Monday 3 December 2012

Review: Flawed by Kate Avelynn

Flawed by Kate Avelynn
Publisher: Entangled
Publication date: 22nd November 2012
My rating: 4.5 stars


Sarah O’Brien is alive because of the pact she and her brother made twelve years ago — James will protect her from their violent father if she promises to never leave him. For years, she’s watched James destroy his life to save hers. If all he asks for in return is her affection, she’ll give it freely.

Until, with a tiny kiss and a broken mind, he asks for more than she can give.

Sam Donavon has been James’ best friend — and the boy Sarah’s had a crush on — for as long as she can remember. As their forbidden relationship deepens, Sarah knows she’s in trouble. Quiet, serious Sam has decided he’s going to save her. Neither of them realizes James is far more unstable than her father ever was, or that he’s not about to let Sarah forget her half of the pact . . .

After finishing Flawed I felt like an empty shell, numb and raw. Sometimes I enjoy books which leave you feeling crushed, like your heart has been taken and thoroughly stomped on. It takes a lot for me to be left so affected by a book and only a few this year have been able to leave me feeling so overwrought with emotions.

I’d heard endless things about Flawed before picking it up, yes I was worried about its taboo subject, and it’s dark and gritty vibe. I even had Kate stop by on the blog and share a playlist for the book, but there was this incredible invisible string tugging me towards it. Despite everything I’d heard and knowing this book would be going down a dark path I knew I had to read this book.

James and Sarah have a really close relationship; they’ve been through so much crap through their life, so each is like a constant pillar of support for the other. They both know without one another they never would have made it this far. But their close sibling bond is often mistaken for something else. James does go overboard a bit sometimes in Sarah’s eye’s playing the over protective brother role a bit too much, he doesn’t really want anyone to get to know her, he tends to escort her really everywhere. It’s no wonder Sarah’s fully dependent on James, he’s her only real friend. Plus he knows about everything she’s been through so she doesn’t feel the need to hide away from him. But Sarah’s always secretly liked James best friend Sam, not that he’s ever paid her any attention, she can’t even get two minutes to talk with the guy with James around. But James reluctantly agrees to take Sarah to a party one night, and just her luck Sam’s there too. Before you know it Sarah’s realised her interpretation of Sam’s feelings were all wrong, that maybe there is a chance of her finally being with someone that loves her other than her brother. But she knows James isn’t going to be too happy about it, her only chance is to sneak around behind James back, she doesn’t like lying to James but she really has no other choice. It’s the only way she can keep the two men she loves most in the world close to her.

If by reading the blurb to Flawed, you’re thinking of not picking it up because of its taboo sounding subject, please don’t do this. Because Flawed seriously provided so much more. It was a masterfully woven story combining several gritty aspects and producing a powerful heart wrenching read.

The Bittersweet relationship between Sam and Sarah left me with a gaping hole in my heart, they were so perfect for each other without realising it, with everything Sarah had been through and with an overbearing brother who escorted her everywhere Sam was so sweet. Which guy decides to put his neck constantly on the line knowing his girlfriend’s brother would go ballistic if he saw them together? Which guy would sneak around at all hours just to spend even just a few minutes with his girlfriend? Act indifferent when James was around, and always want the best for Sarah? Sam seriously turned me into a pile of mush with his sweetness, his and Sarah’s scenes were chillingly beautiful. I was constantly at the edge of my seat, biting my nails down to the core, worried they would get caught by James.

The day and a half I read this in I didn’t want to talk to anyone, I didn’t want to work, I didn’t want to eat or sleep, I just wanted to lock myself away with this beautiful bittersweet book. Despite me having early inklings about which way this book could go, Avelynn managed to grab my heart and smash it some more, never in my life have I wanted a book to end a certain way than I wanted it with Flawed.

There have been some incredible debut authors this year, but everyone Avelynn is definitely one to watch. She shook me to the core with this book and a week after finishing it I’m still a trembling mess. Flawed in my mind is an unputdownable brilliant read, one that I will never forget.

I hugely recommend checking out this playlist for Flawed made by Kate Avelynn, whilst reading this book; honestly the songs resonated with me.

A huge thank you to Heather Riccio and Entangled Publishing for this review copy. 


23 comments:

Sam (Realm of Fiction) said...

I can't read reviews for this book without re-living that ending.

Jasprit, I agree with every word you have written! Very few books this year have affected me so emotionally, and I definitely wasn't expecting Flawed to join them. I really do hope we get to read that alternative ending one day, just to see what it was...

Jasprit said...

I know I so want to know what the alternative ending was, I think my reaction would have been a lot more different, but I think this was probably the best way to go. I'm so glad you read this at the same time as me Sam, I think I would have been even more of a mess otherwise! :)

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

This sounds really dark and gritty! I just hope I'm not going to cry too much when I read it. Awesome review, Jasprit!

Unknown said...

I just received Flawed for review. I have been itching to read it since I first saw it. In a tiny way, the blurb reminds me of Hushed, another great Entangled book.
Thanks for the spoiler-free review. I can't wait to compare my thoughts to yours, Jasprit.

Keertana said...

