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_yagirlcaitreads's review against another edition
5.0
ELLE MITCHELL WHAT DO YOU PUT IN YOUR BOOKS??? It was so so hard to sit this book down to go to sleep some nights. I LOVED this story. I loved the banter between the characters, I loved the mental aspect, the touch on hard subjects, the bully aspect
amys_reading_again's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
2.5 š¶
Contemporary Romance
Second Chance
Dual POV
Dual Timeline
HEA
This book had me feeling all my feelings. It was emotional and raw at times and shows how even when we feel we are broken and not loveable, there is someone out there who will see that and love us still.
*************************************************
Mila and Tristan meet as teenagers when they become neighbours. They are both sad, lonely, messed up teens and are drawn to each other. However their love for each other is often eclipsed by their own self sabotaging and it ends poorly. When Mila starts college she ends up being lab partners with Tristan, the last person she ever wanted to see again. However the pull that was always there starts again. And they are drawn to each other all over again. This time though, the timing is better and they know how to love each other, and although it may be a little unstable at times, it is real and lasting.
*************************************************
Although there was a happy ever after, this is not a cutesy romance. Both Mila and Tristan struggle with how to be loved, and at times, their dark parts collide and force them apart. Childhood trauma from abandonment and mental health issues are shown warts and all, and Elle Mitchell has shown how these things can cause us to put up walls to keep ourselves safe. But she also shows that the right person will know how to love us the way we need to be loved, even if we don't know what that is.
I was invested in the characters and the Dual timeline helped to reveal their love for each other and that it had always been there, as well as the reasons that they were sometimes holding back or pushing the other away. Deep down they just didn't want to get hurt by the other as they were both already broken. Neither of them know what a healthy relationship looks or feels like, but they eventually manage to realise that the other has what they need to feel seen and be loved, healing each other from their past struggles and trauma.
If you like friends > enemies > lovers and sdcond chance love, with a bit of spice, wrapping up with a happy ever after, then give this a go.
allieonlybooks's review against another edition
5.0
devoured this book
I loved this book. The characters are not perfect and a bit messy, making mistakes but growing up and living with mental health issues is real and a struggle. This book just kind of nailed that. I couldnāt put it down read it in one day so I would recommend!
I loved this book. The characters are not perfect and a bit messy, making mistakes but growing up and living with mental health issues is real and a struggle. This book just kind of nailed that. I couldnāt put it down read it in one day so I would recommend!
thebookbaron's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book just spoke to my soul and wrenched emotion from me. Itās solidified Elle Mitchell as an auto buy author!
readswithren's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book Iāve read by this author and definitely not my last. This is not your typical romance novel. Itās not cute or feel good, but itās raw and beautiful with a HEA. I was hooked from the beginning and read this book in one sitting.
This story follows Mila Lindley and Tristan Li. Tristan and Mila meet while in high school. They instantly connect and become more than friends, but their relationship becomes extremely toxic and unstable, forcing them to eventually go their own ways. After years of not speaking to each other, Mila walks into her first college class and not only accidentally sits down next to Tristan, but also finds out they have to be lab partners for the semester. Their forced proximity forces them to face their past and all of the misunderstandings that led them to where they are now.
I loved Tristan and Milaās story. Mila is sad and lonely with mommy/daddy issues. Tristan is angry, possessive, and struggling with his mental health. Both have a warped view on what love is and should be. Their story is the perfect representation of āhurt people, hurt people.ā Itās a beautiful story about finding healing from past trauma and hurt. Itās about reconciliation. Itās told in dual POV and goes between past and present (which, by the way, Elle does perfectly!) I was a little disappointed with how things were resolved in the end. Some things came to light towards the end of the book that I feel like shouldāve been addressed more and it kind of felt rushed. This read was a rollercoaster and Tristan and Milaās relationship was definitely āa little unstableā
This story follows Mila Lindley and Tristan Li. Tristan and Mila meet while in high school. They instantly connect and become more than friends, but their relationship becomes extremely toxic and unstable, forcing them to eventually go their own ways. After years of not speaking to each other, Mila walks into her first college class and not only accidentally sits down next to Tristan, but also finds out they have to be lab partners for the semester. Their forced proximity forces them to face their past and all of the misunderstandings that led them to where they are now.
I loved Tristan and Milaās story. Mila is sad and lonely with mommy/daddy issues. Tristan is angry, possessive, and struggling with his mental health. Both have a warped view on what love is and should be. Their story is the perfect representation of āhurt people, hurt people.ā Itās a beautiful story about finding healing from past trauma and hurt. Itās about reconciliation. Itās told in dual POV and goes between past and present (which, by the way, Elle does perfectly!) I was a little disappointed with how things were resolved in the end. Some things came to light towards the end of the book that I feel like shouldāve been addressed more and it kind of felt rushed. This read was a rollercoaster and Tristan and Milaās relationship was definitely āa little unstableā
originalbooknerd's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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Author: Elle Mitchell
Couple: Mila Lindley & Tristan Li
Tropes: dark romance, bully romance, second chance romance, small town romance, college romance, mental health rep
Review: A Little Unstable is the perfect blend of toxic love and soul mates. Mila and Tristan are both MCs who have tragic pasts and broken souls but find solace in the other at times. Elle did a great job with developing this story to be just the right amount of dark while toeing the line with toxic romance vibes. The journey these two take is one full of heartache, secrets and second chances.
