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jelkebooks's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
After quite enjoying the first two books in the series I have been so excited to read this one. Especially because this book is the one in the series I have seen the most glowing reviews for. However, this book just REALLY didn't work for me. I mean, it isn't a terrible book. It was quite a quick read, it had its fun moments, but there was one BIG element I just hated.
That is our female main character. I really despised her. For most of the book I thought she was fine enough but there were some parts to her that gave me an ick. For example I thought it was odd how she kept saying in her inner monologue that she would be there for Cal's recovery if he wanted her there, but then she keeps pushing him away again and again. Not a single part of her actions showed me she even wanted him to feel better. It seemed like she rather enjoyed punishing him instead. However, it wasn't too bad, but then the third act conflict happened and her actions are abismal. I don't want to say too much because of spoilers but basically the whole third act conflict is Alana getting mad at Cal for a situation she completely made up in her head, and punishing him over and over again even when she has multiple things pointing to the truth. Her actions in that part of the book just made me DESPISE her so much, and put those early actions that gave me a slight ick in a way more negative light. So yeah, I hated her personally but also nothing in this book actually convinced me that Alana actually loved Cal.
Cal was a fine enough character. I found him a bit blant but in a better book it wouldn't bother me so much. His journey throughout the book wasn't my complete favourite. Even though the ultimate message of the book is that you can only kick your addiction if YOU wanted to do it for you, the way things went down still gave me the vibe of "love can heal everything". I don't know. It just seemed really odd, and a bit off to me. Like I said this book doesn't fully give off that message but it does come a bit too close to comfort for me personally.
It's also a small town romance, which I typically love but I HATED the townspeople in this as well. I just think they felt like they came straight out of a bad cartoon. The way they all just dunked on Cal and pretended like he was the most evil person to ever exist because he *checks notes* dumped his girlfriend at the height of his battle with addiction. It just seemed so odd to me. I'm not saying they should have treated him like a hero. I get why they were apprehensive of him because they are so protective of Alana but the extends these people went to just felt evil, and not real. I kept thinking he must have done something else that was WAY worse, but that reveal just never came.
The romance was also just really lackluster to me. They had some cute moments, especially when Alana's daughter was involved. However, the only basis for their feelings is the fact that they were in love with each other several years ago. We don't get any flashbacks to see them fall in love. We don't get any developement present day. It just felt extremely lackluster. Add to that my previous complaints about feeling like Alana has a deep hatred for Cal instead of loving him, I just didn't buy it AT ALL.
That is our female main character. I really despised her. For most of the book I thought she was fine enough but there were some parts to her that gave me an ick. For example I thought it was odd how she kept saying in her inner monologue that she would be there for Cal's recovery if he wanted her there, but then she keeps pushing him away again and again. Not a single part of her actions showed me she even wanted him to feel better. It seemed like she rather enjoyed punishing him instead. However, it wasn't too bad, but then the third act conflict happened and her actions are abismal. I don't want to say too much because of spoilers but basically the whole third act conflict is Alana getting mad at Cal for a situation she completely made up in her head, and punishing him over and over again even when she has multiple things pointing to the truth. Her actions in that part of the book just made me DESPISE her so much, and put those early actions that gave me a slight ick in a way more negative light. So yeah, I hated her personally but also nothing in this book actually convinced me that Alana actually loved Cal.
Cal was a fine enough character. I found him a bit blant but in a better book it wouldn't bother me so much. His journey throughout the book wasn't my complete favourite. Even though the ultimate message of the book is that you can only kick your addiction if YOU wanted to do it for you, the way things went down still gave me the vibe of "love can heal everything". I don't know. It just seemed really odd, and a bit off to me. Like I said this book doesn't fully give off that message but it does come a bit too close to comfort for me personally.
It's also a small town romance, which I typically love but I HATED the townspeople in this as well. I just think they felt like they came straight out of a bad cartoon. The way they all just dunked on Cal and pretended like he was the most evil person to ever exist because he *checks notes* dumped his girlfriend at the height of his battle with addiction. It just seemed so odd to me. I'm not saying they should have treated him like a hero. I get why they were apprehensive of him because they are so protective of Alana but the extends these people went to just felt evil, and not real. I kept thinking he must have done something else that was WAY worse, but that reveal just never came.
The romance was also just really lackluster to me. They had some cute moments, especially when Alana's daughter was involved. However, the only basis for their feelings is the fact that they were in love with each other several years ago. We don't get any flashbacks to see them fall in love. We don't get any developement present day. It just felt extremely lackluster. Add to that my previous complaints about feeling like Alana has a deep hatred for Cal instead of loving him, I just didn't buy it AT ALL.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Grief
Minor: Miscarriage
sunflowers101's review against another edition
4.5
This book was so hard to read at times because of how intense it made me feel when Cal drank. I think this is a pretty accurate representation of how when a relationship is good, it's great, but when it's bad, it's devastating. The spice was hot, the banter was good, the anguish was intense, and I loved feeling all the feelings. I loved the relationship between Cal, Lana, and her daughter in the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
maxinesf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug abuse
imcalledjo'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this book!
Really interesting topics covered
Really interesting topics covered
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Drug use
liaantje's review
The MMC is Just succes an ass, and a high functioning alcoholische. This Girl deserved better
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent
kell_yeah_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
reviewing my spreadsheet for this book and all i wrote is:
"can a book be both your favorite and least favorite at the same time?"
so. yeah.
cal, our mmc, had some struggles that hit a little close home for me. as someone who, in the past, consistently felt like someone else's addiction was more important than me, and felt pushed aside with regularity because of it, this book was hard to read at times. but cal pushing through it and recognizing his behavior, and working on his relationships with his family and our girl lana made it a fun read too. lana, our badass fmc, keep me in it and rooting for them.
we've got second chance romance, forced proximity, single mom, and enemies to lovers.
per my spreadsheet:
spice 🌶 - a 4 🌶 spicy (romance.io scale)
length - just right
reading speed - read in 4 days
did it make me cry? - oh just about. i think i was a lil enraged during the times i would normally cry lol
"can a book be both your favorite and least favorite at the same time?"
so. yeah.
cal, our mmc, had some struggles that hit a little close home for me. as someone who, in the past, consistently felt like someone else's addiction was more important than me, and felt pushed aside with regularity because of it, this book was hard to read at times. but cal pushing through it and recognizing his behavior, and working on his relationships with his family and our girl lana made it a fun read too. lana, our badass fmc, keep me in it and rooting for them.
we've got second chance romance, forced proximity, single mom, and enemies to lovers.
per my spreadsheet:
spice 🌶 - a 4 🌶 spicy (romance.io scale)
length - just right
reading speed - read in 4 days
did it make me cry? - oh just about. i think i was a lil enraged during the times i would normally cry lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
barocap001's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
lizgom's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.5
I loved Cal so much in the previous books of this series, I can't stress enough how much more I loved him after this book. I loved seeing his problems and how he was held accountable for his bs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
janacc's review against another edition
emotional
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse and Injury/Injury detail
silverhill's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing and Death of parent
Minor: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Cancer, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infertility, Toxic relationship, and Grief