Age is just a number.Just like he’s just a boy and I’m just a girl.Except that’s not true, is it?Because fifteen may be a number, but it’s bigger than that. Bigger than us.It’s a number that separates us.An excuse that keeps us apart. But I’m not willing to give in until I get what I want.After all, how many other girls can bring a grown man to his knees with one little smile?
The Truth about Tomorrow by B. Celeste
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book: The Truth about Tomorrow
Author: B. Celeste
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person – Dual
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 5 Stars!
The truth about tomorrow is that it isn’t enough. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. It isn’t promised. But it’s a start.
Forbidden. Heartbreaking. Raw. But most of all, beautiful. The Truth about Tomorrow is everything and more. After reading Under the Sycamore Tree , I didn’t think it was possible to find a more beautiful story. But B. Celeste did it again. My heart broke and mended. The story is full of deep emotion that will grip your heart and not let go. I’m a sucker for forbidden romance and that’s what drew me to this book at the start. But this isn’t like other forbidden romances- it isn’t made to feel dirty or wrong, it’s utterly powerful.
“When you love people, you sacrifice your feelings to give them what they need. I think that’s what people don’t understand about love; it hurts. It’s not about a happily ever after you get when the story ends, it’s about the sacrifice you make to get there.”
I loved Charlie’s strength mixed with the hurt and pain she carries around. Ollie was conflicted and rightfully so. He had his own struggles. I fell in love with both of them. Their connection was heartwarming. I would definitely read it again.
“I promise you as many tomorrows as I can get, Charlie. One day, tomorrow will have to end.”
See this on Goodreads – The Truth About Tomorrow
Follow me on Goodreads – Catherine Russell
Amazing age gap, forbidden romance!
I absolutely loved The Truth About Tomorrow (The Truth About . . . Book 2) by B Celeste. If you have not read The Truth About Heartbreak (Book 1) I highly recommend that you read it first. It’s really the beginning.
In the beginning you have two friends, Oliver and Everett. In The Truth About Heartbreak Oliver’s family adopts a girl named River who has been in the foster system her whole life. She’s been abused and it’s left her timid and cautious. Oliver’s best friend, Everett feels protective of her and even though he tries to avoid a romantic relationship with River the two are eventually drawn together romantically. They face many challenges before they have their HEA.
The Truth About Tomorrow begins after Everett and Rivet marry and adopt a girl named Charlie who has been in foster care since her young childhood following her parents’ overdoses. Charlie was abused by her biological parents, but she’s outgoing and brave. She’s taught herself how to play the piano and is very talented which earns her a spot at a private school in Chicago, but in order to attend she must have a guardian. Oliver lives in Chicago and agrees to be Charlie’s guardian.
With Charlie and Ollie both in Chicago their romance starts to bloom. They are not blood related. There is a fourteen year age gap. Ollie fights his feelings, but Charlie knows what she wants and goes for it. There’s a lot of angst and eventually everything gets blown up. It begins to look like they’ll never be together, but their love is real. It’s a beautiful love story. I highly recommend The Truth About Tomorrow. Also, if you read it and love Ollie and Charlie The Truth About Us is a novella focusing on Ollie and Charlie as parents. Their relationship is still sizzling.
There is sexual scenes depicted in this story.
“It’s about learning to love people’s faults and pain for what they are. Beautiful.”
Ok. I will start with honesty – I was unsure about the plot of this story when I read the blurb. I felt anxious and wasn’t sure if I was going to love it. Nevertheless, it has now become one of my favourite reads of 2020.
This story follows 16 year old foster child Charlie, introduced to us in The Truth About Heartbreak, and her love story with her “step uncle” – Oliver.
I adored Oliver in the Truth About Heartbreak and was so excited to read more about him. However as he is 14 years older than Charlie – that is what made me anxious to see where the story would go. However, the author executed it perfectly. It was forbidden true love and it was incredibly addictive and exciting to read.
It ends on a raw happy note and I shall be following on with their story in The Truth About Us.
All in all, this was a 5 star read for me
Would not recommend this book at all. Romanizes pedophilia and statutory rape.
4-4.5 Stars
“Behind every smile is a story, a secret, a desire nobody wants revealed.”
I honestly don’t know where to start with this review. I didn’t know what to expect. I’m still trying to put it all together. This book has so many layers to it. I was all over the place while reading it. It was deep! Intense deep! What Charlie went through at an early age set in motion years of struggle for her. She had to work hard not to be pulled under water by everything that happened to her.
