Are you fed up with cliffhangers? Are you not patient enough to wait
months for next instalment when reading series? Or do you just prefer to
completely lose yourself in story and marathon all the books together?
If you answered "yes" to at least one of these questions, this post is
for you. NO MORE WAITING is a feature on my blog that spotlights
completed series. You can look forward to spoiler-free reviews, graphic arts to accompany it and interesting discussions. Today's post will be quite a long one so bear with me :)
Addicted by Krista & Becca Ritchie
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Purchase: Amazon / B&N / BD
SYNOPSIS FOR BOOK #1:
She’s addicted to sex. He’s addicted to booze…the only way out is rock bottom.
No one would suspect shy Lily Calloway’s biggest secret. While everyone is dancing at college bars, Lily stays in the bathroom. To get laid. Her compulsion leads her to one-night stands, steamy hookups and events she shamefully regrets. The only person who knows her secret happens to have one of his own.
Loren Hale’s best friend is his bottle of bourbon. Lily comes at a close second. For three years, they’ve pretended to be in a real relationship, hiding their addictions from their families. They’ve mastered the art of concealing flasks and random guys that filter in and out of their apartment.
But as they sink beneath the weight of their addictions, they cling harder to their destructive relationship and wonder if a life together, for real, is better than a lie. Strangers and family begin to infiltrate their guarded lives, and with new challenges, they realize they may not just be addicted to alcohol and sex.
Their real vice may be each other.
THIS BOOK IS RECOMMENDED FOR MATURE READERS AUDIENCES ONLY. HOWEVER, THIS REVIEW ITSELF DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY INAPPROPRIATE MATERIAL.
SERIES RATING AND REVIEW:
Book 1 - Addicted To You :
Book 1.5 - Ricochet :
Book 2 - Addicted For Now :
Book 2.5 - Thrive :
Book 3 - Addicted After All :
Two addictions, one big lie. In order to keep in good graces of their wealthy parents (and to keep access to trust funds) Lo and Lily had to hide their addictions and pretend to be together. The truth about his alcoholism and her sexual escapades could not only ruin reputations of their families but also take away their freedom of supporting their addictions. But how long can they keep the charade?
Who wouldn’t be intrigued after such a start? I was utterly fascinated by the premise of this series and I was curious how (and if) Lily and Lo would be able to develop something more than friendship considering their life styles. For years, they were enabling each other’s addictions. But when their feelings get out of hand, how will Lo deals with Lily’s sex drive being out of control? What will Lily think of Lo being drunk all the time? Can she be monogamous and not be ruled by her need for orgasms? Will they ever be able to do a 180° turn-around and do the hard thing and say no to their addictions? Can such two people ever have healthy relationship together? How can they fight their addictions without attracting attention of their families and society? Let me tell you, I was so worked up, needing to find answers to those questions that I literally couldn’t put first three books down. I was prepared for angsty realistic intense ride, but reality of this series was even more all-consuming. I was looking for unforgettable emotional contemporary tale and got exactly that (and much more).
Addicted series is not the easiest read. Some parts were angsty and sad, others truly dangerous and nasty. Addiction, in whatever form, is never pretty. And in this series it shows its very ugly side. It was so heartbreaking to see to what lengths would some people go to support their addictions. And I’m not sure if it is masochist in me talking, but this intense angst was exactly what made these books so special for me and what distinguish them from all others NA novels out there.
But don’t worry, this series is not only full of despair. It is also about power of true love, about strength of family ties and friendships. It is story about learning to accept help and about learning to love yourself even with all your flaws. I fell in love not only with Lily and Lo, but also with all side characters who made me laugh a lot and helped to balance this tale so it wouldn’t turn into completely depressive read.
How to sum up this series? Heartbreaking and soul-crashing but simultaneously beautiful and entertaining modern family drama. Lily & Lo’s story touched my heart. They may be flawed but oh so very real and dear to me. These messed up (but unique) characters became special to me and this series will stay with me forever. I highly recommend Addicted series to those who are looking for intense and memorable NA novels!
TIMELINE AND SUGGESTED READING ORDER:
2. Ricochet (Addicted #1.5)
3. Addicted For Now (Addicted #2)
4. Kiss the Sky (Addicted #2.1, Calloway Sisters #1)
5. Hothouse Flower (Addicted #2.2, Calloway Sisters #2)
6. Thrive (Addicted #2.5)
7. Addicted After All (Addicted #3)
8. Fuel the Fire (Addicted #3.1, Calloway Sisters #3)
9. Long Way Down (Addicted #3.2, Calloway Sisters #4)
10. Some Kind of Perfect (Addicted #3.5, Calloway Sisters #4.5)
WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE COUPLE: Lily & Lo, Rose & Connor or Daisy & Ryke?
