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Something Bright and Burning
For some, knowing the truth is worse than living a lie.
Everly Martin, eighteen years old and fiercely ambitious, takes pity on Nicolai after accidentally swiping right on a dating app. She doesn't have time for love, not with her desperation to finish college and earn enough money to help her single mom pay the bills. But from the moment they meet at a coffee shop, Nicolai terrifies her with the instant connection they form. He couldn't have come at a worse time, because that same morning, Everly learns she's pregnant. And to make matters worse, she isn't sure who the father of her child is.
Though Everly is determined to stay far away from Nicolai, he reappears in her life, this time in a way she can't ignore. While fighting her growing attraction for him, Everly is haunted by the knowledge that her baby's father might actually be a terrible person. She's willing to find out, even if learning the truth ultimately ends in heartbreak.
Nicolai might not have a place in Everly's future, but when he helps her discover a shocking truth about her past—a truth that could either change everything for the better, or destroy it even more—Everly must decide what's more important: giving her child the life she's always wanted, or following her heart and choosing love.
Everly Martin, eighteen years old and fiercely ambitious, takes pity on Nicolai after accidentally swiping right on a dating app. She doesn't have time for love, not with her desperation to finish college and earn enough money to help her single mom pay the bills. But from the moment they meet at a coffee shop, Nicolai terrifies her with the instant connection they form. He couldn't have come at a worse time, because that same morning, Everly learns she's pregnant. And to make matters worse, she isn't sure who the father of her child is.
Though Everly is determined to stay far away from Nicolai, he reappears in her life, this time in a way she can't ignore. While fighting her growing attraction for him, Everly is haunted by the knowledge that her baby's father might actually be a terrible person. She's willing to find out, even if learning the truth ultimately ends in heartbreak.
Nicolai might not have a place in Everly's future, but when he helps her discover a shocking truth about her past—a truth that could either change everything for the better, or destroy it even more—Everly must decide what's more important: giving her child the life she's always wanted, or following her heart and choosing love.
310 pages, Hardcover
Published September 20, 2022
5 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Whitney Amazeen
8 books154 followersWhitney Amazeen's love for reading started in third grade and has been going strong ever since. She studied cosmetology before pursuing writing, where she used to hide in the laundry room to read and write instead of working on clients. As a result, Whitney has evolved into a full-fledged daydreamer with more stories in her head than she can count. When she's not immersed in reading or writing a novel, Whitney spends the majority of her time playing with her kids and watching Disney movies. Whitney lives in Arizona with her family and can often be found drinking tea, talking about fictional characters, and obsessing over Jesus. Learn more at www.WhitneyAmazeen.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
March 23, 2022
Writers in the mom community are something unique. We balance a household, the kids, the missing Tupperware lids, and then we throw in our dream of being a writer-- A successful one at that.
So when the author of "Something Bright and Burning," author Whitney Amazon asked in a moms writing group if anyone would be willing to read her New Adult Contemporary book that holds an epic twist, I volunteered as tribute.
I received the copy on a Friday and binge read the entire thing by the end of Sunday morning. I'm also a mom with a heavy/busy life, but when a great book comes across my eyeballs I sacrifice sleep/proper meal times for myself/showers, to finish the darn thing.
Everly is a mature-for-her-age main character that is balancing the weight of the adult world on her shoulders. Despite her best efforts to break the cycles that her own mother lived through, Everly spends every waking moment trying to get ahead and then men basically try to ruin everything.
I don't want to give any spoilers away because I truly believe this book would be best read going in blind aside from the synopsis on the back cover. The definition of a good book will polarize the audience. Think of books like My Dark Vanessa, Verity, or Gone Girl and you'll find a balance of excellent plot and also some darkness that makes you perhaps a little uncomfortable for a bit, but by the time you finish the book you realize a few things. Something might be impossible, but it is not improbable.
"Something Bright and Burning" is a unique storyline with strong female main characters all trying to navigate the lot they've been handed in life, despite the shit that keeps falling into their laps.
You will feel frustrated and hopeless at times for this character and you'll also find yourself rooting her the hell on, because she's made of tough stuff. If I was far younger Nicolai could totes be my book boyfriend...
You won't want to sleep on this book, it's bound to be popular in this genre for a multitude of reasons: An original, twisty plot that makes you gasp out loud will be just one those reasons.
So when the author of "Something Bright and Burning," author Whitney Amazon asked in a moms writing group if anyone would be willing to read her New Adult Contemporary book that holds an epic twist, I volunteered as tribute.
I received the copy on a Friday and binge read the entire thing by the end of Sunday morning. I'm also a mom with a heavy/busy life, but when a great book comes across my eyeballs I sacrifice sleep/proper meal times for myself/showers, to finish the darn thing.
Everly is a mature-for-her-age main character that is balancing the weight of the adult world on her shoulders. Despite her best efforts to break the cycles that her own mother lived through, Everly spends every waking moment trying to get ahead and then men basically try to ruin everything.
I don't want to give any spoilers away because I truly believe this book would be best read going in blind aside from the synopsis on the back cover. The definition of a good book will polarize the audience. Think of books like My Dark Vanessa, Verity, or Gone Girl and you'll find a balance of excellent plot and also some darkness that makes you perhaps a little uncomfortable for a bit, but by the time you finish the book you realize a few things. Something might be impossible, but it is not improbable.
"Something Bright and Burning" is a unique storyline with strong female main characters all trying to navigate the lot they've been handed in life, despite the shit that keeps falling into their laps.
You will feel frustrated and hopeless at times for this character and you'll also find yourself rooting her the hell on, because she's made of tough stuff. If I was far younger Nicolai could totes be my book boyfriend...
You won't want to sleep on this book, it's bound to be popular in this genre for a multitude of reasons: An original, twisty plot that makes you gasp out loud will be just one those reasons.
March 13, 2022
3/12/22 update:
SOMETHING BRIGHT AND BURNING has a cover!!! Guys...it makes my eyeballs so happy. I hope you love this book. To preorder, visit Books2Read.com/SomethingBrightAndBurning. To read the content warnings, please visit my website. And if you add this to your TBR it will make my day :)
SOMETHING BRIGHT AND BURNING has a cover!!! Guys...it makes my eyeballs so happy. I hope you love this book. To preorder, visit Books2Read.com/SomethingBrightAndBurning. To read the content warnings, please visit my website. And if you add this to your TBR it will make my day :)
September 22, 2022
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
The cover and synopsis of this book really grabbed my attention. Something Bright and Burning was a fast-paced new adult romance. I really enjoyed Whitney's writing style and thought the story was very easy to read. My heart went out to Everly but I didn't fully connect with her. Also, the romance/relationship with Nicolai developed a bit too quickly. There was a connection right away but it didn't feel organic to me. I enjoyed Everly's relationship with her sister, and wanted more of that. I also wanted Everly to spend time with her mother so their relationship could grow.
The story was sometimes a bit too fast-paced and things happened too quickly. Especially, towards the end, there was so much going on. The last quarter of this book was a roller coaster and just so unbelievable and shocking. It just ruined the book for me to be honest. Also, I wanted Everly to grow as a person. She's really young and had to go through some major messed-up stuff, but I wanted her to make better decisions. Furthermore, I really felt bad for Nicolai and didn't think Everly deserved him. He should've gone his own way the moment he found out she was pregnant.
The cover and synopsis of this book really grabbed my attention. Something Bright and Burning was a fast-paced new adult romance. I really enjoyed Whitney's writing style and thought the story was very easy to read. My heart went out to Everly but I didn't fully connect with her. Also, the romance/relationship with Nicolai developed a bit too quickly. There was a connection right away but it didn't feel organic to me. I enjoyed Everly's relationship with her sister, and wanted more of that. I also wanted Everly to spend time with her mother so their relationship could grow.
The story was sometimes a bit too fast-paced and things happened too quickly. Especially, towards the end, there was so much going on. The last quarter of this book was a roller coaster and just so unbelievable and shocking. It just ruined the book for me to be honest. Also, I wanted Everly to grow as a person. She's really young and had to go through some major messed-up stuff, but I wanted her to make better decisions. Furthermore, I really felt bad for Nicolai and didn't think Everly deserved him. He should've gone his own way the moment he found out she was pregnant.
September 14, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an e-ARC copy for an exchange of an honest review!
I loved this book. I was sucked in from the very first sentence and finished it in less than 24 hours.
Eighteen-year-old Everly learns she's pregnant. And to make matters worse, she isn't sure who the father of her child is.
This book revolves around very important topics that have to do with teen-pregnancy, abuse, love, grief and the magnitude secrets can hold.
The characters' development in this book was incredible; seeing them at the beginning and then at the end goes to show how their journey has not only affected themselves, but the people around them and their whole life as well. The writing style added so much depth to the story and I loved how Everly used to write letters to herself in her diary throughout the book. Some of these included poetry that truly spoke to my heart.
I have to say the plot twist at the end was shocking to say the least- it truly through me off guard for a minute (you'll understand if you've read the book). For a second, it made want to change the rating of the book because of how disturbed I was. But upon further reflection I realized that by having such a drastic ending, the author goes to show how one secret could go a long way. The butterfly effect in this book came at full force. And in a way it made me feel for the characters more and understand the immensity of their predicament.
