L.L. Meyer's Reviews > The Wicked Truth

Heart-wrenching, yet hopeful . . .

"If you'll have me, I'm yours."

And no, it wasn't the heroine who said that (⬆⬆) but the hero. 😍😍

First off, major trigger warning for sexual assault. The story revolves around it and if that's not something you want to read about, you should stay away.

That said, if you're prepared to take Stella's journey, it's definitely a worthy one as the reader goes into the mind of a survivor.

Austin ruined me. And he continues to ruin every thought I have, and any hope of me ever trusting a guy and letting him get close.

The author did such a good job here.🥺🥺 I loved the way Stella's narrative shifted from fragmented and heart-breakingly obsessive to slowly having her re-gain her footing in a new town, in a new school, with new friends, namely twins Brooke and Cade.

Her friendship with Brooke quickly flourishes, but Stella is both uncomfortable around Cade and drawn to him.

I feel the dead butterflies try to come to life.

It was bittersweet to watch Cade be confused by her keeping him at arm's length despite her obvious attraction to him, and then to watch them traverse the very rocky road of their love.

"You don't get to make me fall for you and then leave without even trying."

But the true magic of the story was in the author's message about sexual assault. (view spoiler)[ I guess that's the wicked truth about sexual assault. The pain doesn't just live in the attack. It doesn't end when the attack is over. It lives in each breath you take for the rest of your life. (hide spoiler)]

Every single person handles their trauma in their own way. There is no right or wrong.

Such good stuff.

If you're into . . .

✔ YA romance
✔ YA mystery
✔ true to life stories of a survivor
✔ a high school setting
✔ strong heroines
✔ sweet heroes with an edge to them

. . . you've found your next read.