Scan barcode
fivecatsinacoat's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
This is a sweet Hallmark-esque romance with serious small-town charm. I've seen listings for vacation properties where you also work in a shop or something attached to the rental and none have ever tempted me but the one I saw that was attached to a bookstore. As a book lover, I'd love to run a bookstore, and know that I would really love to stay in a rental like this!
The town is sweet and charming, without being twee, and the townspeople really felt three-dimensional with a lot of backstory and character. The romance was believable and the tension built without being insta-love, which I appreciated. My only gripe
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Racism, Sexual content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death and Grief
chelle22's review
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Homophobia, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, and Abandonment
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: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Racism, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, and Classism
hanz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Really liked the first two thirds, especially the focus on friendship, but unfortunately let down by the ending.
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Death of parent
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: Addiction, Homophobia, Racism, and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
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: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death and Death
its_j's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Sexual content
decklededgess's review
- 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
this book was so fkn stupid i skipped the last few chapters to read the ending and epilogue and IT STILL WAS A WASTE OF MY TIME.
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, and Sexual content
meghanm404'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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Racism, Violence, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
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, Child abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Infidelity, Vomit, and Car accident