Bad Romance by Heather Demetrios | Book Review

Summary

Grace is emotionally and verbally abused by her stepfather, mother and boyfriend, Gavin.

Writing

The story is narrated by Grace, our main character and she's telling it in past tense which is unique. It's written in 2nd person. (Ex: you did this, you did that) She's narrating it to Gavin. Heather Demetrios writes Gavin as a likable character. You can't help but like him. She wrote him to make you fall for him and it's working even though he's a terrible person.

Characters

Grace
She likes musicals and that's how she meets Gavin is when he gets cast in the school musical she's working on. She wants become a Broadway director.

Gavin Davis
Meets Grace through the school musical. Is the lead singer of the band, Evergreen. Heather Demetrios writes Gavin so that you can easily fall for him. I could feel myself falling for him from time to time but I had to remind myself that he's a terrible person.

The Giant
Main character's stepfather. An verbally abusive parent.

Likes

• I like the little Lady Gaga quote in the beginning
• The first sentence of the book is GOLD.
• I love the musical references.
• BEAUTY AND THE BEAST REFERENCE
• I like how the author wrote Gavin. You're supposed to hate him for what he did to Grace but you can't help but fall for him anyway despite the bad stuff he does.
• I could relate to how Grace was feeling about her biological dad
• I liked how this showcased a different kind of abuse. Usually when people think of abuse, they think of the physical kind. But there are more than just that. I'm glad this explores emotional abuse because no one ever talks about it.

Dislikes

• Grace's friends were cliché.
• I didn't like either of Grace's friends, Natalie and Alyssa
• Beth, Grace's sister, leaves Grace with her abusive mom and stepfather and doesn't tell anyone about it? Doesn't ask for help?
• I hate how much I liked Gavin in the beginning of the book.
• Just because Grace read War and Peace and listens to NPR podcasts, doesn't make her a special snowflake.
• Quote; “My eyes snap open and you wipe your mouth on my knee, smiling against my skin.” That is disgusting.
• Skank shaming if that's a thing (Alyssa calls three girls skanks because they're wearing "a general lack of clothing").
• Gavin's songs in this book are terrible. Petition to stop authors from writing "songs" in their books. It's cringy.

Overall

I think this book is important and should bring awareness to not just physical abuse but emotional abuse.

Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / 5