lacrimaeignis's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
While the book is a Contemporary Romance/Rom Com, it is probably more accurate to call it a Slice of Life book. Which is to say if you're expecting a book with a lot of plot or exciting events, you'll likely be disappointed. Character development is also focused more on the side characters rather than the main couple.
I very much identified with our protagonist Evie - and not just because she decides to rent out and run a bookstore in England to escape her everyday life (which is totally something I would do and frankly would love to do right now). I really enjoyed taking this relaxing trip to England with Evie. It was nice to see her interactions with the various villagers and how even in a seemingly perfect village everyone still has to deal with their own issues (some way worse then others). But what I loved most was how supportive the majority of the characters were to each other.
I do wish that Roane had been given more flaws because the "flaws" he had weren't even really flaws especially because it had nothing to do with his personality but were based on arbitrary circumstances. I loved Roane but he was too perfect and therefore felt very unrealistic. And while it wouldn't have changed much about the story I wish the "spice" had been a bit more... well spicy. Not to say a romance story can't be good without it. But the tension that had built up between the characters and their chemistry was great but then when they finally got together, it felt like they had completely lost that spark.
Moderate: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Racism
Minor: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Classism, and Lesbophobia
lizzieb29's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual content, Homophobia, Addiction, and Racism
Minor: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, and Death of parent
nabecker13's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Racism, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Miscarriage and Homophobia
mswarning's review against another edition
- 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
Also liked the non-petite/short protagonist. This year I've read romances that have featured characters of different ethnicities, various sizes and shapes, chronic illnesses, mental illnesses, etc. Representation does matter.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death and Child death
coacklebee's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Spoiler
how old (or should I say, young?) and how rich Roane was. The lying about the age difference in particular felt really immature and soured what had otherwise been a cute, fluffy romance.Moderate: Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Racism
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
bookedupchick's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
I enjoyed this book. It was a fun escape to the countryside. I liked all the different side stories to the story. There was a lot of little side dramas.
Read if you like ⤵️
📚 Slow Burn
📚 Friends to Lovers
📚 Age Gap Trope
📚 Steamy Scenes 🔥
📚 Small Town Drama
📚 Country Setting
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Much Ado About You by Samantha Young
Graphic: Alcoholism and Child abuse
mollywill's review
- 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
2.0
Graphic: Alcoholism and Child abuse
lexa's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Child abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal death, Car accident, Infidelity, and Vomit