Book: Almost Ruined by Abby Millsaps
Reviewed by Booksbystarlightandshadows
I've really struggled with how to rate this as although there were sections I enjoyed, there were a couple of elements which missed the mark for me compared to the first two books. I liked the scene where Noah finally confessed how guilty he had felt about what had happened to Meg; Noah puts so much energy into supporting others (including Mercer) and it was great development from the character we met in book one. One of my original theories then was that Sawyer and Tytus married for spousal privilege and I liked how Noah was on the same wavelength as book two proved I was completely wrong!
The part which really didn't work for me was the scene in the truck. Not because I found it triggering, but because a big part of the reason Tytus never made his move in book one was because Sawyer was under the influence at the campfire. After a two book build up, I was gutted that this what their first time ended up being after years of back and forth and it was something Tytus initially said no to. Mercer is so big on consent too that it just felt a bit off that he didn't step in when Tytus was clearly uncomfortable. I wasn't expecting champagne and roses, but they had so much to work through after the events of book two. I don't think they even had an on page scene with just the two of them either (as Noah interrupts) nor is it mentioned if Sawyer even found out it was his first time which really stuck with me as he had waited years for her.
Mercer had a lot to make up from in book two and although he does have conversations with Sawyer and Noah about how awful he feels for his actions, he doesn't apologise to Tytus directly which surprised me a little. I did however like the relationship between Tytus and Noah and how it developed. As a conclusion to the series, it wraps up pretty quickly and there is no outside force interfering; instead thanks to snowstorm, forced proximity has them putting it all out on the table. I hope there is a novella in the future as I did like the characters in the series and would love to see more of their dynamic in the future post college.
My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read