I am giving this book 5 stars based simply on the fact that I have never before related so much to the concept of a book. Deb Caletti really hit the nail on the head with this plot, this character, this assessment of depression/paranoia and how mental illness affects its victims' families. So many times while reading this book it felt like Cassie was reading my mind and putting my words on the page. She makes it easy to sympathize with someone who doesn't sympathize with a mentally ill person, and I think that's something people should understand. Sometimes it's just not enough of an excuse. Sometimes the accusations and "woe is me, nobody understands" mentality just get to be too much and a line has to be drawn. Even Cassie's mother had the same attitude toward it as the real wife of someone who acts like Dino (like, for instance, my mother)... she still loves him despite everything, but eventually she has to decide to do what's best for her and her daughter. The happy ending in this book actually gave me hope for my real life and, more importantly, my mom's.
The romance aspect of Wild Roses was sweet and kind of provided an escape from the reality of the rest of it. The connection between Cassie and Ian may have been slightly generic but that doesn't stop you from rooting for them, and their relationship does deepen throughout the book. The end leaves it unclear whether they will make it, but it has also provided so much hope and optimism that you can't help but feel like they will. And anyway, the romance was not the most significant thing going on in this book, so if you're at all disappointed with the end, it's because you didn't understand it. I would suggest
The Nature of Jade
for those who want a perfect, romantic "happily ever after."
Read this book if you want an honest narrator, a believable story, a sweet romance and a book that will leave you thinking.
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