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They say that the flutter of a butterfly's wing can cause a typhoon halfway around the world.

Maybe they’re right, maybe they’re wrong.

The real question is, how do we know which of the small moments in life is the one leading to something bigger?

At just seventeen, I thought I knew exactly what my life would be like. I have my loving parents, a group of friends who are like family, and my boyfriend. As long as I keep my rose-colored glasses on, so I can’t see the reality of my relationship with Jasper, everything is fine.

While my friends work hard to make it big with their band, Unknown Elation, I have no such aspirations. I just want to be with them and live in my bubble. But one night in my bedroom with Eric changes everything. The lines between friendship become more blurred, throwing my world off kilter.

Suddenly I have to answer questions I’m not ready for, and in the process, I push away the person I love the most in this world.

That one night might not be what’s throwing my world upside down, but it’s what opens my eyes, and suddenly my life seems to be falling apart.

Is this the beginning of my typhoon?

Just Leave is the first book in the Metamorphosis duet, and it will end on a cliffhanger.
Please note due to explicit content and strong language, it’s recommended for readers ages 18+ only.

This is an MF emotionally dark contemporary romance that contains subjects such as: non-con, death, and mental health issues.

If you find dark subjects triggering, maybe this isn’t the read for you.

Kindle Edition

Published August 3, 2021

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About the author

Ren Blakely

6 books310 followers
Ren Blakely is a dark romance author who is addicted to coffee, pina coladas, and chocolate...all the beautiful things that makes life go around.

As an avid reader herself Ren loves badass and strong women, though she often wondered what happens to the other ones. The ones who can't beat the sh*t out of anyone but themselves, the ones with shortcomings, the ones who haven't had to grow up yet.

Now she's making it her mission to tell the stories of flawed characters, who may not fit the typical description of the tropes they belong to.

You can follow her on Instagram to keep up with new releases and other shenanigans @renblakelyauthor

https://linktr.ee/RenBlakely1

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5 stars
66 (53%)
4 stars
34 (27%)
3 stars
12 (9%)
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5 (4%)
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6 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Profile Image for M.
646 reviews265 followers
July 26, 2021
What a debut book!! Wow!! Captivating and raw.
This story packed a punch. It gripped your heart and never loosened, not even by the very last page. If anything it will set you into a spiral. Your emotions will be all over the place.
Teenage angst and drama abounded in this, but it made the story come to life.

Pen, sweet and strong Pen. Oh my gosh what that girl went through. All while navigating friendships, school, dating and every other thing a teen would endure. It seemed like once she was getting through a storm one was raging around her, churning just to rake more havoc in her life.

Her friends were her rock and even when she pushed them away. Even when she attempted to deal on her own. They were always near to help pick up the pieces. Rina was her ride or die. She was the best friend a girl could have.

Eric, sweet and devoted Eric. My heart. That boy brought on the feels. He is someone that you would always want in your corner. As a dumb boy though, he screwed up big.... but you just couldn't stay angry. There was just something special about him and his love for those in his life.
No matter the punches his heart and mind endured at the hands of the one he loved most, he just couldn't stop loving his Butterfly girl.

My heart broke while reading this. Please take heed to the warnings about this being an emotionally heavy book. That is the truth. You might just shed some tears. I did, gosh did I.
That cliffhanger. I'm gutted. My heart is not my own. It won't be mine again until I read book 2.
Eric and Pen have consumed it.

*ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

Profile Image for Pisces.
246 reviews14 followers
Shelved as 'ashes-of-dnf'
October 18, 2021
Starting from the annoying time frame to the overly exaggerated plot.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Profile Image for abbey willcox.
371 reviews22 followers
July 23, 2021
Im in an absolute state from this book and that ending 😭 the only way I can describe it is, it breaks your heart, puts it back together, shatters it again then puts it back together then basically obliterates your heart... Get your tissues ready 🥺🥺 this book is absolutely heartbreaking. Angst is an understatement 💔 Penny we've got you 😘 no one should have to go through what Pens character did, Rina is the absolute best friend in my eyes. Throughout this book she has been my saving grace.. when Pen needed her the most, she was there 24-7, knowing exactly what and who she needed. Then other times, when Pen needed telling,  Rina was the one to say it how it is, even when Pen didn't want to hear it and even if the truth hurt. There were times at the beginning where I wanted to shake/cuddle Pen to try help her see sense in certain situations but I think in life you live and learn from your mistakes... then everything else happens and my heart shattered 💔 I don't even know where to start with Eric, I just want to squeeze him in one big tight hug and not let go!! He didn't have it easy in this book either, but he always pulled through for our girl Pen. He doesn't deserve everything that gets thrown his way, my heart hurts for him so much. In fact, all of the characters put their own life aside to be there for her time and time again..Thats one amazing group of friends right there 👏 ... like I said before, this book has left me absoloutley shattered, I'm in such a state 🥺😭🥺😭 

