YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

For some people, silence is a weapon. For Mallory “Mouse” Dodge, it’s a shield. Growing up, she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime.

Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.

It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with the lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory faces a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.

Starting in a few!

30% - even though it's a long book, it doesn't read like one.

(view spoiler)[ Mallory breaks my heart... I do want to know more about what happened for her to get burnt so badly, guess I'll have to keep reading! And Paige is such a bitch! (hide spoiler)]

Starting now. :)

11% (view spoiler)[ I can't see her wanting to be a cheerleader. (hide spoiler)]

Sarah wrote: "11% [spoilers removed]"

Snap.

Tati wrote: "30% - even though it's a long book, it doesn't read like one.

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Paige really is a bitch, I can see where she's coming from though, she obviously feels like her position as his girlfriend is being threatened and she's lashing out. (hide spoiler)]

Up to Chapter 21

(view spoiler)[ this is beginning to drag a bit. Can we know what's going on with Rider already? (hide spoiler)]

chapter 17 (view spoiler)[ oh, so she got burned trying to rescue the doll from the fire. (hide spoiler)]

Sarah wrote: "Tati wrote: "30% - even though it's a long book, it doesn't read like one.

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yep, i can kind of understand why shes acting like tgat too. (hide spoiler)]

Tati wrote: "Up to Chapter 21

[spoilers removed]"

It has started to drag slightly. I'm enjoying this one a lot more than Jennifer's other books though.

I was enjoying it, but now that it's losing steam, I'm hoping it improves soon

Tati wrote: "Up to Chapter 21

[spoilers removed]"

It's feeling really long. Not enough is happening for the number of pages we're reading!

Exactly!!

chapter 24 (view spoiler)[ so he's been dealing drugs? that's pretty nasty shit to be getting involved in. (hide spoiler)]

aaaand you've passed me LOL

Sarah wrote: "chapter 24 [spoilers removed]"

Yep.

Tati wrote: "aaaand you've passed me LOL"

don't worry, you'll get the answer to your question in chapter 24 ☺

Sarah wrote: "Tati wrote: "aaaand you've passed me LOL"

don't worry, you'll get the answer to your question in chapter 24 ☺"

Oh good!

Have to say, the title for this book fits well. The problem with it is that it goes on forever!

You've hit the nail on the head there! It does go on forever!

chapter 28 (view spoiler)[ that is really bad news for ainsley. (hide spoiler)]

Done!

As for Ainsley, (view spoiler)[ just a random fact: the author suffers from this issue as well. (hide spoiler)]

I did not know that!

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Reading from the 6th of January 2017

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I will try to join this one. I gotta request from the library :)

Starting it now :)

Prologue- Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[ Mallory is annoying me. While I understand her struggle, I don't like what she is doing. It's obvious that she likes Rider, and she knows it, but she still kisses him and all, as much as she can without crossing boundaries? He has a girlfriend, and she knows it, where are her morals? That a bitch move, so I can see why Paige will turn into an evil, if she will. Since she is his girlfriend, she said it, Rider confirmed it. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10-19
(view spoiler)[ I hate it when I hate the main characters but I do. And it hurts more, since this never happened with Armentrout's books. These two have no morals and respect at all. HE is ignoring his girlfriend kissing another girl touching her in front of the other, basically cheating on her in front of her and says "she's cool with it" while she is not, at least break up with her and then only do that, what an asshole, and Mallory, she is disgusting for real, while I understand her problems, but she says "I am not after Rider" but even before that thinks about sex with him? him naked? and dares to think that Paige is a botch, a big fat NO! And Hector and Jaydene so supposed friends ofPaige, don't they love her at least a bit, or respect her, to tell Rider to not behave like that at least in front of her? Moreover, these days the hot topic is the gender equality, if she doesn't respect Paige as a fellow female, how males are going to give us the respect that we deserve? Would she like it if someone went after her boyfriend? I bet no. And while she thought it, she kissed him, she let him kiss her... she should have drown some boundaries, I truly hate her, hate this.
Cheaters and the ones they cheat on with are the worst kind of beings for me. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20-30
(view spoiler)[ It's sad to see the supporting characters suffer, cause at least they are interesting while these two grit on my nerves. Her friend suffering RP, I know that JLA have the same problem, and I really like this character and I think it's based on her so it makes it worse. And Jaydene that guy was good and Hector :( I wanted Paige, the brothers and the other girls (friends) be happy, why the youngest though? (hide spoiler)]

Is this girl for real?

