I was promised the douchebags weren't actual douchebags! lol anyway, this book had moments I enjoyed but the MMC just sucked. He sort of redeems himself in the end but imo he never stopped being a douchebag. ( )

I don't think I've ever hated a book this much in my life. Zeke was disgusting and all's I wanted to do was punch him in the face for the first 20% of the book. I was determined I wouldn't like him - nothing could redeem this absolute asshole. I didn't understand the high ratings or the term book boyfriend bandied around, because I just wanted to kill him.

And I don't know what fking happened. I don't know how it fking happened. Because then I found myself hating him a little less. Liking Violet a little more. She began standing up for herself. He began caring. some of his backstory was shown and it explained things, you know. Explained why he was so messed up, reasoned out why he was such an asshole.

He was still an asshole but he became more of a forgiveable asshole. I just don't know what happened. I really don't.

I also don't know what to rate this. In some ways I loved this book. Most ways. But the start. I hated him so much at the start. Surely I can't rate it higher than 3. Maybe 4. Is it good enough to be 5? I don't know. I'm so confused. I think I'll split the difference. It's probably more 3.7, than an actual 4. I think. ( )

Trying to avoid the draw of Twitter, where I spent too much time Sunday, I quietly tucked away my phone in favor of my e-reader, and poked around at my titles. I was looking for something quick and a certain recipe, contemporary, but... Anyway, I decided to see how my reread would go of this.

It held up. I'd say it's more of a 4, but this is my far her most emotional book for me. If you like a hero who's more than gruff (he's a total dick) and the unassuming,quiet but self-assured heroine who can match and dismantle his brash this will work. If you don't want your hero, well, mean, I'll say this isn't for everyone. But it is for me. I love Zeke. I love Violet.

Original review:


Well, well, well...4.5
 
New Adult is a tricky genre, to be sure. When it's done right though, there's nothing that can make me as teary-eyed. I know, I don't get it either. I think it's just the intensity of that time.
 
This was New Adult done right, yet again. I love assholes. And I don't just mean the jerks that say the wrong thing now and again or are insensitive. I mean the real jerks. The sharp, insecure ones that don't let anyone close. Zeke was one of these, without a doubt. And though his backstory was one I don't particularly connect to-poor little rich boy-it was actually more compelling than others I've seen using this defense mechanism. Now, I fully realize I'm in a category of weirdos when it comes to these heroes. Ben from [b:Truly|18481904|Truly (New York, #1)|Ruthie Knox|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1378919026l/18481904._SX50_.jpg|26157435] by Ruthie Knox. Love him. Jimmy from [b:Lead|19286623|Lead (Stage Dive, #3)|Kylie Scott|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1396467599l/19286623._SX50_.jpg|26116272] by Kylie Scott. He's my favorite hero of hers. These don't seem to be wildly popular opinions. The problem is that it is so easy to go wrong here. An asshole can quickly turn into a dark, terrible, controlling, alpha-hole non-hero. I was breathing sighs of relief at the fantastic way Sara Ney avoided this trap. 

 

It was evident from the grocery store scene how subtly Zeke was caring for the people around him. Unfortunately, it wasn't clear if he meant to do it, or if he just filled the gaps.
 
As we figure out he quietly helps people out without destroying making them ask or destroying their pride. And as Jameson figures him out in this scene, how he's irritated with her for beginning to see through him. 
 
The use of the little brother  (Kyle) relationship. Yep, he was rough around the edges-clueless really-with the kid, but also steady. And dear god I almost sobbed when during their conversation in the car when he let him know it wasn't Violet that helped him, but Kyle. 
 
And for me, this piece was also very important (Zeke and Violet after the big fight): 
"I'm... I can't explain why I acted like an ass, and I feel like a bigger asshole for apologizing; it makes me feel like one of those pricks who treat women like shit. I'm not that guy." 
 
Her hazel eyes regard me thoughtfully. "If you're not careful, you could be." 
 
Honestly, whoosh. I thought that was so important for both of them. And I haven't even gotten to Violet, who I absolutely adored by the way, and I'm not sure I can do her justice. I loved the way Zeke saw her, but I also loved how she saw herself. She's the self-aware one, where he's resigned himself to being an asshole. Anyway, the scene in the study in the library is the piece that makes some NA so emotional for me (and why I love it). Violet was willing to accept him, love him, challenge him to be better--up to a point. And her point was a very reasonable one. When he basically denies her in the library in front of his friends and he seeks her out to explain, she lets him have it so good, and so clearly that I could hurt for both of them. And wow, his broken apology kind of undid me in that scene. (I'm married to a non-apologizer, friends. They exist. Big time. Apologies from them are not reactions like for others-and I'm in the midwest where I think it's even worse. Big Deal.)
 

 
Anyway, they were lovely complements to one another, with Violet's quiet and accepting strength and love pitted against Zeke's fear and armor. 
 
 
 
 
As I stated in an update, intense broken heroes are my jam, and this is no different. I was really pleased to see Violet bring what she did to the to the table as well. ( )

3.75/5 stars

I liked this one better than the previous book. I enjoyed reading it. I liked that Violet had a bit of a backbone and didn't let him get away with everything.
I wasn't that big a fan of Zeke. He really was a douchebag and - even though I'm not a major fan of kids in general - constantly calling a boy 'little shit' is a bit much.

Also, while Kyle was cute, I think he was too old for the storyline. He behaves and was treated more like an eight year old, not an eleven year old. You (almost) go to high school at 11 (in my country anyway) and it's a bit too old for the little kid behavior/treatment that was described in this book.

I think I'll take a break before trying the 3rd book. These books follow a very strict (and much used) formula so far and it's getting a tad too predictable. ( )

The Failing Hours is kind of a twist on Beauty and the Beast in my opinion. Zeke is really a jerk. I mean, he is rude, belligerent, condescending, and self centered. Violet is studying to be a social worker. If you know anyone who is a social worker, you know they are bleeding hearts. You can't go into that career unless you are literally like the most patient, compassionate person on the planet. So, she is probably the only person in the world who would bother to help Zeke when he is such an asshat.

Violet has a job (well she has lots of them) tutoring and is assigned Zeke as a student. It does not go well. Through various other jobs Violet has, she ends up helping Zeke more. Over time, she is starting to make progress in getting him to be less abrasive. Zeke pushes her away every chance he gets (and sometimes, he is totally fucking demeaning to her). Violet is the type of character you want to hug and make happy. This poor girl who has nothing, who is working 3 jobs to live in a shitty house with 2 friends, who is studying to be a social worker where you are over worked and paid worse than teachers, is trying so hard to have a good life when everything is stacked against her. Of course a girl like that would put up with Zeke treating her like shit. But I wanted to swoop in, punch him in the dick, and find her someone worthy. I would like to say I didn't like Zeke...but that would be a huge fucking understatement. His 'poor little rich boy' attitude was annoying as fuck. Oh, poor Zeke, his parents bought him gifts instead of spending time with him. Yes, its sad. It does not give you the right to treat people like shit! He is surrounded by people who don't have 2 nickels to rub together and are barely making it. Treating them like shit on top of their already difficult lives is just shitty.

Zeke, like the Beast, does SLOWLY begin to change. He doesn't like it, and he bitches about it the whole time. But, he does start to see that the world is filled with people who aren't him! Shocking! (my sarcasm is HIGH with Zeke). Now, of course, Violet points all this out to him, and he can't change over night, but there is growth.

In addition to Violet, the biggest compliment I can give The Failing Hour is that I stayed up all night to read it in 1 sitting. I simply had to know!

 

• POV: dual 1st


• Tears: I did tear up a few times because Violet's life has been tragic!


• Trope: bad boy


• Triggers: none


• Series/Standalone: stand alone


• Cliffhanger: spoiler


• HEA: spoiler

Luca by Sarah Castille, Clam Jam by RC Boldt, All Played Out by Cora Carmack...then you will probably like The Failing Hours!

 


The Failing Hours






 

See full review on The Book Disciple ( )