The MC that stood out to me was Mila. I admired how strong Elle made her and I enjoyed seeing her ire when Tristan finally pushed too far. The way she adamantly stood up for herself and never backed down drew me into her POV and made me want to know all about her character and past. While Mila was the MC who I loved the most, Tristan was the one I loved to hate. Elle did a wonderful job with creating his character and expressing all of his flaws in this book and I appreciated how she kept him real.
An area that I found refreshing in their story was how raw both of them were. The emotions they were able to draw out of each other made this feel super tumultuous and I loved every minute. The back and forth was also a huge part of why I was sucked into Mila and Tristanās romance since it evolved as both characters changed and Elle truly did wonders with growing them both in the story. While not for everyone, this book is great for anyone who loves a tortured heroine and a second chance bully romance!
Rating: 4/5, an angst filled dark romance full of second chances and found family!
beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
This book is my first introduction to this author. after reading this book, it will not be my last. This book definitely is a slow burn and has angst. Additionally, if you really love enemies to lovers this is the book for you. I like all of these things, so I did enjoy this book.
The dual POV from Tristan and Mila was nice. It allowed me to really get to know them both better. Plus, it allowed me to become more emotionally connected to them. While the slow burn was good, once the heat did come, the story did pick up. Reading this book is a great way to spending time laying around.
The dual POV from Tristan and Mila was nice. It allowed me to really get to know them both better. Plus, it allowed me to become more emotionally connected to them. While the slow burn was good, once the heat did come, the story did pick up. Reading this book is a great way to spending time laying around.
brittsbookishadventure's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed Tristan and Milas journey. I liked seeing the younger āproblemsā and their tension as they find eachother again.
meganeasley862's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Book Review #4 of 2024!
āA Little Unstableā by Elle Mitchell
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Second Chance, College Romance, Nextdoor Neighbor, Forced Proximity, Mental Health Disorders.
PubDay: June 24, 2023
Rating: 5āļøās for storyline/emotional vibes and 2š¶ļøās for smut/sexy scenes.
ā¢
This is my first book by Elle Mitchell and I will be doing EVERYTHING IN MY POWER to have it not be my last. I went into this completely blind and I fell in love with the love that was building between the two main characters. As someone who has had anxiety for more than a decade and bouts of depression, I know from personal experience how difficult it is to live when you are in that headspace, let alone love someone. It makes sense that both characters struggled to fully and healthy love one about her because they didnāt know or understand how to love themselves. I honestly wish this was book was in a series so I could continue to see the MCF/MCM grow in themselves and their relationship.
ā¢
My favorite quotes are below:
- Page 20: āMost of the time, I feel nothing- like Iām floating outside my body, watching things happen and just going through the motions while not living at all. I was tired of it. I was tired all the timeā.
- Page 39: āI could be invisible if I wanted to. I remember that was something I used to like- being able to disappear into the background so no one would notice that I didnāt quite fit- but that was before I got used to being liked and learned how to blend inā.
- Page 83: āThereās no one like Mila. Itās both too comfortable to be next to her and hard to breatheā¦ Howās that? Um. I think youāre a drug, Milaā.
- Page 120: āI hate that you know me like this. Like how fucked up I am. Itās not what I wanted. I think thatās why I get so fucking mad at youā¦I freaked the fuck out, and she made me take these fucking pills. I thought you said pills are for quitters? They are for quittersā.
- Page 157: āI think youāre fucking perfect, and even though I know youāre too good for me, I love that youāre mine anyway. Youāre mine, and I can feel it coming off you like waves of electricity or something all the time. Itās the craziest fucking thing Iāve ever felt. Are you mine, too? Yeah, Iām yours. You know Iām yoursā.
- Page 160: āHeās bipolar. And usually, heās unmedicated. I donāt think I have to tell you not to tell him anyone about that, do I? No, I wonāt say anything. I love him, and I think maybe you do, too. I also think you should probably stay away from him, thoughā.
- Page 171: āMila, come home with me. Okayā¦ No. Wait. Fuck. No, I canātā.
- Page 172: āI want to be with you. Iām so fucking sorry that I ever made you think anything else because I always wanted you. And not just drunk on a Saturday night- I want to be with you in the morning and the next day and all the other days and nights, too. I just want you- all the time. If you donāt believe me, you can go home tonight and call me in the morning and Iāll tell you againā.
- Page 178: āDo you want me to touch you? Yes. Youāre so fucking pretty, Mila. Youāre the only person I want. Donāt forget it. Even on the bad days. Okay?ā
- Page 181: āIt doesnāt work, Mila. Thatās okay. I think youāre fine. I like you the way you are. I donāt need you to be different. I donāt think you need to be fixedā¦He doesnāt have a hoodie and a coat on like me, and heās still like a furnace. He smells like our backyards- like rain and pine trees. Like homeā.
- Page 201: āOne was butterflies. Butterflies were good. The other was this needy, desperate feeling deep in my core, a punch in the gut that knocked the wind out of me. Iām not quite sure if thatās what love is supposed to feel like, but I like that moreā.
- Page 232: āHow are you going to wash my hair? Iāll still wash your hair, baby. Give me a minute. After that, though, I want to take you to my room and lick you until you come. Then, Iām going to fuck you again- if thatās okay with you? Yeah, Iāmā¦good with all of thatā.
- Page 247: āThere isnāt enough air in this room. I need to be back outside. I love him. I canāt even look at him. Loving him is lonely- so fucking lonely- and Iāve been lonely long enoughā.