This was way too much for me. I have so many problems with this story, but first, the things I liked.

Pros: drama, angst, secrets, Hardin working on his issues, Tessa trying to stand up for herself

Cons: more drama than was necessary (just about every over the top soap opera storyline was used), it was too much, felt way too long, so many unneeded scenes, toxic relationships, dumb moves all the time, the final reveal was predictable

I was pleased with the way Hardin wanted to improve himself, but at the same time one day he was going forward and the then someone said one thing and he second-guessed himself. That would be fine except this book is over 800 pages so it got tiring very quickly. Similarly, this book sees Tessa wanting to improve herself by not allowing Hardin to control her life, but she usually gives in or is too annoying about it. As in, she will mention over and over that she wants to be more independent. I think I got it the first 5 times.

Next, the twists were way too much, I'm not going to go into spoilers, but this read like a soap opera. I'll admit to enjoying the occasional episode of the Young and the Restless but this was a lot in one novel. The only healthy relationship in this novel is the friendship between Landon and Tessa. Everyone else is keeping huge secrets and betraying one another and it just made me angry. I was actually thinking about giving this book a 4 until the last 100 pages or so. Then the characters started making even more dumb decisions that made me wonder if it was only done to be able to have an additional book.

Overall this really wasn't great. This has been my least favorite of the series. I will be reading the last novel and the prequel still since I own the physical copies and want to see if I will be keeping them or giving them away. ( )

So.....just see my review of After....honestly. And, again, maybe this is filled with spoilers.

This continues the saga of Tessa and Hardin in all their abusive, dysfunctional glory. Still the red flags. Still the up and down. Still the emotional abuse, gaslighting behavior.

And still my warning: DO NOT read this book and glorify a relationship that is unhealthy. This is not OKAY in anyway. I don't really care what the high looks like if it is paired with a low that devastates, destroys and shatters a person over and over again.

And - no I won't say "Poor Tessa" or "Poor Hardin" although I do feel for Landon and Trevor and others who stood by sharing warnings.

My response to Hardin - Put on your big boy unders and build a bridge and get over it. There is nothing revealed in his past that a hundred others have not walked through and out of. It is NEVER okay to use your trauma and past to abuse and hurt others. You choose to be a gentle rain in the lives of others (nourishing and bringing life) or a hurricane that brings destruction. Choose carefully. When you love something you treasure it and take care of it. ( )

This is my favourite book of the series because I feel as though it had much more of a real sense. The issues Hardin and Tessa were dealing with were reachable in real life and not a rare occurrence. THis book also had a major plot twist which really brought this book together. We got a sense of the personal feelings of some of the secondary characters like Kim and Vance. ( )

Just couldn't peel my eyes off it once I started reading..its just so realistic..and connects completely to your heart. A must read. Makes you fall in love with the characters.Hats off to Anna Todd! ( )