Amazing review, Jasprit! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! :) You already know how I felt about it, but reading your review makes me realize what a truly impactful read this could have been on other readers and I desperately wish I was one of them. Perhaps I'll give Avelynn's future novels a shot after all.

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Wonderful review! I'm so glad you enjoyed this. It sounds like something I would love. I'm a big fan of the crushing novels that really pull at your emotions. they tend to resonate with me the most. :)

Vegan YA Nerds said...

Wow, sounds like this book had such a strong impact on you, hun! The subject matter doesn't put me off and Sam really does sound like a fantastic guy! I'll have to see if this is avail. over here :)

Eunice said...

Oh my! This sounds indeed a very compelling read. I just checked out some reviews and waaaahhhh, I don't if I can read this. I might, no, I'm sure I'll end up a mess after reading this. Haha. Wonderful review, Jasprit. I was really excited to read this book when I first saw it in GR but, god, I'm scared to get my heart crushed. I'm glad that you loved this one though. :)

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful review, Jasprit! <3 I'm glad to hear that this book affected you very much. I have to admit that I couldn't stop reading when I read this book. What I meant as twenty minutes reading became two hours reading, because I was too curious about what would happen next! The ending... it's not like what I expected. Oh my, it's so hard to write comment here without any spoiler! >.<

Amazing review, Jasprit! <3 I love your review, it's clear how much you love this book. :)

Rebecca said...

My goodness, this sounds absolutely amazing. This is only the second review I've read for Flawed but I've ony heard the BEST things about it. This has gritty written all over it and I love that it packed such an emotional punch; it sounds like an exhausting ride and one that'll have you on the edge of your seat all the way through. I'm so glad you enjoyed this so much, Jasprit! As always, lovely review! Can't wait to read this one!

Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...

Ohh, I love it when you get so emotional, Jasprit! It's a huge recommendation for this book as far as I'm concerned. You know I'm not much for contemporary, but I can't resist a truly emotional read.
I love that it focuses on the siblings and how very complicated their relationship can be.
Amazing review!

Shirley said...

Gahh I feel like my heart's breaking just from reading the blurb and then your review! I don't know if I can stomach another heart-breaking story (i just finished Forbidden - it seems to share some similarities with this, based on the blurb anyway- and it left me pretty shattered). I'll definitely be picking this up thoughh! Just...not in the next few weeks or so :S Amazzingggg review Jasprit! I'm SO glad you loved this!!!

Maji Bookshelf said...

wow.. this sounds like a book i must read NOW! Like you, i love it when books leave me crushed and empty, because for a book to affect me that much, is honestly great. Amazing review Jasprit! You got me wanting to read this one so bad, despite its taboo subject!
- Farah @ MajiBookshelf

Mel@Thedailyprophecy said...

Sometimes, I really 'enjoy' reading such books. The ones that tear your heart apart. I love how she used such a heavy subject and managed to create a heartbreaking story. I can't wait to try this one out. Great review Jasprit! :)

Mel@thedailyprophecy.

Unknown said...

Well, there was a reason I'm terrified to read my copy of Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma. This book sounds similar to that. I have a feeling though, that Flawed will prepare me for Forbidden. I think I will have to get a copy of this book.

Have you read that yet?

Anonymous said...

Beautiful review, Jasprit! I was a little hesitant to read this book because of the tough subject, but now that I've read your review, I'm convinced that I will be missing out if I don't. I'm so glad I read your review. I'm going to have to mentally prepare myself for the emotions that this book seemed to have invoked in you. Sam sounds like such a great guy. I always say that the sweet guys are the best and Sam seems to be the perfect good guy. I'm really pleased that you loved this book so much, Jasprit. I will definitely be reading this soon! Thank you for the review!

Jenny said...

Wow Jasprit, what a truly beautiful review! I saw this one on NetGalley and read a couple less-than positive reviews for it that had me thinking I would just pass this one by, but you've got me reconsidering for sure. I'm definitely concerned about the ending though, I feel like it might rip my heart out and stomp on it, and then pick it up and throw it before stomping on it again:) *bites nails in anticipation*

Unknown said...

A great review; I've been on the fence despite adding it to my TBR list. I will definitely read this sometime soon (hopefully).

Brandy @ A Little of the Book Life

Teresa Mary Rose said...

I keep hearing absolutely amazing things about this book! When I first read the summary I wasnt sure if it was a book for me, but after hearing so many wonderful things I think I'm going to have to check it out. Great review!

Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

Tanja - Tanychy said...

My review for this one is yet to come! I so agree with you...this book is really powerful! Like I told you - read Forbidden. Well wait some time until the effects of this one pass :)
Great review :)

Jess said...

This is such an incredible review. Flawed is going straight on to my wishlist it sounds a lot like another book I loved called Forbidden. Thanks for the rec!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for reviewing this book! I've been hearing amazing things about this book too. I think I'm going to give this a try :)
Samaine@ Bookworms Avenue

Jen (Books and Other Happy Ever Afters) said...

This is like 4789013th GUSHING review I've read for Flawed! I'm seriously so excited to pick this one up now, I'm so glad you loved it! The taboo subject isn't necessarily pushing me away now, it's actually drawing me in! I'm so curious to learn about James' protective character, and Sam and Sarah's relationship. Fabulous review, Jasprit!! :)

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