This book destroyed me but it was so bloody good! That ending broke my heart and made me cry and i loved the garden scene afterwards. Turtle was amazing. Her dad was pure pure evil and the lovebombing was awful. I agreed with you, i saw it as her grasping at straws and lying to herself until she couldnt anymore. It was a coping mechanism

Think im due a reread.

I had the opposite - before i was in a loving relationship i devoured romance. Read fantasy and horror too, but not like romance. I inhaled romance!

I havent touched a romance book in over 4 years! Now i gravitate towards horror or grim dark fantasy. Plus alternately nihilistic / hopeful sci fi