"I love you, forever and a day" 🦋🥺🖤

Again, this book is VERY dark. Please check its OK for you first. ❤
Profile Image for Locklyn.
134 reviews3 followers
July 22, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Story
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥Steamy

🦋Just Leave is the story of life happening when you least expect it. It's one day you are starting your senior year and are happy and planning to do what makes you happy. Then life kicks you in the nuts repeatedly. 

🦋You have your group of friends, then make one bad decision and that group is fighting to stay together. And you get better and fix things, and then get devastating news. You piece yourself together. But then the worst series of effects happen and your life blows up.
 
🦋I personally love Penelope, aka Penny, Pen. I have been Pen so many times in my own life it's impossible not to relate to her in so many moments. She loves hard, but man when she's in hate she hates hard. 

🦋Pen's brash, reckless decisions are her trademark. And sometimes she's obvious, which is everyone. Sometimes we don't think before acting, sometimes we don't see what's right in front of us.

🦋Her core group is Rina her BFF, Eric their male BFF who is in love with Pen. Eric is also in the band she is friends with. Jasper, dating Rina. Dave his twin. And Matt their goofy loveable drummer. 

🦋You go through 4 months of Pen's life with her. Faulty decisions, trying to make it right. The major obvious obstacles in her life. And the major break. That break I related, got was on the same page. Not fair when rationally thinking. But totally got.

🦋Ren Blakely bravo for this fine emotional wringer. I just hope poor Pen gets up and keeps on in Just Stay. I literally can't wait for that book. It's hitting my new anticipated reads of 2021!

#bookstagram #bookblogger #2021reads #review #reviewpart1 #somanyfeels #justleave #pen #penny #penelopesanders #dark #death #noncon #dubcon #lifehappens #renblakely #affinityauthorservices #arcreader
Profile Image for Richelle Zirkle.
1,789 reviews7 followers
July 20, 2021
Heads up for an emotional and angsty read… Pen is dealt a HARD hand. That lesson that says you’re never given more than you can handle? They decided to test that theory with this girl. On the other hand she is an art loving, pink-haired student, but she’s going through so much that you can’t focus on much outside her trauma unless it’s the ups and downs of her relationship with Eric. For that reason it’s probably pretty true to life. At that age weren’t we all stumbling from one disaster to the next and fixated on our relationships? I can promise you feel every beat of her fragile, emotional heart. The other big thing here is this is like a love story to this friend group/band. These people clearly have a little dysfunction and a whole lot of love happening. The way they force each other to face hard truths and still love unconditionally through it all is magic on the page.
Profile Image for Maddye.
406 reviews7 followers
July 23, 2021
I received an ARC of this book to read and review.

I was really excited when I saw the themes and blurb for this one but unfortunately I didn’t really connect with the story.

I found the FMC a pathetic excuse for a friend to everyone around her, very selfish and overly dramatic, stuck in her own problems and how she thought she should be treated instead of thinking of and listening to others around her.

Trauma is no excuse to treat those you love the way she did for so much of this book and just expect them to be there when she needed them, and I found it really hard to look past that to enjoy the story or grasp the events that were happening.

The writing and plot were quite repetitive, stuck in the same cycle that didn’t really show much character growth. The back and forth with thoughts of the present and past, a lot of pages not having any dialog, made it hard to stay focused and keep up with the timeframe the story was following (days or weeks that had passed etc.).
Profile Image for Mandyloves2read.
1,514 reviews165 followers
August 9, 2021
This book right here is why I love reading romance! I can’t believe this was this authors debut it’s raw it’s intense it packs a emotional punch ! This story gripped me right from the start and didn’t let go until that shocking ending and it’s still got me in it’s clutches I haven’t been able to move on from Pen and Eric’s story since I’m consumed by these two characters and absolutely gutted after that ending this was a amazing debut the writing was phenomenal the characters are just everything I can’t recommend this book enough and I can’t wait for book two to come ! This story is full of teenage angst and drama it reminded me of being young again but it’s also a very emotional heavy read . This is a author to definitely be on the lookout for!
Profile Image for Jennifer Bishop.
1,282 reviews35 followers
July 24, 2021
Pen has her life planned out, she knows what path her life will take. But when tragedy strikes, she doesn’t know how to cope. With the help of her five lifelong friends, can she make it to the other side of grief and pain and feel whole again? Or will she destroy everything she once had?