Something Bright and Burning is an original. It's a well-written story that depicts strong female leads in their journey through struggles that are heavy on any woman's shoulder and how within themselves, there's always something bright and burning.
Go into this blindly. That's the best way to read this.
I loved this book. I was sucked in from the very first sentence and finished it in less than 24 hours.
Eighteen-year-old Everly learns she's pregnant. And to make matters worse, she isn't sure who the father of her child is.
This book revolves around very important topics that have to do with teen-pregnancy, abuse, love, grief and the magnitude secrets can hold.
The characters' development in this book was incredible; seeing them at the beginning and then at the end goes to show how their journey has not only affected themselves, but the people around them and their whole life as well. The writing style added so much depth to the story and I loved how Everly used to write letters to herself in her diary throughout the book. Some of these included poetry that truly spoke to my heart.
I have to say the plot twist at the end was shocking to say the least- it truly through me off guard for a minute (you'll understand if you've read the book). For a second, it made want to change the rating of the book because of how disturbed I was. But upon further reflection I realized that by having such a drastic ending, the author goes to show how one secret could go a long way. The butterfly effect in this book came at full force. And in a way it made me feel for the characters more and understand the immensity of their predicament.
Something Bright and Burning is an original. It's a well-written story that depicts strong female leads in their journey through struggles that are heavy on any woman's shoulder and how within themselves, there's always something bright and burning.
Go into this blindly. That's the best way to read this.
December 31, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
Thank you Net galley for the arc!!
Something bright and burning begins with Everly finding out that she’s pregnant 7 weeks after her 18th birthday.. She’s too young to have a baby and she isn’t in a financially good place and is struggling with her situation. To make matters worse, she isn’t sure who the baby’s father is because it could be Vaughn her coworker (who is the worst human being ever) or John who is an older, gentle kind man she met at a bar while out celebrating her birthday…Everly is struggling with figuring out what to do about the pregnancy when her best friend sets her up on an online date with Nicolai, they hit it off almost instantly and form a connection, but Everly knows she can’t be in a relationship as she’s balancing her job, her education, taking care of her sister, and now being pregnant with another man’s child.
I really enjoyed this book and the way it was written was so beautiful.. Everly has been through so much at such a young age it was really sad.. I also really enjoyed her poetry and her relationship with God. Now, Nicolai was the sweetest guy and I did feel bad for him because of the constant back and forth with Everly (which I understood but still frustrated me)..
The book though was really fast- paced especially at the ending which wasn’t very developed and just happened so fast.. The plot twist was insane and I don’t know how I feel about it.. It’s probably what dropped my rating from 5 to 4 because it was uncomfortable.. I can’t really explain it without spoiling, but it was such a good book overall…the letter made me cry though 😭
The poems were definitely my favorite, and I would definitely recommend reading the book!
Thank you Net galley for the arc!!
Something bright and burning begins with Everly finding out that she’s pregnant 7 weeks after her 18th birthday.. She’s too young to have a baby and she isn’t in a financially good place and is struggling with her situation. To make matters worse, she isn’t sure who the baby’s father is because it could be Vaughn her coworker (who is the worst human being ever) or John who is an older, gentle kind man she met at a bar while out celebrating her birthday…Everly is struggling with figuring out what to do about the pregnancy when her best friend sets her up on an online date with Nicolai, they hit it off almost instantly and form a connection, but Everly knows she can’t be in a relationship as she’s balancing her job, her education, taking care of her sister, and now being pregnant with another man’s child.
I really enjoyed this book and the way it was written was so beautiful.. Everly has been through so much at such a young age it was really sad.. I also really enjoyed her poetry and her relationship with God. Now, Nicolai was the sweetest guy and I did feel bad for him because of the constant back and forth with Everly (which I understood but still frustrated me)..
The book though was really fast- paced especially at the ending which wasn’t very developed and just happened so fast.. The plot twist was insane and I don’t know how I feel about it.. It’s probably what dropped my rating from 5 to 4 because it was uncomfortable.. I can’t really explain it without spoiling, but it was such a good book overall…the letter made me cry though 😭
The poems were definitely my favorite, and I would definitely recommend reading the book!
November 20, 2023
This is a pure gem!
I fell in love with the book and the characters. Taking it all in and even had thoughts of it now and then from the time I finished it. The author had done a great job in making realistic characters and the experiences and thoughts going on inside the characters are chef's kiss. The pain and the power to move on and love another despite all the adversities one may face are so beautiful. The book made me cry and I loved it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I fell in love with the book and the characters. Taking it all in and even had thoughts of it now and then from the time I finished it. The author had done a great job in making realistic characters and the experiences and thoughts going on inside the characters are chef's kiss. The pain and the power to move on and love another despite all the adversities one may face are so beautiful. The book made me cry and I loved it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 21, 2022
holyshit, thank you netgalley for the copy, but again, holy shit. I mean???? At first i was sad because sad Everly deserved the world she did so much work, then vaughn or whatever 🤢🤢🤢 awful piece of trash but then john? And like okay but anyway the second he entered that house i just knew
But? I wasn't expecting this in the beginning honestly.
Great writing. I loved the portrayal of emotions (lack thereof sometimes), would totally recommend.
But? I wasn't expecting this in the beginning honestly.
Great writing. I loved the portrayal of emotions (lack thereof sometimes), would totally recommend.
September 21, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
What The Actual F.....?!? OK, that was a roller coaster that's going to take some time to process. I started this book and didn't put it down until I was completely finished. I couldn't help it, I was invested from the first chapter and then things escalated and I just couldn't stop.
The plot twist really got me. By the time I figured out what was going to happen I was right on top of the reveal. Not going to lie, I hated the twist and wish the author would have done literally anything else. Don't get me wrong, the writing is amazing, I just hated what happened here.
Something Bright and Burning is not for the faint of heart. There's so much that happens and if you're someone who needs trigger warnings I highly suggest checking them before reading this.
In a nutshell I thought this book was captivating, well written, infuriating and heartbreaking. Lately I've been finding it difficult to become immersed in stories but this one really captivated me. If you're going to read it make sure you have time on your hands so you don't have to put it down until you're finished.
What The Actual F.....?!? OK, that was a roller coaster that's going to take some time to process. I started this book and didn't put it down until I was completely finished. I couldn't help it, I was invested from the first chapter and then things escalated and I just couldn't stop.
The plot twist really got me. By the time I figured out what was going to happen I was right on top of the reveal. Not going to lie, I hated the twist and wish the author would have done literally anything else. Don't get me wrong, the writing is amazing, I just hated what happened here.
Something Bright and Burning is not for the faint of heart. There's so much that happens and if you're someone who needs trigger warnings I highly suggest checking them before reading this.
In a nutshell I thought this book was captivating, well written, infuriating and heartbreaking. Lately I've been finding it difficult to become immersed in stories but this one really captivated me. If you're going to read it make sure you have time on your hands so you don't have to put it down until you're finished.
March 20, 2022
Thank you. Thank you for allowing me to read this amazing story. I can’t recommend this book enough to anyone as it covers contemporary topics, real life emotions, and potential for in-depth discussion and reflection. I couldn’t put it down once I started. As the momentum picked up, and the pieces of the story fell together and became clearer, I couldn’t stop until I had answers. I keenly felt every emotion being ripped out of me: from horror and despair, longing and loneliness, to hope and happiness. The weight Everly must have been feeling along her journey became my own, and I felt anchored to the pages in hopes that some answers would help ease her burdens and secrets.
This story touches on topics that may be triggering to individuals who have experienced trauma and abuse and explores emotionally distressing subject matter. Yet, Whitney’s masterful story brings conviction and respect to these topics and takes the reader through a journey that is both heartbreaking and beautiful.
This story touches on topics that may be triggering to individuals who have experienced trauma and abuse and explores emotionally distressing subject matter. Yet, Whitney’s masterful story brings conviction and respect to these topics and takes the reader through a journey that is both heartbreaking and beautiful.
March 23, 2022
So I am up four hours past my regular bedtime because I absolutely had to finish this book tonight.
Let me start by saying DAMN! This woman can write!! 🤩 I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t stop reading.
I absolutely loved Everly and her inner dialogue made her seem so real. She’s put in a lot of tough situations, and she is forced to be an adult way before she is ready, but I felt like all of that just made her seem more relatable as there are a sadly a lot of kids who have to take on more responsibilities than they should.
A trigger warning as the book does have some intense situations: abuse, sexual assault, and suicide.
Overall, an amazing book that tackled tough yet real topics in an authentic way. I seriously cannot wait to follow Whitney’s journey and see what comes next! 5 stars!
Let me start by saying DAMN! This woman can write!! 🤩 I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t stop reading.
I absolutely loved Everly and her inner dialogue made her seem so real. She’s put in a lot of tough situations, and she is forced to be an adult way before she is ready, but I felt like all of that just made her seem more relatable as there are a sadly a lot of kids who have to take on more responsibilities than they should.
A trigger warning as the book does have some intense situations: abuse, sexual assault, and suicide.
Overall, an amazing book that tackled tough yet real topics in an authentic way. I seriously cannot wait to follow Whitney’s journey and see what comes next! 5 stars!
