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Camellia Clock Cycle #2
Curved Horizon
Curved Horizon picks up a few weeks after the conclusion of Fortitude Smashed with Daisy Yuen and Chelsea Cavanaugh, whose Camellia Clocks draw close to timing out.
Navigating the in’s and out’s of love is hard enough as strangers destined to be soul mates and proves even more complicated when Daisy shares ugly, dark secrets that linger in her and Aiden’s past.
Meanwhile, Shannon and Aiden continue to explore their own new relationship. With Fall comes an unforgettable one year anniversary, but when Shannon suffers a life-threatening incident on the job, Chelsea, Daisy, and Aiden must find a way to let go of their pasts to make room for their futures.
Navigating the in’s and out’s of love is hard enough as strangers destined to be soul mates and proves even more complicated when Daisy shares ugly, dark secrets that linger in her and Aiden’s past.
Meanwhile, Shannon and Aiden continue to explore their own new relationship. With Fall comes an unforgettable one year anniversary, but when Shannon suffers a life-threatening incident on the job, Chelsea, Daisy, and Aiden must find a way to let go of their pasts to make room for their futures.
324 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2018
2 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 8, 2018
aiden is so relatable like i, too, meow back at my cats
this was really damn good! i liked the first book too but had some problems with it. this book is way better!
it focuses on daisy and chelsea but also keeps exploring aiden and shannon's relationship. i love both of the ships so much. daisy and chelsea are as different as aiden and shannon (maybe even more) but they get together and damnnn. the book shows how important it is to talk with each other in a relationship and how people can be together despite their differences.
chelsea's character development is done really good. i was kind of annoyed at the author for portraying her like a jealous bitch in the book 1, but it's discussed and condemned here. i absolutely loved her.
as for daisy, her main arc here is not only in a relationship with chelsea, but also with aiden, she learns how to accept, forgive and love herself.
aiden and shannon, too, have their differences, but they seem to overcame every obstacle standing in their way. also i love them and would die for them.
aside from everything, this book touches on such subjects as parental abuse, sexual assault, suicidal thoughts and mental illnesses (depression mostly), so be careful when you're reading this. this book is all about accepting and forgiving, leaving toxic environment behind and finding people who love you.
the found family trope is one of my absolutely favorite things and it's used there and i loved how it was executed. i especially love how aiden and chelsea have bonded despite absolutely hating each other in fortitude smashed.
main characters are confirmed bisexual (chelsea and shannon), pansexual (aiden) and demisexual (daisy) and i loved that all these words were used on the page. it should be a common thing!
i had one issue with this book though. there were a lot of times when i though that character's tone didnt match their words. like they were saying something in a one tone and then it was followed with "%name% snapped or %name% snarled' and i was like uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh it doesn't sound likely. this is my main problem with brooke's writing here to be honest.
aside from that, the story was good, so i'm giving it 9 out of 10. this is your soulmate au with clocks in a book and it's very good.
I received the arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not influenced my opinion.
this was really damn good! i liked the first book too but had some problems with it. this book is way better!
it focuses on daisy and chelsea but also keeps exploring aiden and shannon's relationship. i love both of the ships so much. daisy and chelsea are as different as aiden and shannon (maybe even more) but they get together and damnnn. the book shows how important it is to talk with each other in a relationship and how people can be together despite their differences.
chelsea's character development is done really good. i was kind of annoyed at the author for portraying her like a jealous bitch in the book 1, but it's discussed and condemned here. i absolutely loved her.
as for daisy, her main arc here is not only in a relationship with chelsea, but also with aiden, she learns how to accept, forgive and love herself.
aiden and shannon, too, have their differences, but they seem to overcame every obstacle standing in their way. also i love them and would die for them.
aside from everything, this book touches on such subjects as parental abuse, sexual assault, suicidal thoughts and mental illnesses (depression mostly), so be careful when you're reading this. this book is all about accepting and forgiving, leaving toxic environment behind and finding people who love you.
the found family trope is one of my absolutely favorite things and it's used there and i loved how it was executed. i especially love how aiden and chelsea have bonded despite absolutely hating each other in fortitude smashed.
main characters are confirmed bisexual (chelsea and shannon), pansexual (aiden) and demisexual (daisy) and i loved that all these words were used on the page. it should be a common thing!
i had one issue with this book though. there were a lot of times when i though that character's tone didnt match their words. like they were saying something in a one tone and then it was followed with "%name% snapped or %name% snarled' and i was like uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh it doesn't sound likely. this is my main problem with brooke's writing here to be honest.
aside from that, the story was good, so i'm giving it 9 out of 10. this is your soulmate au with clocks in a book and it's very good.
I received the arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not influenced my opinion.
February 8, 2018
See more of my reviews on my blog the Book Deviant
I would like to thank the people at Interlude Press for allowing me to receive an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Where do I even start with this book?
If you look back at my Fortitude Smashed review, it'll be pretty obvious that that book ruined me. Curved Horizon did the same exact thing, except much more brutally. Where FS was subtle yet strong, CH was strong and distinct. Both books deal with similar heavy topics, like depression and abuse and sexual assault, but you get a much wider view of how it has affected each character. You get to learn much more about the characters that were central or introduced in the first novel, because while we got the majority of their backstory before, we get to hear how it affected them.
Curved Horizon follows Daisy and Chelsea, who were both introduced as close friends to Aiden and Shannon about halfway through Fortitude Smashed. At first, I have to admit, both characters seemed like very obvious stereotypes, but as you learn more about them in CH, Brooke will flip those stereotypes on their head. Chelsea is the stereotypical jealous, perfect ex-girlfriend with blond hair and a rich family. Daisy is the stereotypical goth girl BFF. But in CH, you learn so much more about these two characters, and how they break those stereotypes so forcefully that you can't even comprehend how they fit into that mold originally.
Just as I mentioned before, The Camellia Clock Cycle deals with some heavy topics, and Taylor Brooke does not shy away from them. I love how, despite these horrible events happening, the characters help each other through them, and are able to heal--not because they're in love, but because these relationships allow them to talk about and discuss what happened. Brooke's portrayal of these events and how a survivor heals from them was so honest and inspiring.
Final Rating: ★★★★★
Overall?
Taylor Brooke once again crushed my heart with this book. I love the characters so much, especially their complex relationships and lives. I love how the story is more character driven rather than plot driven, because I don't read many character driven stories anymore. Taylor's stories and characters seem so much more authentic with her writing style, as well as the setting and story. I need another one. Please?
Would I Recommend?
Definitely. These books are so, so important with how they deal with abuse, depression, and sexual assault. If you're looking for it, there's also on-page representation -- Aiden is pansexual, Chelsea and Shannon are bisexual, and Daisy is demisexual. Before, this wasn't explicitly said, but in this one, it is.
Trigger warning for discussion of parental abuse, discussion of off-page sexual assault, depression, major character injury, and description of off-page sexual assault.
If I missed any, please refer to the Author's Note in the beginning of the book, which has all the triggers listed, as well as the chapter they appear in.
I would like to thank the people at Interlude Press for allowing me to receive an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Where do I even start with this book?
If you look back at my Fortitude Smashed review, it'll be pretty obvious that that book ruined me. Curved Horizon did the same exact thing, except much more brutally. Where FS was subtle yet strong, CH was strong and distinct. Both books deal with similar heavy topics, like depression and abuse and sexual assault, but you get a much wider view of how it has affected each character. You get to learn much more about the characters that were central or introduced in the first novel, because while we got the majority of their backstory before, we get to hear how it affected them.