This story is incredible! It is captivating and emotionally charged, dealing with real life horrors that people face! The characters and storytelling are phenomenal! I love the personal struggles and growth that Pen shows throughout the book. I also loved the relationship ups and downs between Pen, her friends, and her boyfriend. Oh, and that ending, OMG!

This is a definite page-turner, and a Must Read! I highly recommend it and am super excited to find out where life takes Pen and her friends in the next book.
Profile Image for taylorpriziola.
352 reviews25 followers
January 6, 2022
DNF 25%

Is it me or am I missing something?



I am still uncertain why the FMC was so upset with Eric? When it was her that was in the wrong.



Like was the fight at the warehouse the reason Pen went bad shit crazy??

I’m lost?????



Sorry I tried to get into this book, but I just couldn’t do it, especially after that chapter I truly did not like the Heroine and couldn’t get past that.
Profile Image for Luisa Andrade.
703 reviews5 followers
September 19, 2021
Why we lash out and hurt the people we love/ who love us the most?
I’ve tried to put mine 30 year old mind in this 18 year old, and understand the rollercoaster that it was her life.

For the first 30% of the book I’ve came to a few conclusions:

1- selfish
2- self centered
3- immature
4- no sense of loyalty

She dated a horrible guy with no reason whatsoever and choose this guy over a ten year friendship.
She new he was in love with her but CHOOSE not to acknowledge, which is okay, because when you are a teenager and facing hard feelings are not the strong suit for people that age, but calling their make out a beautiful mistake, knowing his feelings was cruel and selfish.
Then she decides that she loved him all along and when comes to make up, she get pissy because he don’t want to hear from her, and worst she goes back to date her ex which is obviously abusive just to piss him of?
TEN YEARS of friendship!! Eric does everything for her, and I mean EVERYTHING and she treats him with no respect!
Not once in this book she asked him how he was or if he needed anything, it was only him doing the giving and she just taking!

30% to 60%

She’s just more and more selfish, hurting him with actions and not only him, but Rina as well!

5- spoiled

She cut them of and them apologizes and then have a hard time accepting when people seams to give a little step back in their friendship, because come on, they are just waiting for her to shut them out again!!

60% to 95%

6- Toxic

She’s like a sponge, just sucking and sucking what everyone gives her but giving nothing back!

I felt for Eric, he deserves so much better and she needs a wake up call. Yes she’s been through to much, but the way she treated him, no amount off groveling it would work in my opinion.
She shattered him hard!
With no consideration off all the stuff he did for her!
Not even her grief is a excuse for the way she treated him because she done that before everything, so she’s like that without the blows life threw at her.

The last 5% was just the nail in the coffin.
I don’t feel sympathy for her. Even imagining how hard her life is. She just not strong, she’s cruel.

I’ve never given an one star review in my life. This just didn’t do it for me!
Eric deserves better, he’s an amazing guy and I couldn’t see why he was in love with her. I guess we don’t have a say in the matters of the heart.

Profile Image for Gemma Mcsheffrey.
80 reviews1 follower
July 23, 2021
Omg my poor heart is heartbroken! This book was one hell of a roller coaster. Firstly poor pen with everything she has gone through, she has had to deal with more than most 17/18 year old ever could, after what jasper did to her and then pushing all her friends away when she couldn't deal with it, that was bad.

She just got her friends and bf Eric back when she finds out her dad is dying, this broke me as its so close to home right now! She was finally coming to terms with it and her relationship with Eric was finally going good and then everything changed again!!
I was genuinely heartbroken for her!
Poor Eric put up with everything pen put him through and was still there for her through it all but that ending broke me I felt so sad for him and literally cried!
This book has every emotion that you can think of in it but if you are not heartbroken at the end of it then you have a heart of stone. However I will say you need to read this book as it will capture your heart almost straight away. I have to read book 2 because I can not leave it at that
613 reviews8 followers
July 25, 2021
I am in awe at this book. I cried, I yelled, and I screamed at the end. Penelope is in her last year of high school, and it should be amazing. But…she has a lot of big things happen that year, grief, pain, trauma. She doesn’t know how to handle it and so she lashes out.