April 12, 2022
Solid 5 🌟
One of the best books I’ve read in the past few years. I feel so incredibly lucky I got to read it early. Y’all are seriously not ready for the emotional roller coaster this book is going to take you on. I laughed, I cried, I yelled in frustration. This book has it all.
Nicolai is 🤩 dreamy, to say the least. The female friendship was so refreshing; in fact, all of Everly’s relationships with the people around her felt incredibly realistic.
The end had me sobbing into my pillow, but it was so uplifting and hopeful. The writing is utterly beautiful; the bits of Everly’s poetry sprinkled throughout were a real highlight.
I can’t say enough good things about it. You need to snag it right away.
One of the best books I’ve read in the past few years. I feel so incredibly lucky I got to read it early. Y’all are seriously not ready for the emotional roller coaster this book is going to take you on. I laughed, I cried, I yelled in frustration. This book has it all.
Nicolai is 🤩 dreamy, to say the least. The female friendship was so refreshing; in fact, all of Everly’s relationships with the people around her felt incredibly realistic.
The end had me sobbing into my pillow, but it was so uplifting and hopeful. The writing is utterly beautiful; the bits of Everly’s poetry sprinkled throughout were a real highlight.
I can’t say enough good things about it. You need to snag it right away.
September 16, 2022
“He does the most dangerous thing a person can do; he lets me hope.
And this kind of hope-the kind that makes me feel like somehow everything’s going to turn out okay in the end-will only end in disappointment.”
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Women’s Fiction
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 1.5 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Is all about teenage pregnancy, discusses rape and blackmailing leading to sexual assault, sexual content in general, suicide, underaged drinking, incest, miscarriages, financial hardships, parental death and abandonment, and religious guilt.
“Something Bright and Burning” follows Everly Martin, as she finds out she’s pregnant at 18… and she’s not sure who the father is. Her whole future is ahead of her, she’s taking college classes and working and barely making ends meet. The father could either be Vaughn, the douchebag coworker who’s forced himself on her, or John, the older man she met at a bar. But then there’s also Nicolai, her best friend’s brother, and someone Everly had an instant connection with. In this world, where there are no right answers, will Everly choose to follow what she things if best for her or her baby? Or for both?
Told through journal entries, poems, and a first-person narrative, “Something Bright and Burning” is an ode to hardship and self-improvement. Some characters were a bit cartoonish but, in general, almost all were well-defined, with their diverse personalities, stories, and beliefs.
“I often feel like she willingly allows me to shoulder the weight of our family’s responsibilities. When she leaves the parent role empty, I have no choice but to fill it.”
The only thing I wasn’t 100% sold on was the poetry… It was simply not my cup of it. It was just some instagram-worthy prose, just like the next guy. No poem really spoke to me. It just felt like a little something added to give the main character some hobbies and personality traits.
But oh, was the plot twist so so wild. It has been months, maybe even years, since a plot twist had hit me so hard. Just that plot twist makes this book worth reading. I wish I could go back and read it for the first time all over again.
This book kind of reminded me of Lauren J. Sharkey’s “Inconvenient Daughter” and maybe even a bit to Hanya Yanagihara’s “A Little Life”. It just undertook some very heavy subjects. It did an amazing job of portraying life, with some of its extreme threats.
I would highly recommend this book. “Something Bright and Burning” is a complex read, with a ton of triggering situations (and therefore a ton of content warnings), but if you find the heart to read through them, you won’t regret it.
ARC provided by NetGalley and Swan Pages Publishinf in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: September 20, 2022
“It’s not you, Nicolai. It’s me, I want to tell him. But
those words have never worked for anyone. So, I don’t look back. I grab all my shit, I take a deep breath, and leave.”
And this kind of hope-the kind that makes me feel like somehow everything’s going to turn out okay in the end-will only end in disappointment.”
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Women’s Fiction
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 1.5 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Is all about teenage pregnancy, discusses rape and blackmailing leading to sexual assault, sexual content in general, suicide, underaged drinking, incest, miscarriages, financial hardships, parental death and abandonment, and religious guilt.
“Something Bright and Burning” follows Everly Martin, as she finds out she’s pregnant at 18… and she’s not sure who the father is. Her whole future is ahead of her, she’s taking college classes and working and barely making ends meet. The father could either be Vaughn, the douchebag coworker who’s forced himself on her, or John, the older man she met at a bar. But then there’s also Nicolai, her best friend’s brother, and someone Everly had an instant connection with. In this world, where there are no right answers, will Everly choose to follow what she things if best for her or her baby? Or for both?
Told through journal entries, poems, and a first-person narrative, “Something Bright and Burning” is an ode to hardship and self-improvement. Some characters were a bit cartoonish but, in general, almost all were well-defined, with their diverse personalities, stories, and beliefs.
“I often feel like she willingly allows me to shoulder the weight of our family’s responsibilities. When she leaves the parent role empty, I have no choice but to fill it.”
The only thing I wasn’t 100% sold on was the poetry… It was simply not my cup of it. It was just some instagram-worthy prose, just like the next guy. No poem really spoke to me. It just felt like a little something added to give the main character some hobbies and personality traits.
But oh, was the plot twist so so wild. It has been months, maybe even years, since a plot twist had hit me so hard. Just that plot twist makes this book worth reading. I wish I could go back and read it for the first time all over again.
This book kind of reminded me of Lauren J. Sharkey’s “Inconvenient Daughter” and maybe even a bit to Hanya Yanagihara’s “A Little Life”. It just undertook some very heavy subjects. It did an amazing job of portraying life, with some of its extreme threats.
I would highly recommend this book. “Something Bright and Burning” is a complex read, with a ton of triggering situations (and therefore a ton of content warnings), but if you find the heart to read through them, you won’t regret it.
ARC provided by NetGalley and Swan Pages Publishinf in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: September 20, 2022
“It’s not you, Nicolai. It’s me, I want to tell him. But
those words have never worked for anyone. So, I don’t look back. I grab all my shit, I take a deep breath, and leave.”
September 19, 2022
Well, this one was not what I was expecting….at all.
The beginning of the book was wonderful, eighteen year old Everly has a lot on her plate. So the room for growth was astronomical. She’s torn between so many possibilities for her future, all stemming from one bad day.
However, she didn’t really do a whole lot of growing. But I do appreciate that she wasn’t overly whiny. She has a coping mechanism that works for her and is admirable.
It wasn’t a hard read, it’s paced nicely, the emotion is there, the connection to the characters is there, I think the “big twist” is what ultimately left it firmly in the four star territory. It was honestly something that I didn’t expect, but also made me very uncomfortable as a reader.
This book is NOT for the faint of heart. If you struggle with loss of a parent, sexual abuse, suicide, loss of pregnancy, or incest please go into this very cautiously.
The beginning of the book was wonderful, eighteen year old Everly has a lot on her plate. So the room for growth was astronomical. She’s torn between so many possibilities for her future, all stemming from one bad day.
However, she didn’t really do a whole lot of growing. But I do appreciate that she wasn’t overly whiny. She has a coping mechanism that works for her and is admirable.
It wasn’t a hard read, it’s paced nicely, the emotion is there, the connection to the characters is there, I think the “big twist” is what ultimately left it firmly in the four star territory. It was honestly something that I didn’t expect, but also made me very uncomfortable as a reader.
This book is NOT for the faint of heart. If you struggle with loss of a parent, sexual abuse, suicide, loss of pregnancy, or incest please go into this very cautiously.
September 16, 2022
This story throws you right in at the beginning. I truly enjoyed the journal entries throughout the book because it gave a deeper insight on the mc’s thought process in a different and fresh way.
A young 18 year old trying to figure out life after an unexpected pregnancy and her thoughts and viewpoints on life are so realistic. She’s relatable and so mature in her thought process that only people who are forced to mature mentally at an early age would fully understand. Something I never would’ve expected happened and when I tell you I threw my phone in surprise. Holy wow.
“The trouble is, no matter how loud I scream, I can’t seem to hear my own voice.”
The poetry. I adored the poetry. It warmed my heart and ripped it apart in the same moment.
A young 18 year old trying to figure out life after an unexpected pregnancy and her thoughts and viewpoints on life are so realistic. She’s relatable and so mature in her thought process that only people who are forced to mature mentally at an early age would fully understand. Something I never would’ve expected happened and when I tell you I threw my phone in surprise. Holy wow.
“The trouble is, no matter how loud I scream, I can’t seem to hear my own voice.”
The poetry. I adored the poetry. It warmed my heart and ripped it apart in the same moment.
September 3, 2022
✨ Warning: spoilers ✨
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.
TW: incest, miscarriage and suicide
After reading the synopsis, I was heavily intrigued and wanted to read this novel. I started off being invested through the transitions of the novel and wanting to find out who the baby’s father was. In addition, the MC leads on her best friend’s brother and one potential baby daddy. Additionally, the writing style itself was a bit wattpad-like and I knew that I wouldn’t be rating this highly. But it dropped after getting more than halfway through.
The baby’s father ended up being the unknown father of the MC. So unintentional incest, but still. Whilst I’m all for shock value, this made me feel sick and disturbed.
.
.
