Once again a Lo and Lily daily life-focused book!
Dates Read: 01/09/2022 to 28/09/2022
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Word to describe: Tumultuous
Genre: Romantic Fiction
TW: Mental health and characters with PTSD triggers, alcoholism, addiction, traumatic childbirth, house break-in, violence, threats, and abuse.
In true Addicted series fashion, Addicted After All by Krista and Becca Ritchie paves the way for a story filled with drama, uncertainty and an influx of strange events (Rose giving birth in a car anyone?). Continuing from where Thrive left off - all six main characters are venturing into the unknown with both Rose and Lily pregnant, and Daisy and Ryke reaching the milestone of a fully committed relationship. The story follows these characters into their new house, leaving behind the past worries of the Paris attacks and the Princesses of Philly for better days.
Or so they thought. The new house brings about new troubles when neighbouring teenagers take glee in harassing and tormenting the women of the house triggering Daisy's PTSD and making the two elder sisters fear for their safety. The teenage tyrants throw bricks at the house, vandalise their home, break in with weapons and take no form of remorse when confronted. As much as these teens are everything I despise about modern youths (the idea that violence and threatening behaviour is the answer - look at any UK news and you'll find most crime is committed by uncontrollable kids) they served their purpose to humanise the rugged men in this series.
As former teenage assholes themselves Ryke and Loren pity these kids, and Connor takes his sweet time thinking of ways to parent them. The introduction of pregnancy in this series quickly brought the characters away from their rambunctious youth and towards a new life into adulthood. The teenage group of tyrants were the perfect mirror image to remind these characters how much their life has changed and what they now have to b grateful for. It was a sweet message to include and as a reader, I love seeing the growth of a character as a series develops.
Stepping back from my favourite trio of kings and focusing more on the queens, readers learn how Rose and Lily are truly more different than originally thought. Their separate version of perfect parenting and birth preparation suits each character to the bone. Rose's relentless tiresome aim for utmost perfection teamed with her strong dislike of anything baby related was wholesome and entertaining to read. Her character is one that I relate to the most and to see this change in her was amusing for both Connor Cobalt and the reader. Lily on the other hand, as always, is a hot mess. She has no idea how to prepare and when teamed with unequally clueless Loren, they can't decide on names, gender reveals, the colour of the room etc.
This indecisiveness was a true juxtaposition between the relationships between these two couples, one is wired for overachievement and one is ready to enjoy the moment as it is. This different outlook on pregnancy and parenthood is a lovely way to honour these characters without making their pregnancy their entire purpose. (⭐ gold star for feminism).
Sidenote: we get to see more of Daisy and Ryke's wonderful relationship. Ryke's I-Hate-Everyone-Except-Her attitude always makes me swoon over them both and Daisy's neverending sweetness is a perfect cherry on top.
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