Being young is hard. You have big feelings, and not enough tools to handle it. You don’t know who to trust, how to process…and if you let it, it can break you.

This story is incredible, and as it’s a duet…it left me more than ready for Just Stay.

Triggers: grief, sexual assault, and mental health.
Profile Image for thebookishren.
1,511 reviews118 followers
July 26, 2021


GENRE|TROPES: NA, ANGSTY
POV: 1st, FMC
SERIES: The Metamorphosis Duet, Book 1
STEAM LEVEL: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

You know that whole concept of 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚? I’d say the universe messed up BIG time with Penelope and her group of friends/band/boyfriend. Hits just kept coming at our FMC and I had to remind myself many times these were seniors in high school because the choices and actions of Pen KILLED me dead but it really is realistic to what could happen.

The heart of this story is Pen and her struggles and the dynamic between her, Eric, Rina, Jasper, Dave, and Matt. This ragtag group of friends challenge each other and attempt to navigate a horrible event and the repercussions that follow. They make so many mistakes, I just wanted to bash their heads together! I really, REALLY hope this group of teenagers get their stuff together.

The steam is insane. The angst is KILLER. And that cliffhanger had me like 😳😳. A rollercoaster of ups and downs and upside downs…of heartbreak, healing, and revelations. My heart hurts, y’all.



Profile Image for April A Crane.
132 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2021
This book was frustrating to say the least!

Pen is a high school senior who plans to go on tour with her friends band, Unknown Elation, after graduation. They have all been friends for years. Always there for each other through good and bad. They are, without a doubt, a very tight knit group of friends. Sticking together after their senior year seems like a natural next step for their group. Which makes a lot of Pen's actions all the more frustrating.

It seems as if Pen just can't catch a break this year. It's one thing after another for her. Some things are out of her control but some struggles are self imposed. I found Pen to be super frustrating because she continues to make poor decisions when it comes to the relationships she has with each of her friends. When things get tough she distances herself instead of accepting the help and support they so desperately want to provide. Because of this she puts a major strain on her friendships.

At the end, she makes the biggest mistake possible, in my opinion. Tragedy strikes and she blames the one person that has wanted to be there for her the most. Will she ever want/be able to mend the rift she has created? We'll have to wait for the next book to find out.
493 reviews9 followers
July 26, 2021

Ren Blakely has written a debut that is emotionally dark, full of angst, challenging. It evokes as much feeling in you as it does in the characters and it tears you apart and leaves you emotionally bereft.

The FMC Pen is fighting a losing battle with her mental health and she is lead down a dark path as it deteriorates and her actions are nothing short of shocking. She falls into the depths of darkness in her despair that her actions could leave to the ruin of not only her but those utterly loyal to her.

The MC Eric is a shining light to Pens darkness, he repeatedly pulls her back from the brink time and time again. His love know no bounds when it comes to her, he proves it to her and everyone around them.

However is love ever enough when battling sever depression and major mental health issues? Can events tips the scales beyond repair, between the head and heart, reality and make believe?

This book broke me and has left my mind reeling, my heart has been sucker punched, what can Ren bring to the table in the next book??

It all comes back to the Butterfly Effect can the actions of one affect the other in such a way that redemption of the heart is possible?


Profile Image for Inga O.
525 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2021
4 1/2 ⭐️

Oh wow that ending was so emotionally painfully heartbreakingly intense. I just don’t know how it’s going to bounce back from this and I really can’t wait to find out! This book will honestly rip your heart out tear it to shreds right along with the characters in it. I’m not sure a book has ever had me as emotionally involved for as long as this book. I dare anyone not to feel something by the end of this book anger, pain, tears, even elation and joy at times. It’s a pure teenage angst filled crazy rollercoaster ride of oh my goodness!!! I can’t explain too much of this book without giving too much away but the FMC Pen is dealt a rough hand this year but she really has got some amazing friends who have her back… though you really do want to shake her at times to help her see that because as someone who actually struggles with depression you do shut people out so it’s so true to life in some situations! People don’t always see or think logically. I just loved this book.
Profile Image for Chelsea Cardenas.
364 reviews22 followers
September 30, 2021
What an emotional roller coaster ride of a book! Oh my, you put all the angst and dark emotions into this book, you had me ugly crying and man I was hooked. The things Pen went through, 😢😢😢. I could not put it down and can’t wait to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Reading by Deb.
894 reviews23 followers
October 16, 2021
Penny is trying to write something interesting in her diary that her friend Rina was adamant that they keep for their senior year of high school.  Written memories to look back on.  They both plan to take a year or two before entering college to follow their friends' band Unknown Elation which is a mix of rock and heavy metal.


