User blog comment:TheSavageCabbageKing/Goodreads Review of Flashback that I find oddly funny/@comment-38207171-20190725223418/@comment-38207171-20190727191518

Thanks! Honestly, I really do love this series, I just don't like the overbearing romance. Like, we get it: Fitz and Sophie like each other. But really, it's for the wrong reasons. This relationship won't really amount to much if all she focus on is Fitz's eyes, smile, and ignoring his anger issues. Shannon's really pouring it on thick with all these annoying lovey-dovey sweet-sweet moments. He is showing serious signs of violent behaviour, selfishness and pride. There's even a quote that goes like this:

Fitz: "Have I ever let you down?"

Sophie: ''Actually he had. ''

What?! The fact that she acknowledges this but doesn't do anything about it really irritates me.

Both people, in any relationship, romantic or platonic, need to be honest and open with each other, but also selfless, patience, understanding, and gentle. Yes, while they are Cognates, they don't show any of these qualities. No relationship will last that long without those core elements.

Fitz, can control his anger and it's just that he never really does. He takes everything personally and not really putting his pride aside. There are instances where he does, I just can't think of any at the moment. He's not a bad character, he's just not the right character for Sophie right now. Plus, they're teens!

Sophie on the other hand, doesn't actualy like Fitz himself. What she is experiencing is a crush. A crush is when you think you like someone but are really only obsessed with the idea of them that you created. Not the real them. That's probably why she keeps ignoring those serious anger issues. Because in her version of Fitz, they don't exist.

Yeah...I study relationships and relational behaviours...