This is the Worst Book I've Ever Read l "After" Review/RANT

When I curse more than once in a video…I mean business…because I never curse lol
I deleted so much footage and this review is still so freaking long haha. I’m sorry.
If you would like to see my full review, you can check it out on Goodreads. I used that review as a script so it’s almost word for word what I said in this video but again, I had to cut some footage so I left out some more thoughts I had on this book. But they’re in my Goodreads review! / 1291846548
Today I will be doing a review on After by Anna Todd. If you liked this video, be sure and stick around and subscribe for more book and writing related content!
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Hello there! I'm Mady, I'm 22 years old, and I live in California. I love reading and talking about books. If you love doing the same, then hit that subscribe button for more!
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Editing: Final Cut Pro
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[@kyralemieux1271]

Can confirm. I'm heavily tattooed and I have never read a single book in my life, despite doing a degree in literature. I am ONLY allowed to read the back of beer bottles. If I open a book, I spontaneously combust.

[@missmadyreads]

hahahaha loved this

[@alberto_balsalm]

Can also confirm. I recently got a big forearm tattoo and I really miss reading now. T_T Help.

[@bookandanimelover4life582]

@@alberto_balsalm 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@SDQ308]

😂😂😂

[@thecraziestcrayon]

Oh no. I'm considering getting a tattoo, but I love reading. I don't want to have to choose. Like, is it something in the ink that makes you too dumb to read, or do the tattoo artists feed you something that makes you unable to read anymore? I need answers!!

[@pallas1279]

Why don't ya authors realize intense physical attraction/lust is NOT love?

[@ely_edits4417]

Yes, like there is a huge difference don’t confuse young readers.

[@Amateur_Pianist_472]

It’s told from the chick’s POV so she will think it’s love.

[@eyamaalej8930]

Lol.it may began with lust and then ends with love

[@Jeremysepicreads]

This isn't YA it's New Adult.

[@firstbornunicorn6619]

@@Jeremysepicreads It'S nEw AdUlT gUyS It's all trash

[@awesomeandy2k61]

I couldn't relate to Tessa at all. I really wanted to root for her , I wanted to fall in love with the characters but they were so unlikeable that at the end of it I couldn't care less about them .

[@lunatick9792]

The worst relationship since 50 Shades of Grey.

[@Jeremysepicreads]

Try reading captive in the dark by CJ Roberts and consequences by aleatha Romig

[@kze2076]

Are they that bad?

[@girlwithoutpurpose]

@@kze2076 yes!!!!!!!

[@Vampgurl202]

It's 50 Shades Lite

[@claryy8]

I still don't get it why they picked *this* out of all the Fanfics / original stories that can be found online to become a movie. I really don't get it. There are some 'hidden gems' on Wattpad, Ao3 etc, Fanfics and original stories that are really good and that definitely deserve to be published, wayyy more than this. Fanfiction can be freaking awesome, Ive read quite a few that deserve to be published. But not this. It just makes Fanfics in generell and the 1D fandom look sooo bad to people who didn't know much about either of these things before, it makes me really angry and sad.

[@Kayaya]

uhh, because it got over a million views (i think?) on wattpad and because it's a best selling novel. sadly it isn't about the quality, it's about how well something is selling. it's about money. no matter how bad some story might be, as long as people are paying money to read it or to watch it when it became a movie this circle will continue. endlessly.

[@syaimmaalia9381]

Agree. A lot of quality work in wattpad don't even get half as much reads as After. Really makes me question society. Lmfao.

[@TheCrayonMaster]

I love AO3, I hated After. I didn't know it was fanfiction when I got it to review back in 2013, but because I felt like I was reading bad fanfiction, I looked it up and that's when I found out about its origins.

[@TheCrayonMaster]

I can't believe they made this into a freaking movie.

[@stardustcherry2158]

Sadly only trash like this earns the honor to be a famous novel and later a movie. As long as there is drama, unrealistic trashy romance and flat characters it is for the win. No one this days appeiciates what's good, just what sells better

[@Shippo28]

Oh I got a tattoo, time to throw out my books

[@justwannafreefx9419]

I've been thinking about getting tattoos and ever since my understanding of language and alphabets has severely diminished. I want tattoos but I'm afraid the moment I get them I will no longer be able to remain literate 😔

[@missmadyreads]

The struggle...

[@beckyybob95]

I used to be an avid reader until I got my tattoos. Now whenever I pick up a book I find myself staring at my arms instead. Never will I understand a written word again.

[@Toriyamaus]

I don't have tattoos yet I'm not allowed to read anything. *Explain that, **_Tessa!_*

[@luluston5731]

I appreciate you doing the grammar lesson. I had never heard of filler words before. It’s helpful for writers and readers!

[@missmadyreads]

I found out about filler words recently and it was a big eye-opener. Leaving them out or using them at the right time really makes a difference.

[@lucifer_333_bones7]

Filler words include That Just Only At least Now Maybe Perhaps Seems Seemed Seeming Seemingly Well Totally Really Quite Right Literally

[@BohemianScandalous]

“I used to read Fruits Basket fan fiction” Subscribed.

[@Vampgurl202]

Still cracks me up that Tessa calls other women whores, but cheats on her bf basically the entire book

[@meghan1355]

I think that Anna Todd, the author, used the 1D fanfiction obsession on Wattpad to get people to read her book. She could have just written the character Hardin Scott instead of slapping Harry's name on it and it wouldn't change the plot. She likely still would have gotten a lot of reads since Tessa and Hardin's relationship is romanticized on Wattpad, but she got more clicks because One Direction was attached onto the book. The movie looks to have made the characters more likeable so far (I haven't watched the movie yet, just trailers). In the movie trailer, Tessa stops her mother from making a rude comment about Steph and Harry is not overly aggressive. Let's hope for the best 😔.

