**Warning: May contain spoilers.**
I finished this book at one am on a Saturday. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to turn the page over and over to find out what happens.
The Plot
Everyone knows the unwritten rule: You don’t like your best friend’s boyfriend.
Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for years. He’s easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he’s paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two things: Ryan is Brianna’s boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah’s best friend.
Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend. But when she’s thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens. It’s wonderful… and awful.
Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can’t stop herself from wanting more…
–From Goodreads
Reflections
When I was 12, I liked my best friend’s, what should I call him? They were texting and certainly had something special going on.
But he said he liked me, at first. So I was shocked to find out he was texting my best friend instead.
I remember sitting beside my best friend at a pizza place and listening to her talk about them that I felt my hands go clammy while I shove delicious slices in my mouth.
Thankfully, we graduated soon after. And all was forgotten. I was just 12 anyway and it was nothing serious.
It wasn’t the same with what Sarah felt for Ryan. But it made me reminisce of my own experience.
I love reading stories like this, because it always reminds me that there are two sides to every story; that there is a reason for people’s choices. Or that maybe it’s much deeper than what is on the surface.
Brianna was certainly a toxic friend for Sarah. I like the part where Sarah’s Mom mentioned that she feels Brianna isn’t such a good friend to her. And Sarah defended her.
I had similar experiences where my Mom would notice toxic traits from my friends that I ignored. I defended them. Then years after, I realized she was right all along.
It’s the same with Sarah. It took her long enough to realize who Brianna really is. (Though I can’t blame Brianna because of her toxic parents.)
Ryan liked Sarah first. He liked her all along. If Sarah had the courage to assert what she wants and be confident in who she is, then maybe none of the troubles would have happened.
That’s one of the lessons I learned from the book. Recognizing your own value.
I also liked this quote:
Sometimes love can be messy. But it’s still love. Not all of us get to experience a clean, smooth and perfect love.
Love is love, no matter what it looks like. And sometimes you have to let friends go no matter how much they mean to you.
I also made a playlist based on the book.
Life With Rachel 