She and Rina couldn't be any opposite if they tried.  She has long blonde hair with big brown eyes and is naturally skinny, with no curves.  Rina on the other hand has killer curves, long red hair and gray eyes.


Rina has everything needed to turn Penny's blonde hair to cotton candy pink.  She knows that her boyfriend Jasper will have some type of comment, but she is determined to do this for herself, not him, but she needs to get this over with as soon as possible so Jasper doesn't see Eric leaving.


Eric, Rina and she have been best friends for over ten years and are very close.  Jasper however isn't happy about Eric being around her. Period.  But, she's not one to be told who she can hang out with and Jasper may dislike Eric, but Eric loathes Jasper.


As soon as Rina and Eric leave she gets ready for her date with Jasper.  Except he doesn't show.  No call...nothing.  He doesn't answer her texts or emails but then receives a photo from Rina that he is at their hangout with Shannon.  She has had it with him and sends him a text telling him they are over.


Later Rina and Eric come to console her and after Rina leaves she is shocked when Eric kisses her, but it feels too good to stop.  He ends up spending the night and when he goes to make a comment she tells him it was a beautiful mistake and not to worry about it.  The comment enrages Eric and he tells her to stay away from him.  He no longer wants anything to do with her.


Penny is in shock.  She had no idea that Eric felt anything more for her than as best friends, but now that she sees him out with someone else she realizes that her feelings also run deep.  So in a drunken moment of stupidity, she sends a selfie of her and Jasper together.  Unfortunately, Jasper is also drunk and isn't taking the word NO.


I loved this book!  It is very well written and all of the characters are fully developed and relatable.  The friendship and bond between Penny, Rina, Eric and the other guys in the band are tight.  They are the friends you want there to have your back.


This book is action-packed from beginning to end.  This book will make you laugh and cry.  I highly recommend this book and can't wait for the conclusion of this story!
Profile Image for FS Meurinne.
Author 2 books123 followers
August 5, 2021
I wasn't expecting this kind of wild rollercoaster ride where my heart will be shattered and put back and then break again. This is Pen's story and the angst level is off the charts. Then we get Eric, Dave, Jasper, Matt, and Rina, all characters are fantastic in their own way. This is not a book for everyone, there are triggers, and well the steam will burn you. Then we get a cliffhanger from hell, and now I will need the next book asap, as my heart is still in pieces I need it back!



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Profile Image for Toni M.
154 reviews6 followers
July 29, 2021
At the start of this book I didn’t know what to expect but after just a couple of chapters in I was hooked and then I was crying my eyes out along side penny as she just kept repeating “I didn’t know” , it broke my heart.

This book it consumed me, it sucked me in , chewed me up and spit me right back out. It left me wanting more because I loved it that much.

Anyone else just really want to punch Jasper in the face ? No ? just me?! He’s a horrible guy who treats penny like dirt! Jasper just gets worse and worse (insert head shake) .

The author has a way of sucking you in with her captivating words. It was such a fantastic book , filled with all types of emotions. I loved it and I will definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Holy shit balls, why is the author playing with my emotions like that 😩 , poor Eric I just can’t cope, poor penny too but she’s chucking Eric away and I can’t cope 😭 I know I should feel sorry for her and all she’s been through but she’s hurting Eric and she doesn’t deserve him!
Omg! Why did it have to end like that..

I should of known from the constant references to the butterfly effect movie that this book would be on par with its heartbreak but damn 😩 I’m an absolutely emotional wreck right now, it’s going to kill me waiting nearly 2 months for book 2.

This is not how I expected this book to go, I expected a little pain and heartbreak but damn it was an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish.
291 reviews3 followers
July 28, 2021
What a heartbreakingly beautiful book! I absolutely could not put it down once I started.

Penelope has had a horrendous time at 17/18 years old. She has an amazing group of friends - one in particular Eric who has loved her all his life and would do anything for her. They have a moment together which is brushed off by Penelope leading Eric to push her away which causes her to break.

Her boyfriend Jasper is an a-hole who wants more from her than she is willing to give, and at his party the situation turns dark and she is rescued from all of her friends. She cannot fathom what has happened and struggles to cope pushing everyone away but Eric and Rina, Eric is her one constant who is her knight in shining armour.

When you finally think yes this is it they are having their epic love story, Penelope finds out her dad is dying on her 18th birthday, the backlash of this is she pushes everyone away. All of her friends, she doesn't talk to anyone and is drinking herself to oblivion until she realises pushing people away isn't helping. She talks to everyone and apologises and again it looks like her and Eric are going to have their epic love story and then the ending of the book damn near broke me. :(

I am not going to lie as much as it is a tragic story it was amazing and I absolutely cannot wait for book 2 coming in September, I have already pre-ordered it!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Erin Figueiredo.
3,026 reviews63 followers
August 6, 2021
HEARTBREAKING!!!

WOW! I am sitting here a complete and utter sobbing mess after finishing this outstanding debut book. This is one story that has my head spinning and my heart just torn to shreds.

The story is angsty as fuck, emotionally raw, gut-wrenching and completely heartbreaking. My heart was ripped out of my chest and smashed to pieces and I don’t know how to recover. All the pain, grief, angst, all of it could be felt in every written word in every freaking chapter. You will laugh a lot, you will scream quite a bit, but you will cry your heart out over these amazing and relatable characters that attached themselves to your soul and won’t let go.

My stomach is clenched so tightly and my head hurts from the intense emotional pain and anguish from that explosive ending! This story has given me one hell of a book hangover and I don’t know how I am going to survive without the next part of the story. I need to know how its going to all work out in the end.

Brilliantly written with such poignant and heavy words; outstanding characters that you grow to love deeply and never want to see them hurt; and a storyline that is filled with teenage angst, heartache, pain, anger, grit and love.

It’s an incredible story and I can’t wait to see how everything turns out.

“You can’t change who people are without changing who they were.” – The Butterfly Effect
Profile Image for Aurora.
153 reviews36 followers
August 26, 2022
"You can't change who people are, without destroying who they were."

Just Leave made my emotions run wild. Blakely does such an incredible job describing such a sad and tragic story and come out the other end with beautiful prose.

I think I nearly cried the entire time I was reading. I feel so bad for all the characters except him, and everything they go through hits you hard. Especially when you consider that they're only seniors in high school.

The strength that Pen has is incredible. She goes through so much, one thing after another, and while it's mostly not ideal coping mechanisms, she's a badass and so powerful in her own way. I felt very conflicted on my feelings towards her, cause although she does things in a way that made me upset at her, she is so accepting, loyal to a degree and so loving in her own way.

Pen honestly didn't deserve her friends, I loved them all. Her ride-or-dies, will drop everything to protect her. I need that in MY life.

I loved everything about Just Leave, even the dang cliffhanger, which left me begging for more.

How is this only Blakely's DEBUT?

I can't wait to dive into more of her works and continue on.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Marisa.
741 reviews32 followers
August 4, 2021
What I really liked about this book is that our female main character was flawed but then you also need to remember that she is a teenager. I like that this was emotional, her reactions just made sense. I like that this book had the characters acting their age. So while some reactions, for me, may have seemed over-the-top or just silly, if you remember your teenage years you know you probably would’ve reacted and done some of the same things.

This was a good and well paced story from start to finish, I feel like I was always waiting to see what would potentially happen. A lot of stuff was fairly predictable but it was well written enough that I did enjoy seeing what would happen. It’s a very emotionally charged story and you can’t help but empathize with our characters. The ending, while predictable, was just full of emotion and you could just feel everything that was happening. While it’s not a huge cliffhanger, you just want to know what’s going to happen with these characters.

A very emotionally charged and driven book, it brings you back to your rash decision and every-single-thing-was-a-big-thing teenage years. I’m interested to see what the conclusion of the duet brings.
849 reviews4 followers
July 28, 2021
Penelope is probably one of the most self-absorbed protagonists I have ever read in a book. She has a loving family, great friends, and overall a pretty good life. But like the typical teenager, she can't really see past herself to recognize how her actions affect her friends. She is consistently pushing people who care about her away. This is the general theme of the first book in the duet. How Penelope has handled trauma and treated her friends is the perfect setup for a great story arc. We did not get to see the fallout of some of her rash decisions in this book, but I think that's what is going to be her catalyst for change in book 2. Since the duet is called The Metamorphosis I really can't see it going any other way-Penelope is going to have to change and grow.

