Review: Unexpected

Unexpected by Elizabeth Aton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger Warnings: overdose mention, fatal drug use mention, infidelity, poverty, childbirth issues, young child death, asbestos death, abandonment, grief, survivors guilt, trauma (various).

Damn what, what was this novel? I ended up loving it so much more than I thought!

For a debut novel..it sure was emotional chaotic, messy in a good way, and giving me all the serious feels and fangirling swoony moments I could get from Whit and Ava.

Plus this book was incredibly heavy on topics - see above trigger warnings. The situation and the various traumas Ava has to deal with...seriously she's like some kind of a saint to have to tolerate it all and still forge her path through them...despite having almost little to no help to help her heal and and progress.

As for our yummy and hot damn rock god, Whit, he's also gone through his own set of traumas - neglectful parents..and then a crappy partner (crappy is understated), and now raising his own child while still being so young and dealing with fame and fortune. But as we all know, never trust someone who may claim to always be there for you. But Whit was smart luckily.

But of course, sometimes we just want to drown our troubles in something, anything we can find. So one night we succumb to the passion and the tempting nature to forget. But of course, sometimes we want another taste. - the first half of the novel basically.

And then things get more complicated. Unexpected circumstances indeed, haha. But the way they pull through along with their friends..was just so...damn my heart could've died from the mush feelings altogether.

I honestly don't believe my words capture enough of my feelings, thoughts and notes on this novel overall - it was just so very very real and heartwrenching.

I loved it so much - the characters development, the honest to god circumstances depicted of poverty, mental health decline (could've detailed it more), the health issues that were depicted, people of color actually depicted right for once (thank you Elizabeth - we feel seen!), and the romance, the steam, and the angst, and the damn there was just so much...UGH I CANNOT SAY MORE MY HEART MAY BURST FROM FEELINGS! IT WAS SO GLORIOUS AND MADE ME AN ABSOLUTE WRECK - LOVE IT!

But anyway...to summarise...I am definitely looking forward to Undaunted! You've captured my heart Elizabeth. And I hope you continue to treat us to more of your books too.

Until the next read,
-TMR

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