Bookish thoughts!!!

First things first: I received this book through NetGalley.
actual raiting: 2.5 stars

Summary: What if the secret is more damaging than the lie?
I never planned on falling in love in Two Creeks, but since when has life ever followed a plan?
The day I fell for Phoenix Stone, there was no warning. She shattered the world I knew.

This is a story about being seventeen and growing up in rural Australia. Falling in love for the first time, following your dreams and disappointing your parents. Being brave enough to live your life, even when life is terrifying.

In fear there is bravery – you can either cling to the edge or have the courage to jump. But what do you do when you’re left spiralling through the freefall?

Be proud. Be seen. Live life fearlessly.

It's been a hot minute since I was so mad about a book as I am with this one. It hurts my soul, cause I wanted to love this book so much.

I had so so so many problems with this.

Let me start by saying that I'm a person who holdes grudges. So the fact that somehow Alex was able to get over all the things Justin said to her or the things her mother said and did. I don't understand. I just don't understand. There was still some tension between her and her mother at the end. But with Justin she was totally fine and I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND.

And then we have the whole Phoenix situation. I'm just so so so SO SO SO mad.

Spoiler!!!! Gay people can die. I'm totally aware of the fact that they aren't magical creatures that are immortal. I am painfully aware of this, since so many storytellers (no matter what media) decide to kill the gays and I'm pretty much sick of this.

It's not even that I liked Phoenix that much. I mean, I truly loved her in the beginning but she got just way too much for me. I didn't paticular like the relationship between her and Alex. Everything was just way too frustrating for me. But at the end of the book, I just feel like Phoenix was used as a tool to get Alex out of her shell, to have her more open about who she is and what she wants to do. And then we got rid off Phoenix. I don't like that.

But I don't want to end the review without mentioning a few things that I actually liked.
- Lin. Hated her in the beginning but she ended up being my absolute favorite.
- Van. No wonder that guy was so messed up half of the book.
- Alex and her relationship with her father.
- Gilly.
- Phoenix' and Van's family.