Jesse and Shaun both have complicated home lives. They connect on the school bus and form a tentative friendship that could be more. Possibly. I don't know what happens next because the book just ends. It's clearly Book 1 of a larger series, but the cliffhanger seems so unnecessary. And the subject matter is really dark. I will not be seeking out Book 2. Not for me this time.

My initial reaction when I finished Deep Cut was "All I gotta say is that I'm glad I found out that Deep Cut is part of a series before I finished the book." I can't really call the ending of Deep Cut a cliff hanger, but there was definitely more story that needed to be told. A LOT more.

Deep Cut was not an easy book to read by any stretch of the imagination. Shaun and Jesse needed each other on a level that even they didn't fully understand. Jesse didn't have it easy, but he was a responsible kid. He wasn't perfect, but he was loved and he was growing up a lot faster than he should have needed to. He needed a break and he needed a chance to be just a little bit irresponsible. Shaun gave him that needed distraction, but he also gave him someone to care about and protect that wasn't a responsibility - it was something he wanted to do.

Shaun was totally broken and had little or no respect for himself, which made it hard for him to respect anyone else. He was just biding time until he could escape, only you can't escape your past and that past was haunting Shaun all the time. Jesse is a life line that he didn't expect and didn't want, but he was also hard to resist. He made Shaun want to try a little harder and at the same time he made him feel things he didn't want to feel. Jesse had never met anyone like Shaun before and in the beginning he was a challenge and a curiosity. I had to admire Jesse for not listening to the rumors and standing up for Shaun when it would have been easier to just try to fit in with the "cool" kids.

Like I said, Deep Cut wasn't an easy book to read, but sometimes those are the ones that need to be read. Books that make you squirm, books that make you hope that you could be someone to make a difference in someone else's life, books that make you think and feel... those are the ones that stick with you.

I admit that I never read tags or trigger warnings on books so I missed the part that revealed this was a coming of age story. Based on the blurb, I thought I was going to be reading a book about two men who have very different lives and personalities who somehow manage to fall for one another anyway. I was wrong, so wrong! Is it my fault for not reading the tags? Or is the issue a misleading blurb? This was categorized as LQBTQIA Romance, but I think it should have been LGBTQIA YA Fiction. When I started this, I really wasn’t interested in reading about two high school boys. I wanted something mature, and I couldn’t understand why 20% in, I was still reading about two high schoolers. Then I logged back into Netgalley and read the tags and realized my mistake. I kind of wanted to give up on the book at that point, but I also felt obliged to read it through and give a review, so here goes…

It wasn’t until almost the end of the story that I stared to feel anything for Shaun. He was obviously very messed up and isolated, but until readers knew the truth of his past, it was hard to understand what made him so angry and self-destructive. His easy access to weapons was alarming, considering his state of mind. At one point, he goes into the woods and blows a squirrel’s head off and, at the time, it seems as though he is just doing it for fun, which was very off-putting to me. I almost quit reading at that point. Later there’s an off-hand comment about eating squirrels, but at the time it seems as though he is killing for entertainment and that is not okay.

I found Jesse to be extraordinarily immature, almost to the point of being stupid. I understand that teenage boys are immature, but SERIOUSLY! He was extra special clueless. He can’t stand Emily, but thinks he wants to get in her pants, even though all he cares about is Shaun, all he thinks about is Shaun, and the only one he is chronically handsy with is Shaun. Read the signs, Jesse, because none of them point to a hetero relationship with annoying Emily.

Just as the story was getting interesting and just as I was becoming invested in Shaun, the story ends on an unnecessary cliff-hanger, which really annoyed me. However, I am interested enough to keep reading the series in order to find out what happens to Shaun, so I guess the hook worked.

This was an incredibly moving and well written story about two young men with problems neither of them should be facing.

It would have been a full 5 star read however, it ended on a cliff hanger. I HATE cliff hangers. I read for the happy ending.

The story has potential. The characters were well developed and I began to care about each of them.

Three stars because I desperately want the full story and I need to know what happens. However, I can find any information about its expected release and that makes me very sad.

I may change this if/ when the rest of the story is released.

Whew! This one is an intense read. I didn't realize it was a YA-ish book until I read it. READ. THE. TRIGGER. WARNINGS. I read them and still have to put my book down and step away from this world for a minute. But that's how you know it's good!

