This book opened my eyes. You see, my romantic life has been just that, very romantic and life-like. It’s been dreamy, beautiful, more than I ever thought I deserved. All with one boy who has had my heart since I was 16. And he’s taken care of it. Good gosh has he treated me with such love, tenderness and respect. So, I don’t know what it’s like to be in a bad romance, because I’ve never had one. But Heather Demetrios has, and it sounds like the absolute worst.
Grace wants out. Out of her house, where her stepfather wields fear like a weapon and her mother makes her scrub imaginary dirt off the floors. Out of her California town, too small to contain her big city dreams. Out of her life, and into the role of Parisian artist, New York director―anything but scared and alone.
Enter Gavin: charming, talented, adored. Controlling. Dangerous. When Grace and Gavin fall in love, Grace is sure it’s too good to be true. She has no idea their relationship will become a prison she’s unable to escape.
Deeply affecting and unflinchingly honest, this is a story about spiraling into darkness―and emerging into the light again.
This story is really scary because I think it could so easily happen to so many people. We are all born wanting to be wanted, wanting to be something to someone. That’s us, the hopeless romantics, right? We see it in movies, read about it in books, and if we are really lucky, we see the ultimate example of love in our parents while growing up and say, “That. That’s what I want.” But once you are actually in it, like, smack dab in the middle of a romance and realize something isn’t right, what do you do? How do you get out?
Before reading this book, I probably would’ve answered that question saying something along the lines of, “Easy. You drop his ass.” But now, I’m not so sure. I can totally see why and how someone can stay so long in something that’s not healthy. I was just as confused as Grace was throughout the whole book, and I feel like if I had been with a Gavin Davis in high school, I would’ve been right where Grace was, too.
“Maybe the only way you really know you love someone is if they can break you with a single sentence.”
Heather Demetrios has written something special here. She has shown me a side of romantic relationships that I’ve never personally known, but can now understand better. She has given me things to look out for when my daughter starts dating, and she has stamped a protectiveness on my heart for teens who get stuck in these dangerous scenarios. If you or someone you know may be in a toxic, unhealthy relationship, check this one out. Even if you’re none of the above, give it a try. I promise you will learn something.
Also, the writing in this book is sick. If I were to write a book, I would want it to sound like Heather Demetrios’ writing. All of this completely contemporary prose really does it for me, and I want more more more. I’m coming for all of your books, Demetrios, and I want you to know I’m relentless. I hope they are ready for me.
You can learn a little more about Bad Romance here.
And be sure to check out Heather’s website, here.
As always, click on the book cover picture up top to find purchase options through amazon.
Look into this book, guys. Seriously. Moms, girls, dads, boys. We all need to be aware of this stuff.
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