom lip and leans closer to whisper, “In this moment, I’m yours.��

🌸 i wanted toxic and i got toxic 🤪 thank god i was in the mood or this would've given me the worst headache.

🌸 seeing them enable each other and just get progressively worse and worse was nerve-wracking but also very interesting, their dynamic is not something i come across often in books so points for originality. in a way, they reminded me of the movie Requiem for a Dream



🌸 a moment of silence for this girl who read Hothouse Flower in 2014 with zero context whatsoever 😍 what a dumb bitch. the build-up for Raisy would've been so worth it if i had read all the previous books first 💀 i know i'll enjoy the fuck out of that reread though

🌸 on the other hand, having first met Lily and Lo as side characters helped me believe in the romance, since i know what they're gonna be like as a couple in the future. because the romance was seriously lacking here. they moved from best friends to lovers in a way that was so natural it almost seemed unreal. and i know the book focuses on them hitting rock bottom but.. where was the cute couple stuff? domestic moments? there was very little of that. even the sex 💀💀💀 we only get to read about their first time in full detail and the rest is either fade to black or told to us by Lily. she's literally a sex addict.. give me the smut 🔪

🌸 also, they have five books and they get together at the 40% mark of book 1?!"! KBR, are you familiar with the slowburn trope? 🥺 what a missed opportunity.

🌸 loved the fake relationship part (even if it didn't last that much) and the rich, gossip girl vibes lmao. the fact that they weren't always kardashian-level famous with paparazzi following them everywhere.. interesting. i prefer this to be honest.

🌸 this book (and probably the whole series 😭) shines because of its side characters and the group dynamic. i loved Ryke, Rose and Connor so much. seeing Rose break down at the end?? I SOBBED

She’s crying—a girl who never cries, who squirms at the sight of tears and a wailing baby. “I love you. You’re my sister. That will never change.��

🌸 CONNOR AND ROSE?? the way they began as academic rivals?? fuck yes. i'm so glad i at least never read their books 🧍‍♀��

“Where are you going?��
“I have to figure out what I’m going to wear tonight.��
“Are you serious?�� Lo snaps. “You’re going on a date with the devil. All you need is some pepper spray and a fire extinguisher.��
“She’s a fashion designer,�� Connor tells us. “She’s going to judge me on what I wear.��

the way he's making an effort 🥺

🌸 Ryke has my whole heart. i love him and i can't wait for him to meet Daisy even if she's 15 at the time 🤠 i know i'll be shipping that anyway shfjdk sue me

“I don’t ever want to see you again,�� I say, honest and truthful.
“Well, that sucks for you,�� Ryke tells me, turning the knob. “I’m fucking hard to get rid of.��

🌸 i don't have much else to say other than i'm invested and reading book 2 already 🥲 thank god i quit my full-time job before starting this series fhddj goodbye.

“Don’t change too much,�� I tell him.
“Only the bad parts,�� he says. “I’ll always be yours. No distance or time apart will change that, Lily. You need to believe that.��