I gave this book 4 stars because I couldn't relate to the main character. I think I am just too far removed from my teen years to fully appreciate the angst. I may change this after I read the 2nd book, I really need to see Penelope grow up a little bit.
Profile Image for Emily (emilysdarkcorner).
241 reviews41 followers
September 25, 2021
Besties I finished Just Leave by @renblakelyauthor

Wow this is such a captivating story. This story definitely pulled at my heart strings and it did the whole way reading the book.
You will be on an emotional roller coaster while you are reading this.

Pen, is so sweet and she has gone through so much on top of being a teenager. Things were looking good and she was making progress only for something to cause chaos. She had some amazing friends even when she was trying to do everything in her power to push them away they still stuck around. Everyone needs a Rina in their life, she was there to pick up the pieces and put Pen back together if something happened.

Eric was sweet and someone who you would always want by your side. When he was younger he really messed up. Pen just couldn't stay being mad at him. When he loved someone wether it be someone he was in a relationship with or family he was devoted.
No matter what Pen does I just can't stay away from her. She is who I want.

#bookstagram #books #bookreview #bookreviews
Profile Image for Ashleigh.
555 reviews8 followers
August 3, 2021

Book one of what is looking to be a brilliant duet. This book had me feeling all the feels. It’s emotional and traumatic and I’m hoping that book two gives me a beautiful ending.
From the beginning of this book I was feeling the build up for some of the devastation our leading lady goes through. She is surrounded by a strong friendship groups and you feel it when she pushed them away. Rina is a great best friend for Pen, I just wish she had a little more backbone. Jenson, Matt, Dave and Eric make up the rest of the friendship circle and also the band, Unknown Elation. This is a medium burn book, the relationship is slow burn but the angst is everything. After a crazy first book I can’t wait to see where the author takes us in book two. Will the band make the big time? Will Pen get out of her own way? Did Eric mean what he said? So many questions!! Book two is due out in September and I can’t wait.
Profile Image for lovelust andbloodygoodbooks.
335 reviews9 followers
August 24, 2021
Thank you to Ren and Affinity for sending us over a copy of this amazing book.

This book will take you on one heck of a journey. This story will break your heart and fix it back together over and over, so make sure you have the tissues at the ready because boy will you need them.

We start the story by getting to know Pen and her group of friends. Throughout this book we get to see Pen''s strength, she thinks she has her life planned out after graduation but when life gives her a kick her wings begin to spin out of control but every time you think she has them fluttering perfectly they spin back out of control only worse.

The ending in this story is OMG!!! I couldn't get over it. This was truly an incredible debut novel and I can't wait to get stuck into Just Stay. Ren your work is incredible in this book and this is a reminder as to why I love Romance soo much.

My Overall Rating is 5 💋💋💋💋💋
My Passion Rating is 4 💋💋💋💋
Profile Image for Elena.
460 reviews1 follower
August 4, 2021
This book is so raw and heartbreaking that you just have to keep reading. You know the expression, "When it rains, it pours"? That is this book in a nutshell. This is a story about when life hits you with the unexpected and doesn't pull its punches. When you pick up this book just be prepared to have your heart ripped out, put back in, have your heart shredded and then put back together only to be shredded in a cliffhanger so heart wrenching you will wonder what to do next because you want book two so bad. After I read this book I wanted to read another of Ren Blakely's books only to discover this a debut and now I have a new must read author because I am shocked by how raw and emotional this book was and the fact that it was a debut just blew my mind! This is a must read book and I cannot praise this book enough.
Profile Image for Becca.
124 reviews7 followers
August 3, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. Firstly, where can I get friends like Ric & Rina?? I loved them! Pen is going through her last year of high school with her close group of friends and it should be amazing. However a lot of things happen in this time and she has to try figure out how to handle trauma, grief, and pain. This book left me feeling all sorts of emotions and my mind spinning. I couldn’t turn the pages of the last couple of chapters quick enough! I think most people will be able to find something within this book to relate to, I sure did. Ren does such a fantastic job at describing the emotions that not everyone thinks about when going through the things Pen went through. Everyone processes emotions and trauma differently, and I think this book does a brilliant job at showing that. I cannot wait for Just Stay after the cliffhanger in this book.
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