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TW: incest, miscarriage and suicide
After reading the synopsis, I was heavily intrigued and wanted to read this novel. I started off being invested through the transitions of the novel and wanting to find out who the baby’s father was. In addition, the MC leads on her best friend’s brother and one potential baby daddy. Additionally, the writing style itself was a bit wattpad-like and I knew that I wouldn’t be rating this highly. But it dropped after getting more than halfway through.
The baby’s father ended up being the unknown father of the MC. So unintentional incest, but still. Whilst I’m all for shock value, this made me feel sick and disturbed.
December 20, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
A wild ride, this book is. I love Everly, I think she deserved way better than the situation she was in the book. I enjoyed the premise, that sense of dread when they're about to announce the baby's father, that twist in the end. I also did enjoy Everly's letters to herself, it's something I've never read before. I fucking hate vaughn and what he did to Everly (and continued to!), but I kinda hoped she reported him earlier. The whole John fiasco was so fucked up, like that's such a disturbing plotline and ending (I mean, I did feel sorry for him, and then at the end I just felt empty). Nicolai is such a golden retriever of a man (and equally as horny LMAO) ALSO!! I love simone so much and I'm so happy for her in the epilogue!
I was so hooked, which I really didn't expect from a book about teenage pregnancy (TWs below btw) and yeah, I quite liked reading this book. I've never been so emotionally turmoiled before HAHAHA I love the writing! I love the real life issues in this book! I love the sense of dread while reading! but for me, the pacing and rushed ending brought down my rating to 3.5.
TWs: sex, teenage pregnancy, abuse, sexual assault and blackmailing, suicide
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
A wild ride, this book is. I love Everly, I think she deserved way better than the situation she was in the book. I enjoyed the premise, that sense of dread when they're about to announce the baby's father, that twist in the end. I also did enjoy Everly's letters to herself, it's something I've never read before. I fucking hate vaughn and what he did to Everly (and continued to!), but I kinda hoped she reported him earlier. The whole John fiasco was so fucked up, like that's such a disturbing plotline and ending (I mean, I did feel sorry for him, and then at the end I just felt empty). Nicolai is such a golden retriever of a man (and equally as horny LMAO) ALSO!! I love simone so much and I'm so happy for her in the epilogue!
I was so hooked, which I really didn't expect from a book about teenage pregnancy (TWs below btw) and yeah, I quite liked reading this book. I've never been so emotionally turmoiled before HAHAHA I love the writing! I love the real life issues in this book! I love the sense of dread while reading! but for me, the pacing and rushed ending brought down my rating to 3.5.
TWs: sex, teenage pregnancy, abuse, sexual assault and blackmailing, suicide
September 14, 2022
*I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.*
Ever pick up a book that makes you ask yourself, "yo. wtf did I just read?" This was definitely that type of book for me. It's a whole wild ride from beginning to end. We have the story of Everly, who in the span of one day, goes on an accidental Tinder date and finds out she's pregnant. She soon has to decide between falling in love, or giving her baby a whole typical family unit, while keeping secrets from those most important to her. I won't say much more than that because this is a book that needs to be experienced blind. I cannot be the only one who had such conflicting feelings about this book, so when you finish it, lemme know what you think!
Something Bright and Burning comes out in stores on 9/20/22.
Ever pick up a book that makes you ask yourself, "yo. wtf did I just read?" This was definitely that type of book for me. It's a whole wild ride from beginning to end. We have the story of Everly, who in the span of one day, goes on an accidental Tinder date and finds out she's pregnant. She soon has to decide between falling in love, or giving her baby a whole typical family unit, while keeping secrets from those most important to her. I won't say much more than that because this is a book that needs to be experienced blind. I cannot be the only one who had such conflicting feelings about this book, so when you finish it, lemme know what you think!
Something Bright and Burning comes out in stores on 9/20/22.
September 24, 2022
I'm not sure where to begin with this book. This is the story of Everly, an eighteen-year-old woman who discovers she is pregnant but is unsure which of two men is the father.
This book follows Everly through her journey of teen pregnancy, falling in love at the worst possible time, grief, abuse, and some truly dark secrets from the past that had such a major impact on her present because they were kept under wraps for so long.
I really enjoyed this author's writing style and the flow of the story up until that jaw-dropping twist that I could have done without. I don't want to give too much away, but I really couldn’t get down with that. (Please read the trigger warnings before reading this novel because the ick factor was insane) and I just had to lower my rating for that alone.
Thank you to Swan Pages Publishing and the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ / 5
This book follows Everly through her journey of teen pregnancy, falling in love at the worst possible time, grief, abuse, and some truly dark secrets from the past that had such a major impact on her present because they were kept under wraps for so long.
I really enjoyed this author's writing style and the flow of the story up until that jaw-dropping twist that I could have done without. I don't want to give too much away, but I really couldn’t get down with that. (Please read the trigger warnings before reading this novel because the ick factor was insane) and I just had to lower my rating for that alone.
Thank you to Swan Pages Publishing and the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ / 5
September 10, 2022
thank you to the netgalley for the earc.
what the fuck.
review (sorta):
4/5 stars. I absolutely loved 80% of this book. I’ve never read anything like it and probably never will again, I applaud it for somehow being so unique and fantastic. Although I loved this book, I am VERY conflicted about the ending. If you’ve read this, you probably know exactly what I mean. Even though I have no idea what to feel about the ending, I won’t let it ruin the fact that this was still a fantastic novel.
what the fuck.
review (sorta):
4/5 stars. I absolutely loved 80% of this book. I’ve never read anything like it and probably never will again, I applaud it for somehow being so unique and fantastic. Although I loved this book, I am VERY conflicted about the ending. If you’ve read this, you probably know exactly what I mean. Even though I have no idea what to feel about the ending, I won’t let it ruin the fact that this was still a fantastic novel.
October 5, 2022
*I am incredibly grateful to NetGalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review*
TLDR: I disliked the characters, plot and ending.
I had a lot of issues with this book. Some of which are my own fault but most of which stem from the book itself. Issue number one - which is partly a me problem and partly a book problem - I find pregnancy is written so poorly in books. So knowing that about myself and knowing that this book is very obviously one in which the main character gets pregnant, I probably should have known that I wouldn't like it right off the bat. I find in these kinds of books the pregnant character starts developing pregnancy effects far too quickly. For example, not even a month into her pregnancy, Everly is already crying hysterically or being overly emotional and blaming that on her pregnancy. That is not how it works. Similarly there were so many times Every's pregnancy was almost fetishised for example there are multiple times when Everly is reflecting on how her breasts have grown but her stomach is still completely flat. This just felt really icky to me especially in the way it was written.
Next are my issues with the book itself.
First up the character of Everly. She is so completely annoying and infuriating. She keeps on making the same mistakes over and over again. She insists that she doesn't need any help from anyone and then the minute she gets into a sticky situation, she phones Nicolai who, for some reason has nothing better to do, and ALWAYS comes to her rescue. Likewise the relationship we are supposed to be rooting for between Nicolai and Everly is very frustrating. Nearly every time they spend time together they say 'no, we can't do this' because Nicolai is Simone's (Everly's best friend) brother, and it's unfair to do this to her. This discussion is almost always immediately followed up by them trying to tear each others clothes off. Additionally, their relationship just did not have the time to build and form, there was too much insta-love and attraction for my liking.
Another issue I had with Everly is her weird relationship with Vaughn - one of the possible baby daddies. Now this next bit contains incredibly minor spoilers so skip ahead to the next paragraph if you don't want them.
Vaughn is essentially blackmailing Everly for sex after he caught her stealing money from their shared workplace. When Everly tries to stand up for herself against him and refuses to get an abortion like he requests, he starts yelling and getting violent. Naturally Nicolai of course is there and steps in, and he punches Vaughn in the face. Instead of being thankful, Everly gets mad at Nicolai yelling at him that Vaughn could be her family due to being a possible baby daddy. This is an insane reaction to have and it happens multiple time in the book.
Next up is the the journal and poems that Everly keeps. My key issue with the journal is it happens far to often through the book - in nearly every second chapter. Additionally it is also written in 2nd person as in "Dear Everly, today you went to work..." I absolutely detest this writing choice but admittedly I don't really have a good reason for why apart from I just did not like it. With the poems Everly is constantly dotting down, I knew they were meant to emphasise how Everly loves writing and is good at it, however that is just not the message I got. They were awful, so pretentious, trying to be deep and meaningful but just falling so flat. And like the journal, they occurred far too often and added even less than the journal to the plot and story.
Now this next part contains big spoilers so read at you own discretion but otherwise this is the end of the review.
John, the other potential baby daddy, is a 30+ year old doctor who Everly meets on a night out. Despite the age gap I can get around this because he has very honourable intentions with Everly. However this support was dramatically ruined when it was revealed that John was in fact Everly's FATHER. This occurs after they have found out John is the baby daddy and he and Everly have gotten engaged and she is introducing him to her family. I have no clue why on Earth this was included in the book. It was so completely unnecessary and added nothing but ickyness. After this revelation, Everly has a miscarriage and falls into a depression, and John commits suicide being unable to live with what he has done. I despised this ending but I guess it's okay because he left everything to Everly so she's no longer poor. I found the random chapter that was written in Mariah's POV, Everly's mother, very poorly done and it did not need to be there. I thought everything that was done in that weird and random chapter could have been accomplished in exposition or a conversation.
