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claranagbabasa's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-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
4.0
I'm going to do this review by bullet point lists, because I really did enjoy it but I can't conjure sentences that make sense at the moment.
Spoilers abound.
Spoilers abound.
- People need to appreciate third person narratives in romance more, because I liked the back and forth in the scenes, and it still felt like we had a personal view of Solomon and Tessie. Their narration was still seamless.
- I get that Howler and Evelyn were concerned for Sol, but almost needing a terrifying occurence for them to look back on their atittude is horrendous. Evelyn I understood, to a degree, Howler? Please. The immediate gun-jump judgement and then insisting on his view made me want to tear a rib bone and beat him on the head with it.
- The writing was superb, and the pace was good. Their chemistry was sweet, and I like how we didn't linger on the angst in their back and first in the first-second arc. The angst by the second-third was adept, and completely understood.
- Characterisation was great on both leads. Tessie's innate need to be in control and indepedent worked well with her need to be cared for and understood. It blended so well with Sol's characterisation of needing repentance and a chance, of being the stronghold to be there for her in whichever way she needed.
- They suited each other quite well.
- I had a small grip of Tessie not agreeing for Nova's firm; that felt like a big sacrifice, but I understand where it came from. The ending for her work felt a bit rushed but eh. Fine.
A good read all in all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma
Moderate: Death and Car accident
pregnancy,hazelgirl21's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
melissaslibraryy's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Dnf at 83% bc this book felt so slow yet the plot itself went by extremely quick. They fucked once and she ends up getting pregnant, they happen to see each other by chance six months later and after spending one week together they’re suddenly sooo in love with each other?? Talk about unrealistic. I really wanted to give this book a chance bc I thought they’d at least have time to fall in love throughout her pregnancy but after constantly fucking throughout the baby moon vacation they’re each other’s “soulmate” and I didn’t sign up for an insta-love romance. His sister and best friend had every right to feel a certain way about how quick the relationship between Tessi and Solomon progressed bc you’re telling me he was a grieving widow for 7 YEARS then had 1 one night stand and is suddenly eager to be with her and get married again? Be ffr.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
hjb_128's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death and Car accident
Minor: Abandonment
pages_with_a_preoccupied_prin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death and Car accident
britbrit29's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Animal death, Death, Excrement, and Car accident
chrissandrapherlv's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Cancer and Car accident
beckyremillard's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
thereadedit's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Plot: 5/5
Tropes: Second Chance Romance, Found Family, Surprise Pregnancy, Forced Proximity, Grumpy x Sunshine
Where do I begin? It is so hard to pick just one or a few aspects of this book that I loved the most. I had so many feelings throughout this book, from swooning to absolutely mooning over their relationship. Tessie and Solomon couldn't have been more perfect for each other.
They were the missing puzzle pieces to each other. They have each had trauma in their lives, but have had their wake up call. Life isn't over just because you have had a rough go of things. Life is worth the risks you take when you have nothing to lose.
Tess was a dynamic character, she has what so many women struggle with. Trauma, and distrust can sow many bad seeds. Being type A she thinks of everything all the time. The outcomes, how they affect her, and what could go wrong. But in she walks to a dive bar where she meets Solemn Man.
Solomon is a grump, who has lost his purpose in life after his wife passed away. Until he goes with his best friend and business partner on a recon of bars in TN. Then he meets THE ONE. She changes everything for him, and makes him realize life is worth living when you have the person that sparks everything in you.
I appreciated how well written their journey was, and how authentic it felt. With so many emotions flying between Tessie and Sol, you can't help but be grabbed in your heartstrings.
I couldn't put this book down from the moment I picked it up. I can't recommend this book enough for those who love these tropes. Ava really knocked it out of the park, and I cannot wait to read more from her!!
Thank you Ava, for the opportunity to support you with this beautiful novel! All opinions are my own and not influenced by receiving a complimentary review copy.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Plot: 5/5
Tropes: Second Chance Romance, Found Family, Surprise Pregnancy, Forced Proximity, Grumpy x Sunshine
Where do I begin? It is so hard to pick just one or a few aspects of this book that I loved the most. I had so many feelings throughout this book, from swooning to absolutely mooning over their relationship. Tessie and Solomon couldn't have been more perfect for each other.
They were the missing puzzle pieces to each other. They have each had trauma in their lives, but have had their wake up call. Life isn't over just because you have had a rough go of things. Life is worth the risks you take when you have nothing to lose.
Tess was a dynamic character, she has what so many women struggle with. Trauma, and distrust can sow many bad seeds. Being type A she thinks of everything all the time. The outcomes, how they affect her, and what could go wrong. But in she walks to a dive bar where she meets Solemn Man.
Solomon is a grump, who has lost his purpose in life after his wife passed away. Until he goes with his best friend and business partner on a recon of bars in TN. Then he meets THE ONE. She changes everything for him, and makes him realize life is worth living when you have the person that sparks everything in you.
I appreciated how well written their journey was, and how authentic it felt. With so many emotions flying between Tessie and Sol, you can't help but be grabbed in your heartstrings.
I couldn't put this book down from the moment I picked it up. I can't recommend this book enough for those who love these tropes. Ava really knocked it out of the park, and I cannot wait to read more from her!!
Thank you Ava, for the opportunity to support you with this beautiful novel! All opinions are my own and not influenced by receiving a complimentary review copy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol