What I Liked:
I thought the description of Bailey’s thought process as she falls into a painkiller addiction was relatable and showed how easy it can be to escalate with serious athletes that don’t feel like it’s an option to step back and rest to allow their bodies to heal properly. I also appreciated the recognition of just what a long and intensive process it can be to overcome an addiction even if it hasn’t been ongoing for very long.
What Bothered Me:
While the majority of reviews for Damaged Goods are positive, there are quite a few one star reviews with people being super disappointed in the subplot surrounding Lev’s dad, Dean, and his brother’s bio mom, Dixie. Now it’s been a couple of years since I read Ruckus which is the story of Lev’s parents getting together, so maybe that provides me with enough separation that I don’t feel strongly whether Dean does or does not move on after his wife’s death. Personally, I was paying a lot more attention to the love story between the two main characters, Lev and Bailey.
Overall:
I won’t say this was an easy read, but it is a raw and emotional young adult dark romance that takes the reader on a twisty-turny ride on the path to eventual HEA. Please check trigger warnings before reading.