Overall I disliked the characters, plot and ending. I would not recommend this book.
TLDR: I disliked the characters, plot and ending.
I had a lot of issues with this book. Some of which are my own fault but most of which stem from the book itself. Issue number one - which is partly a me problem and partly a book problem - I find pregnancy is written so poorly in books. So knowing that about myself and knowing that this book is very obviously one in which the main character gets pregnant, I probably should have known that I wouldn't like it right off the bat. I find in these kinds of books the pregnant character starts developing pregnancy effects far too quickly. For example, not even a month into her pregnancy, Everly is already crying hysterically or being overly emotional and blaming that on her pregnancy. That is not how it works. Similarly there were so many times Every's pregnancy was almost fetishised for example there are multiple times when Everly is reflecting on how her breasts have grown but her stomach is still completely flat. This just felt really icky to me especially in the way it was written.
Next are my issues with the book itself.
First up the character of Everly. She is so completely annoying and infuriating. She keeps on making the same mistakes over and over again. She insists that she doesn't need any help from anyone and then the minute she gets into a sticky situation, she phones Nicolai who, for some reason has nothing better to do, and ALWAYS comes to her rescue. Likewise the relationship we are supposed to be rooting for between Nicolai and Everly is very frustrating. Nearly every time they spend time together they say 'no, we can't do this' because Nicolai is Simone's (Everly's best friend) brother, and it's unfair to do this to her. This discussion is almost always immediately followed up by them trying to tear each others clothes off. Additionally, their relationship just did not have the time to build and form, there was too much insta-love and attraction for my liking.
Another issue I had with Everly is her weird relationship with Vaughn - one of the possible baby daddies. Now this next bit contains incredibly minor spoilers so skip ahead to the next paragraph if you don't want them.
Vaughn is essentially blackmailing Everly for sex after he caught her stealing money from their shared workplace. When Everly tries to stand up for herself against him and refuses to get an abortion like he requests, he starts yelling and getting violent. Naturally Nicolai of course is there and steps in, and he punches Vaughn in the face. Instead of being thankful, Everly gets mad at Nicolai yelling at him that Vaughn could be her family due to being a possible baby daddy. This is an insane reaction to have and it happens multiple time in the book.
Next up is the the journal and poems that Everly keeps. My key issue with the journal is it happens far to often through the book - in nearly every second chapter. Additionally it is also written in 2nd person as in "Dear Everly, today you went to work..." I absolutely detest this writing choice but admittedly I don't really have a good reason for why apart from I just did not like it. With the poems Everly is constantly dotting down, I knew they were meant to emphasise how Everly loves writing and is good at it, however that is just not the message I got. They were awful, so pretentious, trying to be deep and meaningful but just falling so flat. And like the journal, they occurred far too often and added even less than the journal to the plot and story.
Now this next part contains big spoilers so read at you own discretion but otherwise this is the end of the review.
John, the other potential baby daddy, is a 30+ year old doctor who Everly meets on a night out. Despite the age gap I can get around this because he has very honourable intentions with Everly. However this support was dramatically ruined when it was revealed that John was in fact Everly's FATHER. This occurs after they have found out John is the baby daddy and he and Everly have gotten engaged and she is introducing him to her family. I have no clue why on Earth this was included in the book. It was so completely unnecessary and added nothing but ickyness. After this revelation, Everly has a miscarriage and falls into a depression, and John commits suicide being unable to live with what he has done. I despised this ending but I guess it's okay because he left everything to Everly so she's no longer poor. I found the random chapter that was written in Mariah's POV, Everly's mother, very poorly done and it did not need to be there. I thought everything that was done in that weird and random chapter could have been accomplished in exposition or a conversation.
Overall I disliked the characters, plot and ending. I would not recommend this book.
December 11, 2022
GENERAL INFO
Year Pub/Re Pub: 9/20/22
Book's cover: Captures Everly perfectly with the burst of red hair
Format: Kindle
Source: KU
Page Count: 310
Book's Price: $4.99
Price I'd Value: same
Setting: California
Genre: NA romance
Tropes: interracial romance, age gap, knight in shining armor H, secret pregnancy
Standalone/Cliffhanger/Part of a Series: standalone
HEA/HFN ending: HEA
Epilogue Included: No, but the last chapter is 5 years later
Character(s)POV Spoken: Everly w/ a chapter from her mother Mariah
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Synopsis/Plot Summary: Everly is struggling to take care of her family. She and her mother work, Everly goes to night school/community college, and cares for her little sister. When she finds out she's pregnant, and doesn't know who the baby's father is, she has to face the consequences of some bad decisions.
M/F-M/M-M/M/F-etc: M/F
Representation: Christian/church going, Hispanic
Contains Cheating: no
Contains Children: Amethyst/Amma in 3rd grade, parents divorced; paternal g-parents pay for her school tuition.
Flashbacks: yes, her mom's marriage to Amma's father. Mariah's past and Nick's w/ birth mother.
Jealy/Possy/OTT H/h: yes, both H and h are jealous. Nick-of John and Vaughn. Everly-of Kiley, Nick's bff
Amount of Sex In The Book: a few scenes nothing graphic
Overall Smex Rating: 2
CHARACTER DESCRIPTION
Hero: Nicolai/Nick
Hero Description: Adopted by maternal aunt, just graduated college on an athletic scholarship, student teaching to be middle school history teacher. Meets Everly on a dating app, can't seem to let her go. Dealing with devastating news about parents.
Hero Likability Rating: 5
Hero loves books/writing: Loves teaching history to kids
Heroine: Everly Martin
Heroine Description: 18, forced to grow up quickly. Poor, forced to homeschool so she could work @ hair salon, care for her sister while mother worked. Makes some desperate choices that lead to chaos.
Heroine Likability Rating: 4
Heroine loves books/writing: yes, reads and writes poetry/journals
Secondary characters:
Mariah-Everly's mother, a diner waitress. Got pregnant at 15, tells Everly her father was a one-night stand, and he died before she was born.
Amma-Everly's little sister
Chris-Amma's father, Mariah's ex husband
Simone-Everly's bff and Nick's sister
Vaughn-works @ the salon w/Everly
John Taylor-A wealthy Dr. (33 yrs. old) who met Everly in a bar after celebrating her 19th b-day.
Kiley-Nick's female bff
H /h RELATIONSHIP INFO
Endearments: Mija-Mariah calls Everly
OW/OM/Exes: John Taylor, Vaughn
Cheating Before/During/Outside H/h Relationship: no
CONTENT WARNINGS/TRIGGERS: sexual harassment/assault, incest, loss of child, suicide, depression
AUTHOR OVERVIEW: Whitney Amazeen
New author or read before & any favorites: new to me
PERSONAL OVERVIEW
Technical/Editing Quality: 5*
Writing/Content Quality: 5*
Overall Rating: 5*
Do You Recommend This Book: yes, with a warning
Will You Re-read This Book: no, too triggering for me
Would You Read More Books by this Author: yes
COMMENTS/NOTES
Favorite line: "And this kind of hope-the kind that makes me feel like somehow everything's going to turn out okay in the end-will only end in disappointment." Everly thinking about how Nick makes her feel.
New Vocabulary/beautiful words: "Something Bright and Burning"-How John and Nick describe Everly and her spirit.
Year Pub/Re Pub: 9/20/22
Book's cover: Captures Everly perfectly with the burst of red hair
Format: Kindle
Source: KU
Page Count: 310
Book's Price: $4.99
Price I'd Value: same
Setting: California
Genre: NA romance
Tropes: interracial romance, age gap, knight in shining armor H, secret pregnancy
Standalone/Cliffhanger/Part of a Series: standalone
HEA/HFN ending: HEA
Epilogue Included: No, but the last chapter is 5 years later
Character(s)POV Spoken: Everly w/ a chapter from her mother Mariah
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Synopsis/Plot Summary: Everly is struggling to take care of her family. She and her mother work, Everly goes to night school/community college, and cares for her little sister. When she finds out she's pregnant, and doesn't know who the baby's father is, she has to face the consequences of some bad decisions.
M/F-M/M-M/M/F-etc: M/F
Representation: Christian/church going, Hispanic
Contains Cheating: no
Contains Children: Amethyst/Amma in 3rd grade, parents divorced; paternal g-parents pay for her school tuition.
Flashbacks: yes, her mom's marriage to Amma's father. Mariah's past and Nick's w/ birth mother.
Jealy/Possy/OTT H/h: yes, both H and h are jealous. Nick-of John and Vaughn. Everly-of Kiley, Nick's bff
Amount of Sex In The Book: a few scenes nothing graphic
Overall Smex Rating: 2
CHARACTER DESCRIPTION
Hero: Nicolai/Nick
Hero Description: Adopted by maternal aunt, just graduated college on an athletic scholarship, student teaching to be middle school history teacher. Meets Everly on a dating app, can't seem to let her go. Dealing with devastating news about parents.
Hero Likability Rating: 5
Hero loves books/writing: Loves teaching history to kids
Heroine: Everly Martin
Heroine Description: 18, forced to grow up quickly. Poor, forced to homeschool so she could work @ hair salon, care for her sister while mother worked. Makes some desperate choices that lead to chaos.