Curved Horizon follows Daisy and Chelsea, who were both introduced as close friends to Aiden and Shannon about halfway through Fortitude Smashed. At first, I have to admit, both characters seemed like very obvious stereotypes, but as you learn more about them in CH, Brooke will flip those stereotypes on their head. Chelsea is the stereotypical jealous, perfect ex-girlfriend with blond hair and a rich family. Daisy is the stereotypical goth girl BFF. But in CH, you learn so much more about these two characters, and how they break those stereotypes so forcefully that you can't even comprehend how they fit into that mold originally.
Just as I mentioned before, The Camellia Clock Cycle deals with some heavy topics, and Taylor Brooke does not shy away from them. I love how, despite these horrible events happening, the characters help each other through them, and are able to heal--not because they're in love, but because these relationships allow them to talk about and discuss what happened. Brooke's portrayal of these events and how a survivor heals from them was so honest and inspiring.
Final Rating: ★★★★★
Overall?
Taylor Brooke once again crushed my heart with this book. I love the characters so much, especially their complex relationships and lives. I love how the story is more character driven rather than plot driven, because I don't read many character driven stories anymore. Taylor's stories and characters seem so much more authentic with her writing style, as well as the setting and story. I need another one. Please?
Would I Recommend?
Definitely. These books are so, so important with how they deal with abuse, depression, and sexual assault. If you're looking for it, there's also on-page representation -- Aiden is pansexual, Chelsea and Shannon are bisexual, and Daisy is demisexual. Before, this wasn't explicitly said, but in this one, it is.
Trigger warning for discussion of parental abuse, discussion of off-page sexual assault, depression, major character injury, and description of off-page sexual assault.
If I missed any, please refer to the Author's Note in the beginning of the book, which has all the triggers listed, as well as the chapter they appear in.
February 12, 2018
I love these characters! I just had to get that out. This is the sequel to Fortitude Smashed which made it onto my favorites of 2017! And i'm sure this sequel is going to be on my favorites of 2018! It's a character-driven soulmate AU. The first book centered around Aiden and Shannon, my review for the first book is Here if you wanna check it out, a M/M couple. This one still has them and leaves off where the first book ended but centers on their friends, an F/F couple that time out and are each others Rose Roads. Rose Roads being soulmates and timing out from their Camellia Clocks which are implanted in every baby's thumbnail and count down to when they meet their soulmates/Rose Road.
I loved how the whole Clock/Soulmate thing was explained more in this book. My favorite part of this book though is the characters, I live for these characters! In this one sexualities are used on the page. There is demisexual, bisexual and pansexual rep. The characters...it's hard to know where to start. I got to see more of Aiden and Shannon whom I love. Even if they aren't the center of this book they are still very much there and not neglected. The girls, Chelsea and Daisy, really shined. All of the characters, well Aiden, Chelsea and Daisy especially, have past trauma and pain to work through. They are messy, they are insecure, they are afraid, they are human. They mess up, they aren't perfect, they doubt themselves, and they love each other. They also grow so much through-out the novel.
They have some mental health issues and I loved how that was looked at. Daisy and Aiden have delt with depression, Chelsea was abused and didn't grow up in a loving household, and some of them have been raped/sexually assaulted. They have to deal with their demons in their own ways and realize they are good people who deserve to be loved. And just like real life, it's hard and it's messy and they won't ever be perfect, because people aren't perfect, but they learn and they grow.
I loved getting to learn more about their pasts. This book also showed how important it is to talk to each other, as well as to not judge someone so quickly. I really didn't like Chelsea in the beginning but damn if I don't love her now! Chelsea and Daisy are very different, just like Aiden and Shannon, but they end up being so cute together and working well, when they talk to each other.
Anytime i'd get annoyed by something it'd end up being discussed/called out and I loved it. Friendships are explored, it's not just about romance but also about Aiden and Daisy's friendship and Chelsea and Shannon's. Obstacles stood in their way, and they got through them. And I love how this book has the found family trope, found family is my favorite!
I related to them at times, mostly Aiden and Daisy, but I would die for all of them! This series has so much going for it. Complex characters who can be messy and stumble, but who are real and learn, grow and love. It deals with abuse, sexual assault and mental illness (depression mostly). It deals with friendships, love and communication. It has a demisexual chinese girl (Daisy), bisexual boy (Shannon), pansexual boy (Aiden) and bisexual girl (Chelsea) and it's all used on the page. It gave me so many tears.
Thank you to Netgalley and Interlude Press for giving me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Blog | Youtube | Twitter | Tumblr | Instagram
I loved how the whole Clock/Soulmate thing was explained more in this book. My favorite part of this book though is the characters, I live for these characters! In this one sexualities are used on the page. There is demisexual, bisexual and pansexual rep. The characters...it's hard to know where to start. I got to see more of Aiden and Shannon whom I love. Even if they aren't the center of this book they are still very much there and not neglected. The girls, Chelsea and Daisy, really shined. All of the characters, well Aiden, Chelsea and Daisy especially, have past trauma and pain to work through. They are messy, they are insecure, they are afraid, they are human. They mess up, they aren't perfect, they doubt themselves, and they love each other. They also grow so much through-out the novel.
They have some mental health issues and I loved how that was looked at. Daisy and Aiden have delt with depression, Chelsea was abused and didn't grow up in a loving household, and some of them have been raped/sexually assaulted. They have to deal with their demons in their own ways and realize they are good people who deserve to be loved. And just like real life, it's hard and it's messy and they won't ever be perfect, because people aren't perfect, but they learn and they grow.
I loved getting to learn more about their pasts. This book also showed how important it is to talk to each other, as well as to not judge someone so quickly. I really didn't like Chelsea in the beginning but damn if I don't love her now! Chelsea and Daisy are very different, just like Aiden and Shannon, but they end up being so cute together and working well, when they talk to each other.
Anytime i'd get annoyed by something it'd end up being discussed/called out and I loved it. Friendships are explored, it's not just about romance but also about Aiden and Daisy's friendship and Chelsea and Shannon's. Obstacles stood in their way, and they got through them. And I love how this book has the found family trope, found family is my favorite!
I related to them at times, mostly Aiden and Daisy, but I would die for all of them! This series has so much going for it. Complex characters who can be messy and stumble, but who are real and learn, grow and love. It deals with abuse, sexual assault and mental illness (depression mostly). It deals with friendships, love and communication. It has a demisexual chinese girl (Daisy), bisexual boy (Shannon), pansexual boy (Aiden) and bisexual girl (Chelsea) and it's all used on the page. It gave me so many tears.
Thank you to Netgalley and Interlude Press for giving me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Blog | Youtube | Twitter | Tumblr | Instagram
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June 17, 2020ETA 6/16/20: Due to recent revelations about the author’s harmful and abusive behavior toward BIPOC and LGBTQ+ people, I no longer recommend their books. I am allowing the review to stand for transparency but I am clearing the star rating.
"Fate gives you what you need, not what you think you want."
In the Camellia Clock Cycle series, everyone gets a Camellia Clock implanted when they're born, which counts down to the second they'll meet their soul mate. It’s like an arranged marriage of sorts. Once your Camellia Clock goes off, it doesn’t mean you’re instantly in love and on board with whoever your person is and this is perfectly explored through Chelsea and Daisy's relationship. Curved Horizon picks up where Fortitude Smashed left off and we still get to hear from Aiden and Shannon (the couple from the first book) in this one, in addition to watching Chelsea and Daisy's relationship develop.