Would definitely recommend to my angsty loving friends for sure.

This book was definitely not what I expected. This whole book was one big teen angst and even tho I'm waaaay older than teen angst times, I still liked this a lot. I've read this in 3 days which is fast for me for a novel. You have this angsty, broody character which so many issues and everyone just sees the outside of him and only one person want's to get to the bottom of it and I felt really bad for Shaun? Like, he's one of the most broken characters I've ever read in those kinds of books and I just wanted to protect him from the outside world.

There's a lot of trigger warnings to this book so be aware of that before you get into this. There's suicidal thoughts, self-harm, drug use, domestic abuse, murder and more in that range.

When I ended this book I was shook at how it ended because it didn't end and I was like...what? That's it? But I sure hope there will be a part 2 of it because the author can't leave it like that. That's not even a cliffhanger...that's just the first half of a movie haha. I truly enjoyed the characters even tho I felt a bit uneasy at this whole "don't do that, that's gay" thing going on through the whole book but I totally understood where the character was coming from so I didn't mind that. Needless to say, I really like those two characters and their slowly developing friendship/relationship and I definitely want to see more and get something nice for Shaun because you can't leave it like that. That ain't nice given what he's been through all his life.

Never thought I would read 300 pages in a span of 3 days so this alone was deserving of 5 stars.

C.R. Scott's "Deep Cut" was an engaging, yet brisk story about young love between two teens in the midwest. The setting proves to be quite informative in this story about two young men who struggle with their feelings and their region. Issues of poverty and familial expectations are a constant weight on the protagonists. This helps Scott shape characters that are fully fleshed out.

The story is told in alternating chapters that emphasize the contrasting perspectives and personalities of Shaun and Jesse. At first, this technique did slow the pace, yet it wound up being one of the biggest benefits by the end. It helped to build tension between the two, as they uncover their feelings. It made you want to read the next chapter to uncover the next layer of their journey.

Massively addictive. It's an intense story, full of emotions, friendship, love and self-imposed prejudices. It seems a little strange to me that Jesse was so interested in Shaun at first, but outside of that, Deep Cut is a novel that doesn't let you look away until you finish reading it.

Deep Cut is an intense read that will have your heart bleeding for Jesse and Shaun. Both of the main main characters are flawed and trying to figure out who they are as a person and throwing in feeling that they don’t understand makes their journey difficult especially for Shaun. Can’t wait to read the next book Scars; Permanently Black and Blue.

Wow, Deep Cut is an accomplished young adult romance. These CR Scott characters are people I could read about forever. They burrowed their way into my heart and I am saddened to be left waiting for the next book. Yes, yes, it ends in a cliffhanger, but it leaves off at a good point.

This is a story of rumors, reckless acts, harmful behavior, and family issues galore. If self harm is a trigger for you, definitely avoid this one.

Jesse's a teen whose whole life has been one of moving around, as his mom changes boyfriends often. He lives in a noisy house full of siblings, and is often the one in charge of them. He's amazing in his acceptance of his lot in life, handling his responsibilities with grace. He's truly a wonderful character, who's written as a realistic teen who struggles with everyday teen issues as well.

And then there's Shaun, the school outcast, who lives with his grandparents. He barely tolerates his grandmother and has a complicated relationship with his grandfather. His backstory is tragic and heart-breaking. The way the town treats him as a pariah is awful, and the rumors that fly about him as are just cruel.

Soon Jesse befriends Shaun, despite all the warnings to avoid the strange young man. Torn between being with Jesse, the town outcast, or trying to get with the popular girl, everything is classic teenage behavior.

And oh wow, Shaun, he struggles whole heartily just to survive each day, never allowing himself to be thinking gay thoughts, as he doesn't think he could survive the way people would treat him then. His story is as deep as it is powerful. A victim of self harm, his cutting is described in detail, bringing tears to my eyes several times.

This is a story with heavy themes, as Jesse and Shaun are both from tough family units. Both men are multi-layered and sympathetic characters.

Jesse's many siblings, as we learn over time, are complicated in their own manner.

As well, I enjoy some of the simple moments of Jesse with his siblings; video games, cooking, and snuggling. And even more, Shaun with Jesse's siblings brings out many tender moments.

