THE TRUTH ABOUT HEARTBREAK BY B. CELESTE

The Truth about Heartbreak has all the workings for an awesome read. However, it fell really flat in areas that should have been really important.

Rating: ★★
​Release Date: June 1, 2019
Genre: Forbidden Romance
Series: Standalone
Pages: 484 pages
Format: eBook. Borrowed from KU

Forbidden Romance - Check.
Cheating - Check.
Brother's Best Friend - Check.
Angst - Check.

BLURB 

I fell in love with him when I was thirteen years old.

He was older, mysterious, and unattainable. The guy I could never touch.

Then one night changed everything for us. But there was one huge problem.

He belonged to her.

P U R CH A S E

AMAZON PRINT | AMAZON KINDLE

ADD TO GOODREADS
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M Y - R E V I E W

Release Date: June 1, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance (with cheating)
Actual Rating: 2.5 stars

The Truth about Heartbreak has all the workings for an awesome read. However, it fell really flat in areas that should have been really important. That's not to say that the book is a total bust because it isn't. The beginning of the story is very strong and filled with angst and emotion. Around 40% though it takes a whole new direction and there is a LOT of unnecessary drama that got on my nerves. I think I would have really loved this book if it didn't skip years in the middle. We go from hearing a story of unrequited love at the age of 16 (which is VERY powerful by the way) to age 23 where there is a shit storm of stuff going on (most of which really pissed me off). Also, because of the gap in years I think the actual love story fell very flat (almost non existent if I am being honest). Sigh. I really wanted to love this one and there was just too much of a mess to muddle through. 

What I LOVED about The Truth About Heartbreak 

The beginning of the book is really strong. We meet River who is being adopted by the James family. She had been in foster care her entire life and finally having a forever home with people who genuinely love her is a sight to behold (and read about). I love how B. Celeste wrote this part. It's emotional, powerful, uplifting, and really exquisite to read about. I wish there were more people like Bridget and Robert out there because they are truly a godsend. Anyway, River has trust issues because of her terrible past but Oliver- her new brother, and his best friend Everett show her that she can trust again. 

River doesn't realize it at first but the two of them (Everett) are clearly meant for one another. There is a difference in age between them and he is the brothers best friend but are essentially two people who share the same heart and soul. Readers are shown this through their interactions together and it's a beautiful thing to see River able to open up to him. 

And then what bothered me.... 

Now here's where things start to go downhill...

:: POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD:: 

River turns 16 (I think around here) and Everett leaves for college... That's it. I kept wondering if I missed something and went back and re-read a few paragraphs but I didn't miss anything. All the stuff in between was left out. Until they meet again a year or two later at a party... HUH!?!?! 

There love story really should have taken off from there. But readers were left to wonder what the heck happened. Did they stay in touch? Did they ever get to a first kiss? Were feelings every discussed? NOPE. And even worse, Everett has a serious girlfriend... Where the HELL did she come from and WHY is she even part of the story!?!!? Especially considering they didn't even love each other.. 

All of this just started to become a mess to me. I felt annoyed, like I was missing the important pieces of their romance (Everett said numerous times that River was his number 1), but I never saw any of it. 

Fast forward a few more years (age 23) and they end up getting together. While he is in a committed 10 year relationship. 

And that's it again.... 

I won't go on as you can see here what I mean when there are too many gaps within the story. Normally I don't care about gaps as long as they are strengthened with some sort of backstory about what happened in between. There just wasn't enough for me and it fell so flat that I almost DNF. Now, this review is not to be critical of the author because I think she has all the makings of an angsty good read here. But it did fall flat for ME. There were areas where I needed more and it just wasn't there. 

In conclusion, the book has some really HIGH moments that took my breath away but also areas that were too messy for me as a reader. I personally had a hard time with the book after about 40% but that doesn't mean others will so take my review with a grain of salt and be sure to read other peoples reviews too. 

That being said, the end of this book gives us a glimpse of what the next one will be like and I am SUPER excited. Just because this one was a hit for me doesn't mean the next one will be! I can't wait to read it!

★★