Review of This Mess You've Made

Laney K · Post by **Laney K** » 24 Mar 2025, 14:11

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "This Mess You've Made" by DJ Hawkins.]

5 out of 5 stars

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Savannah wants to make it to graduation. This is her only real goal. She is deeply troubled due to mental health issues and unresolved childhood trauma. Aryn, the boy who lives next door, also faces his share of troubles; he considers himself to be a monster. Their worlds collide when Aryn, out for a run, sees Savannah sleeping outside by a tulip. While neither holds all the answers, perhaps they can heal together. Come face the turbulence of high school, mental health, and young love by obtaining a copy of This Mess You've Made by DJ Hawkins.

The writing style of the book felt like poetry at times. It also contains hard-hitting lines, such as the opening of the novel: "The mirror is the ultimate enemy." The statement sets the tone of the novel. Both Savannah and Aryn have aspects of themselves they are fighting against. Seeing oneself in a mirror can often bring emotional issues to the surface, as is highlighted by this opening line. The strength of Hawkins' writing brings the story to life.

The characters were also well-developed. Savannah is a broken girl. She struggles with depression that is exacerbated by her parents not being around often. The empty house she lives in echoes the emptiness she feels inside. Aryn has unresolved trauma as well that is constantly threatening to bubble up. However, when Aryn meets Savannah, he wonders if maybe love at first sight is possible. Throughout the book, they both face aspects of themselves that force change.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. From the opening pages, Hawkins' haunting prose drew me in. The characters were strikingly real, and I can think of nothing I disliked about the book. While I will caution readers this book deals with several heavy topics, such as self-harm and thoughts of suicide, it is an emotional read that I highly recommend. There is some strong language, but I believe it would suit older teens and adults. If you are looking for a deeply emotional slow-burn romance, look no further than This Mess You've Made.

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This Mess You've Made
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Gerry Steen · Post by **Gerry Steen** » 01 Apr 2025, 19:03

This book will give readers a peek at how youth deal with deep emotional pain. It will shed light about self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Your review has piqued my interest in this book. One never knows when they may need to help a young person in distress. Thank you for this informative review.

Post by **Priya Murugesan** » 01 Apr 2025, 22:17

I would love to know more about Savannah and Aryn and how they heal each other. Added this book to my bookshelves. Thanks for your wonderful review!

Mark Lazarus · Post by **Mark Lazarus** » 02 Apr 2025, 01:29

Sounds like a beautifully written but heavy read, with raw emotions and deeply layered characters. The poetic style and haunting prose seem like they’d make the story even more powerful.

Supergirl92 · Post by **Supergirl92** » 04 Apr 2025, 09:10

I am hooked. I would love to read more about Savannah and aryn and how they heal each other, how does it end. And will there be more books of this romance or is it just the one book.

Benita Ogarekpe · Post by **Benita Ogarekpe** » 15 Apr 2025, 08:30

I’m not sure this is the book for me right now. It seems charged with raw emotion that will be both beautiful and painful. I was hoping for a lighter, cheesier read but now that I’ve seen this review, I might change my mind.