Thee writing is both ambitious and impressive. The author's writing style is consistent and extremely well done. The characters' voices are definitely mature, but that is due to their circumstances, not the author's mistake. As these are high school characters, there is plenty of stupid teenage behavior taking place.

And yes, there is a cliffhanger. As much as I hate cliffhangers in general, I am thrilled to have read this book now, as it's an extremely powerful tale. When book two is available, I will be jumping into it immediately.

Deep Cut is an extremely serious book. CR Scott impresses in this well developed and well executed young adult novel. It's an extraordinary reminder that the way people treat us greatly shape who we become. Do not miss this one. It is perfect when you're in the mood for a serious and yet tender young adult romance.

I want to say one thing before I even begin my review of this book: make sure you read the trigger warnings before you decide whether to read this. There are some very heavy issues and disturbing scenes in this book, it may not be for everyone. Also! It ends on a huge cliffhanger!

Now, I can't say I enjoyed this book because - wow - I think it's probably one of the heavier themed books I've read in a very long time. But, I'm glad I read it ... and I was certainly caught up in what the characters were going through.

Let's break it down a little. Shaun is basically an outside at the beginning of the novel. He's a hard-ass, tough, lacking in the personal hygiene department, hostile... you name it. But, as is often the case, there's a lot going on in Shaun's head. He's living with his grandparents and they don't get along. His relationship with his grandmother is hostile, even if he tolerates his Grandfather. The reader also learns very early on that Shaun cuts himself.  The surprising thing about Shaun's character is that he's written in a way that made me care about him. As frustrating as he could be, as outwardly aggressive and abrasive, there is something about him that made me want to know more about him.

This is where Jesse comes in. Jesse is an almost perfect big brother. He takes care of five siblings while his mom is working, he tries to keep a positive attitude. He's one of those guys that most people at school would probably want to know.

One of the first people that Jesse meets is Shaun and he's curious right away. He actually thinks that Shaun is a pretty nice guy and is intrigued by him playing guitar in a metal band. The problem is that Shaun is so unaccustomed to people wanting to know him that he's hostile from the get-go. Fortunately, Jesse doesn't give up!

As the two young men get to know one another there are a lot of ups and downs. Shaun's emotional state makes him volatile and suspicious. He is so used to what everyone "says" and "thinks" about him that he has taken that on. What's the point in even trying when everyone thinks you're a monster? Jesse rattles his cage a big. After all, he does enjoy spending time with Jess even if he's bewildered by how it makes him feel.

Shaun's past - his childhood - was horrific. I'm not going into all the details here because I don't do big spoilers in my reviews. But there are definitely incidents in his past that may be responsible for his inability to connect with people. the problem. This book is a perfect illustration of how we can become so embedded in our inability to go forward that it's almost impossible to move. Even when someone is holding out a hand to Shaun, he's too emotionally bottled up to know what to do about it.

Please beware! there is a huge cliffhanger at the end of this book! I will be waiting on the edge of my seat for the next one!

Deep Cut is my first book from this author and it won't be my last. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this series since this once ended with a cliffhanger that left me wanting more. I have to give kudos to this author for her writing style. It was amazing because to be honest, there wasn't much that happened in this story. However, the author wrote this story in a way that kept me intrigued and wanting more. I finished this story within a few hours and I wasn't at all ready for it to end. I loved everything about Jesse. He was caring, sweet, funny, determined and so much more. He wasn't perfect but he in this story he was everything. A great son, sibling and friend. Shaun had a hard life and has so much anger. Anger runs deep within him and it isn't fully explained why he has so much anger until near the end of the story. I felt bad for him and my heart went out to him, but at the same time I couldn't for the life of me understand why he made things harder for himself. He could have done simple things just to make his life a little easier but he just didn't care. His grandmother wasn't the nicest but she was there and his grandfather loved him, there was no doubt that he loved his grandson. Shaun was just so disrespectful and a lot of it was due to what I think was misplaced anger and pain. I also enjoyed the side characters, Emily, Kenny, Sunny, Lee, Rick and Jesse's whole family. I'll anxiously be awaiting the next book in the series. This story does touch on topics that may be sensitive for some so beware.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely!