Sweet Destruction has ruined me for all other books for a bit. It’s Paige Weaver. I knew chances were good that I’d love it because it is Paige. I had read reviews, I knew people were raving about it, but it hung out on my Kindle all summer. Big mistake. Big. Huge! This book should have been read the moment it was available. It should have been devoured and enjoyed. I kind of want to kick myself right now for letting it sit for so long. This is without a doubt one of my top 5 books of the year. It is absolutely stunning. So let me say this – If you have this book on whatever device you use, stop what you’re doing and start Sweet Destruction. You won’t regret it.
K, in a nutshell – You have Samantha Ross, her brother Bentley, and Bent’s best friend, Cole Walker. They live a rough life. Both have parents that don’t care for them the way they should. Sam and Bentley’s mother turned to alcohol and drugs after their father left them. They barely survive, having to fend for themselves since their mother doesn’t care. They don’t know if the electricity will be on or whether there is food in the fridge or not. Cole’s mother died of cancer, and his father turned to alcohol while also becoming abusive. The three try their best to survive in their world, with so much violence, drugs, etc surrounding them. All the while, something is brewing between Cole and Sam. They both deny it, but is there something there? This is the story of not only their pasts but how two people who were terrified to love try to learn how to do just that.
K, in a nutshell – You have Samantha Ross, her brother Bentley, and Bent’s best friend, Cole Walker. They live a rough life. Both have parents that don’t care for them the way they should. Sam and Bentley’s mother turned to alcohol and drugs after their father left them. They barely survive, having to fend for themselves since their mother doesn’t care. They don’t know if the electricity will be on or whether there is food in the fridge or not. Cole’s mother died of cancer, and his father turned to alcohol while also becoming abusive. The three try their best to survive in their world, with so much violence, drugs, etc surrounding them. All the while, something is brewing between Cole and Sam. They both deny it, but is there something there? This is the story of not only their pasts but how two people who were terrified to love try to learn how to do just that.
Usually I don’t love books like this. Normally. I’m the girl that loves white picket fences, maybe a bit of angst thrown in, but for the most part I love sunshine, rainbows, and fairytales. This book is not any of that. It’s dark, gritty, raw, and I loved it! These characters don’t come from some easy life where they’re spoiled rotten with maybe some sort of past to overcome. No no. That would be way too easy. They don’t get that option, and it made them so much more real. Sam is the perfect little sister, but she is a firecracker. Walker and Bent are both into some illegal activities, in the past and present. You won’t learn the extent of that until the end but it’s a lot. Throughout all of the up’s and down’s (Let’s be honest, it’s mainly all down’s for this crew), you’ll feel the tension between Sam and Cole. They feel things for one another that they’re terrified to admit. They claim to hate each other. Over the course of many years, they’ve had many bad experiences and it’s left a bad taste in their mouths. But under all of that, there’s so many emotions and feelings running wild that they want to explore. Seeing Cole transform from this badass, rough guy to what he becomes? Ahh I love it. He’s everything you wouldn’t expect him to be, because underneath it all, he’s just a squishy little romantic that wants more. More in life, more in a relationship, and more from Sam.
I’ll be honest, I was still very leery in the beginning. Like I said, it’s not my normal type of read, but I kept going. By not very far in, I couldn’t put it down. Sam and Walker’s story was so captivating and you wanted almost as badly as they did for the two of them to finally open their eyes and see what was happening. They claimed to hate each other, and it rips you apart each and every time they lie to each other. The games they play, their reactions to one another, and gahhh the tension! It was so good, yet so frustrating (in the best way.) When they finally do let go, they still have so much to overcome. If only it was as simple as a boy and girl that can fall in love. Cole has become an alcoholic and thinks he doesn’t deserve Sam. Sam is so scared she’ll become like her mother but wants this with Cole so badly. It’s definitely an emotional tale for many different reasons. OH! And this book is hot! I think I’m going to blush talking to Paige because it’s still fresh on my mind. The woman can write a sex scene, that’s for sure. Speaking of writing, Paige nails it. Between the dual point of views and her unbelievable descriptions, she pulls you in and doesn’t let go. She’s a pro, and I adore her.
Overall, I am head over heels in love with Sweet Destruction, these characters, and their story. This book was everything I didn’t expect to enjoy, but I couldn’t put it down. It will rip your heart out and mend it back together by the end. You’ll feel for these characters and the lives they’re forced to lead. You’ll find yourself falling in love with the bad boy who wants to start over in life and rooting for the smartass girl who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. They’re not your normal book characters, and that made them stand out even more for me. I just love. Love love love. It’s going in my reread pile, and I just might start it all over again tonight.
<3 Erin
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