They're begrudging friends because Daisy's best friend is Aiden and Chelsea's best friend is Shannon. And they're fairly horrified when their clocks stop while they're together. They're very different people but they were still so well suited for one another. I really liked how, in this world, the Camellia Clocks make room for all kinds of sexuality and queerness. In Chelsea and Daisy's cases, Chelsea is bisexual and Daisy is demisexual.
Chelsea is dealing with some pretty major trauma in her past and has big secrets she's keeping from her friends. But Daisy is dealing with past trauma of her own. They both have to decide whether they'll trust the other person and really give their match a chance. There are some emotionally intense moments but they're foreshadowed, which helped. The pace of their relationship worked so well and I loved watching them go from snarling at each other to loving each other. They had fantastic chemistry!
One thing I've appreciated about this series is the role of holidays. Halloween plays a pivotal role in Aiden and Shannon's relationship in Fortitude Smashed and there's a super sweet Thanksgiving scene in Curved Horizon. I also appreciated how important ice cream is in this story.
The friendships between all four characters were fantastic to watch. Aiden has some really wise advice, which was unexpected but spot on, and I liked getting to see him and Shannon continue to work through their issues. Even though they're tied to one another, they don't always get along perfectly but it made it that much more special to watch Chelsea and Aiden bond.
Clearly I have a lot to say about this one but it boils down to me simply loving it. I could not put this book down! Taylor Brooke is an incredibly gifted writer and I'm still marveling over how she developed this, as well as the beauty of her prose. This series is a favorite of 2018!
CW: past sexual assault, past child abuse, mental illness, grief, partner violence, spoiler: .
"Fate gives you what you need, not what you think you want."
In the Camellia Clock Cycle series, everyone gets a Camellia Clock implanted when they're born, which counts down to the second they'll meet their soul mate. It’s like an arranged marriage of sorts. Once your Camellia Clock goes off, it doesn’t mean you’re instantly in love and on board with whoever your person is and this is perfectly explored through Chelsea and Daisy's relationship. Curved Horizon picks up where Fortitude Smashed left off and we still get to hear from Aiden and Shannon (the couple from the first book) in this one, in addition to watching Chelsea and Daisy's relationship develop.
They're begrudging friends because Daisy's best friend is Aiden and Chelsea's best friend is Shannon. And they're fairly horrified when their clocks stop while they're together. They're very different people but they were still so well suited for one another. I really liked how, in this world, the Camellia Clocks make room for all kinds of sexuality and queerness. In Chelsea and Daisy's cases, Chelsea is bisexual and Daisy is demisexual.
Chelsea is dealing with some pretty major trauma in her past and has big secrets she's keeping from her friends. But Daisy is dealing with past trauma of her own. They both have to decide whether they'll trust the other person and really give their match a chance. There are some emotionally intense moments but they're foreshadowed, which helped. The pace of their relationship worked so well and I loved watching them go from snarling at each other to loving each other. They had fantastic chemistry!
One thing I've appreciated about this series is the role of holidays. Halloween plays a pivotal role in Aiden and Shannon's relationship in Fortitude Smashed and there's a super sweet Thanksgiving scene in Curved Horizon. I also appreciated how important ice cream is in this story.
The friendships between all four characters were fantastic to watch. Aiden has some really wise advice, which was unexpected but spot on, and I liked getting to see him and Shannon continue to work through their issues. Even though they're tied to one another, they don't always get along perfectly but it made it that much more special to watch Chelsea and Aiden bond.
Clearly I have a lot to say about this one but it boils down to me simply loving it. I could not put this book down! Taylor Brooke is an incredibly gifted writer and I'm still marveling over how she developed this, as well as the beauty of her prose. This series is a favorite of 2018!
CW: past sexual assault, past child abuse, mental illness, grief, partner violence, spoiler: .
March 5, 2018
*I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
In many ways, I have the same things to say about this book as I have to say about Fortitude Smashed — dramatic writing that can get overbearing but somehow still works for me, complicated relationships both romantic and platonic, a repetitive feeling to the whole book that can get aggravating but always gives way to really enjoying it by the end.
Some part of me feels like the author tries to tackle too much with this book, with continuing to follow Aiden and Shannon's relationship as well as Daisy and Chelsea and each characters' Tragic Backstories, because everyone has them. Except for Shannon, I guess? Either way, it's good that the book includes trigger warnings in the beginning.
But despite how much I could complain about the mostly plot-less walking around in circles kind of feel to the book, I really enjoyed it. The amount of crap each character is dealing with and helping each other deal with, along with all the different levels of relationships being developed, makes the way it all builds up to the end really satisfying. The endings to these books always cast the rest of the book in a rose-colored light because they're so good.
Seriously, this book is all about putting opposites together in relationships and friendships and showing how it works out to something beautiful and complicated and unexpected, whether it's Chelsea falling for Daisy or becoming friends with Aiden, and I love it. Also the individual character development that goes along with that is amazing.
One thing that is a problem is the point of view shifts, when the third person narration switches which character is the focus and it was jolting or confusing. Although I always wonder if these kinds of problems are because formatting is sometimes messed up in ebook arcs so I'm hesitant to blame it directly on the author; it might not be a problem in a finished copy.
Anyway, I'll say what I said about the previous book: it's not about a plot, it's about character and relationship development, so if you're up for that and piles of overdramatic prose you should definitely try it.
Pre review: i use the raven cycle as a comp title too often probably but listen: four people in an all-consuming friendship with tangled romantic histories help each other grow into who they're meant to be and there's just a very "post-college age raven cycle without the paranormal bits" vibe
ALSO FIRST BOOK FINISHED IN 2018!
In many ways, I have the same things to say about this book as I have to say about Fortitude Smashed — dramatic writing that can get overbearing but somehow still works for me, complicated relationships both romantic and platonic, a repetitive feeling to the whole book that can get aggravating but always gives way to really enjoying it by the end.
Some part of me feels like the author tries to tackle too much with this book, with continuing to follow Aiden and Shannon's relationship as well as Daisy and Chelsea and each characters' Tragic Backstories, because everyone has them. Except for Shannon, I guess? Either way, it's good that the book includes trigger warnings in the beginning.
But despite how much I could complain about the mostly plot-less walking around in circles kind of feel to the book, I really enjoyed it. The amount of crap each character is dealing with and helping each other deal with, along with all the different levels of relationships being developed, makes the way it all builds up to the end really satisfying. The endings to these books always cast the rest of the book in a rose-colored light because they're so good.
Seriously, this book is all about putting opposites together in relationships and friendships and showing how it works out to something beautiful and complicated and unexpected, whether it's Chelsea falling for Daisy or becoming friends with Aiden, and I love it. Also the individual character development that goes along with that is amazing.
One thing that is a problem is the point of view shifts, when the third person narration switches which character is the focus and it was jolting or confusing. Although I always wonder if these kinds of problems are because formatting is sometimes messed up in ebook arcs so I'm hesitant to blame it directly on the author; it might not be a problem in a finished copy.
Anyway, I'll say what I said about the previous book: it's not about a plot, it's about character and relationship development, so if you're up for that and piles of overdramatic prose you should definitely try it.
Pre review: i use the raven cycle as a comp title too often probably but listen: four people in an all-consuming friendship with tangled romantic histories help each other grow into who they're meant to be and there's just a very "post-college age raven cycle without the paranormal bits" vibe
ALSO FIRST BOOK FINISHED IN 2018!
March 5, 2018
This book is just as painfully stunning as the first. Read the full review on my blog!
