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kimbongiorno's review against another edition
5.0
Another winner from Olivia Dade. There is always a lovable charm to her work, and this is no exception.
I appreciate a love story that doesn’t shy from how multifaceted people are, and how their past affects their decisions, behaviors, relationships. Especially when the characters are close to 40 years old.
Communication isn’t always clear, but when it is done so with humility and care it’s beautiful to witness. So are the connections between people who take the time to do so.
I think many readers will see something familiar in Athena’s struggles (in themselves or a loved one), and am grateful the clarify between depression and grief and both shown and told. This aspect of her story will absolutely help people in their real lives as they escape into this fictional one.
I also love that her fat body in this world is never an “issue” to be dealt with. We need more of that, especially in romance.
From addressing mental health to steamy scenes to painful pasts and new perspectives on the things that matter, this book manages to weave in important topics with humor, kindness and unputdowndownness. I loved it.
(I read an ARC on NetGalley because I was too impatient to wait for the release date.)
I appreciate a love story that doesn’t shy from how multifaceted people are, and how their past affects their decisions, behaviors, relationships. Especially when the characters are close to 40 years old.
Communication isn’t always clear, but when it is done so with humility and care it’s beautiful to witness. So are the connections between people who take the time to do so.
I think many readers will see something familiar in Athena’s struggles (in themselves or a loved one), and am grateful the clarify between depression and grief and both shown and told. This aspect of her story will absolutely help people in their real lives as they escape into this fictional one.
I also love that her fat body in this world is never an “issue” to be dealt with. We need more of that, especially in romance.
From addressing mental health to steamy scenes to painful pasts and new perspectives on the things that matter, this book manages to weave in important topics with humor, kindness and unputdowndownness. I loved it.
(I read an ARC on NetGalley because I was too impatient to wait for the release date.)
chiog's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
myweirdnormal's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
This book wasn't bad, but the bath scene?????? Very weird. Super uncomfortable. I do not understand why it was in there. Honestly I would've given this book a 3 for that alone, but the window scene was everything I could have ever wanted. Amazing. 10/10.
However....
I wish the whole relationship between the brothers and Athena was thought out a bit better. I wish it had been that her fiance was cheating on her or emotionally abusive/manipulative or <i>something</i>and that's why his brother disapproved of the wedding. Then I could have been more on Matthew's side about pursuing her. But instead it reads like he broke them up, swooped in to woo her, and then acted like he did nothing wrong when Johnny finds out. Literally if my sibling did this I would never speak to them again. And I would be 100% justified.
I just wished there had been a better reason for all of this because at the end I felt super bad for Johnny. Absolutely horrible for him, like he didn't deserve this. And I don't want to feel bad for him. I want to feel happy that Athena is now in a happy, healthy relationship, but I can't because it seems like she was in a happy, healthy relationship before and this guy manipulated his way in between them. I honestly don't think the whole reasoning as to why Johnny wasn't good for Athena was well written or made sense? It felt like the author just kinda shoehorned it in because she needed something to justify what Matthew did.
I don't know. The romance would've been perfect if that had been thought out better, and if the super weird bath scene hadn't been included. But again, THE WINDOW SCENE, wow. Amazing. I want to read it again just for that.
However....
I wish the whole relationship between the brothers and Athena was thought out a bit better. I wish it had been that her fiance was cheating on her or emotionally abusive/manipulative or <i>something</i>and that's why his brother disapproved of the wedding. Then I could have been more on Matthew's side about pursuing her. But instead it reads like he broke them up, swooped in to woo her, and then acted like he did nothing wrong when Johnny finds out. Literally if my sibling did this I would never speak to them again. And I would be 100% justified.
I just wished there had been a better reason for all of this because at the end I felt super bad for Johnny. Absolutely horrible for him, like he didn't deserve this. And I don't want to feel bad for him. I want to feel happy that Athena is now in a happy, healthy relationship, but I can't because it seems like she was in a happy, healthy relationship before and this guy manipulated his way in between them. I honestly don't think the whole reasoning as to why Johnny wasn't good for Athena was well written or made sense? It felt like the author just kinda shoehorned it in because she needed something to justify what Matthew did.
I don't know. The romance would've been perfect if that had been thought out better, and if the super weird bath scene hadn't been included. But again, THE WINDOW SCENE, wow. Amazing. I want to read it again just for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Specifically realistic depictions of depressionaveliz011's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bloomingbookworm's review against another edition
Found it boring and the relationship bizarre.
a56jml's review against another edition
5.0
This book really did have it ALL! Romance, an impossible situation, funny situations and even monster sex! I laughed, I cried and I hoped! Athena and Matthew so deserved their happily ever after. I so loved the way they loved each other.
mschaub2's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this! Matthew is an unrealistic fantasy of a man but honestly, what else am i reading romance novels for?!
potzak's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
One of the best romance novels I have read.
If you enjoy stories of characters showing up for eachother, taking care of one another this is your jam. If you ever battled depression, or had a loved one go through it, this might be a great fit for you!
If you enjoy stories of characters showing up for eachother, taking care of one another this is your jam. If you ever battled depression, or had a loved one go through it, this might be a great fit for you!
aishaambre's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
4.5
This book isn't for everyone.
Third person view, really different to a typical love story enjoyed reading love happy endings
Third person view, really different to a typical love story enjoyed reading love happy endings