ARC Review: Flawed by Kate Avelynn

Title: Flawed

Author: Kate Avelynn

Series: Nil

Publication Date: 28th November 2012

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Genre: Young Adult, Contempory

Source: eARC from Entangled Publishing via Netgalley

Description

Sarah O’Brien is alive because of the pact she and her brother made twelve years ago — James will protect her from their violent father if she promises to never leave him. For years, she’s watched James destroy his life to save hers. If all he asks for in return is her affection, she’ll give it freely.

Until, with a tiny kiss and a broken mind, he asks for more than she can give.

Sam Donavon has been James’ best friend — and the boy Sarah’s had a crush on — for as long as she can remember. As their forbidden relationship deepens, Sarah knows she’s in trouble. Quiet, serious Sam has decided he’s going to save her. Neither of them realizes James is far more unstable than her father ever was, or that he’s not about to let Sarah forget her half of the pact .

Review

This is hard for me to review, especially without giving anything away. This was an emotional read but due to the main topic of incest I don't think this will be for everyone. That said, this was well written and it was easy to empathise with Sarah. This was one of my favourite reads in 2012. It's one of those books that stay with you long after you finish reading it. 

Sarah is naive, and fairly submissive. Considering how she was raised, you can understand her naivety and the decisions she made. Later in the story she does start to see things that are wrong, but what got frustrating was the fact she still went along with things even though she knew she shouldn't. For added frustration - she thought she deserved it. *sigh* Despite this, in a way, you can still empathise with her and understand why she thinks that way. Sarah goes through a lot of character growth in this book, although the bulk of her growth is towards the end and with huge consequences. 

Sarah's brother, James, was a character that was hard to like, or dislike. In a way I felt sorry for him, but at the same time felt he should know better. Again, his upbringing would play a part in his actions. 

James' best friend  Sam, and Sarah's love interest, was everything you could ever want, especially someone in Sarah's situation. He is thoughtful, caring, understanding, and strong. I pretty much loved him, and his mum. 

This book took me on a roller-coaster ride of emotion. It is a beautifully constructed, well paced, heartbreaking story. If you like contemporary books with a realistic feel, give Flawed a read - I'm sure you'll love it. But be warned, this does not have the happy ever after ending you will be wishing for. 

★★★★★

It Was Amazing

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for the eARC!

  

Author Bio

Source

Kate Avelynn lives in Central Oregon with her husband, whom she fell in love with at eighteen after realizing he shared her obsession with music, sports, and psychoanalysis. When not devouring Stephanie Perkins and Jennifer Echols novels, holding down her editing gig, or attempting to coax life out of the weed patch she calls a “garden,” Kate writes dark, young adult romance that blends first love, betrayal, and danger. FLAWED is her debut novel.

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