Review: Could have been so much more.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 06 6, 2014
I love Erin McCarthy. Ever since I read her Vegas Vampires series, I’ve been hooked on her. It’s safe to say that she’s an automatic-buy for me. When she got into the New Adult genre I was ecstatic; one of my favorite authors and one of my favorite genres, how could I not be happy? With True Believers she’s doing a good job with the genre, even if some of the same tropes and cliches are there that make me want to run away.Erin McCarthy has created a world that feels real, organic even, but there are also times where I just need to take a step back and roll my eyes. Believe definitely veers towards the latter.Robin knew what she did was a mistake. She slept with one of her best friend’s boyfriend and regrets it with every fiber of her being. Withdrawing from her own little world, she definitely becomes depressed and more introverted because of her guilt. It’s eating her alive. But what really isn’t talked about is how Nathan took advantage of someone so under the influence of alcohol she blacked out and can only remember bits and pieces of that night. She woke up knowing she had sex, the signs were there, but how much of it was truly consensual? I’m willing to bet not much of it, especially considering the fact that Robin goes on and on about how she would never do such a thing sober.Phoenix is just out of jail, like 48 hours free, when he meets Robin. He feels an instant connection to her as he can see past her walls and the guilt that’s eating her alive. It just makes him want to know her more. Now, Phoenix isn’t without his own messed up past. He has Intermittent explosive disorder which can rear it’s ugly head at any moment, but doesn’t do anything about it. He feels like he can control his anger and get through life just fine. Add to that is the fact that his mother is a druggie and seems to be willing to do anything for her next hit. Not a good combination if you’re asking me.I did enjoy Robin and Phoenix’s relationship. Yes, it’s was a huge case of insta-love and was quite annoying at times, but I was able to look past that and see two people just reaching for each other because they have no where else to go. They see something in each other that can help them to be whole again, to help believe in themselves again. I get that and can get behind that.What I didn’t like about Believe is that it just glanced over too many real problems and could have been such a conversation starter for something good. I already talked about Robin’s maybe-rape, but getting back to Phoenix’s disorder, it just isn’t something that should be glanced over. Mental disorders are real and debilitating and should not be used as tropes or cliches in novels. I have such a strong stance on this because I know too many people with disorders of their own that people just do no education themselves about and are just ignorant of the plight that these disorders have on individuals.Overall, while I liked Believe, it could have and should have been so much more.