Hello all! I have another great book to share with you today. It’s my stop on the blog tour for It Happens All The Time by Amy Hatvany. This was the first book I’ve read by Ms. Hatvany, and I really enjoyed her writing style. Thank you to Atria Books for sending me a copy!
Rating: 5/5 stars
I want to rewind the clock, take back the night when the world shattered. I want to erase everything that went wrong.
Amber Bryant and Tyler Hicks have been best friends since they were teenagers—trusting and depending on each other through some of the darkest periods of their young lives. And while Amber has always felt that their relationship is strictly platonic, Tyler has long harbored the secret desire that they might one day become more than friends.
Returning home for the summer after her college graduation, Amber begins spending more time with Tyler than she has in years. Despite the fact that Amber is engaged to her college sweetheart, a flirtation begins to grow between them. One night, fueled by alcohol and concerns about whether she’s getting married too young, Amber kisses Tyler.
What happens next will change them forever.
In alternating points of view, It Happens All the Time examines the complexity of sexual dynamics between men and women and offers an incisive exploration of gender roles, expectations, and the ever-timely issue of consent.
My honest review:
Let me start by saying this book was a hard one to read. The subject matter is intense and emotional. At first I was very apprehensive about reading a book about rape between friends. It didn’t sound like something myself or anyone would want to read about. I am happy to say that I am so glad I read this book.
As the story unfolds you read about the backstory and history between the main characters. They are best friends since middle school, helping each other through some very tough times. As they grow up their friendship grows stronger even with some bumps along the road. You feel an underlying tension building but you don’t want to believe something awful is really going to transpire between them.
This book definitely has a slow but intense build. After the incident happened I was honestly in shock. I was in denial and already trying to make excuses for both parties involved. This easily happens in real life in the exact some way. I tried to see it for both sides. My loyalty to each friend switched back and forth. As the after effects become more apparent there really is only one side to take.
This book is as real life as it can get in my opinion. I had to keep reminding myself that this was a fictional book not an expose on a common occurrence. It brings to light the very real situation of things going too far between friends. I hope that the subject matter doesn’t turn anyone away from this book. It needs to be read by everyone.
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