[@missmadyreads]

The trailer gave me that impression too. I hope it's been changed for the better. I never like to think the worst of authors but that's what I thought to. :(

[@directioneranne9564]

Exactly my thought. You know that time, even now just use Harry's name and boom it's a hit.

[@DungNguyen-ti9dk]

It left out some inappropriate details. To me it’s kinda normal hot and cold bad boy story. But i hate the fan fic to begin with so i don’t enjoy the movie much. But it’s less disgusted than the story. But i think there is too much attention for such a pointless story like this. It feels like a cheaper version of 50 shades

[@shaitarn1869]

I think that thunder was God expressing his displeasure at this book. I hate the message books like this and 50 Shades give young women - a toxic, abusive relationship is something to strive for. No. Just no.

[@Jeremysepicreads]

The amount of people that legitimately hate and despise this book really shocks me considering this was a fanfiction that has gained 1.5 billion reads on Wattpad. Anna Todd has stated on her Twitter that the traditionally published book versions of the story have sold over 10 million copies worldwide. For a series that is such a global phenomenon I'm surprised we don't hear about it more. I'm sure with the movie being in theaters that will change.

[@TheReelNerdyReview]

The movie was terrible it was rushed every five minutes there was a montage

[@glamzz4480]

I watched both movies and they were terrible. They're already shooting the 3rd one, so I guess the most problematic is yet to come.

[@stacyrodriguez128]

Yo, I'm in Psychology. Hardin seems like he has Antisocial Personality Disorder. A sociopath is made through trauma. He is a aggressive, violent, irrational, takes no responsibility for his actions, abusive and VERY manipulative! Oh boy....

[@grizzi1294]

Why are y’all treating him like a real person. He is a fictional character meant to entertain readers.

[@stacyrodriguez128]

@@grizzi1294 young girls watch this and think that's love. They believe they will be able to fix unstable boys/men.

[@grizzi1294]

Stacy Rodriguez well then they need to talk to adults who will either tell them to separate fiction from reality. Or make them aware of an actual healthy relationship. Fictional characters relationships do not have to be healthy.

[@booksandbrushes4868]

@@grizzi1294 And now REAL people are in ABUSIVE relationships and being hurt because they've been trained to normalise abusive behaviour as romantic. This HURTS people. But you don't care about that.

[@grizzi1294]

@@booksandbrushes4868 again they should be aware of the difference between what is a normal healthy relationship is. They should not let a fictional book or series influence their life decisions. If they do that’s on them.

[@dilaisy_loone2846]

He does physical abuse her in the other books. If you think that the first book is bad, the others are just trash.

[@missmadyreads]

ugh good to know. Gives me further drive not to pick them up lol.

[@dilaisy_loone2846]

LunaLover I don’t really remember very good the scene, but he hits her and she says that she deserves it because she made him angry..... that, and another scene, when he kind of obligated her to have sex with him while she has the period. Just, nasty

[@dingobabie]

I've read all the books and let me assure you that he does not physically hurt her it more of a mental back and forth with them. still abuse .. but I read books open mindedly. I dont judge them, because to you this is abuse and to others this is life. people are brought up in different cultures and different ways..so i dont judge..you never know what you see as worng others see as normal and you cant tell them your wrong because they dont see it your way it there life ..each to there own Just my opinion.. No Hate ..

[@dingobabie]

You do realize this is a book... and Culture does play a part in everyone's life ... so deal with it. it is My opinion and so if it doesn't match yours to bad it what I think .. Iam not saying your wrong for your opinion.. but its your opinion

[@dilaisy_loone2846]

dingo baby he do hurt her. Because I remember it. Physically, but is so freaking normalized that is scaring. I would go through the books, but I donated them. And no, abuse because of culture is not freaking okay. No matter what’s your background story, those books are not. Okay.

[@scottishcurls9697]

SO. I picked up the book this past summer when I made up my mind for sure that I wanted to give writing my all, and start college as a creative writing major. Right now, I am a Wattpad author, and have been for almost a year. So when I had made up my mind to follow my dreams of being an author and saw that a fellow Wattpad author had been published- I read it. And let me tell you, that is legitimately the worst representation to the world of the books on the site. There's so many books that are incredible and it deeply saddens me that this is what the world thinks all books on the site are like. (Shameless self insert...cause, ya know) I'm @Eliza_Victoria_13. Believe me, we are not all that way.

[@2001tabbytsart]

True

[@Agentmg17]

WP is a pyramid scheme

[@bookandanimelover4life582]

I decided I wanted to be a creative writing major when I grow up too.But it is extremely sad that this is published and hyped up so much.There's this series on wattpad that I loved called 'Kidnapped by cannibals' It's a horror story.The first book is called 'Family comes first' and it shows how scary abuse is.