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September 18, 2019[rating removed]
“I didn’t need saving, just like we don’t need fixing.”
This book, this series just leaves me feeling all of these emotions and I love it.
I’ll be honest, the beginning is a little slow and I’ve noticed in both Curved Horizon and first book, Fortitude Smashed, the big emotional conflicty moment is about two-thirds into the book. And ooo-eee, did that scene leave me emotional!
I love how flawed everyone is and how everyone is growing and surviving and finding themselves. I love the focus on friendships and the different ways the relationships develop. And there’s an amazing conversation between Daisy and Chelsea about different types of love, though not like explicitly on that topic?
Just, this is a beautiful story and I am so, so glad it exists. I am still wondering why Daisy and Chelsea’s Rose Road didn’t time out when they first met. I get how timers speed up or slow down at times like happened with Chelsea’s, but they’ve known each other for months before they actually timed out??
Content warnings: on page sex (including oral, manual; not explicit), references to past child abuse (specifically physical abuse), gun violence, scene where MC is shot and almost dies (including semi-graphic medical/emergency surgery scenes), depression, references to past suicidal ideation, mentions of past rape and sexual assault.
“I didn’t need saving, just like we don’t need fixing.”
This book, this series just leaves me feeling all of these emotions and I love it.
I’ll be honest, the beginning is a little slow and I’ve noticed in both Curved Horizon and first book, Fortitude Smashed, the big emotional conflicty moment is about two-thirds into the book. And ooo-eee, did that scene leave me emotional!
I love how flawed everyone is and how everyone is growing and surviving and finding themselves. I love the focus on friendships and the different ways the relationships develop. And there’s an amazing conversation between Daisy and Chelsea about different types of love, though not like explicitly on that topic?
Just, this is a beautiful story and I am so, so glad it exists. I am still wondering why Daisy and Chelsea’s Rose Road didn’t time out when they first met. I get how timers speed up or slow down at times like happened with Chelsea’s, but they’ve known each other for months before they actually timed out??
Content warnings: on page sex (including oral, manual; not explicit), references to past child abuse (specifically physical abuse), gun violence, scene where MC is shot and almost dies (including semi-graphic medical/emergency surgery scenes), depression, references to past suicidal ideation, mentions of past rape and sexual assault.
May 20, 2018
Solid 5 stars.
The book was an unexpected gem. I was captivated and pulled me through the story like a thread through the eye of a needle. It wasn’t a simple story told with simple words like I expected to find. This was prose in its most beautiful form. The gorgeous, descriptive writing drew me into this novel from the very beginning. Taylor Brooke has a way with prose that I’ve rarely seen and always treasured. I loved that the characters were so real and flawed in different ways. They had secrets, they had pain, and the two couples in the novel were linked in unexpected ways. The author doesn’t write drama and angst just for the sake of plot fluff. Brooke accurately looked at the premise of meeting one’s soul mate unexpectedly and addressed the obvious concerns. What if the person you are destined to be with isn’t who you expect, isn’t who you were raised to expect? What if you are both broken and unsure how your pieces will fit together? Taylor Brooke wrote convincing people, and made you love them for their flaws and their laughter.
If you like vivid, nearly poetic description, you may just love this book. But beyond that, the story is deep and well-written and the characters are deserving of a reader’s gaze. And the love that you will find as you dive into Chelsea and Daisy’s story is worth every second you spend traipsing your way through the book.
The book was an unexpected gem. I was captivated and pulled me through the story like a thread through the eye of a needle. It wasn’t a simple story told with simple words like I expected to find. This was prose in its most beautiful form. The gorgeous, descriptive writing drew me into this novel from the very beginning. Taylor Brooke has a way with prose that I’ve rarely seen and always treasured. I loved that the characters were so real and flawed in different ways. They had secrets, they had pain, and the two couples in the novel were linked in unexpected ways. The author doesn’t write drama and angst just for the sake of plot fluff. Brooke accurately looked at the premise of meeting one’s soul mate unexpectedly and addressed the obvious concerns. What if the person you are destined to be with isn’t who you expect, isn’t who you were raised to expect? What if you are both broken and unsure how your pieces will fit together? Taylor Brooke wrote convincing people, and made you love them for their flaws and their laughter.
If you like vivid, nearly poetic description, you may just love this book. But beyond that, the story is deep and well-written and the characters are deserving of a reader’s gaze. And the love that you will find as you dive into Chelsea and Daisy’s story is worth every second you spend traipsing your way through the book.
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November 27, 2017WE HAVE A COVER OMG! AND ITS SO PRETTY!!!
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June 16, 2020I liked this both more and less than Fortitude Smashed.
More because Daisy and Chelsea are wonderful and I adored them together, because of the friendships that are central to this book and how Aiden and Shannon and Daisy and Chelsea work together. I loved reading about those four just chilling and hanging out together.
Less because while the writing was still as beautiful and unique and almost poetic as in book1, it also started to get frustrating at parts because things -big and important things- are not named but just worked around in pretty words, and combined with all the secrets and dark twisted paths in this book I could not always figure out what was meant- and I really really wanted to.
Most of the issues I had with book one are still there, and one in particular jumped out at me. The main couple, after their clocks time out, seem to jump from denial/hostility to sudden acceptance/wildly making out with close to nothing in between. With Shannon and Aiden it's clearly established that they are very physical in their communication, which is not the case with Daisy and Chelsea, so the sudden change in the girls' relationship surprised me. I wish there had been a more smooth transition.
I also have a huge issue with the blurb, as it references things that happen at 75% in the book and kind of spoils it, and I don't think that's what blurbs are supposed to do. That said, the goodreads blurb is better than the one on the actual back cover on the book itself, because that one spoils in much more detail.
A very well done and captivating series that I would love to read more about, both these four friends and their social circle as well as new characters. I'm especially intrigued by how the clock is repeatedly said also brings together triads and quartets, not just couples, which would be awesome to read!
More because Daisy and Chelsea are wonderful and I adored them together, because of the friendships that are central to this book and how Aiden and Shannon and Daisy and Chelsea work together. I loved reading about those four just chilling and hanging out together.
Less because while the writing was still as beautiful and unique and almost poetic as in book1, it also started to get frustrating at parts because things -big and important things- are not named but just worked around in pretty words, and combined with all the secrets and dark twisted paths in this book I could not always figure out what was meant- and I really really wanted to.
Most of the issues I had with book one are still there, and one in particular jumped out at me. The main couple, after their clocks time out, seem to jump from denial/hostility to sudden acceptance/wildly making out with close to nothing in between. With Shannon and Aiden it's clearly established that they are very physical in their communication, which is not the case with Daisy and Chelsea, so the sudden change in the girls' relationship surprised me. I wish there had been a more smooth transition.
I also have a huge issue with the blurb, as it references things that happen at 75% in the book and kind of spoils it, and I don't think that's what blurbs are supposed to do. That said, the goodreads blurb is better than the one on the actual back cover on the book itself, because that one spoils in much more detail.
A very well done and captivating series that I would love to read more about, both these four friends and their social circle as well as new characters. I'm especially intrigued by how the clock is repeatedly said also brings together triads and quartets, not just couples, which would be awesome to read!
Read
November 3, 2017If you've read Fortitude Smashed and loved that, you'll like this one too!
Curved Horizon is an amazingly layered story with amazingly multifaceted characters.
Definitely recommended. :)
Curved Horizon is an amazingly layered story with amazingly multifaceted characters.