Heroine Likability Rating: 4
Heroine loves books/writing: yes, reads and writes poetry/journals
Secondary characters:
Mariah-Everly's mother, a diner waitress. Got pregnant at 15, tells Everly her father was a one-night stand, and he died before she was born.
Amma-Everly's little sister
Chris-Amma's father, Mariah's ex husband
Simone-Everly's bff and Nick's sister
Vaughn-works @ the salon w/Everly
John Taylor-A wealthy Dr. (33 yrs. old) who met Everly in a bar after celebrating her 19th b-day.
Kiley-Nick's female bff
H /h RELATIONSHIP INFO
Endearments: Mija-Mariah calls Everly
OW/OM/Exes: John Taylor, Vaughn
Cheating Before/During/Outside H/h Relationship: no
CONTENT WARNINGS/TRIGGERS: sexual harassment/assault, incest, loss of child, suicide, depression
AUTHOR OVERVIEW: Whitney Amazeen
New author or read before & any favorites: new to me
PERSONAL OVERVIEW
Technical/Editing Quality: 5*
Writing/Content Quality: 5*
Overall Rating: 5*
Do You Recommend This Book: yes, with a warning
Will You Re-read This Book: no, too triggering for me
Would You Read More Books by this Author: yes
COMMENTS/NOTES
Favorite line: "And this kind of hope-the kind that makes me feel like somehow everything's going to turn out okay in the end-will only end in disappointment." Everly thinking about how Nick makes her feel.
New Vocabulary/beautiful words: "Something Bright and Burning"-How John and Nick describe Everly and her spirit.
February 22, 2023
I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion of this book. All opinions are of my own formation.
Everly is in big trouble: she is working to keep her family afloat while going to college for a degree she hates. Then her eighteenth birthday comes along and things go from bad to worse: she sleep with two different men and six weeks later is looking at two pink lines. Now she has to figure out who the father is and in comes Nicolai, who throws her life and her dreams into a frenzy. Three men all wanting different things from Everly lead to a series of events that lead to a shocking finale: the death of the real father, the passing of the baby, and finally finding piece and love.
I really liked this book... I devoured the books and then cringed with the discovery of John being Everly's father as well as the father of her unborn child. I was already unsure how i felt about 18-year old Everly being with 30-year old John and then it got worse. I full on cringed and shrieked when Mariah told Everly that John was her father. I was expecting Everly not knowing the identity of her birth father to play a part in the plot, but... this was something else all together. I almost put the book down I definitely almost DNFed this book. Then I looked at how much was left in the book and knew I needed to figure out how this was going to all play out.
I did not like John was written out the story, but a lot came out of it. Everly finding her grandparents and finally being able to support her family and herself to finally make it through college and graduate. Did I find the ending realistic? No... too happily ever after after the huge mess that was the end of her pregnancy. I am trying to keep in mind the passing of five years between the end of the story and the epilogue, but it was a lot. I was also disappointed with ending when Everly wrote her final journal entry. It was symbolic with the message she had learned and the importance of her realization that letting others in means she does not have to rely only on her, but it left me sad. Life is a journey and while it appeared to only be linear after the discovery of John as her father and the miscarriage, it seemed super unrealistic to have her no longer journal. But then again, the last portion of the novel was quite unrealistic, so I guess it goes along with the flow of the story line.
I am sure that with the issues I have with the ending, you may be wondering why i have given this book 4 stars. And here is the reason. I LOVED this book until the last 15% or so. The first 75%+, I loved, I was excited and I was going on this journey and experiencing Everly's ups and downs with her. Everly as a character was written so well and was relatable in many ways. Then it became super unrealistic and cringy and i wanted to cry. I was talking to my roommate about this book before the cringe and I was excited: for Nicolai and Everly, for their journey, and for how Everly was going to handle everything. I talked this book UP. When I picked up the book next, Everly discovered who the father was and i was mad at her but understood her situation with choosing John over Nicolai and the freaking meeting Mariah! It ruined it for me in many ways, but I do have to give credit where credit is deserved: Whitney Amazeen is a master wordsmith and I was all in, and then the unthinkable was introduced and the last 15% of the book was meh... but that first 75%+ was *chef's kiss*. So I will stand by the 4 stars!
Everly is in big trouble: she is working to keep her family afloat while going to college for a degree she hates. Then her eighteenth birthday comes along and things go from bad to worse: she sleep with two different men and six weeks later is looking at two pink lines. Now she has to figure out who the father is and in comes Nicolai, who throws her life and her dreams into a frenzy. Three men all wanting different things from Everly lead to a series of events that lead to a shocking finale: the death of the real father, the passing of the baby, and finally finding piece and love.
I really liked this book... I devoured the books and then cringed with the discovery of John being Everly's father as well as the father of her unborn child. I was already unsure how i felt about 18-year old Everly being with 30-year old John and then it got worse. I full on cringed and shrieked when Mariah told Everly that John was her father. I was expecting Everly not knowing the identity of her birth father to play a part in the plot, but... this was something else all together. I almost put the book down I definitely almost DNFed this book. Then I looked at how much was left in the book and knew I needed to figure out how this was going to all play out.
I did not like John was written out the story, but a lot came out of it. Everly finding her grandparents and finally being able to support her family and herself to finally make it through college and graduate. Did I find the ending realistic? No... too happily ever after after the huge mess that was the end of her pregnancy. I am trying to keep in mind the passing of five years between the end of the story and the epilogue, but it was a lot. I was also disappointed with ending when Everly wrote her final journal entry. It was symbolic with the message she had learned and the importance of her realization that letting others in means she does not have to rely only on her, but it left me sad. Life is a journey and while it appeared to only be linear after the discovery of John as her father and the miscarriage, it seemed super unrealistic to have her no longer journal. But then again, the last portion of the novel was quite unrealistic, so I guess it goes along with the flow of the story line.
I am sure that with the issues I have with the ending, you may be wondering why i have given this book 4 stars. And here is the reason. I LOVED this book until the last 15% or so. The first 75%+, I loved, I was excited and I was going on this journey and experiencing Everly's ups and downs with her. Everly as a character was written so well and was relatable in many ways. Then it became super unrealistic and cringy and i wanted to cry. I was talking to my roommate about this book before the cringe and I was excited: for Nicolai and Everly, for their journey, and for how Everly was going to handle everything. I talked this book UP. When I picked up the book next, Everly discovered who the father was and i was mad at her but understood her situation with choosing John over Nicolai and the freaking meeting Mariah! It ruined it for me in many ways, but I do have to give credit where credit is deserved: Whitney Amazeen is a master wordsmith and I was all in, and then the unthinkable was introduced and the last 15% of the book was meh... but that first 75%+ was *chef's kiss*. So I will stand by the 4 stars!
February 22, 2023
I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion of this book. All opinions are of my own formation.
Everly is in big trouble: she is working to keep her family afloat while going to college for a degree she hates. Then her eighteenth birthday comes along and things go from bad to worse: she sleep with two different men and six weeks later is looking at two pink lines. Now she has to figure out who the father is and in comes Nicolai, who throws her life and her dreams into a frenzy. Three men all wanting different things from Everly lead to a series of events that lead to a shocking finale: the death of the real father, the passing of the baby, and finally finding piece and love.
I really liked this book... I devoured the books and then cringed with the discovery of John being Everly's father as well as the father of her unborn child. I was already unsure how i felt about 18-year old Everly being with 30-year old John and then it got worse. I full on cringed and shrieked when Mariah told Everly that John was her father. I was expecting Everly not knowing the identity of her birth father to play a part in the plot, but... this was something else all together. I almost put the book down I definitely almost DNFed this book. Then I looked at how much was left in the book and knew I needed to figure out how this was going to all play out.
I did not like John was written out the story, but a lot came out of it. Everly finding her grandparents and finally being able to support her family and herself to finally make it through college and graduate. Did I find the ending realistic? No... too happily ever after after the huge mess that was the end of her pregnancy. I am trying to keep in mind the passing of five years between the end of the story and the epilogue, but it was a lot. I was also disappointed with ending when Everly wrote her final journal entry. It was symbolic with the message she had learned and the importance of her realization that letting others in means she does not have to rely only on her, but it left me sad. Life is a journey and while it appeared to only be linear after the discovery of John as her father and the miscarriage, it seemed super unrealistic to have her no longer journal. But then again, the last portion of the novel was quite unrealistic, so I guess it goes along with the flow of the story line.
I am sure that with the issues I have with the ending, you may be wondering why i have given this book 4 stars. And here is the reason. I LOVED this book until the last 15% or so. The first 75%+, I loved, I was excited and I was going on this journey and experiencing Everly's ups and downs with her. Everly as a character was written so well and was relatable in many ways. Then it became super unrealistic and cringy and i wanted to cry. I was talking to my roommate about this book before the cringe and I was excited: for Nicolai and Everly, for their journey, and for how Everly was going to handle everything. I talked this book UP. When I picked up the book next, Everly discovered who the father was and i was mad at her but understood her situation with choosing John over Nicolai and the freaking meeting Mariah! It ruined it for me in many ways, but I do have to give credit where credit is deserved: Whitney Amazeen is a master wordsmith and I was all in, and then the unthinkable was introduced and the last 15% of the book was meh... but that first 75%+ was *chef's kiss*. So I will stand by the 4 stars!