[@Agentmg17]

Don't waste your time and energy. Finish your manuscripts, and look for an agent. WP purposely deletes and pushes out writers and messed up the ranking & genre system to systematically hide writers that take away attention from their favorites. And the less than 200 writers actually earning money from ads have been complaining that they're aren't earning enough these past 2 quarters to get a pay out. Many agents and publishers will not accept stories that have been posted online. And as a big example of WP corruption.... 1) one of the watty winners was the mom of an employee 2) a large number of winners are from the Toronto area 3) Ambs have complained about the few people chosen to run the Wattys 4) this past year's long list was full of books that didn't fit the requirements WP sprinkles enough crumbs to keep hopefuls pumping out free content. While assisting their chosen few with editing, covers, promotions, and even daily pep talk calls. All the while those few think they're gods. I've seen inside the amb program. I've seen conversations amongst the "stars" and those in the coin program. Ive talked to employees. Btw, most employees don't even use the app. WP isn't good people. They will pull the rug from under you. Delete and spam you. And harass you off site. They're contracts are tilted dramatically to benefit themselves & lock you in. Etc etc Focus on the long career ahead of you. Focus on writing your stories. Look for an agent. Or at least self publish. Btw, 1M views on WP does not equal 1M sales. WP readers have been trained by WP to feel entitled to free content and get annoyed when you pull your book for sale. Writer after writer I know gets hate mail for it. And on top of everything... there are no protections from plagiarism and piracy. Ambs are trained to ignore it unless it's a book published by the big 5 or of one of WPs favorites. Ive seen the training slides Ambs get. I messaged one of the pirates and they showed us evidence that WP had known all along. That they had started their site just to inform WP of a weakness they had. The pirate had tried contacting them for over a year. WP is worth 700M, they can afford to pay all writers from ads, but they don't. They could pay for the plagiarism software colleges use, but they don't. They benefit from plagiarism. They claim WP has 170M active users, I doubt it. Found too much evidence that they inflate their numbers, like a daisy chain of thousands of new fake accounts my friend found, and the fact that most users have more than 1 account. Just think of how they promote AFTER and CHASING RED, the covers will say 150M reads when most people paying attention know reads are calculated by the number of pages read and doesn't account for re-reading. WP books can have a maximum of 200 pages... so 150M should be divided by the number of pages (chapters) to get a more accurate number.

[@taylormcgarry5060]

Agentmg17 Jesus, that was really eye opening. I too am a wattpad author and have had offers from other sites who will 'publish' my story in return for ad revenue. I turned them down as Wattpad seemed the best place to keep my stories. Clearly, there is a lot going on beneath the surface that I, and everyone else on Wattpad, are completely unaware of. Thank you for sharing that, it's changed my perspective completely. I'll think twice before publishing another story.

[@lucybaldock9987]

A friend of mine recommended your channel to me as we read similar things and this rant is so good! I hate this book it's such a toxic relationship and I can't believe a film has been made on this

[@missmadyreads]

Omg that's so awesome! Glad to have you here! I agree, unfortunately. Dx

[@Morgan-ol6tz]

a lot of people hate this book and I am shocked that it was made into a movie and I am hoping that the movie will bring up the topic of mental and physical abuse and that it's not okay and if you are in a type of relationship like this you need t get out of it

[@Iden_Elihio_1999]

@@Morgan-ol6tz Did the movie do that?

[@gysellehernandez8024]

It’s literally the worst book in HISTORY. Toxic and Abusive relationships are NOT OKAY. Hardin abuses people around him especially his “ girlfriend”. The book is highly unrealistic. It bothers me that all the scenes are sex scenes, and all they do is fight. Hardin always gets mad at Tessa for no reason, and he knows he being an ass, but no .... Tessa “loves” him. No she doesn’t. Neither of them do. This book is just trash.

[@abcd08679]

There was a comment on another Wattpad book comparing hessa with that particular book's couple. So I replied saying that those two couples can't be compared since hessa is so toxic. And then there were series of comments, some in favour and some of them against "After". And there was another reply, claiming hessa to be realistic, and that the accuracy in the book is spot on, claiming Anna Todd to be a genius and blah blah. That person even called people like us, who regarded hessa as toxic, inexperienced and that we are yet to have a rude life awakening. It's sad, really, people see hessa as realistic and normalize and romanticize the relationship. If that's so, I'd like to leave Earth and go to Mars..thank you☺️

[@syaimmaalia9381]

And let's not even start ranting about the movie. The acting and writing were so cringey. Like. Wtf. Anna and the cast keep talking about how hard they've worked on the film, which I'm sure they did, I just wonder where all that hard work went to, because the film was shhiittt.

[@Astrocam88]

I agree with everything you said BUT I also dislike Anna Todd, because she romanticizes the shit out of Hessa and it's not healthy for her young fans. She's constantly encouraging them to post "romantic" edits with quotes (even quotes on T-shirts and creepy shit like "Single, taken, waiting for my Hardin" etc), ignores those who point out the problematic content in her books, and blocks people on Twitter who question the Hessa relationship. She promotes her book as being about a coming-of-age relationship where the two characters are constantly fighting but it's okay because they're just discovering who they are with each other. She just doesn't want to admit that her own book features a problematic relationship. I feel like if you're an author, accepting criticism is how you grow as a writer, and ignoring it makes you look like you have a thin skin.

[@missmadyreads]

You're totally right. You gotta accept criticism. You can't grow without it. What a shame.

[@Sakura-tz3ok]

"Harry seems no where near the person Hardin is at all." LMAOOOO u guys heard that Harry Styles actually blocked Anna Todd on Twitter? btw i love this, and I absolutely agree with everything. People who love this book concern me because I really really hate that they think that relationships like these are normal when they're far from it :/

[@charlotte-6589]

okay, i mean i’m 13 and I only read the first book bc I thought it was garbage and i recognised that this relationship is toxic. So many girls that I know love the series and it literally makes me so angry lmao

[@Agentmg17]

I think Todd tried to show the pressure Tess's mom places on her with that dressing scene, but just went about it wrong, and it didn't help that areas needing more showing didn't receive much work. It just plays right into what you're saying, horrid book.

