April 2022
Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills is one of my top favorites bully romance books of all time. This one was the first book I read that had me crying like a baby after a long 20 year reading hiatus. Dear Ava has a very special place in my heart.
This story hit me hard from the very beginning. Warning: Rape Trigger. Rape is a big trigger for me, having experienced it myself many moons ago. I had not read the trigger warning before reading this book and I honestly stopped on chapter one when I realized where it was heading.
After thinking on it for a bit, I decided to keep reading to see how I would feel and I am glad that I did. Yes, it was difficult at times, but I do believe that it helped me in ways I hadn't realized I needed.
Ava is a strong and determined girl with so much responsibility on her plate. Having been abandoned, along with her half brother, by their mother. Her strong will and determination was inspiring for a woman like me who has been through the same experience. Even with weakness inside of her, she persisted and stood tall. She's ready to do what it takes to get the future that she and her brother deserved.
Knox is a boy with an image to uphold and personal struggles of his own with a past that shaped him to who he was. An absent father and a tragedy that kept hold of him and his twin brother, Dane. He took care of his brother and would do anything to keep him safe.
Knox has been admiring Ava for so long. His guilt for what happened to her ate at him to the point that he'll do just about anything to find out the truth and help her secretly to make up for it.
Through their personal struggles the two were connected by a force that just would not let go. Denying each other at every possible turn of events... how long will it take for them to give in to their desires?
This story has substance and deals with so many real issues that many struggle with. From abandonment, suicide, rape, bullying, addiction....it encompasses and evokes so much emotion and awareness.
Kudos to Ilsa Madden-Mills for creating such an inspiring story in Dear Ava.
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