Everly is in big trouble: she is working to keep her family afloat while going to college for a degree she hates. Then her eighteenth birthday comes along and things go from bad to worse: she sleep with two different men and six weeks later is looking at two pink lines. Now she has to figure out who the father is and in comes Nicolai, who throws her life and her dreams into a frenzy. Three men all wanting different things from Everly lead to a series of events that lead to a shocking finale: the death of the real father, the passing of the baby, and finally finding piece and love.
I really liked this book... I devoured the books and then cringed with the discovery of John being Everly's father as well as the father of her unborn child. I was already unsure how i felt about 18-year old Everly being with 30-year old John and then it got worse. I full on cringed and shrieked when Mariah told Everly that John was her father. I was expecting Everly not knowing the identity of her birth father to play a part in the plot, but... this was something else all together. I almost put the book down I definitely almost DNFed this book. Then I looked at how much was left in the book and knew I needed to figure out how this was going to all play out.
I did not like John was written out the story, but a lot came out of it. Everly finding her grandparents and finally being able to support her family and herself to finally make it through college and graduate. Did I find the ending realistic? No... too happily ever after after the huge mess that was the end of her pregnancy. I am trying to keep in mind the passing of five years between the end of the story and the epilogue, but it was a lot. I was also disappointed with ending when Everly wrote her final journal entry. It was symbolic with the message she had learned and the importance of her realization that letting others in means she does not have to rely only on her, but it left me sad. Life is a journey and while it appeared to only be linear after the discovery of John as her father and the miscarriage, it seemed super unrealistic to have her no longer journal. But then again, the last portion of the novel was quite unrealistic, so I guess it goes along with the flow of the story line.
I am sure that with the issues I have with the ending, you may be wondering why i have given this book 4 stars. And here is the reason. I LOVED this book until the last 15% or so. The first 75%+, I loved, I was excited and I was going on this journey and experiencing Everly's ups and downs with her. Everly as a character was written so well and was relatable in many ways. Then it became super unrealistic and cringy and i wanted to cry. I was talking to my roommate about this book before the cringe and I was excited: for Nicolai and Everly, for their journey, and for how Everly was going to handle everything. I talked this book UP. When I picked up the book next, Everly discovered who the father was and i was mad at her but understood her situation with choosing John over Nicolai and the freaking meeting Mariah! It ruined it for me in many ways, but I do have to give credit where credit is deserved: Whitney Amazeen is a master wordsmith and I was all in, and then the unthinkable was introduced and the last 15% of the book was meh... but that first 75%+ was *chef's kiss*. So I will stand by the 4 stars!
August 9, 2022
**ARC from NetGalley**
Written by Whitney Amazeen, Something Bright and Burning follows Everly as she deals with an unplanned pregnancy, abusive work relationships and family drama all culminating to one explosive revelation that you do not want to miss.
T/W: Sexual Abuse, Sexual coercion, Suicide, Abortion
Everly wakes up 7 weeks after her 18th birthday to realize that she is pregnant, but she has no idea who the father is. She is either stuck with a piece of garbage man who blackmailed her into having sex or the man she went home with that night to forget about the assault (who just so happens to be loaded). She also falls head over heels with a THIRD man.
Thats right ladies. This is a love square, but all corners point to Everly.
The first thing that drew me into this book was the cover. It is gorgeously designed, and the story keeps you going for all the drama that is unfolding between Everly and the 3 men that she has become entangled with.
The style of writing is also something that needs to be talked about.
Amazeen uses the characters journaling and love of poetry through out the book to show the reader exactly how she is feeling in any given moment, really showing us the turmoil she is experiencing with the impossible choice before her.
Everly is a very strong woman. Very mature-for-her-age vibes and she needs to be! She’s the grown child of a single mom with a much younger sibling. Those circumstances make you grow up quicker.
It was absolutely heart wrenching to watch this strong independent woman slowly loose herself and her independence while her world started to close in around her. As we follow her through the book we can sense the amount of stress that she is under to make the “right” decision. But what is the “right” decision. Is there one?
When I tell you that the twist had me running around my house screaming variations of “OH MY GOD!” and “NOOOOO!” over and over again, I am not exaggerating!
Overall, though it did lose that one star for me mostly for the pacing. The development of these relationships is almost unbelievably fast and takes you out of the story. Something else that took me out of the story was often the writer lets the characters speak about what is happening and say it rather than letting the descriptions speak for themselves. Similar to Show don’t tell. The characters should be telling me what is happening I should be watching it like a tv in my head.
Besides that I love this story and I can not wait for it to be widely available in September!
Written by Whitney Amazeen, Something Bright and Burning follows Everly as she deals with an unplanned pregnancy, abusive work relationships and family drama all culminating to one explosive revelation that you do not want to miss.
T/W: Sexual Abuse, Sexual coercion, Suicide, Abortion
Everly wakes up 7 weeks after her 18th birthday to realize that she is pregnant, but she has no idea who the father is. She is either stuck with a piece of garbage man who blackmailed her into having sex or the man she went home with that night to forget about the assault (who just so happens to be loaded). She also falls head over heels with a THIRD man.
Thats right ladies. This is a love square, but all corners point to Everly.
The first thing that drew me into this book was the cover. It is gorgeously designed, and the story keeps you going for all the drama that is unfolding between Everly and the 3 men that she has become entangled with.
The style of writing is also something that needs to be talked about.
Amazeen uses the characters journaling and love of poetry through out the book to show the reader exactly how she is feeling in any given moment, really showing us the turmoil she is experiencing with the impossible choice before her.
Everly is a very strong woman. Very mature-for-her-age vibes and she needs to be! She’s the grown child of a single mom with a much younger sibling. Those circumstances make you grow up quicker.
It was absolutely heart wrenching to watch this strong independent woman slowly loose herself and her independence while her world started to close in around her. As we follow her through the book we can sense the amount of stress that she is under to make the “right” decision. But what is the “right” decision. Is there one?
When I tell you that the twist had me running around my house screaming variations of “OH MY GOD!” and “NOOOOO!” over and over again, I am not exaggerating!
Overall, though it did lose that one star for me mostly for the pacing. The development of these relationships is almost unbelievably fast and takes you out of the story. Something else that took me out of the story was often the writer lets the characters speak about what is happening and say it rather than letting the descriptions speak for themselves. Similar to Show don’t tell. The characters should be telling me what is happening I should be watching it like a tv in my head.
Besides that I love this story and I can not wait for it to be widely available in September!
September 20, 2022
I sadly didn't really enjoy this. It was a very quick read but I still struggled to read it. It just didn't hold my attention.
Everly seemed like an interesting character in the beginning but she was very one dimensional. There are some heavy topics talked about in this book and everything seemed a little surface level so I never really connected with Everly. The diary entries were probably where any potential connection would have come from but the second person style just didn't work for me. It seemed to separate those things from Everly rather than make me understand her more. This left me with a very heavy character-driven book about a character I didn't care about which never works. She wet around making decisions and doing things that I didn't understand or at least didn't understand why I should care, I found myself bored.
The various guys and romance all just didn't quite click. The bad guy, the rich guy, and the good guy were very stereotypical and one note through the beginning. I again was not invested regardless of how those storylines progressed (which I thought was unnecessary and going for the big "reveal" a little too obviously).
The one thing I really did like was her relationship with her little sister. The idea that some kids grow up taking care of their siblings for various reasons is an interesting topic and I like how it was played out here.
Overall, this is one I'll soon forget. It wasn't bad so if you have a strong interest, go for it but not one I would recommend.
* I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Everly seemed like an interesting character in the beginning but she was very one dimensional. There are some heavy topics talked about in this book and everything seemed a little surface level so I never really connected with Everly. The diary entries were probably where any potential connection would have come from but the second person style just didn't work for me. It seemed to separate those things from Everly rather than make me understand her more. This left me with a very heavy character-driven book about a character I didn't care about which never works. She wet around making decisions and doing things that I didn't understand or at least didn't understand why I should care, I found myself bored.
The various guys and romance all just didn't quite click. The bad guy, the rich guy, and the good guy were very stereotypical and one note through the beginning. I again was not invested regardless of how those storylines progressed (which I thought was unnecessary and going for the big "reveal" a little too obviously).
The one thing I really did like was her relationship with her little sister. The idea that some kids grow up taking care of their siblings for various reasons is an interesting topic and I like how it was played out here.
Overall, this is one I'll soon forget. It wasn't bad so if you have a strong interest, go for it but not one I would recommend.
* I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2022
Special thanks to the author, publisher, & netgalley for my advanced readers copy.
This one left me a little speechless for a bunch of different reasons. Mainly the ending cause that was definitely a twist I wasn’t expecting‼️‼️ When I started reading the book I was already skeptical but it got kind of juicy.
We have 18-year-old Everly Martin who ends up pregnant and is unsure of who the father might be. This is when things got interesting to me. What lead up to the pregnancy was carelessness on her part. However, the fact Vaughn who was one of the potential baby daddies took advantage of her in a vulnerable situation pissed me off. I would’ve just lost my job that day‼️ He was coming off as aggressive, abusive, and disrespectful.