[@naomitatu4669]

true but also i think carol was right in so many aspects through the series

[@talia3046]

Lmao I read all of the books on wattpaf and trust me girl, it gets worse book 2 and 3. Much, MUCH worse

[@kze2076]

The book advertises it had 15 million views or something like that, but that is actually false. Wattpad counts every chapter read as one read. Since there are 97 chapters, one person reading the book through to the end would count for 97 reads instead of 1. If we were to assume that all of the reads were by people that didn’t drop off at any of the chapters, “After” was only read by about 150,000 people. So not only was the book garbage and an absolute snooze fest, it lied to us from the very beginning how popular it actually was.

[@charlotte-6589]

“If you’re having tattoos you can’t read. That’s not socially acceptable” I laughed way too hard on this

[@ashxbash1001]

Was Anna going for a toxic relationship? Cuz its so obvi that the characters are. I honestly don't mind the toxicity, I've never read anything like this and to me it's interesting to see a bad relationship and their story; something different from the lovey dovey I have read before.

[@lydlyd.13]

I read the books one year ago and I loved them. Half a year ago I started questioning the book and movie. Now I fucking hate it so much. And I realised that it is a toxic relationship. I was just to young to realise it. And many other young girls read this book and like this relationship and want a relationship like that. I believe that such books create more toxic relationships. I can't believe that books like that are published. (Sorry if my English isn't that good. It's not my first language)

[@naveenakhedar]

To be honest, although the end-of-the-trilogy Harry/Hardin still has possessiveness and jealousy issues, he’s is SIGNIFICANTLY better than the Hardin/Harry in the first book. I really wish that a) they just made that his character so he wasn’t so abusive and you could actually somewhat consider that they might love each other or b) [the better option] they never end up together and it’s a book about individual self growth and healing for both the characters to become better people

[@msmichellewinchester]

I'm honestly concerned for anyone who say that Tessa and Hardin's relationship is realistic, because that probably means they've had some fucked up relationships in their life and think this is normal. Also, I have a tattoo. I'm afraid I wasn't informed about the reading rule. Please don't tell anyone, I don't want to be fined. I will immediatelly start working on myself and will hopefully become a valued member of the tattooed society in the future.

[@Agentmg17]

I'm so glad you looked up the number of time these filler words were used. JUST 911 times is freaking crazy.

[@Jammythewerewolf]

What kind of a name is 'Hardin?' It sounds exactly like 'hardon,' which is... not a good thing to be naming a character :'D Edit: Especially if he's supposed to be British.

[@GhoulBunny]

Like oh my god it made my hate for the books even worse (I read the Wattpad versions a long time ago)

[@sharonspears-mandeville2369]

Jammythewerewolf _EXACTLY._ I swear to god I _still think_ that boy's momma had _IT OUT FOR THE LITTLE BASTARD,don'tcha know..!?_ (I mean,really..? Unless that nosey nurse was being silly about it,but then.. _Screw that Horny-arsed,unapologetic Harry styles reject and his blood brood too,dammit!_ )

[@directioneranne9564]

Thank you for making this video. This is a terrible book in all aspects. These type of books snatch the opportunity of real good books to get publishers. I totally agree with you about portraying our kind Harry as a bs person. This is so disrespectful. I have watched a video of Anna Todd about being 1D fan. But she didn't seem know much about them as she claims to be a super fan. She just used his name to get fame and her coins. Seriously those two pathetic person (Tessa and Hard-on hahaha) never seem to be in love except for doing devil's tango. Great video. Really made me a cup of tea and enjoyed. Subscribed

[@missmadyreads]

Yeah that didn't sit right with me. And I should have expected that before going into the book based on the description. Thank you for watching!

[@akaczism]

glances down at my tattoos: aw dangit I forgot how to read again how did i make this comment

[@Tay-up7kv]

I hated the book too! I hated how annoying Tessa was. She’s an obnoxious immature brat that needed to act like a college girl, not a 10 year old child. She’s why I hated it.

[@72percent83]

I hear you about young people reading this! I would've looked at a story like After a lot differently back in the day, but now that I'm older and I HAVE seen what a healthy relationship looks like, the appeal to Hardin is not as clear to see. Sure, I love a bad boy with an actual heart of gold or some good character development! But when it comes to Hardin I just feel like I would have no tolerance for this kind of bs lol. Guys in novels like these just come off as whiny drama queens to me now, who cares how good they're supposed to look??

[@alexroberts3402]

Man I really should have consulted with Tessa before getting my tattoo. Now I can’t read. This sucks

[@multiverse6989]

I will be honest. This thing....I won't call it book because it seriously deserves to be called thrash can make you sick......this was the first book where I wanted the Protagonists to come under a truck, honestly no less. they both are Terrible people.

[@Rebecca-nw5su]

I'm with you sister! This book was so cringy, I cannot count how many eye rolls I performed while reading this "hot mess" of a novel.

[@brandontan5181]

A couple of weeks ago, I saw this book in my local bookstore in Indonesia. I thought about picking it up but I kinda want to get opinions from booktubers. I watched your opinion about "After" and I watched other booktubers ranting about it I decided to not to pick it up Love ur videos!!

[@imnothere6696]

Is THIS what that movie is based off of?

[@missmadyreads]

Yup

[@jactober]

i got my hot cheetos ready and let’s rant‼️

[@taengoooppa3.947]

Anna Todd mentioned in an interview that she spends at least 3-4 weeks on her books. No wonder the plot quality in this book sucks. I've heard that this book was originally like a fanfiction. It's laughable, really.Sorry if I offend anyone.

[@janetreid4515]

It was originally a One Direction fanfiction.

[@taengoooppa3.947]

@@janetreid4515 Yup. I've heard about that. Btw, do you like the book? Or dislike it?

[@janetreid4515]

@@taengoooppa3.947 I've read up to the second book. I don't like it. It's hard to read, I don't relate or even like any of the characters except maybe the nice boyfriend the main character cheats on, Noah, who gets screwed over time and time again, the dialogue is choppy (to the point its very noticeable), and if the fact there was no overarching plot besides (get together, hook up, argue, break up, get back together x30) was bad enough- it's so void of any sort of original substance it left me feeling I wasted the time it took me to read them.

[@taengoooppa3.947]

@@janetreid4515 I read not even halfway through and I stopped. The plot, the language, the lack of flow just made me dislike it. This book is just easy money and I don't think the editor even cared. I've read even more better Wattpad books that deserve more attention than this overhyped crap. I agree, it was a waste of time.

[@taengoooppa3.947]

@@janetreid4515 Plus the fact that this story was "realistic" according to people just sounds riddiculous. There is no part in this book that I think is relatable to me, as a teenager.

[@aneeeli.9259]

Let me see if my tattoo artist can take back the tattoo he just finished.. brb

[@MissMissyArt]

aneeel i. Did he?? 👀

[@carlajenkins1990]

Don't bother to be so nice. It is an asinine story. Beyond bad. Beyond stupid. Hell, you've actually met people like this out at the Women's Shelter. Most of them have more insight than Tessa.

[@authoralysmarchand4737]

I've seen a lot of people state that these books are for tweens and teens. TWEENS AND TEENS. People praising these books are telling those young people that this is a relationship to strive for. In reality, a lot of people who end up in these relationships end up dead. I was nearly one of them.

[@nobody-og5tl]

I'm so sorry. How are you doing now?

[@authoralysmarchand4737]

@@nobody-og5tl I'm fine now. That relationship was from mid-1998-early-2003. There are still times when I look back and wonder how I made it out alive. In the 90's, when I was a teen, the books aimed at us as romances had a lot of the same problems this series has. Even the freaking Babysitters Club has Logan be low-key controlling often enough that it's unsettling since his control is played as sweetness. Books after that directed at teens were more blatant, though we'd been told so many times that so-and-so is so sweet and this is so romantic. When ended up in one of those "sweet and romantic" relationships, I overlooked my fear and misery and didn't reach out for help since I'd been told for so long that these bad relationships were good. So if I asked for help, who would help me? It would be like me trying to escape my husband right now by telling my friends I'm so miserable since he makes sure the bills are taken care of and he's so sweet to our animals and tells me he loves me. You'd tell me I was out of my mind. Why escape what most people want? Well, back then, my abuser couldn't control himself because he was just so *passionate* that he couldn't control himself, and he was so controlling of me because he *loved* me and wanted what was *best* for me. After all, he had a *hard childhood* when his dad left. I needed to *have sympathy * for him. After this had been presented as good to me, who would help me get away from someone *passionate* and *loved" me and wanted the *best* for me? Didn't I understand his *hard childhood*? Why couldn't I *have sympathy* for him? When I started posting about what he was doing on a forum of my peers, they told me those things. They'd been spoon-fed the same bullshit and excuses, and they reinforced that I was in a good relationship. Good, as we understood it. Abusive, as we now acknowledge it. Those excuses are being used now to excuse Edward (he's just *so passionate* and wants the *best* for Bella) and Christian (he need to control Ana because he had a *hard childhood*) and Hardin (he needs Tessa to *have sympathy* for his *hard childhood*), and young people are hearing this same dangerous method. Only now, when people try to call this what it is, we're told "it's only fiction." No. It's not. It's especially not when it's being help up as good. Young people are being told this is good. There are young people today who will one day die at the hands of an abuser they didn't think was abusive, or who they were too scared to leave, or who didn't recognize the signs because they were told excuses. It hurts my heart to know that chances are good that at least some of them are reading books like these and are hearing the message that this behavior, and those relationships, are good.

[@xxxmuseluverxxx1346]

Author Alys Marchand I love your comment, and I’m so sorry you went through that. I hope you are doing better and are now in a healthy relationship 💜

[@SherbertLomon]

Your eyes are beautiful

[@princessjura1575]

Hey, I have Tattoos and piercings… I guess I have to burn my book shelf now.

[@k-popislife5376]

This book tells young woman and teenage girls that it's okay and normal to be in a toxic relationship and that's dangerous

[@afropique]

Your review rocked! I loved the way you described Tessa. And your eye makeup is GORGEOUS.

[@classicgal9619]

Oh the other books just get even worse. I can’t finish After We Collided, Hardin is just this unlikeable ass who I despise off and ohmygosh, Tessa.... Worst role model for women everywhere and such a weak character. Has to be the most repetitive story on a toxic relationship that has no plot to it, what so ever. Glad you didn’t continue with this insufferable series of books, ugh!

