I received this book for free from YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

She’s addicted to sex. He’s addicted to booze…the only way out is rock bottom.

No one would suspect shy Lily Calloway’s biggest secret. While everyone is dancing at college bars, Lily stays in the bathroom. To get laid. Her compulsion leads her to one-night stands, steamy hookups and events she shamefully regrets. The only person who knows her secret happens to have one of his own.

Loren Hale’s best friend is his bottle of bourbon. Lily comes at a close second. For three years, they’ve pretended to be in a real relationship, hiding their addictions from their families. They’ve mastered the art of concealing flasks and random guys that filter in and out of their apartment.

But as they sink beneath the weight of their addictions, they cling harder to their destructive relationship and wonder if a life together, for real, is better than a lie. Strangers and family begin to infiltrate their guarded lives, and with new challenges, they realize they may not just be addicted to alcohol and sex.

Their real vice may be each other.

Some might think a book about a sex addict is simply an excuse to write a “New Adult Erotica” but it’s not like that at all. These are people who are addicted to the point of self destruction, and what could have easily been a depth-less sex-oriented read becomes a true eye opener into a very tricky subject.

I’d heard of sex addiction before, but I never really thought about how intense and all empowering the addiction could be. You only need to do a quick Google search to realize it’s an addiction that is under quite the debate. Some experts even say it’s a myth. This novel, however, makes a convincing argument for it. One way it does this, and it does it brilliantly, is by creating a cast of characters who is so genuine, you feel the anxiety and psychological pain that they go through. Lily especially. Her state of mind becomes ingrained in your own; even if I knew her actions were reckless, even if she’s selfish and a bitch at times, I came to understand her desperation. I was 100% in her head when I was reading this book. This is a girl who has giggolos on speed dial for emergencies. This is not only because she simply loves sex, but to her it’s a need that completely takes over her thoughts and body. Making her unable to think of anything else, with symptoms of withdrawal like any addiction. It’s a saddening read, to see someone so dependent on an addiction that they become unable to function without regular fixes.

Her other reckless half and lifelong friend, Loren Hale, has an vice of his own. Together they come to a compromise to feed their addictions. Probably realizing, but likely not caring, that they are leading a disastrous lifestyle that can only end in pain. Even though this relationship feels… well doomed, I couldn’t stop myself from rooting for them no matter how impossible their happy ending seemed to be. Not only do they have amazing chemistry, but it feels like they belong together. On the other hand, you know they will eventually destroy each other. Then there are some wonderfully crafted side characters that join the ranks as well. My favorite was definitely Connor – the arrogant but highly entertaining tutor who becomes a true friend. There’s also Ryke who kind of just stumbles into their lives bringing endless questions and prying eyes. At first I felt his appearance was annoyingly random, though mostly making it a tad obvious there’s more to his story than a guy with an affinity to help strangers in need.

It’s not without some minor flaws. I felt the pacing could be on and off, and a few of the more angsty scenes were maybe not totally required. I also expected Loren to be… I don’t know, different? when they finally got together. He acts like being with her is an inconvenience and it didn’t fit the image I had after learning of his years of secretly longing after her. Though perhaps we’re meant to blame this behavior on his hitting rock bottom, which, I guess could work.

Destructively romantic and full of secrets, Addicted to You is a highly character driven story with an ending that will leave you gasping for more. For real: it’s a pretty emotionally cruel ending, so make sure you have book 2 on hand when you finish this one!

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