stagemanaginger's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A fun, quick read! I liked that it didn’t go in chronological order and past and present were interspersed with articles and reviews.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
marisacarpico's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Genuinely crazy that I didn't write this. A Before series structured romance set against the backdrop of the Bond franchise? Have you ever heard a more me romance plot in your life???
Anyway, I DEVOURED this thing and it impressed despite my huge expectations. The cover is perhaps a bit misleading, because I expected this to be fluffier than it was. As is, really smart character work. I believed every beat. Brilliant understanding of celebrity culture as well. Every fake article felt right to me. Sussman also clearly did her research on Bond and I was very tickled by the references.
I do think Chani engages in some negative self talk that could occasionally feel overdone, but the imposter syndrome and her lack of confidence makes sense based on the emotionally abusive relationship she spends much of the book in. I do think it's odd and annoying that she doesn't have more female friends, though. I suppose these people exist, but it feels like an odd choice. Gabe is really well-drawn. No notes from me.
I found the structure of jumping back and forth in time and meeting out information slowly really compelling and well done. Created anticipation and mostly delivered except for, I think, one choice younger Gabe made. Some of the things that kept them apart initially perhaps strain credulity, but Sussman does mostly make up for it in the way she emphasizes the characters' lack of maturity 10 years earlier versus now.
Regardless of some minor quibbles, this is one of the more solid romances I've read in the last few years. Some nice language and really smart character work. Not to keep harping on the cover (which I actually quite like, as the color palette is really lovely), but it does put it in a class with all the shitty, obnoxious and yet extremely popular romances of the last few years instead of something with a bit more heft like a Taylor Jenkins Reid joint. Give this a cover more akin to Seven Husbands or Daisy Jones and I think it would be reaching a bigger, better audience.
Anyway, I DEVOURED this thing and it impressed despite my huge expectations. The cover is perhaps a bit misleading, because I expected this to be fluffier than it was. As is, really smart character work. I believed every beat. Brilliant understanding of celebrity culture as well. Every fake article felt right to me. Sussman also clearly did her research on Bond and I was very tickled by the references.
I do think Chani engages in some negative self talk that could occasionally feel overdone, but the imposter syndrome and her lack of confidence makes sense based on the emotionally abusive relationship she spends much of the book in. I do think it's odd and annoying that she doesn't have more female friends, though. I suppose these people exist, but it feels like an odd choice. Gabe is really well-drawn. No notes from me.
I found the structure of jumping back and forth in time and meeting out information slowly really compelling and well done. Created anticipation and mostly delivered except for, I think, one choice younger Gabe made. Some of the things that kept them apart initially perhaps strain credulity, but Sussman does mostly make up for it in the way she emphasizes the characters' lack of maturity 10 years earlier versus now.
Regardless of some minor quibbles, this is one of the more solid romances I've read in the last few years. Some nice language and really smart character work. Not to keep harping on the cover (which I actually quite like, as the color palette is really lovely), but it does put it in a class with all the shitty, obnoxious and yet extremely popular romances of the last few years instead of something with a bit more heft like a Taylor Jenkins Reid joint. Give this a cover more akin to Seven Husbands or Daisy Jones and I think it would be reaching a bigger, better audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Alcoholism
jennylarue's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Easily the most unique styled book I’ve read. Loved how it was told and the turns it took through time and this relationship. Super cute read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexism, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Grief, Homophobia, Antisemitism, and Sexual content
wellreadmegs's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Okay, I'm a little disappointed I didn't like this one more. The plot sounded so interesting and I feel like it didn't live up to the hype. Chani annoyed me so much that it was hard to root for her. I want to acknowledge that she was in an emotionally abusive relationship so I know her confidence was low - but she just kept self-sabotaging herself and it was infuriating! In every instance, Gabe would show interest and she would just shut down.
Both Gabe and Chani had issues in their 20s and we love a rekindling romance - but it didn't hit as hard as I would have liked. Some of their chemistry was good but honestly, Ollie was the unsung hero of this book. I enjoyed the dual timelines of this book and that helped keep the plot moving but I just found myself being too frustrated with Chani and her self-deprecating self to fully enjoy this book.
My favorite scenes in the book involved meeting Gabe's family and their cute bookstore. I would have loved more interaction with the family. Overall this read was decent but definitely don't get the hype it got on BookTok.
Both Gabe and Chani had issues in their 20s and we love a rekindling romance - but it didn't hit as hard as I would have liked. Some of their chemistry was good but honestly, Ollie was the unsung hero of this book. I enjoyed the dual timelines of this book and that helped keep the plot moving but I just found myself being too frustrated with Chani and her self-deprecating self to fully enjoy this book.
My favorite scenes in the book involved meeting Gabe's family and their cute bookstore. I would have loved more interaction with the family. Overall this read was decent but definitely don't get the hype it got on BookTok.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
marysaou's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
There is a serious gap between the cover art and the content of this book. Please, please, someday release another edition with something ambiguous-looking (and not pink!).
Ok, now that I've gotten that out of my system...
This is a slow burn, second-chance, Hollywood celeb/journalist romance that reads a little like one of my favorite authors, Taylor Jenkins Reid. The similarity probably stems from characters who are far from perfect, but you root for them all the same.
There are two timelines: 10 years ago and now. Bouncing back and forth was confusing at first, but I got used to it after a while. Sussman includes bits and pieces of articles throughout the book; some written by our leading lady, and others written about her or Gabe (our heartthrob movie star).
I am a fan of Sussman's voice, and I look forward to reading more of her work! (Preferable with a single timeline...)
TW: addiction and emotional abuse
Ok, now that I've gotten that out of my system...
This is a slow burn, second-chance, Hollywood celeb/journalist romance that reads a little like one of my favorite authors, Taylor Jenkins Reid. The similarity probably stems from characters who are far from perfect, but you root for them all the same.
There are two timelines: 10 years ago and now. Bouncing back and forth was confusing at first, but I got used to it after a while. Sussman includes bits and pieces of articles throughout the book; some written by our leading lady, and others written about her or Gabe (our heartthrob movie star).
I am a fan of Sussman's voice, and I look forward to reading more of her work! (Preferable with a single timeline...)
TW: addiction and emotional abuse
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Alcoholism
Minor: Homophobia
lucyrudd's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Car accident, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, Alcohol, and Death
kayladaila's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Misogyny
Minor: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Antisemitism, Body shaming, Car accident, and Toxic friendship
monalyisha's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Going in, I was somehow unaware that this is primarily a romance novel. And boy, is it! (I picked it up on a recommendation from someone and by the time I actually got to it, I remembered very little about the context of the rec; I should have known, though, based solely on the cover). Recently, I’ve read a bunch of romance where the actual sex scenes were pretty lackluster. Not true here! Anyway, I really enjoyed this. The characters were very flawed but ultimately, lovable, damaged, and TRYING. An ebullient cover blurb calls it an “intimate character study.” I don’t know if I’d go *that* far — but I’d definitely recommend it to fans of the genre!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Homophobia
deluna's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Grief and Emotional abuse
getlitwithamy_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Car accident