Then there was John a one night stand after sneaking into a club turned him into potential babydaddy #2. Only thing was John actually wanted the baby and was willing to take care of them both. Until a dark secret was revealed and ruined EVERYTHING literally‼️
Poor Nicholai was just caught in the middle of her little triangle. All in love with Everly tryna be Superman. Although she was dealing with A LOT he stuck beside her even when she pushed him away.
Her mother Mariah was the prime example of why keeping secrets from your children can do more harm than good.
The ending was a bit rushed which is why I gave it this rating. Overall it wasn’t that bad very fast paced and a quick read. It was just that dark secret being revealed that really got me. I still don’t know how I feel about that part.
Do I recommend? Eh, all I can say is read at your own will . . .
This one left me a little speechless for a bunch of different reasons. Mainly the ending cause that was definitely a twist I wasn’t expecting‼️‼️ When I started reading the book I was already skeptical but it got kind of juicy.
We have 18-year-old Everly Martin who ends up pregnant and is unsure of who the father might be. This is when things got interesting to me. What lead up to the pregnancy was carelessness on her part. However, the fact Vaughn who was one of the potential baby daddies took advantage of her in a vulnerable situation pissed me off. I would’ve just lost my job that day‼️ He was coming off as aggressive, abusive, and disrespectful.
Then there was John a one night stand after sneaking into a club turned him into potential babydaddy #2. Only thing was John actually wanted the baby and was willing to take care of them both. Until a dark secret was revealed and ruined EVERYTHING literally‼️
Poor Nicholai was just caught in the middle of her little triangle. All in love with Everly tryna be Superman. Although she was dealing with A LOT he stuck beside her even when she pushed him away.
Her mother Mariah was the prime example of why keeping secrets from your children can do more harm than good.
The ending was a bit rushed which is why I gave it this rating. Overall it wasn’t that bad very fast paced and a quick read. It was just that dark secret being revealed that really got me. I still don’t know how I feel about that part.
Do I recommend? Eh, all I can say is read at your own will . . .
April 7, 2023
✨though I'm not yet an adult, I haven't been a child in years✨
This is a quote from the book that I feel really encapsulates what this book is about.
Something bright and burning is the story of Everly Martin, a forced by circumstance to be to mature for her age 18 year old who is navigating life, love, and pregnancy.
This book started out with Colleen Hoover vibes, and ended up giving some Gillian Flynn vibes at the end. So if you are a fan of them I think you would like this book! I will say this book isn't for the faint of heart. It has some trigger warnings that I don't want to disclose as I don't want to spoil the book. However if books like that aren't your thing ... maybe read the trigger warnings prior to reading. But I do feel like this is an important story and worth checking out if you can get past that.
What I liked about the book was how it is so raw, real and emotional. I have read some reviews that have said the twist and story isn't super plausible, but I disagree as I'm sure somewhere out there .. this could be someone's story. That's the sad truth of the world we live in.
I really liked the main character. For an 18 year old she is a super powerful, mature and put together despite the circumstances life has handed to her. And the way the world is right now, there are so many young women in a similar position she finds herself. Her sense of self and her world view were very well developed and I enjoyed looking at everything in her POV.
I like the flow of the book, the poems were a really cool way to show character development without writing it out. The twist even though very different and disturbing, (maybe not for everyone) I liked that I didn't see it coming.
I did find that at times it felt like there was almost too much happening. The pacing of the book was a bit off for me, It was high energy all the way through and could have used a few more slower paced moments for us to really enjoy the characters she had created. Everything also happened super fast for how short of a book it was. The book almost needed to be longer!
Was a good book and would reccomend! I picked this book up while travelling in Arizona so all thoughts are my own!
This is a quote from the book that I feel really encapsulates what this book is about.
Something bright and burning is the story of Everly Martin, a forced by circumstance to be to mature for her age 18 year old who is navigating life, love, and pregnancy.
This book started out with Colleen Hoover vibes, and ended up giving some Gillian Flynn vibes at the end. So if you are a fan of them I think you would like this book! I will say this book isn't for the faint of heart. It has some trigger warnings that I don't want to disclose as I don't want to spoil the book. However if books like that aren't your thing ... maybe read the trigger warnings prior to reading. But I do feel like this is an important story and worth checking out if you can get past that.
What I liked about the book was how it is so raw, real and emotional. I have read some reviews that have said the twist and story isn't super plausible, but I disagree as I'm sure somewhere out there .. this could be someone's story. That's the sad truth of the world we live in.
I really liked the main character. For an 18 year old she is a super powerful, mature and put together despite the circumstances life has handed to her. And the way the world is right now, there are so many young women in a similar position she finds herself. Her sense of self and her world view were very well developed and I enjoyed looking at everything in her POV.
I like the flow of the book, the poems were a really cool way to show character development without writing it out. The twist even though very different and disturbing, (maybe not for everyone) I liked that I didn't see it coming.
I did find that at times it felt like there was almost too much happening. The pacing of the book was a bit off for me, It was high energy all the way through and could have used a few more slower paced moments for us to really enjoy the characters she had created. Everything also happened super fast for how short of a book it was. The book almost needed to be longer!
Was a good book and would reccomend! I picked this book up while travelling in Arizona so all thoughts are my own!
October 5, 2022
Something Bright and Burning definitely took me by surprise. I'll try to keep my review without spoilers, as this book came with amazing twists and turns.
While reading the synopsis gives some information of what to expect, this book is way more unique than what you'd think at first. It has strong female main characters (which I always love). This book does something that alwasy makes me incredibly intrigued and that's actually making me feel helpless and frustrated, as if I want to help the characters but there's nothing I can do about it. I love books like that.
My big issue with this book was how fast-paced it was, but that's more of a personal issue. I also woul'd've liked more scenes between Everly and her sister, as I love their relationship.
Nicolai though, he won me over. He's the sweetest character ever and while at times I felt bad due to the full back and forth with Everly (all made sense though, as her situation was very chaotic) but overall I'm happy with how their story ended. Only thing that made me drop my rating was the disturbing plot-twist ending and the poems. While I liked the ending, it was a little icky. The poems, though, are also a personal issue, because I'm not fan of poetry in prose!
This book revolves around very important topics that have to do with teen-pregnancy, abuse, love, grief and the magnitude secrets can hold.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
While reading the synopsis gives some information of what to expect, this book is way more unique than what you'd think at first. It has strong female main characters (which I always love). This book does something that alwasy makes me incredibly intrigued and that's actually making me feel helpless and frustrated, as if I want to help the characters but there's nothing I can do about it. I love books like that.
My big issue with this book was how fast-paced it was, but that's more of a personal issue. I also woul'd've liked more scenes between Everly and her sister, as I love their relationship.
Nicolai though, he won me over. He's the sweetest character ever and while at times I felt bad due to the full back and forth with Everly (all made sense though, as her situation was very chaotic) but overall I'm happy with how their story ended. Only thing that made me drop my rating was the disturbing plot-twist ending and the poems. While I liked the ending, it was a little icky. The poems, though, are also a personal issue, because I'm not fan of poetry in prose!
This book revolves around very important topics that have to do with teen-pregnancy, abuse, love, grief and the magnitude secrets can hold.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
September 23, 2022
🐚 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 🐚
4.25 ⭐
𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: friends to lovers, accidental pregnancy, best friend's brother, forbidden, he falls first
𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀: blackmail, miscarriage, s*xual assault, incest, suicide, depression and anxiety, death of a parent and mention of a death of a parent; (there are more, so please check the tw on author's website - https://www.whitneyamazeen.com/sbab-c...)
I'm still a little shocked because of the plot twist at the end, but I won't discuss this aspect because it's big spoiler.
I really liked Whitney's writing style and it is easy to read.
The action in the book moves a bit too quickly, which made the relationship between Everly and Nicolai develop in the same way as the action. I liked the fact that Everly is doing everything possible to build a future, but also to be able to take care of her family - her mom and sister. I would have liked if her and her mother to spend more time together so that their relationship could grow more and be strong.
Everly goes though a lot during the book, but Nicolai is the only one constant person who is by her side when she is down.
Thank you NetGalley, Swan Pages Publishing, and Whitney Amazeen for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
4.25 ⭐
𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: friends to lovers, accidental pregnancy, best friend's brother, forbidden, he falls first
𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀: blackmail, miscarriage, s*xual assault, incest, suicide, depression and anxiety, death of a parent and mention of a death of a parent; (there are more, so please check the tw on author's website - https://www.whitneyamazeen.com/sbab-c...)
I'm still a little shocked because of the plot twist at the end, but I won't discuss this aspect because it's big spoiler.
I really liked Whitney's writing style and it is easy to read.
The action in the book moves a bit too quickly, which made the relationship between Everly and Nicolai develop in the same way as the action. I liked the fact that Everly is doing everything possible to build a future, but also to be able to take care of her family - her mom and sister. I would have liked if her and her mother to spend more time together so that their relationship could grow more and be strong.
Everly goes though a lot during the book, but Nicolai is the only one constant person who is by her side when she is down.
Thank you NetGalley, Swan Pages Publishing, and Whitney Amazeen for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
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