[@chatternomatter]

I defo don’t think something like this (or the fanfiction could ruin Harry Styles reputation. I’m an avid fanfiction reader (not of real people, kinda gross) but people do stuff like this all the time. Take a character (or a person) and just completely change them and make them dark. It’s basically just the appearance and name you keep. I think fans and casual people can tell Harry isn’t abusive or disgusting like Hardin. I’ve not read the book or seen the movie but I just wanted to give my perspective. I agree with everything else you said, it’s crazy this book got published when it doesn’t even seem like it’s edited

[@evangelineparry4365]

I agree with everything you said. But the reason this film is getting made into a movie, coming from someone who has studied film for coming up 5 years now, it is purely because the industry knows that it is a money maker. The book had many many many readers of a certain age bracket (Aka young, aka like 16 and below) and therefore a very young following. At that age people are more likely to read/watch something and not see what the problem is, I would most likely have done the same when I was younger, as we get older we are less impressionable and more knowledgeable about society and relationships. However films are often easier to sell to younger people. Therefore the reason GOOD original YA novels don't get made is because the industry don't want to take the risk of spending a lot of money turning a book (especially fantasy) into a film in case it doesn't do well and looses them money. It's complete bs. (btw im not justifying why the film is being made im just explaining how the industry works) I think the book is barbaric.

[@cat-nn6kf]

I haven't even read this book, but from the sounds of it, it's a lot like the wattpad books I used to read when I was younger. I was younger and frankly really impressionable, and those types of books put such a warped and twisted idea of what my 'dream' guy was, and how relationships should've worked and how my feelings should work regarding liking, and loving people etc that looking back on it, it has definitely caused harm. Granted, I still do read wattpad (lol its like a guilty addiction), but now these types of books are so concerning to me because I can now recognise such awful and abusive behaviour, and can never understand how people can see it and condone it, because in reality while it seems harmless, it isn't, especially since wattpad has a younger (i think) audience. The glorification of physical and emotional abuse is staggering in so many of these types of books, especially when it's played off as normal, and what love is. I'm disgusted to think that I thought that was normal back when I read them. Its unhealthy, dangerous and like just really weird tbh.

[@leonardoives7076]

Ima go see the movie today and probably get thrown out for screaming in frustration lollll

[@leonardoives7076]

Update, I saw the movie and I wasn't the only one lol half of us were cracking jokes and in the end we all laughed at how ironically cliché and unsatisfactory it was haha like the ENTIRE THEATRE I've never witnessed something like that before

[@greek_geekgirl1326]

Lee Ives - thank you for taking one for the team 😂

[@greek_geekgirl1326]

I have so many issues with this book for obvious reasons, but one of my least favorite tropes is the virgin having no idea about sex 🙄 I’m 19 and a virgin and I know plenty about sex just because I’ve never had it doesn’t mean that I’m ignorant or a completely naive moron and I have literally put books down because of how they use that trope it’s exhausting

[@greek_geekgirl1326]

Also as a fanfic writer and reader still, and someone who read this awful thing while it was still online as one direction fanfic solely to see how bad it was, this is still atrocious! The original fanfic was actually worse and had more grammar errors, but it’s clear that’s all that was edited in the actual novel besides the names, there was definitely no content editing happening. And again as a writer, the writing in this is painful for me to read. I don’t discount the effort that did go into this story, finishing any kind of story or book does take dedication and effort, but the story itself is badly planned out and the characters are either flat or terrible or both. The filler words get exhausting, and it’s clear that the actual story was written by someone who had next to no experience and was likely starting off. It shouldn’t have been published as an actual novel, regardless of content, because this really is someone’s first draft that’s hardly been edited.

[@greek_geekgirl1326]

And of course all the scenes of her getting dressed are useless and add nothing to the story and are therefore infuriating to read

[@almind2934]

I know this a year later from your original review; After for me (a young person who actively writes fanfiction) is literally a splice of every cliche plot point, that festers on Wattpad, though it’s not exclusive. It serves nothing more to me, than as a reminder how content like that is; romanticizing abusive behaviors, “virginal entitlement,” misogyny and racism. God I hate this story and anyone who promotes it.

[@veronicabaranowski6976]

I have to wonder if the author is Christian and if that's just how Christians think what love is and that love must equal sex or its not love. I'm sure not all christians are like that but I can't help but suspect the main teachings are similar to my paranoid suspicions.

[@char3509]

I'm a Christian and I'd like to say that their relationship in this book is NOT love, nor do I think it should be viewed as being healthy. It's very toxic and makes it seem, in my personal opinion, that sex equals love. But it doesn't, simple as that. I was honestly rooting for Tessa to leave him and for Hardin to go to therapy or figure his life out on his own.

[@CybertrinBlogspot]

Everything I did not have the patience to review on my blog, you spoke about. Great break down of this book. Subscribed! 😊

[@authoralysmarchand4737]

"As soon as I'm dressed, [I'm less nervous][I feel slightly less nervous], until I notice a small tear on the sleeve of my sweater." While yours is better, try to remove "to be" verbs when possible. It's passive. You ARE less nervous BECAUSE something is happening to you. What is happening? Your nerves are easing up. "As soon as I'm dressed, my nerves ease up, until I notice a small tear on the sleeve of my sweater." That's active. Also, "notice" should be replaced. It's telling. What made her notice? Did she spot the tear? Run a hand down her arm and her finger touched it? Show us. "As soon as I'm dressed, my nerves ease up, until I see a small tear on the sleeve of my sweater." Now we aren't being told that she noticed. We're being shown how she noticed. "As soon as I'm dressed, [I'm less nervous][I feel slightly less nervous], until I notice a small tear on the sleeve of my sweater" to "As soon as I'm dressed, my nerves ease up, until I see a small tear on the sleeve of my sweater" turned how she feels into something active (and removes an adjective) and shows us how she noticed the tear. But this is just me. I'm not a teacher, even though I used to correct my teachers and they'd admit I was right.

[@kera-jenhindman7120]

ok i love this book but it was so draining to read and the relationship was toxic as HELL. the writing wasn't all that good either. i dont even know why i like this book as much as i do, but i oddly enjoyed it lmao, good review though!

