Addicted to You (Addicted #1) by Krista and Becca Ritchie
Released August 2013
Spoiler Free Review by Krystal
"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."
So this was the FIRST book in 2014 I read...why am I JUST getting around to writing a review? I mean..this is my TOP FAVORITE series EVER!
This isn't a girl meets boy, falls in love, live happily ever after love story.
Lo and Lily have grown up together...they know each others flaws, weaknesses, and addictions, hiding each others addiction from their family. Through these addictions, they enable each other and find love for one another. After years of a fake relationship, they finally give it a real shot, it is then the book gets steamy. But like the cover says...the only way out is rock bottom.
Lily Calloway is a sex addict, which is kind of ironic really as she is probably one of the shyer characters I have ever read about. I expected her to be a slut, but I was gladly mistaken and she turned out to be a very sweet and caring character. She hates her addiction, but can't shy away from it. Her body craves the high, and if she doesn't get it, she suffers. But getting her high isn't all that great either, once the good feeling is gone she is left with both shame and regret.
Loren 'Lo' Hale is an alcoholic, he knows it, he just wont say it out loud. He has issues, he is tortured and in pain all of which he hides in the bottom of his bottles. The one thing he can't and never tries to hide is how much he cares about Lily. He tries to play it cool when he picks her up from fraternity houses the morning after or kicks guys out of her bedroom and their apartment (in which they share). But you can tell he doesn't want this for her, but he can't comment without being a complete hypocrite. Plus knowing how much she suffers when in withdrawal, he cares too much to put her through that pain.
“Promises from Lo are like bars at 2 a.m.--empty.”The way the story starts out with Loren coming to Lily's rescue and subsequent lies to keep the facade up definitely got me interested in digging deeper into their relationship. Not just the relationship, but what each of their addictions are doing to them, and others. And the addictions they have are difficult to read about. Being an alcoholic or sex addict is, for most people struggling with it, an all-consuming and frustrating problem. I haven't read much about sexual addictions, but I know about alcoholics. For Loren and Lily, both of these things were accepted between them, until they begin to realize how much it is affecting their lives.
“Three years later and drowning in lies, we’re suddenly prepared to lose everything for the chance at something real.”The two of them reach a point where they think they've resolved some issues. But people on the outside are noticing things, things that they don't want anyone to discover. Lily tries to hide everything and to protect the two of them from being found out. As the days go by, however, it becomes harder and harder to hide the truth, especially with all the questions that Lily can't provide answers to. Can Lily and Loren gain control over their addictions and find the right middle ground for the two of them to really be together?
“I love you, but I want to love you enough that I never choose alcohol over you. Not even for a moment. I want to be someone you deserve.”Addicted To You was a powerful and amazing read. I got sucked in immediately and couldn't stop reading. The whole thing was irresistible, the pain and the love and the horrifyingly true to life scenario. The depth of the story was unsurpassed, it was more than just Loren and Lily, you got to see how everything and everyone was tied together in this whole mess. I seriously devoured this book in 24 hours and then I was on to the next!!
I didn't think I was going to like the book, I mean whose really addicted to sex? I was telling myself, these two need to grow up... but the characters really do grow on you... and it becomes more of an ache in your body to find out whats going to happen next.
The best pat of this series...each book intertwines with the next...each both focuses on another "couple" within Lil and Lo's new friends.
“I sincerely think that Connor is asexual. Like a sponge. He probably wouldn't even notice if you hit on him.”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?
Krista and Becca are my new favorite authors. The entire series is completely AMAZING! I've had the pleasure of meeting these ladies, and they are just as beautiful and sweet as their writing.
Recommended Reading Order
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