Definitely recommended. :)
January 9, 2018
"Sometimes Daisy was taken aback by Chelsea’s beauty; a subtle nuance, like honey or rum, built a flavor in the back of her throat. It didn’t strike all at one time. Chelsea’s beauty didn’t bite. It lingered in every quick flick of her lashes and parting of her lips, every breathy sigh and tentative touch.
Chelsea Cavanaugh was beautiful like autumn, Daisy decided. She left you wanting."
Curved Horizon is a wonderful soulmate romance. It's my first time reading this series and reading a soulmate romance that isn't a fanfic and I'm glad to say I wasn't disappointed at all. It's angsty at the right times, but it never tries too hard. This is a quiet story and everything is pretty much character driven; everything I love in a book.
Daisy and Chelsea are total opposites. Daisy, a Chinese-American demisexual artist, is always wearing dark clothes and has a big and warm family. On the other side, we have Chelsea, a Bisexual southern doctor with some shitty parents. Both of them had to deal with some kind of abuse from past relationships either with family or with a romantic partner, and it's so nice to read about these two girls finding their own way to heal and become their true self.
I loved this book so much and I'm sure many people will love to read about Chelsea and Daisy falling in love. My only reason to take half a star is that there were chapters from other characters point of view (from the previous book, of course) that threw me off from the story a bit. But I don't think it'll bother other readers.
TW: mentions of physical and emotional abuse from family and romantic partners, injury caused by work duty, mentions of hospital procedures such a surgery, and use of needles for a tattoo.
Chelsea Cavanaugh was beautiful like autumn, Daisy decided. She left you wanting."
Curved Horizon is a wonderful soulmate romance. It's my first time reading this series and reading a soulmate romance that isn't a fanfic and I'm glad to say I wasn't disappointed at all. It's angsty at the right times, but it never tries too hard. This is a quiet story and everything is pretty much character driven; everything I love in a book.
Daisy and Chelsea are total opposites. Daisy, a Chinese-American demisexual artist, is always wearing dark clothes and has a big and warm family. On the other side, we have Chelsea, a Bisexual southern doctor with some shitty parents. Both of them had to deal with some kind of abuse from past relationships either with family or with a romantic partner, and it's so nice to read about these two girls finding their own way to heal and become their true self.
I loved this book so much and I'm sure many people will love to read about Chelsea and Daisy falling in love. My only reason to take half a star is that there were chapters from other characters point of view (from the previous book, of course) that threw me off from the story a bit. But I don't think it'll bother other readers.
TW: mentions of physical and emotional abuse from family and romantic partners, injury caused by work duty, mentions of hospital procedures such a surgery, and use of needles for a tattoo.
June 12, 2018
finally read Daisy and Chelsea's story and enjoyed alot. Daisy and Chelsea are such opposites but they fit so well. As with book 1 there are some heavy themes dealt with here so at times it was tough to read (so heed the author's warnings) but it was fun watching these two realize they were each other's Rose Roads.
They were of course shocked! But the progression of their relationship was well done. I loved watching them learn each other and ultimately fall for each other. Apart from Chelsea and Daisy's POV we also get Aiden and Shannon's.
I loved seeing the boys again but I did go back and forth over whether they should have had several POVs at all. I'll admit at times they distracted from Daisy and Chelsea's story but these four are so entwined with each other that i got why A & S had POVs. and i loved the friendship these four have.
Daisy and Chelsea both had a lot of past baggage to deal with which drives their internal conflicts and insecurities. And what i like about all these characters was they are messy and are just so complex. It's my fave thing about them.
So overall i really liked this and i must protect my four kids at all costs!
They were of course shocked! But the progression of their relationship was well done. I loved watching them learn each other and ultimately fall for each other. Apart from Chelsea and Daisy's POV we also get Aiden and Shannon's.
I loved seeing the boys again but I did go back and forth over whether they should have had several POVs at all. I'll admit at times they distracted from Daisy and Chelsea's story but these four are so entwined with each other that i got why A & S had POVs. and i loved the friendship these four have.
Daisy and Chelsea both had a lot of past baggage to deal with which drives their internal conflicts and insecurities. And what i like about all these characters was they are messy and are just so complex. It's my fave thing about them.
So overall i really liked this and i must protect my four kids at all costs!
January 4, 2018
review to come
February 22, 2020
Thank you very much to Interlude Press for providing a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger warnings in novel: suicidal thoughts/discussion of suicide, depression, parent abuse/domestic violence, sexual assault. A fully list and relative chapter numbers is provided at the beginning of the novel.
Curved Horizon is the second book in the Camellia Clock series about soulmates, destiny, love, and life. This strong sequel follows the ex-girlfriend and old friend of the love interests from book one, as the two women navigate their friendship into something more.
I really liked Daisy from Fortitude Smashed, so I was beyond excited when I found out the second book would be about her. And then I found out her soulmate was Chelsea, Shannon's ex-girlfriend from book one, and I was less excited. I didn't like Chelsea all that much due to her behaviour, and although I had stated I didn't want to read Curved Horizon because of an issue I had with Fortitude Smashed, the fact that the romance was f/f changed my mind.
I'm glad I read it, in the end.
Daisy and Chelsea's relationship is very different from Aiden and Shannon's - and I don't just mean in the sense that all relationships are different. In Fortitude Smashed, we learn that there are two types of relationships that Rose Road's have: physical, or emotional. Aiden and Shannon have a physical relationship - that means that instead of talking about an issue affecting them, they have sex and deal with their pent-up issues and emotions that way. Daisy and Chelsea on the other hand are in an emotional relationship. They talk about everything, even the things that frighten them, which is key in a relationship. Despite how different they are, the fact that they can discuss their issues shows why they are each others Rose Roads.
Daisy deals with quite a lot in Curved Horizon: the fallout from her sexual assault in book one, coming to terms with her past with Aiden, worrying about Chelsea's reaction to her demisexuality. She has to learn how to forgive herself from her choices in her past, and move on with Chelsea. She goes through a lot, but comes out stronger for it. I really admired Daisy for that.
Chelsea's character development was off the charts. Like I mentioned, I didn't like her all that much in Fortitude Smashed, just because her character seemed to be written as the blonde bitchy ex-girlfriend trope - which I abhor - but reading from her perspective helped me understand her motives in book one. I don't agree with them, but I can understand them. Chelsea also struggles to deal with her toxic family life, but she learns that family doesn't always mean the people you share blood with. You can make your own type of family. That's a really important message I support.
However, I grew irked by the constant issue Chelsea and Daisy seemed to have: both of them feeling as though they aren't good enough for their soul mate. I thought the issue was a realistic one, but after reading all of their fights about the exact same issue, it got dry very quickly. After reading the same fight approximately five times in as many chapters, I just wanted to scream 'I get it! You both think you're not good enough. Move on!'
I loved reading about Aiden and Shannon's relationship, a year on from Fortitude Smashed. Honestly, it seemed like they weren't going to make it, considering how different they are, but they have grown so much and work really well together as a couple. It absolutely tore my heart to read about what happens to them towards the ending of the novel, but I masochistically enjoyed it too, just because the event brings everyone together in an important way and shows both Daisy and Chelsea how loved they really are.
I also enjoyed learning a little more about this scientifically-advanced world. We finally learn more about the Camellia Clocks, but the one question I had wasn't answered: why did Daisy and Chelsea's clocks not time out as soon as they met, like everyone else's did? Isn't that how the Clocks work? It's a clock counting down to the second you meet your soulmate. But Daisy and Chelsea met months before their Clocks timed out, and Chelsea's Clock actually speeds up to time out at the same time as Daisy's. But why? Clocks speeding up is considered rare in this world, so shouldn't have Chelsea sought out an answer? If there is a third book, I hope that question is answered. I'm sensing that perhaps the world building wasn't completely formulated once again. Or perhaps it's one of those books that doesn't mention world building, it just shoves you into the world and you have to figure things out for yourself. But I still think we should have an answer in regard to Chelsea, only because the text actually mentions that what happens to her is rare.
