Review: Perfect and painful and just oh so good
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 12, 2014
When I read the first book in this series, Very Wicked Things, last year it absolutely floored me. Nora and Leo's story was emotional and all consuming. In that review, I used the word exquisite to describe author Ilsa Madden-Mills' writing and that once again applies here in book two.Cuba Hudson is the most popular, best looking and most athletic boy at Briarcrest Academy. Girls throw themselves at his feet even knowing he doesn't do the girlfriend thing. One would think he is the happiest guy at school. But as we have come to know about the kids at Briarcrest, looks are usually deceiving.Dovey Beckham is not part of Cuba's rich, entitled world. A scholarship student, once her classes and dance practices are over, she heads back home to the unsavory side of town. They don't make any sense together, except for a brief point in time when they did. But that is all in the past and there is no future for them. Is there? Cuba and Dovey haven't spoken in a year, since he took her virginity and then shattered her heart in front of the entire school. He's done everything in his power to ignore her and she's done everything she can to make him see her. Until the day when it all changes. Again.Let me warn you now, prepare yourself for a serious emotional roller coaster. Cuba and Dovey's story is not all fluffy hearts and flowers, it is mostly heartbreaking. Both of them have had difficult lives so far. Dovey grew up wondering when her next meal would be and being resented by her mother. Cuba lost people he loved and he carries the guilt with him everywhere. In fact, you can just feel it weighing him down, causing him to make bad decisions and hurt the girl he loves. My feelings towards Cuba were all over the place. I mean I loved him because despite the playboy routine, he has a really good heart and he loves people with all of it. And I ached for him and all the pain he has gone through. But then I frickin hated him for the crap he pulled with Dovey. Sigh.Watching these two struggle with those personal demons was difficult and I so badly wanted them to be able to heal each other.  But nothing is ever easy, especially not for them. And the way Ilsa writes it all is just...wow. She makes you feel EVERYTHING. With every sharp hurtful word Cuba and Dovey throw at each other, you fee like a shard of glass is piercing your heart. Their pain becomes your pain and at times it is almost too much. I love a book and author that truly makes me feel what the characters are going through and leaves you wondering. Will they get their HEA? Hell you just don't know.Cuba and Dovey were painful perfection that had me hooked from the first word. Hell, I was hooked from the synopsis when I read it months ago.  There is no cliffy here, however there are a few unanswered questions surrounding some of the other supporting characters. And it might leave you screaming for those answers as it did me. But I will be a good girl and wait patiently because I know the next book will be as amazing as the others in this series. (And because I will totally internet stalk you Ilsa Madden-Mills until you give me the story that I want. Love you!)Read more reviews at [...]. I received an ebook in exchange for my honest review.