“Falling. I’m afraid of falling and not being able to find the strength to get back up.”
So at the end of The Truth About Heartbreak we meet Charlie. A 13yr old girl being adopted by Everett and River. The very first person she meets and connects with is Ollie (River’s adopted brother).
“I loved him in layers. As a friend. As family. As more.”
I was wondering how this story was going to go. The age gap alone is pretty risky (15 years!) to start anything. I was really interested to see how this relationship would develop in a not creepy way. I felt the author did a good job with it. I felt their friendship grow into something.
This book is a slow burn.
And I mean slow!!! We get to really know these characters. We move along with them on their journey of trying to move past their past and one trying to figure out why they could never find peace with oneself.
The therapy sessions I felt were an eye opener. A window into their pain. It was hard to read at times. Charlie had so much bottled up. She learned how to cope really well during the day. It was the nights that got her. The nights were weighing her down. Having to relieve her childhood nightmare over and over again.
Ollie was there for her. He got her. He knew what she needed. They were a couple before anything even started with them. I know it’s weird to connect to a teenage. But Charlie isn’t your normal typical teenage. She already had been through so much. And experienced something that no other teenager had experienced. She already knew the bad and scary stuff we all try to protect our own children from happening.
This relationship started as friends at 13. And yes, they were friends first. Ollie never had any thoughts of her in that way at all. Nothing happened between them until she turned 16. Is it right… no. But, I understood their connection. She trusted him. And he trusted her.
I struggled with the way Ollie was trying to cope with his feelings towards Charlie.
I didn’t like how Ollie was still loosing himself with other women. Yes I know he was a 31yr old man. But, I needed him to be strong so that I could see this very unconventional relationship make it.
Throughout this whole book. He’s just sleeping with all these women. I hated it.
And Charlie just took it. She hated it. But what could she really say. I felt that’s when her age really showed. Because she couldn’t really say anything to him.
“When you love people, you sacrifice your feelings to give them what they need. I think that’s what people don’t understand about love; it hurts. It’s not about a happily ever after you get when the story ends, it’s about the sacrifice you make to get there.”
78% in…. I honestly didn’t know what to think about everything that was going on in this book. My feelings and emotions were all over the place. But I definitely felt the shift.
Everett was struggling with his relationship with Charlie. He was taking all his anger out and it was just spilling all over everything. River… I was expecting more from her. She was mostly in the background.
And Ollie…. he was still sleeping with other women. Even after being with Charlie. I didn’t like that. That was my struggle with him. Because he was going through something… which I get. But he wasn’t strong enough in my eyes to respect what he had with Charlie even though they weren’t together.
There was a lot going on in this book. Too much at times. I also felt the ending was a bit rushed. We go through huge chunks of this book with them apart. Yes, we see both main characters grow and overcome major obstacles. But I would’ve loved to read them come together in a different way. Not the way we got. Compared to the whole book. It seemed out of place and just didn’t flow with how the book was written.
I’m still leaving a lot out. I want to say more. But, I’m not. This book was good. I’m glad I took a chance on it and read it. I will be checking out this authors next book when it comes out.
“I love you. I’ve loved you in layers.”
*ARC provided for an honest review.*
“The truth about tomorrow is that it isn’t enough. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. It isn’t promised.”
B. Celeste has left me feeling everything! Olivier and Charlie’s story is emotional, raw, and gritty. It’s deep and it’s messy. Their story reminds us that the heart doesn’t care about age, or right and wring, when it loves it just loves. Celeste reminds us that sometimes the best things in life are the hardest, that they will leave us broken and in pieces until the pieces are meant to be put back together. And if our pieces don’t fit back the way the were it’s ok because your person will love you anyways. My heart broke for both Ollie and Charlie.
I thought The Truth about Heartbreak was going to be the B. Celeste book that broke me but it wasn’t. The Truth about Tomorrow was the book that had me ugly crying the hardest, hoping everything will be fixed. I could not get enough of this book. With every page I read Celeste had me on the edge of my seat with the angst. Oh, man the angst! The push and pull that made up their relationship was almost too much to take. The wrong, forbidden aspect of their relationship had me needing more while also saying I can’t be reading this correctly. Their relationship was so much more complicated than their age gap. Her being underage and his niece are huge issues.