Curved Horizon was a fantastic sequel and I really want to read more about this world now. Daisy and Chelsea were wonderful protagonists, who have burrowed their way into my heart. I definitely recommend this gem!
Trigger warnings in novel: suicidal thoughts/discussion of suicide, depression, parent abuse/domestic violence, sexual assault. A fully list and relative chapter numbers is provided at the beginning of the novel.
Curved Horizon is the second book in the Camellia Clock series about soulmates, destiny, love, and life. This strong sequel follows the ex-girlfriend and old friend of the love interests from book one, as the two women navigate their friendship into something more.
I really liked Daisy from Fortitude Smashed, so I was beyond excited when I found out the second book would be about her. And then I found out her soulmate was Chelsea, Shannon's ex-girlfriend from book one, and I was less excited. I didn't like Chelsea all that much due to her behaviour, and although I had stated I didn't want to read Curved Horizon because of an issue I had with Fortitude Smashed, the fact that the romance was f/f changed my mind.
I'm glad I read it, in the end.
Daisy and Chelsea's relationship is very different from Aiden and Shannon's - and I don't just mean in the sense that all relationships are different. In Fortitude Smashed, we learn that there are two types of relationships that Rose Road's have: physical, or emotional. Aiden and Shannon have a physical relationship - that means that instead of talking about an issue affecting them, they have sex and deal with their pent-up issues and emotions that way. Daisy and Chelsea on the other hand are in an emotional relationship. They talk about everything, even the things that frighten them, which is key in a relationship. Despite how different they are, the fact that they can discuss their issues shows why they are each others Rose Roads.
Daisy deals with quite a lot in Curved Horizon: the fallout from her sexual assault in book one, coming to terms with her past with Aiden, worrying about Chelsea's reaction to her demisexuality. She has to learn how to forgive herself from her choices in her past, and move on with Chelsea. She goes through a lot, but comes out stronger for it. I really admired Daisy for that.
Chelsea's character development was off the charts. Like I mentioned, I didn't like her all that much in Fortitude Smashed, just because her character seemed to be written as the blonde bitchy ex-girlfriend trope - which I abhor - but reading from her perspective helped me understand her motives in book one. I don't agree with them, but I can understand them. Chelsea also struggles to deal with her toxic family life, but she learns that family doesn't always mean the people you share blood with. You can make your own type of family. That's a really important message I support.
However, I grew irked by the constant issue Chelsea and Daisy seemed to have: both of them feeling as though they aren't good enough for their soul mate. I thought the issue was a realistic one, but after reading all of their fights about the exact same issue, it got dry very quickly. After reading the same fight approximately five times in as many chapters, I just wanted to scream 'I get it! You both think you're not good enough. Move on!'
I loved reading about Aiden and Shannon's relationship, a year on from Fortitude Smashed. Honestly, it seemed like they weren't going to make it, considering how different they are, but they have grown so much and work really well together as a couple. It absolutely tore my heart to read about what happens to them towards the ending of the novel, but I masochistically enjoyed it too, just because the event brings everyone together in an important way and shows both Daisy and Chelsea how loved they really are.
I also enjoyed learning a little more about this scientifically-advanced world. We finally learn more about the Camellia Clocks, but the one question I had wasn't answered: why did Daisy and Chelsea's clocks not time out as soon as they met, like everyone else's did? Isn't that how the Clocks work? It's a clock counting down to the second you meet your soulmate. But Daisy and Chelsea met months before their Clocks timed out, and Chelsea's Clock actually speeds up to time out at the same time as Daisy's. But why? Clocks speeding up is considered rare in this world, so shouldn't have Chelsea sought out an answer? If there is a third book, I hope that question is answered. I'm sensing that perhaps the world building wasn't completely formulated once again. Or perhaps it's one of those books that doesn't mention world building, it just shoves you into the world and you have to figure things out for yourself. But I still think we should have an answer in regard to Chelsea, only because the text actually mentions that what happens to her is rare.
Curved Horizon was a fantastic sequel and I really want to read more about this world now. Daisy and Chelsea were wonderful protagonists, who have burrowed their way into my heart. I definitely recommend this gem!
March 15, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Curved Horizon is the follow up to Taylor Brooke’s Fortitude Smashed. There we were introduced to the concept of the Camellia Clock, where people had small clocks embedded into their thumbs that would countdown to the moment they would time out and meet their “Rose Road,” or their soulmate. Aiden and Shannon, from the first book, are integral to the plot here and reading that book first would help readers to understand the plot and the characters a whole lot better here.
Curved Horizon is also about Daisy and Chelsea, whose clocks are about to time out. Daisy is best friends and roommates with Aiden and Chelsea is Shannon’s ex. Daisy and Chelsea have known each other through the guys and while Chelsea is bisexual and Daisy is demisexual, they never thought of each other as romantic partners. There is also a reason they never expected to time out at the exact same time.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Curved Horizon is the follow up to Taylor Brooke’s Fortitude Smashed. There we were introduced to the concept of the Camellia Clock, where people had small clocks embedded into their thumbs that would countdown to the moment they would time out and meet their “Rose Road,” or their soulmate. Aiden and Shannon, from the first book, are integral to the plot here and reading that book first would help readers to understand the plot and the characters a whole lot better here.
Curved Horizon is also about Daisy and Chelsea, whose clocks are about to time out. Daisy is best friends and roommates with Aiden and Chelsea is Shannon’s ex. Daisy and Chelsea have known each other through the guys and while Chelsea is bisexual and Daisy is demisexual, they never thought of each other as romantic partners. There is also a reason they never expected to time out at the exact same time.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
February 22, 2018
I loved Curved Horizon! Daisy and Chelsea were my favourite characters from Fortitude Smashed, and I was excited that this book would focus on their story. Taylor Brooke's writing is as sharp and descriptive as always, and it was a joy to return to this foursome and Laguna Beach. I loved the slow burn romance between Daisy and Chelsea--and speaking of burns, damn, this book has heat for being fade-to-black!
As Daisy and Chelsea learn more about each other, they also learn more about themselves, and the slow reveal of past trauma and current coping mechanisms echoed the slow burn of their romance. Despite the high energy throughout the story and the intensity of the characters, there's a sweet and shocking delicacy to this book. Much like Fortitude Smashed, Curved Horizon is about characters not only learning to love each other, but to love themselves as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed Curved Horizon, and I can't help but cross my fingers and hope for another book in this bold, brazen series!
As Daisy and Chelsea learn more about each other, they also learn more about themselves, and the slow reveal of past trauma and current coping mechanisms echoed the slow burn of their romance. Despite the high energy throughout the story and the intensity of the characters, there's a sweet and shocking delicacy to this book. Much like Fortitude Smashed, Curved Horizon is about characters not only learning to love each other, but to love themselves as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed Curved Horizon, and I can't help but cross my fingers and hope for another book in this bold, brazen series!
January 13, 2021
Details can absolutely ruin a book for me, and that was the case with this one.
