Addicted for Now by Krista & Becca Ritchie | Rating: ★★★★★

I need you to know that I’m not going anywhere. I’ll always be here when you come home. There will always be an us.

Obligatory start to my review: if you are one of the many who have yet to read any of the novels by sister-duo Krista & Becca Ritchie, get up off your bum and do so, you know, now. I understand your hesitation in reading into a new adult series, given the genres very long standing shaky plots and characters. The thing about the Addicted series is it takes the stereotypes of the genre and throws them out the window. Unlike many stories from this corner of literature, Addicted embraces its flaws and gives us full fledged character growth; plots that are relatable and not.

In other words, it's true to life and carries on with something that is often missing in romance. Addicted is highly underrated and only just getting the attention it deserves thanks to its loyal fan base. Krista & Becca Ritchie are in a league of their own and at this rate, they are bound to carve a space in literature lovers history. Addicted For Now continues us down the path of recovery for Lily Calloway and Loren Hale; bumps along the way in a realistic way, a good support system of friends for the two and one mysterious texter threatening to spill Lily's biggest secret. For our beloved couple, LiLo, the road to recovery was just the beginning--now, they have to fight their addictions and battle it out with an unknown force who threatens to destroy the progress they made while Lo was in rehab and Lily began seeing a therapist.


First, I'd like to say I love the pace. It's heartbreaking and very straight forward to the point. Lily and Lo are battling their demons in a way that is undeniably human and the emotions behind it are what makes Addicted so bloody good. See, the story isn't sugar coated. Is it optimistic? Sure. Is it blindly so? Fuck, no. Addicted For Now embraces it in a way that balances the scales and it also goes to incorporate new edges to the knife. There are going to be moments that break your heart, the demons can make even the strongest person look small, and I think that the general heart to all of this is just... wonderful.

Everything about this installment was smooth. Well, okay not smooth--because the plots are raw and bumpy and the characters are flawed; that this description may give you a false sense of comfort. That's the thing about Addicted--it will leave you feeling a lot. No emotions are spared in this--from the good, the bad, the connections, the love, the hate, etc--everything is out there in the open and explored wonderfully. It's a master in gripping your heart and holding you in your seat until you flip that final page.

You see, the connections made between the Calloway sisters, how it develops and grows and how strong the love/support is, is just a gift. Because often entertainment doesn't show the full strength of having your sisters by your side. Perhaps it's because K.B. Ritchie are sisters who write together, they are able to portray all angles of sibling relationships. It works. It completely works. And we see the relationships expand while inclusion of boyfriends, or outsiders, and I think there's just something utterly magical about this. Daisy, Lily and Rose all work together, age differences aside, and it's easy to see them as friends and sisters. Connor, Lo and Ryke all blend in with this little family fantastically.

There's just something about their scenes as a whole. How supporting they are. How they are on each others sides even in those darker moments. All of the main characters are equally flawed, gifted, and magical. I know, I know, I keep saying that word. Magical. But in all its addictive, dramatic glory, Addicted For Now is magical. Each character couldn't be more magical if they tried. Yes, it's that good--and it keeps getting better.

Even the split narration improves an already solid story. I loved hearing Lo's voice more. I loved still hearing Lily's. I loved how much they love each other. Whereas a lot of other authors, specifically where there are two writers, would be unable to pull off the duel P.O.V., Krista and Becca manage this smoothly and come out with a whole new ton. When I said it keeps getting better, I mean it. Incorporating a thriller/mystery hint to it, in the mysterious texter/harassment, doesn't change the genre... it builds onto it in a way that keeps things fresh and fun for the audience.

Let's talk about the main relationships, with Lily and Lo first. There's so much support with these two. So. Much. They managed to beat the odds when it came down to enabling each other in the past. It's important to note that they have been best friends for years and while it was very, very unhealthy to be led down the path they were, they developed themselves further. And they really do love each other more than their destructive habits. I loved the sense of hope and care that they gave each other. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Connor and Rose are next. God. Holy shit I am so intrigued by these two and their mysterious past. They have a bumpy relationship and seem to but heads often given both their similarities and differences. I'm very fascinated to hear more of them and can't wait until we get to see more of their history. They've known each other for a long, long, long time. But what exactly does it mean? Jesus, they are intriguing. Have I mentioned that? Intriguing. Intriguing! Together and apart, they are forces to be reckoned with.

Can you say OTP?

And lastly, Daisy and Ryke. Okay, okay. Here's the thing. I know they're endgame or they will be endgame. Krista and Becca are exploring them nicely. They are friends. They have chemistry and potential. Sometimes its inappropriate, like Lo and Lily say/think. But... I have faith in how the dynamic duo are going to explore it.

They haven't let me down yet.

Next... setting and mystery. I like how all the settings play into each other well and transition from location to location. I liked the past that comes into play. The reveal of who is blackmailing Lily and why. It's all so well done that I applaud the writers to the highest degree because it was expected yet unexpected all at once. Addicted For Now will shatter you in good and bad ways and I can't stress how much fun the ride is. Everything is full of so much heart and emotion and... ugh! Ugh! Give me more. Give me it all.

(Seriously... all I want is everything.)

If you are looking to start a series that is romantic without being off the charts cheesy or painful and cringe worthy in the wrong ways, Addicted is the series you have been looking for. It revitalizes a tired genre and flips the script; setting us up with a batch of incredible characters and beautifully drawn plots. Addicted For Now has characters true-to-life, the luxury of Gossip Girl and Crossfire, only with better fleshed out plots, fantastic writing, accurate portrayals of addiction and non-sugar coated traits, and is just a whole lot of fun.