resmt's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
Moderate: Death of parent
kelseyfontaine's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
I couldn’t put this book down! I read it during a slow weekend in college and really enjoyed it. I’m used to reading stories about romance and love, but only the kind that you want to hear about; the kind that’s easy and cute.
Reading about the loss of love in a relationship is new for me. It really opened my eyes to the ugly side of love, which I’m not really forced to think about in other novels that I read. In addition to the emotional parts, I also loved the more lighthearted parts, like Rachel starting her own bakery, Charlie finding love, and Grandma Lois’ advice.
While some parts of the reasons Lauren and Ryan’s fell apart and the reason they handled the separation the way they did could’ve been developed a bit more, I did enjoy the book overall. It drew me in and made me think!
Reading about the loss of love in a relationship is new for me. It really opened my eyes to the ugly side of love, which I’m not really forced to think about in other novels that I read. In addition to the emotional parts, I also loved the more lighthearted parts, like Rachel starting her own bakery, Charlie finding love, and Grandma Lois’ advice.
While some parts of the reasons Lauren and Ryan’s fell apart and the reason they handled the separation the way they did could’ve been developed a bit more, I did enjoy the book overall. It drew me in and made me think!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death of parent and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual content and Infidelity
val_theburrowofstories's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Cancer, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abandonment
cdoubet's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Cancer, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Minor: Addiction, Abandonment, and Cursing
laurenw22's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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: Cancer, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Violence
mauvesoul's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Grief, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Cancer, and Pregnancy
tia_s's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have no strong feelings or opinions on it, was a decent in-between read. 3.5⭐️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer
bealittlebrave's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
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
Moderate: Death, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Cancer, and Sexual content
anewton's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.5
An emotional, yet heart-warming book that reflects on the struggles of marriage, love and relationships. A book full of wisdom and life-lessons yet feels like a close friend.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Death of parent
meeklovestoread's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
4.25
Why was I crying when they had their first fight?!😭 This book had me tearing up too much. I'm really a sucker for young fluffy love. And I love when the two lovers especially the male are smitten with each other. It's so cute! I think TJR did a fantastic job of establishing the different elements of marriage. And that it's not just a one size fits all. I love the family aspect of this book and how it handles single motherhood and absent parents. The emotions it book brought out of me were incredible. What a lovely read. My only concern was that I don't we got enough of Lauren and Ryan's relationship when they were in college. I found myself wanting more cute moments with them throughout the book. Also
Spoiler
I also didn't like Lauren encouraging David to go back to his cheating ex wife. I know alot of people view cheating differently so I'm tripping about it. But for me, cheating is an ultimate deal-breaker and shows how much the other person didn't have respect for the relationship. It's just unforgivable in my opinion. I get he was hurting but he was hurting because of her. I don't think I could love my partner the same if they cheated. But that's just me. If David truly feels he can't live without Ashley. Then to each their own I guess.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Cancer, Cursing, and Death
Minor: Pregnancy and Sexual content