Charlie was trying to overcome the demons and nightmares of her past. Her adopted parents are River and Everett, and have done everything to help her. She cares guilt and the weight of the world on her shoulders. Charlie attached herself to Ollie and he became so much more than anyone would have thought. Olivier may not have need Charlie to keep his demons away, but he needed her all the same. Their connection was instant, and when I say that I don’t mean it in a sexual way. I mean Ollie provided Charlie with a safe place. She tells him she loved him in layers and that’s exactly what happen. Their relationship grew from family to friends, to a relationship. But their relationship was deeper than than you could have imagine, it was soul deep. They were two souls meant to be together.
B. Celeste is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, and if you have read her books you understand why. She has left me feeling any and every emotion I can think of and still needing more. TTAT is phenomenal. It’s well-written and captivating, with an amazing plot and characters. Celeste isn’t afraid to tackle hard, gritty issues and does it with such amazing words. B. Celested turned a topic that is very confrontational and made it this amazing, heartbreaking, beautifully, broken story. I beyond words loved this book!
ON GOD, This Is A WORK OF ART
*self-purchased on Amazon. No need of sugar daddies called promo teams*
“Everything is fine now
Let sleeping dogs lay
All our minds made up now
All our beds are made
No one’s out of time, no
Chips fall wherever they may
Leave it all behind
Let the ocean wash away.”
Religion – Lana Del Rey
What’s this book about? (I’m trying to give as little spoilers as possible)
What you need to know is that there is an age gap of 15 years and the girl is 16 when the main characters start exploring their situation.
I can set out a warning that people who idolize Kova will not find what they’re looking for here.
This was my first B. Celeste read. I’m still traumatized by the Off Balance series, so when I picked this book up (AFTER LOTS OF PEOPLE PRAISED IT), I was wary. I don’t have lots of limits, but one of my major ones is that I like my characters to be over eighteen. The moment I started reading this story though, I got a feeling that I was in for a ride that I was going to appreciate. I have only one regret: I didn’t start with book one. I should’ve because at first I thought that Ollie’s background was a mystery (READERS OF BOOK ONE WOULD KNOW FROM THE START) and that added another creepy layer for me.
I felt for the leading girl from page one. Her struggles were atrocious. She was reflective and self-aware. She was clever and her intuition was right most of the time, yet I couldn’t miss the fact that she was very young and at times – naïve. She hates being called naïve though LOL. Charlie had so much sass; sometimes, It was highly dangerous and inappropriate sass, but it was there and it was funny as hell, I’LL ADMIT IT. As any teenager pleads, Charlie thinks she’s a grown-up and she knows stuff. Her history of abuse and trauma tells another story. In my opinion, she has a twisted worldview (that comes across even more so in book 3, The Truth About Us). Thankfully, she didn’t grasp some of the situations that she found herself in and she didn’t get all of the innuendos that Ollie threw her way. I loved Charlie; she carried some of her darkest burdens on her own. Her strength was incomparable and I felt for her so much.
I’m so grateful Oliver was no Kova. All Kova-stanning girls should take a left and LEAVE ME ALONE. I hate the underage aspect of this novel and it was my biggest fear that I was going to end up despising the entire novel because of the underage aspect. Yes, some scenes were uncomfortable to read. But this is no Off Balance where we’re forced to read two people who shouldn’t have sex have TONS OF SEX. THANK GOD. In contrast to Off Balance, HERE we get a story instead of the constant TABOO FLASHING. Ollie wasn’t perfect in any way, yet he tried so hard. He went through a lot although not half as much as Charlie but still. When Ollie had to make a choice between what was right and what was wrong, he MOSTLY chose to do what was right. Similarly to Charlie, he appeared very self-aware, recognising that his actions were sick and unforgivable. I’m not very Christian, but I do believe in forgiveness. Ollie took the right turns and that’s why I feel comfortable in admitting that I adored him as a character a lot. I’m curious to see how he was in The Truth About Heartbreak.
Y’all know, I read erotica and romance with a passion. I can’t call this review finished without mentioning the chemistry between the characters. It was intense, forbidden and all-consuming. Heart-breaking, too. At times, when my morals were keen on making an appearance, their chemistry seemed creepy to me, but then I thought, hey, at least, this is better than Kova’s mess. (I’M SORRY FOR CONSTANTLY MENTIONING THIS MAN).
The mental issues the characters faced were distressing and I loved how they were handled on ALL sides. This story touched upon all subjects that I wanted it to touch upon, family, health etc. The dynamics in this novel were out of this world.
I enjoyed how this story evolved and I definitely loved the ending. It was a long and angsty road, but in the end, it was gratifying.
I recommend this story to people who like age gaps, forbidden, taboo, strong and tortured female leads, questionable and tortured male leads and ANGST.
‘”Cause you’re my religion, you’re how I’m living
When all my friends say I should take some space
Well, I can’t envision that for a minute
When I’m down on my knees, you’re how I pray.”
Religion – Lana Del Rey
No tomorrow has the following:
Angst
Forbidden
Taboo
Great reading experience. My favorite part of the book is the dilemma that Oliver has throughout the novel. My 1st book by B. Celeste, andI enjoyed her pushing the limits of what’s acceptable in a romance.
If you want superficial romance, this is not the book for you.
Happy Reading!
I love B. Celeste. She brought her A game with this story and if you like your books a little forbidden, and a whole lot emotional and steamy, then get one clicking!! She’s easily becoming one of my one click authors.
The Truth About Tomorrow by B. Celeste is a standalone novel. It’s forbidden. There’s a big age gap. My go to and favorite reads. If you can get past this and keep an open mind you’ll love Ollie and Charlie’s story.
As soon as I finished The Truth About Heartbreak I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this. There’s a lot of push and pull throughout this story. I felt every emotion as if I was one of them. Both of are lost and struggling to find their way in life and towards each other.
“When you love people, you sacrifice your feelings to give them what they need. I think that’s what people don’t understand about love; it hurts. It’s not about a happily ever after you get when the story ends, it’s about the sacrifice you make to get there.”
B. Celeste writes so beautifully. Everytime I read her words I never want it to end.
I honestly didn’t like this book very much.
The whole age gap thing I could overlook but the rest of the things not so much.And to be honest,I don’t have some special thoughts about this.
So,Charlie is a 15 teen girl and she is living with her foster parents.Her real parents were junkies and completely two sick persons.I did felt sorry for Charlie.Now,Charlie went through some serious trauma as a kid,and she is not able to cope with it.Even tho she knows how to pretend otherwise it’s pretty clear that she is faking it.Her foster parents,who you met if you read The Truth about Heartbreak are really nice and loving people,who accepted her and they want to help her.
River,who is Charlie’s foster mother has a brother named Ollie.When Charlie and Ollie meet,they just clicked and became friends.But,Charlie always had deeper feelings for Ollie.
The reason why didn’t like his book is,first Charlie is just 15 year old girl who was raped as a kid,and as a teenager who is still cooping with her trauma you are putting her in a relationship with a guy who is 16 years older than her???That just doesn’t work for me.I thought that this book will be something else and that is my fault.I did liked the cover and the writing tho.
Please,if you don’t made age gap/trauma themes,give this book a go.
That was the longest book I’ve ever read and it was full of emotions!
Charlie and Ollie have a very unique friendship. Despite the age gap he’s her best friend and someone she trusts. Once they crossed that line there was no going back. They were like magnets drawn to each other by an irresistible pull. But realising that every single person would look bad upon their relationship if they were to pursue their feelings, they had to let it go.
If you thought that only Charlie had a traumatic childhood, Ollie’s struggling with himself too. They are both broken and find comfort and solace in each other. I couldn’t grasp why Ollie’s struggling though because he never really opened up about it directly. That’s what I’m missing.
Other than that, the characters have undeniable connection with an underlying chemistry that just seems to get better and better. This book was everything. It shows passion, pain, anger, fear, love, and hate. It may not be for everybody, its taboo, its forbidden, but this was so much more that just their relationship. Its about discovering and rediscovering yourself and taking the steps towards accepting and embracing who you are.
The Truth About Tomoorw just shot straight up the list to one of my favorite reads this year. A truly epic romance full of angst, tons of feels and a hint of the forbidden this book blew me away.
The bond between Ollie and Charlie is one that not everyone would understand yet what they found was true and soul deep. Charlie broke my heart so many times throughout this book. She was such a truly beautiful individual who overcame so much. Ollie made my heart squeeze and I adored him even in the moments when he made me want to knock some sense into him.
The Truth About Tomorrow was an unconventional romance that absolutely captivated me and I just couldn’t put it down. My emotions are still bouncing all over the place after reading how Ollie and Charlie’s riveting story unfolded. Consuming, honest and gripping The Truth About Tomorrow is a beautifully layered and undeniable love story.
The Truth About Tomorrow is a full length novel focused on Charlie and Ollie, who we previously met in The Truth About Heartbreak.
Forbidden Romance √
Age Gap √
Angst √
Wow! What an epic romance this was! The Truth About Tomorrow is the latest gem from the talented B. Celeste. These characters stole my heart from the very first page with their playful banter and magnetic chemistry. Their touching story brings out all of the feels and left me breathless in the end. I’m actually struggling to find the words to express just how much I loved this book. This is one of those stories that will hook you from the get go and leave you completely unable to put it down.
The Truth About Tomorrow was four-hundred-plus pages of pure pleasure to read. Charlie and Ollie’s story was difficult, passionate and full of heart-tugging emotion. B. Celeste breathes new life into the forbidden relationship trope with Charlie and Ollie’s romance. Their romance wasn’t an easy story to tell, and they weren’t always an easy couple to root for. But B. Celeste’s writing is addictive, and she penned a gripping romance that I simply could not put down. The Truth About Tomorrow easily gets 5 stars from me.
I was so looking forward to Charlie and Ollies story and WOW this was so much more than what i was expecting, their love took my breath away.
This is an emotional taboo story of true raw forbidden love that is all consuming and beautifully heart-wrenching.
Of course i see the wrong in Ollies fellings for Charlie due to her age but i just cant be mad at him or think that its all terrible, Charlie is wise beyond her years due to her painful past and Ollie makes her feel safe and understands her, their friendship is sweet and beautiful.
How they interact and know eachother so deeply is captivating, i fell in love with their love for eachother.
A truly remarkable story that held me captivated throughout and will stay with me forever.
Blog Sol and Us
PT-BR/EN
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*Eu recebi um ARC grátis em troca de uma resenha honesta.*
Uau, B. Celeste ganhou uma nova fã.
The Truth about Tomorrow é ótimo e o estilo de escrita da autora é extraordinário.
Eu não irei discutir toda a coisa sobre menor em uma relação amorosa com um adulto porque é ficção, tá bom? Eu não aceito e nunca ceitarei isto na vida real, mas esta é uma história fictícia. Estamos claros? Sim, nós estamos.
O relacionamento da Charlie e do Ollie é especial e parece certo. Se vocês já gostam deste tipo de livro, vão em frente. Se vocês acham que não vão gostar ou estão em dúvida, dêem uma chance. TTAT não é um romance feito para chocar, na minha opinião. Eu acho que a autora abordou o assunto de um jeito que fica difícil não entender e apoiar o amor deles. E eu acredito, de verdade, que mesmo aqueles que tendem a rejeitar este tipo de livro serão capazes de apreciar e gostar de TTAT.
Eu não posso dizer muito porque eu me recuso a estragar qualquer coisa para qualquer um, mas eu amei como a história se desdobrou. Quem amou quem primeiro, quem tomou o primeiro passo. A reação dos personagens, a reação da River em especial foi maravilhosa.
B. Celeste escreveu um livro excelente e ela merece seu tempo e atenção.
Boa leitura.
Sigam Sol and Us: https://linktr.ee/solandus2
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*I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
Wow, B. Celeste gained a new fan.
The Truth about Tomorrow is great and the author’s writing style is extraordinary.
I will not discuss the whole thing about a minor in a loving relationship with an adult because it is fiction, okay? I do not and never will condone it in real life, but it is a fictional story. Are we clear? Yes, we are.
Charlie and Ollie’s relationship is special and feels right. If you already like this kind of book, go ahead. If you think you won’t like or are in doubt, give it a chance. TTAT isn’t a romance made to shock, in my opinion. I think the author approached the subject in a way that makes it difficult for people not to understand or support their love. And I truly believe even those who tend to reject this type of book will be able to enjoy and like TTAT.
I can’t say much because I refuse to spoil anything to anybody, but I loved how the story unfolded. Who loved who first, who took the first step. The reaction of the characters, River’s reaction in particular was amazing.
B. Celeste wrote an excellent book and she deserve your time and attention.
Good reading.
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I’m having a hard time finding words to describe this boo its been a while since I cried with a book but this one had me reaching for tissues every couple of chapters. This story was so unexpected, it brought out emotions that i didn’t expect to have. I felt a connection to Charlie, I found myself cheering for them even knowing how wrong it was. One of the ultimate in forbidden romances. Barbara did such an amazing job writing this book, she ripped my heart out and stomped on it but I loved every single second of this book! it has really a torturous, angsty, beautiful romance. It shows you the importance of really learning to love and accept yourself. I tip my hat to Barbara for writing this story and for how well it was written. I highly recommend this book but if age-gap, forbidden romance, and abuse are triggers and/or may bother you please do not read it.
