4 disco balls

Published: June 12, 2018 by Atria Books
Category: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary, Coming of Age

This book brought out many feels in me: nostalgia, regret, anger, but also strength and peace. Each chapter was more addicting than the one before and I could not wait to finish. I felt anxious all the way up until the end.

Before I get to it, I just have a message for Stephen DeMarco and all the other “Stephen DeMarco’s” out there:

Where was this song and Taylor Swift’s We Are Never Getting Back Together when I was younger? I feel like I would have made different decisions had I belted these songs out with my bffs (or maybe not, but it would have been fun anyhow).

Lucy Albright is a naive, self-conscious and conflicted freshman who becomes bewitched by a narcissistic, charming and manipulative upper classman, Stephen DeMarco. He always has a girlfriend and is always cheating on said girlfriend. He certainly has a type, one that is easily swayed by his words and he knows exactly what to say to get what he wants. He might have had genuine feelings at moments, but his feelings easily changed and he only thought of himself: no guilt, no remorse, no empathy (what a sociopath!)

Lucy knows better, but can’t help walking into the burning fire of what is their “relationship” over the course of 5 years. She thinks he will change, she believes his words (even when she doesn’t). The question is: when – and at what cost – will she realize that she deserves better, if she ever does.

I think everyone can see a bit of themselves in Lucy; or at least I certainly did. Wanting so badly to be the reason for someone to be different or want something different that it consumes you, and in the end the only person that is different is you; and not the different you aspire to be. Your friends and family can say all they want to make you realize the mistakes you are making, but only you can decide for yourself. When you are ready to listen to yourself what a glorious day that is. Your head and your heart rarely agree without some blood, sweat and tears.

I whipped through this book in 3 days. I would have finished sooner if I had more free time. Any spare minute I had was used to read this book. If you don’t have the same connection as me, you may still eat up each chapter. They alternate between Lucy and Stephen’s POVs, and the curiosity of how – and if – their relationship will end rides out on each page.

This is the author Carola Lovering‘s first novel and I thought she did a stellar job! I won a copy of this book in a giveaway she held on Instagram and I am so happy that I was chosen; that this book found its way to me.

Still not sure if you want to read? The first 3 chapters are available on Barnes & Noble for free if you want to give it a go.

What are some of your favorite girl power or break-up anthems?

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