I don't get it. The whole book I'm just frustrated and screaming at the pages that I just don't get it. What I will say is that, ironically enough, on the craft side of things, I do get it. Like I said in my review for book one, it's still evident that the author cares about these characters and wants you to care about them too. I can respect that, and I thought the writing wasn't bad at all. Besides, I flew through it despite other hiccups. However, it ultimately failed, in my opinion, because the plot made me not get it.
Mainly, I just don't understand how the Camellia Clock is supposed to work. I know it was established in book one that it could time out with a person you already knew, but that makes absolutely no sense in my mind, and this ruined the book for me. If you already know the person, how can the clock suddenly decide oh shit, maybe this is the right person. Like????? I don't understand!!!! And the fact that it happens with two characters who have no chemistry at all with one another was painful. Again, I think it's because the author liked these characters too much and felt the need to pair them up regardless. I literally don't even think they make good friends, let alone a good couple.
And this made me really, really. frustrated. On top of that, much like in book one, absolutely nothing happens in this book. The exciting thing in the synopsis? Happens 70% into the book and it's solved in like two chapters. Other than that, they go to parties. They go to restaurants. They have ice cream. They go to parks (imagine this book but set in 2020 lmao then it would have been actually nothing). They get drunk and act recklessly even though these people are all adults with fairly serious jobs. Chelsea is a doctor yet she never seems to be at work, and somehow lives in a hotel for most of the book??? What was that about. Daisy has a paid internship at Blizzard (yeah, that Blizzard) and somehow sees that as her "stable job" lmao. I forgot what was Aiden's job so every time it mentioned him going to work I just imagined him doing D&D style side-quests to earn money (you know, since he's a thief). Shannon works on one (1) case and nothing else for like, a whole year. Granted, idk how cops work so maybe that's accurate. Seriously, nothing happens. At points it felt like a Laguna Beach tourist guide it was so shallow.
Overall, this is just all over the place. It even kinda made me like book one less, which is a shame, I don't remember it being a bad read, but I truly despised Aiden in this, so idk. I see where the author was coming from, it wasn't without any merit, but it completely missed the mark for me.
I don't get it. The whole book I'm just frustrated and screaming at the pages that I just don't get it. What I will say is that, ironically enough, on the craft side of things, I do get it. Like I said in my review for book one, it's still evident that the author cares about these characters and wants you to care about them too. I can respect that, and I thought the writing wasn't bad at all. Besides, I flew through it despite other hiccups. However, it ultimately failed, in my opinion, because the plot made me not get it.
Mainly, I just don't understand how the Camellia Clock is supposed to work. I know it was established in book one that it could time out with a person you already knew, but that makes absolutely no sense in my mind, and this ruined the book for me. If you already know the person, how can the clock suddenly decide oh shit, maybe this is the right person. Like????? I don't understand!!!! And the fact that it happens with two characters who have no chemistry at all with one another was painful. Again, I think it's because the author liked these characters too much and felt the need to pair them up regardless. I literally don't even think they make good friends, let alone a good couple.
And this made me really, really. frustrated. On top of that, much like in book one, absolutely nothing happens in this book. The exciting thing in the synopsis? Happens 70% into the book and it's solved in like two chapters. Other than that, they go to parties. They go to restaurants. They have ice cream. They go to parks (imagine this book but set in 2020 lmao then it would have been actually nothing). They get drunk and act recklessly even though these people are all adults with fairly serious jobs. Chelsea is a doctor yet she never seems to be at work, and somehow lives in a hotel for most of the book??? What was that about. Daisy has a paid internship at Blizzard (yeah, that Blizzard) and somehow sees that as her "stable job" lmao. I forgot what was Aiden's job so every time it mentioned him going to work I just imagined him doing D&D style side-quests to earn money (you know, since he's a thief). Shannon works on one (1) case and nothing else for like, a whole year. Granted, idk how cops work so maybe that's accurate. Seriously, nothing happens. At points it felt like a Laguna Beach tourist guide it was so shallow.
Overall, this is just all over the place. It even kinda made me like book one less, which is a shame, I don't remember it being a bad read, but I truly despised Aiden in this, so idk. I see where the author was coming from, it wasn't without any merit, but it completely missed the mark for me.
March 24, 2018
I got my copy from netgalley and the author was kind enough to give me an extra copy to be able to read on my phone.
The story is picture perfect from beginning to end. It has diversity in skin color, culture, and sexual preferences. It does deal with realistic everyday life problems and I cannot get over Aiden and Shannon from the first book and how much I love their dysfunctional but extremely emotional love. I love Aiden for being well represented as someone who doesnt come out of his shell and I love Shannon who just accepts him without forcing him to change.
I loved every single hidden dirty secret and how important it is to find someone who wont take advantage of their partners weaknesses and past and use it against them or just for a tasteless insult in some silly argument. I loved how Chelsea had dealt with her parents and how she integrated into a new environment.
and last but not least, I adored Daisy's little brother. and I have a mighty need for a third book starring him and his coming of age story.
The story is picture perfect from beginning to end. It has diversity in skin color, culture, and sexual preferences. It does deal with realistic everyday life problems and I cannot get over Aiden and Shannon from the first book and how much I love their dysfunctional but extremely emotional love. I love Aiden for being well represented as someone who doesnt come out of his shell and I love Shannon who just accepts him without forcing him to change.
I loved every single hidden dirty secret and how important it is to find someone who wont take advantage of their partners weaknesses and past and use it against them or just for a tasteless insult in some silly argument. I loved how Chelsea had dealt with her parents and how she integrated into a new environment.
and last but not least, I adored Daisy's little brother. and I have a mighty need for a third book starring him and his coming of age story.
March 23, 2018
I loved Fortitude Smashed, and getting to follow Daisy and Chelsea through their own Rose Road was my secret wish at the end of it.
Lo and behold, my wish became a reality!
I absolutely loved this story - Taylor Brooke has a talent for pacing, rhythm and progression of the narrative that leaves me wanting for more.
More importantly, or just as importantly, I particularly appreciated the nuanced way she shows the growth of her characters. All of them move through their grief, their regrets and sorrows, each with a resilience of their own that finds an echo in the other members of their group.
The idea of chosen family inhabits this book, even if the choice is slightly guided by Fate, and I for one support it (and this book) wholeheartedly.
Lo and behold, my wish became a reality!
I absolutely loved this story - Taylor Brooke has a talent for pacing, rhythm and progression of the narrative that leaves me wanting for more.
More importantly, or just as importantly, I particularly appreciated the nuanced way she shows the growth of her characters. All of them move through their grief, their regrets and sorrows, each with a resilience of their own that finds an echo in the other members of their group.
The idea of chosen family inhabits this book, even if the choice is slightly guided by Fate, and I for one support it (and this book) wholeheartedly.
March 30, 2018
I might be in the minority with this but I didn't like it as much as the first book? I loved the first third in which Chelsea Cavanaugh became one of my favourite female characters but the middle third felt very disjointed to me, like a series of heart-to-hearts interspersed with relationship developing scenes. What happened somewhere around the beginning of the last third hit me hard and I was basically glued to the book for a long time but then the ending was a little disappointing and (but this may have to do with me being tired) I skimmed over some of the flowery descriptions because I didn't really care.
August 10, 2019
Although I found this novel a little slow, the emotional punches were very effective, and the prose is unusual and beautiful. I suspect I would've enjoyed this more if I could buy into the Camellia Clock premise. That i can't is no one's fault of course. And I did finish the book, so it didn't slow me down that much. Loved the artists, and the people who love them, and that is the heart and soul of these two books.