The Truth About Tomorrow by B.Celeste is Charlie and Oliver aka Ollie’s story.
The Truth about Heartbreak and The Truth about Tomorrow is interconnected. You need to read the 1st book to understand what goes on in book 2. After reading bk 1, I couldn’t wait for Ollie and Charlie’s story. And Wow, what a story it is !!! They had this chemistry together but there’s also angst, pain, sadness, forbidden romance, drama, and romance that is between two main characters that have an age gap between them. I found this to be intense and taboo;
This book has so many layers to it – many layers that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Charlie’s past will break your heart – she’s young but she’s lived nightmares that no one never should and she relives them in her dreams. She was adopted by River and Everett which is how she met Ollie who is Everett’s BFF . He is older and came across as outgoing and happy but inside he was coming apart because of his feelings for Charlie. There’s more to it but as the story delves into- we get into the story of Charlie and Ollie. It’s intense and taboo and steamy; yes it’s also heartbreaking and angsty. Wow!! This story is fantastic and amazing!!
My Rating: 4.5 stars *******
I’ve come to learn B. Celeste has a way of pulling me into a story and causing me to loose all sense of time. Especially with a story as deep and emotional as Charlie and Ollie’s. I easily got wrapped up in them, the forbidden, angst, and searing chemistry they shared.
The Truth about Tomorrow was beautiful, all consuming, turbulent. It touches on some pretty heavy topics, but I felt they were covered delicately. Honestly. And with great care.
“I loved him in layers. As a friend. As family. As more.”
If you love an age gap romance, aren’t turned off by numbers, and want a story of unrelenting love then I highly recommend The Truth about Tomorrow! I loved it!
The truth about tomorrow is…
*it’s not guaranteed
*it isn’t promised
*it’s used as an excuse to not do something
*it’s used as a way to avoid heavy conversations/situations
*it eventually turns into today, regardless if it was a truth or a lie told
There are important lessons involved in the above ideas about tomorrow, and in B. Celeste’s newest release, The Truth About Tomorrow, her main characters, Ollie James and Charlie Tucker, experience firsthand how making promises of tomorrow can lead to heartbreak, loneliness, regrets, and lies.
Before I go any further in my review, I feel it’s important for readers to know that Ollie and Charlie’s story is an age-gap/forbidden romance. There’s a 15 year age difference between them, and while that alone may not be overly important, what is, is the fact that their mutual attraction as well as their capitulation to those feelings occurred when she was still a minor.
BUT…
And there most definitely is a BUT when it comes to these two characters, and it centers around the fact that the cliched idea of age being only a number and something that doesn’t clearly define who someone is, is absolutely demonstrated in this story line, especially when it comes to the young heroine.
It’s clear that Charlie is not a typical young adult. Due to her past, she views life much differently than others her age and understands what’s important about truly living. Even if she hasn’t quite figured everything out for herself and still keeps a lot locked up inside of her, she’s wise beyond her 16 years.
The ways that Charlie grows and evolves throughout the course of the story demonstrates the work she put in to deal with her past and to be fully present in the here and now, and even though she struggles to confront what happened to her and struggles to allow people fully in to her life and to her heart for fear of what they can do to her, she never gives up on trying…she never gives up on herself, which is commendable.
Ollie was the wild card for me in this story, but it’s not because I thought he should have known better than to have feelings for a teenage girl who has experienced trauma he can’t begin to understand. What frustrated me about Ollie was how he chose to cope with his attraction to Charlie and the steps he took to remove her from his mind. There were many times that I thought he acted like a childish coward, and I know he had his own baggage that he never learned how to cope with, but I wanted him to see the risks Charlie was taking for him and the fact that she made him happy and fight with every part of himself to prove they were meant to be together despite the obstacles, despite the age difference, despite the fact that they would have to contend with disapproval.
B. Celeste is a new-to-me author, and I’m glad that I was introduced to her writing. I appreciate the fact that she doesn’t sugarcoat the difficult lessons and situations that life throws at people. She also doesn’t force her characters’ journey to be one filled with only forward progress because that’s way too unrealistic, especially given the characters’ age difference as well as all of the extenuating circumstances that surround them. I will definitely be checking out her future releases.
4.5 Poison Apples