(view spoiler)[“Jayden and Paige were a lot closer than Jayden and I had been, and despite everything, I felt bad for her. But none of that changed how I felt when I saw her and Rider.”

So it wasn't ok for Paige not to like it, and was called a bitch for that, but it's ok for her? WTF? (hide spoiler)]

Finished
Chapter 31-Epilogue
(view spoiler)[ At the end I got over my hatred, but I didn't like her, her personality(not her problems) didn't work for me. She was kind of an hypocritical character, which doesn't work for me, ever. I want to know what happened to hector and her friend, and Paige. That's it. Tbh, she and Rider or their future didn't interest me. (hide spoiler)]

14%
(view spoiler)[ Im with you Mouse, Hector doesnt look good. Feel like drugs are involved somewhere. (hide spoiler)]

31%
(view spoiler)[Glad Jayden put Paige in her place. Thou i'm on Paige's side, but she doesn't need to attack Mallory about it, talk to your bf first lady (hide spoiler)]

67%
(view spoiler)[if this leads to a sex scene, im docking a star. Paige isnt taking this nicely. Making out in this guy's random house... tisk tisk. (hide spoiler)]

87%
(view spoiler)[ YOU ALL JUST WATCHED YOUR FRIEND DIE IN A DRIVE BY, SO YOU DECIDE TO FUCK WITHIN LIKE A DAY OF THAT?! (hide spoiler)]

91%
(view spoiler)[i love when characters tell their parents "but i love him" then they break up within a few days of that. priceless (hide spoiler)]

Brooke wrote: "91%
[spoilers removed]"

Both main characters were annoying. I am on Paige's side.

Edit~A wrote: "Brooke wrote: "91%
[spoilers removed]"

Both main characters were annoying. I am on Paige's side."

Yep, Paige is the only one not in the wrong here, yah she went about it wrong, but yah. Rider you can't just drop your gf from Mallory, and Mallory you needed to respect that Rider was with someone. They didn't take the steps needed to even get to know each other before basically f**king and the shit hit the fan at that point.

Brooke wrote: "Edit~A wrote: "Brooke wrote: "91%
[spoilers removed]"

Both main characters were annoying. I am on Paige's side."

Yep, Paige is the only one not in the wrong here, yah she went about it wrong, but..."

(view spoiler)[ IKR, I laughed so hard when Mallory thought that it hard to see Paige and Rider on a couch, I mean are you for real? How was it for her to get ignored, and see you be kissed hugged and touched in front of her? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19: (view spoiler)[ Rider's coming over for dinner, this is potentially a disaster. I need to know what exactly happened between Paige and Rider. I like Mouse. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20: (view spoiler)[ I understand why Carl had the feeling to question Rider. He wants to make sure that Mallory is safe. However, I think he could have gone a bit easier on Rider. Also, I liked the way Rider answered all of the questions that Carl threw at him. Also, I do understand why Mallory is mad at Carl as she felt Carl misjudged Rider. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 34: (view spoiler)[ I was heartbroken by Jayden's death. He was so young and had much more life to live. I have a feeling that Carl had a past that was similar to Rider's life, whether it is the neighbourhood or something else. However, I do not think fooling around shortly after your friend dying is wise. (hide spoiler)]

Ending Thoughts: (view spoiler)[ I enjoyed this book. I just wish we'd know whether they go to college, how'd Rider do on his SATs. The Velveteen Rabbit part of the book was absolutely perfection. I also would love to know what happens to Paige, Hector and Ainsley. (hide spoiler)]

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Date Changed. Restarting February 5th 2018. Happy Reading ☺

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Disliked it from the beginning.

(view spoiler)[ Mallory is annoying me. While I understand her struggle, I don't like what she is doing. And the stuttering? It is not the end of the world girl (hide spoiler)]

Mallory wasn't that bad. She was different from JLA's usual heroine: meek and shy. She had a mental speech impediment and she conquered it all by herself for which I applaud.

Her adoptive parents don't help a lot. Wow. I cringed so hard for 60% of the book.

This book dragged on forever. Tbh at times I didn't want to continue reading it.
Loved this quote somewhere in the end "I learned that it's a series of people and events that shape who you become"
(view spoiler)[
"But .. but he's my friend..and that's normal"
"Not for you"
Well fuck you Carl!

"We know you can. Eventually. Just not now "
Double fuck you Rose and Carl.
I do like them. They took her in and are taking great care of her. But that behavior like she is slow or is some sort of freak is annoying (hide spoiler)]

Also I just love how Ainsley has a real problem, a physical disability but we never hear her complain as much as Mallory does.