July 7, 2023
#1 fortitude smashed ★★★★★
#2 curved horizon ★★★★★
rep; daisy (mc) is demisexual, chinese, and has ptsd. chelsea (mc) is bisexual. shannon (mc) is bisexual. aiden (mc) is pansexual and has dissociative dysthymia and anxiety.
i finally read this y’all have no idea how badly i have been wanting to read this
this fucked me up like the first one did i swear to god aiden breaks my heart no matter what the fuck he’s doing whether he’s still insecure about himself and his relationships or he’s talking about his past or he’s being a fucking precious boy with is cat or snarking and being aloof i can’t handle it he just makes me cry he is my son and i would absolutely die for him like this line “mercy meowed at aiden; aiden meowed back” is pretty much aiden in a sentence he looks all tough and mean but he’s just a boy who takes his plants inside during storms and meows back at his cat who he takes to the beach with him
i just love this. which isn’t surprising since i adore the first one (which i lowkey prefer, just because nothing can beat my love for aiden) there are so many conversations about friendship, love, abuse, healing, growth and the characters all are so self aware and working to be better people and love and accept themselves while loving and accepting each other and i just
sexuality labels are used in this book, yay! shannon and chelsea are bisexual, aiden is pansexual, and daisy is demisexual.
surprisingly, chelsea became my second favorite character. i didn’t care for her initially, but really getting to know her and her past and seeing her growth and journey is wonderful and i love her.
this book is just as heavy on the animal comparisons as the first one is. i don’t know why this sticks out to me as much as it does, but everyone is compared to animals a lot, but i think aiden gets it the most.
as always, i do have a little list of criticisms:
• the phrase “just friends” is used.
• there’s some ableist slurs/language.
• a couple spelling/editing errors.
• chelsea waving frog legs in front of daisy’s face, knowing she’s bothered and grossed out by it is shitty. like, people say vegetarians/vegans are the obnoxious and forceful ones, and yet.
• daisy often wonders why chelsea let her parents abuse her, why she never left sooner and that is so fucked up i can’t even.
• when chelsea is struggling with loving shannon, but not being in love with him, sex is used to differentiate the two; chelsea’s love for daisy involves sex and her love for shannon doesn’t. daisy says she’s okay with chelsea loving shannon as long as she doesn’t want to have sex with him and daisy explains her platonic love for aiden by saying she doesn’t want to have sex with him. without even mentioning romantic feelings/attraction, sex is portrayed as the difference between platonic and romantic love. which is not even close to being accurate.
• i don’t really care for how chelsea and daisy dive into their relationship when they’re not 100% on board with it or accepting of it or ready for it. it leads to the same problems that aiden and shannon went through.
• borderline sexual harassment from daisy’s brother to/about chelsea.
all in all, 10/10 would recommend just for aiden and mercy alone, but there’s some other good stuff in there, too.
#2 curved horizon ★★★★★
rep; daisy (mc) is demisexual, chinese, and has ptsd. chelsea (mc) is bisexual. shannon (mc) is bisexual. aiden (mc) is pansexual and has dissociative dysthymia and anxiety.
i finally read this y’all have no idea how badly i have been wanting to read this
this fucked me up like the first one did i swear to god aiden breaks my heart no matter what the fuck he’s doing whether he’s still insecure about himself and his relationships or he’s talking about his past or he’s being a fucking precious boy with is cat or snarking and being aloof i can’t handle it he just makes me cry he is my son and i would absolutely die for him like this line “mercy meowed at aiden; aiden meowed back” is pretty much aiden in a sentence he looks all tough and mean but he’s just a boy who takes his plants inside during storms and meows back at his cat who he takes to the beach with him
i just love this. which isn’t surprising since i adore the first one (which i lowkey prefer, just because nothing can beat my love for aiden) there are so many conversations about friendship, love, abuse, healing, growth and the characters all are so self aware and working to be better people and love and accept themselves while loving and accepting each other and i just
sexuality labels are used in this book, yay! shannon and chelsea are bisexual, aiden is pansexual, and daisy is demisexual.
surprisingly, chelsea became my second favorite character. i didn’t care for her initially, but really getting to know her and her past and seeing her growth and journey is wonderful and i love her.
this book is just as heavy on the animal comparisons as the first one is. i don’t know why this sticks out to me as much as it does, but everyone is compared to animals a lot, but i think aiden gets it the most.
as always, i do have a little list of criticisms:
• the phrase “just friends” is used.
• there’s some ableist slurs/language.
• a couple spelling/editing errors.
• chelsea waving frog legs in front of daisy’s face, knowing she’s bothered and grossed out by it is shitty. like, people say vegetarians/vegans are the obnoxious and forceful ones, and yet.
• daisy often wonders why chelsea let her parents abuse her, why she never left sooner and that is so fucked up i can’t even.
• when chelsea is struggling with loving shannon, but not being in love with him, sex is used to differentiate the two; chelsea’s love for daisy involves sex and her love for shannon doesn’t. daisy says she’s okay with chelsea loving shannon as long as she doesn’t want to have sex with him and daisy explains her platonic love for aiden by saying she doesn’t want to have sex with him. without even mentioning romantic feelings/attraction, sex is portrayed as the difference between platonic and romantic love. which is not even close to being accurate.
• i don’t really care for how chelsea and daisy dive into their relationship when they’re not 100% on board with it or accepting of it or ready for it. it leads to the same problems that aiden and shannon went through.
• borderline sexual harassment from daisy’s brother to/about chelsea.
all in all, 10/10 would recommend just for aiden and mercy alone, but there’s some other good stuff in there, too.
December 19, 2018
I really enjoy this take on the idea of soulmates. The way the characters don’t fall instantly in love and instead work to become friends and eventually more is really a beautiful story. Plus there’s a character on the ace spectrum! I'm always looking for and loving well written characters on the spectrum!
September 15, 2018
It is my humble opinion that a non-Asian author is swerving way out of their lane when writing an interracial relationship in which an Asian person feels inferior to a white person.
Yes, I know Daisy’s reasoning is because she’s an artist and Chelsea is a doctor. No, that does not alleviate the inherent racial tension raised when a white author writes a PoC calling themselves “not good enough” for a white love interest.
More notes:
- The author knows that Daisy speaks Mandarin and comes from Suzhou (mainland China), but doesn’t know that “Yuen” is a Cantonese last name? (The Mandarin version is “Yuan,” and you can look this kind of stuff up on Wikipedia.)
- Daisy hits her brother because...child abuse is funny? (/sarcasm)
- (Also, how is that not a trigger for , a physical abuse survivor?)
- Please, PLEASE do not infantilize Asian women by calling them “childlike.” Some of us experience this in real life, and it’s a nightmare. Stop.
I don’t want to hear about how white authors are *such great allies* for writing about PoC when THIS is the kind of rep I get.
Yes, I know Daisy’s reasoning is because she’s an artist and Chelsea is a doctor. No, that does not alleviate the inherent racial tension raised when a white author writes a PoC calling themselves “not good enough” for a white love interest.
More notes:
- The author knows that Daisy speaks Mandarin and comes from Suzhou (mainland China), but doesn’t know that “Yuen” is a Cantonese last name? (The Mandarin version is “Yuan,” and you can look this kind of stuff up on Wikipedia.)
- Daisy hits her brother because...child abuse is funny? (/sarcasm)
- (Also, how is that not a trigger for , a physical abuse survivor?)
- Please, PLEASE do not infantilize Asian women by calling them “childlike.” Some of us experience this in real life, and it’s a nightmare. Stop.
I don’t want to hear about how white authors are *such great allies* for writing about PoC when THIS is the kind of rep I get.
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