[@missmadyreads]

I know a lot of people find it as a guilty pleasure which is perfectly fine. I'm glad others could enjoy it when I didn't lol.

[@meganlee7445]

Talk about the pacing of this book, the first through half of the fourth book is taken place in like...8 months I believe. It's actually so hard to tell bc the only holiday they talk about celebrating is Xmas and New Years. So I think by the time the *SPOILER* time jump happens it's only been like 6-8 months

[@screech5325]

I don't know if this is true, but on other book Hardin filmed him and some other girl having sex with out her concent (she didn't even know about it) and then Hardin uploaded the video on the internet and the girl got in trouble and ended up being homeless and Hardin just shut her off and didn't help her? What a great lover am I right??

[@Jusdepommerose]

I weirdly loved how I could feel you getting angry in this video haha 😂💓

[@nobodycares3032]

Through out the entire book I kept thinking to myself “WHY AM I LAUGHING.” I couldn’t even take it seriously

[@missmadyreads]

Same HAHAHA

[@jimenadiaz7953]

What do mean gentle assault? What the fuck does that mean? Assault is supposed to be in meaning of something violent or hurtful, but the line 'gentle assault' like what the hell?

[@h2olady8]

That comment about what Harry Styles thinking about Hardin I have seen a lot. Personally, I don't think that it taints his image because I don't really know that much about him. I know that he was part of a successful boy band and that he has gone out on his own. So I guess you could say that he is hardworking, driven person. When I think of Hardin I know that this is just someone using what Harry looks like as a starting point and doing whatever they want "personality wise". Bustle did publish a story but didn't get Harry's take on the story or the film but the article's called "What does Harry Styles think about After?"

[@Brandon210-q4n]

Speaking as someone who once dated a girl obsessed with One Direction, I always got the impression Harry was a good-hearted bloke unfairly portrayed by the media as a womaniser. I mean, the guy does seem to be genuinely caring about his fans and tries to help them out. He is not an abusive guy as portrayed in this book.

[@amanimurray5958]

I genuinely believe this is the worst book I’ve read in my 14 years of reading books and life 😂 .

[@lauranichols5426]

I read this book when I was 15 and I’m just now beginning to realize how messed up it really is

[@KaitlynElise]

I’m tattooed and can’t read. All the books in my room are just for decoration😂 But I loved your review! Very on point with everything, I never hated a book as much as I hated this one

[@safiyaxox231]

17:45 i never got to finish the second book cuz it was so repetitive and boring, and not to mention the way the characters were.

[@yourmajestyswill]

These sort of books are why my parents had me reading adult fiction at a very young age. The respect and independence of characters (like for example in Terry Goodkinds "Wizards first rule") really shows how love should be handled in books for ya readers. We are teaching young kids this is okay. I have gone out before seeing young men throw things at their girlfriends or screaming at them and the girls always defended them. Every time. "Hes just like that" or "Thats how he shows me he loves me, because he feels so much". Thanks for putting this review out there, more young kids need to know this isnt ok.

[@Agentmg17]

Assault = attack

[@Amsayy]

It’s true. My pierced and tattooed ass is incapable of reading. That’s why I use audible! Use my link in the description down below to get your first month free!

[@GeminiPrincess-gq7cj]

This is still my 1# most HATED book I have ever readed in my life..NOTHING and I mean NOTHING I have picked up since has been that awful/horrible/disgusting/Ect.

[@dianashorrock8421]

It's very easy to understand Tessa though, she only knows what she was taught. Shes lived I'm the bubble her mom set for her at a young age she is a prude in every way. I fully agree with this review but I do think Tessa is making a decisions she is making because she is immature. And I my self know a lot of very smart people that have zero common sense about every day life.

[@missmadyreads]

Very true point. Her upbringing plays a part in why she is the way she is.

[@anaiswinter9893]

Yeah, the fact that it is supposed to be Harry Styles fanfic is so wild to me. Like, does she even like him or is this a smear campaign? Reading the comments and wondering what the fuck 1D fanfiction is? Took me a moment. I do not really know their music and didn´t know they had a cutsie abbreviation. I read all the (i think four) books when I had a manic episode a few years ago. I was mostly amused by how absurd and horrible it was. When I am manic I have more patience for trash and get enjoyment out of bad books like I would watching MST3K. KZbinrs making long ass reviews about shitty books is for my non manic phases but I enjoy them as well. Depressed I am just too tired to make bitchy comments myself. Thank you for making this content. Btw. you have beautiful hair and a lovely clock.

[@hodzal5258]

I love watching you rant

[@authoralysmarchand4737]

When this was first big, there were articles about how it affected Harry, and it was bad. He was near breaking down. Teens were quoted saying that they and their friends weren't fans anymore. A lot of people expect that a fiction featuring a real life person will be representative of that person. If I wrote a character in a book who was a good guy, loyal to his family (you see where this is heading...), faithful, and a good leader, then called him Donald Trump, my ass would be kicked from here to the moon because that's not him. If I wrote a terrible asshole who cheats and sexually assaults women because he thinks he's entitled to and he's inept and stupid and a bigot and cruel, and called him Donald Trump, everyone would be fine with that since, if I'm writing a character based on him, it had better be based on him. A 1D fanfic featuring Harry should actually represent him. Readers expect that. Younger readers expect it more. "This is Harry!" they're told. So of course they think that he's like that. I can confirm he blocked her. Anna Todd admitted it in an interview. When asked for comments about this movie, the band had no comment. That's it. "No comment."

[@missmadyreads]

DAM that sucks. I really don't blame him though. I'd be pissed if I was represented that way.

[@authoralysmarchand4737]

@@missmadyreads This actually underscores something I've been saying for years, that fiction is not "just fiction." It literally affects the way people think about the world and those around them. Fans read a story they know is made up, then lost respect for the real human being and stopped being fans of him and the group. How fiction does affect the way we think is why I find it so extremely disturbing how many people are calling this crap romantic and fun and defend what goes on it it. When teen fans know it's fiction and, without anyone saying anything, can walk away disgusted with a real person who was depicted in a horrid way, how are we supposed to expect that they won't be affected when society at large tells them again and again that that kind of relationship is fine?

[@juliii_g]

I feel so sad about Harry is portrayed in this book! he is such a nice, genuine person who respects all kinds of people, especially women! He's all for treating people with kindness and supporting all kinds of love/ sexual orientations!

[@chaoskitteh]

The ending to this story makes me think of She's All That. I know there are differences, but if a story post 2012 makes me think of a late 90's movie I saw once, that's pretty bad.

[@kaykaylove3045]

Please do a rant review on After we collided! 🙏

[@bookandanimelover4life582]

I tried reading it on wattpad and couldn't even get through four chapters,the only thing that drew me towards after was the trailer music because of nostalgia.The thing that most annoys me is that women act like such high feminists and complain about situations that aren't even a big deal and call it being sexist.But then we see women write stories like these romanticising abuse.This is why I love Fantasy and Sci-fi books better.Also I heard someone say that later in the series when Tessa gets pregnant,Hardin tells her to get an abortion,so no,I don't think he redeems himself in the series

[@purplegothicangel5650]

I know the feeling! I tried too but after chapter 2 I was thinking how in the world, this got published. It glorifies abuse, manipulation to get what you want, and the list goes on. I don't get how people love this story? I hear you; I don't like Romances like this either. I rather read Thriller and Suspense.

[@bookandanimelover4life582]

@@purplegothicangel5650 I haven't read the thriller and suspense genre in a while but I used to be a huge April Henry fan when I was younger

[@kichi7048]

Why do people have sad and shitty lives but in the end it's a miracle like what the **** first they treat someone like shit and then falls in love with them... WTF

[@agathastorm8439]

I love your review!! There is no way this book was edited. It's so unrealistic... what 18 year old girl has never touched their vagina?? How does a college freshman of a couple weeks land a paid internship?? Please explain the timeline of this book makes no sense..it spans roughly six weeks...fall semesters typical start in August...but bam its December out of nowhere..the characters act like young high school students... Confession: I do like the Hardin character clearly has PTSD and issues with attachment..and flips $#!T when he starts growing close to Tessa. I did believe Hardin loved her.. however she's an idot and is not equipped to handle him or his psychological issues... his dad is more worried about getting Hardin to the wedding...not therapy...his family put pressure on tessa to get Hardin to act right...why?? Tessa character is super annoying... if this book would have been properly edited maybeeee ugh.

[@agathastorm8439]

NO WAY this book was edited before publishing...shame on the publisher..

[@kentokim]

Nah hun...he perceives lust as love, she's easily manipulated...and it was edited.

[@sweetheart037]

*SPOILERS*: I read the series and the 2nd and 3rd book are exactly what you've heard - they fight, resolve it with sex and repeat it over and over again. Hardin slowly becomes less of an asshole, but it's only in the end of the 4th book that I would say that Hardin realizes that he's been a terrible human being and he turns his life around. Tessa leaves him,and in that time he improves himself, and they meet again after Hardin has changed his attitude and outlook on everything - then some time after we see them as a married couple with daughters..

[@kichi7048]

Also if someone was hurting you and your crush comes to the recuse is acceptable but When someone was beating the shit out of a guy for no reason why the **** would you be with him like weres you common-sense like why.

[@catelyn719]

38:26 Tara Gilesbie is shaking rn

[@RachelLily69]

I read the whole series because I was hoping in the end she would leave the asshole but no of course she didn’t and honestly I hated every book after I read it and it was a waste of my life. I refuse to watch the movies.

[@aziyahsalleh4604]

I will read the book. It sounds ‘great’.. LOL 😂

[@salem7276]

off topic but your voice is so soothing! awesome review of this dumpster fire btw 💙

[@lanterns_glow]

This whole book is worthy of the Book Fire Pit

[@VolleyPuppy91]

WELL shit, I guess I can't read xD I have tattoos and plan to get more haha!

[@safiyaxox231]

Have you ever read E. L. Todd's Forever and Ever amazon kindle series?

[@zorro......]

the way you spoke about tessa is a little victim-blamey when shes the one being abused and manipulated by someone....ik shes fictional but the way you spoke about a victim may make victims feel uncomfortable or like it's their fault

[@TheCrayonMaster]

Oh gosh, don't apologise, the book is trash!

[@cococostorm]

I knew there are good reasons why I am avoiding this book...:D :D :D Buuuut... I think, that I will watch the movie, just so I can laught out loud at the stupid storyline and horrible Mary Sue and her horrible Gary Stu...:D :D :D

[@missmadyreads]

Haahaha to be honest, I might do the same when it comes out on dvd. The trailer actually makes it look appealing but it's a trick! xD

[@cococostorm]

@@missmadyreads That's what trailers do, they trick you and you think that some movie is going to be a masterpiece and than when you see the movie, you are feeling betrayed...:D :D :D

[@directioneranne9564]

@@cococostorm same here.

[@aeshiryzenaeschirett5415]

Honestly, it is an insult to Mary Sue's and Gary Stu's to be compared to Tessa and Hardin. These two are in a category of their own.