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hunny_bee's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Emily Henry you've done it--you've managed to snag the spot of being the first 5 star book I've read this year.
There is so much I could stay about the book and all of the things Ioved, but I'll try to keep it concise.
First and foremost, the characters. I found myself immediately connecting to Nora. Despite being the "villain" archetype, she was the most likable of all of the Henry female leads I've read. Then we have Charlie. Beautiful, gorgeous, swoon-worthy Charlie. He was SO fun to read, and i loved seeing the two of them grow with each other. Their banter was hilarious, and I found myself laughing out loud multiple times.
And their love. I fully was rooting for them every step of the way. Their love felt genuine, and I loved that neither of them compromised on the things they cared about even if they were in love. Their realistic nature made me want for it to work out between them even more.
Finally, Libby and Nora. Ugh, I love it so much. It helped make the story feel even more realized, from the way that things manifest between them to how Nora understands and processes things. As someone who also is very close to their sister and is the oldest, their dynamic is something that I deeply connected with.
Overall, an amazing novel and I can definitely see myself re-reading this again in the future.
There is so much I could stay about the book and all of the things Ioved, but I'll try to keep it concise.
First and foremost, the characters. I found myself immediately connecting to Nora. Despite being the "villain" archetype, she was the most likable of all of the Henry female leads I've read. Then we have Charlie. Beautiful, gorgeous, swoon-worthy Charlie. He was SO fun to read, and i loved seeing the two of them grow with each other. Their banter was hilarious, and I found myself laughing out loud multiple times.
And their love. I fully was rooting for them every step of the way. Their love felt genuine, and I loved that neither of them compromised on the things they cared about even if they were in love. Their realistic nature made me want for it to work out between them even more.
Finally, Libby and Nora. Ugh, I love it so much. It helped make the story feel even more realized, from the way that things manifest between them to how Nora understands and processes things. As someone who also is very close to their sister and is the oldest, their dynamic is something that I deeply connected with.
Overall, an amazing novel and I can definitely see myself re-reading this again in the future.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Death of parent
karablong's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
aaallliiiccceee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Ableism, Cursing, and Medical content
sophk8's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Alcohol
infjkiki's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Vomit
ceruleanshelves's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
“Nora.” He just barely smiles. “You’re in books. Of course you don’t have a life. None of us do. There’s always something too good to read.”
let my girl wear her heels and drink dirty gin martinis before she pelotons!
relieved to say i really enjoyed this one! i was a bit hesitant going in, but we can thank my dad for me liking this book. why? bc every year i'm forced to watch a dozen of the hallmark christmas movies he's obsessed with, and about 80% of them have the cliche (and sexist) stereotype of the career woman in the city who's not soft enough, not family focused enough, is too high strung and uptight, and she returns to her midwest hometown to fall back in love w her ex who runs his family's jam farm and give up her empty city life and career and settle into the nuclear family.
blegh. like i wouldn't mind it so much if it wasn't always making it out to be like the woman's shortcomings that's she career-focused and doesn't yearn to be a housewife. have you seen this economy???? have you tried this dating pool????
enter book lovers. nora is the prime example of this trope; she's garnered herself the nickname "the shark" in her literary world as a persistent agent. but she doesn't see herself that way, and she can't understand why she's perceived so negatively (honestly same girl). i really identified with her esp on this; ppl are always so awed by male actors "method acting" being assholes and weirdos for their jobs and other endless stories of the egotistical control freak savants, but women are awful for prioritizing their jobs and not everyone else above it.
charlie is blessedly not at all put off by nora's straight-forward demeanor, which equals his own. i felt like their banter was so funny and witty and their level of intellect made them great matches for each other. i liked watching it develop. there were some will they won't they moments near the end that started to make it feel a bit drawn out to me, but it wrapped up nicely.
there was also a lot of family baggage that nora was working through that took the spotlight often, which i've seen before in henry's books, so i didn't mind. our relationships with our family's completely affect our romantic relationships, so it makes sense to me.
at this point i'd say emily henry is one of my fav contemp romance authors. i just jive w her characteres, the banter, and her storytelling. she also has an audiobook narrator that i like, which is always the hardest part about audiobooks for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
marimaria's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
I went into reading this book expecting it to be loaded with the stereotypical romantic tropes and clichés. I just wanted a light read, where I could turn my mind off for a few hours. Just harmless stuff. I've heard people talk about Emily Henry's writing (and how somewhat overhyped her books are), so I thought of giving this one a shot since the premise appealed to me more than her other books. But I ended up becoming a lot more invested in the story, far more than I anticipated. I rated this a lot higher than most books I've read that are more my type solely because I really enjoyed reading this book.
Sure, there were some clichés here and there (which the book is so self-aware of, I might add), and it was predictable sometimes. Still, I couldn't put the book down.
The Banter between Nora (the protagonist) and Charlie is adorable and funny. They've already grown on me as a couple, just 3 chapters in. They have a lot of chemistry that isn't also cringey.
But I love Nora and Libby's sisterly bond more, and the book explores that a lot as well, not just the romance. I liked reading the many nuances and flaws each character has; they're not just filler, one-dimensional characters. I could actually empathise with each and root for them.
Some tropes I found in the book are enemies to lovers (pretty lowkey), found family, and it's a book about books.
Some tropes I found in the book are enemies to lovers (pretty lowkey), found family, and it's a book about books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death
azileotulp's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
Wow. I don't even know where to start with this. There are so many incredible things about this book that I'm finding it difficult to sort everything out.
I guess I should start with the fact that this just might be the perfect rom-com. I tend to be pretty hard on other books of this genre. I love reading them, but there's always something in the back of my mind that tells me they could be better. This is the rom-com I've been waiting for. None of the minor details that have caused me to rate other rom-coms below 5 stars are present in this book. Really the only thing I can say I "disliked" was Libby, but I don't even think that's entirely accurate. Even if she bothered me at times, there was something about Nora's intense love for her that made me want to see her happy too.
I have to say, one place where I think this book really shines, especially compared to other rom-coms, is its protagonist. It is absolutely wonderful to read from Nora's POV, and honestly quite refreshing. One of my biggest qualms with other romances is that the protagonist seems to always deny that the MMC has a thing for her even if it has been made abundantly obvious. Nora isn't like that. She knows she has feelings for Charlie, and she knows he has feelings for her. Instead of the conflict stemming from an issue of that nature, it's actually much more mature and realistic, revolving around her feeling such devotion to the other people in her life that she is unable to choose what she wants.It makes it even more satisfying when she chooses to take the editing job that she has always dreamed of and goes back to New York.
I've got a say, I was a wreck nearing the end of the book with all the talk of Charlie staying in Sunshine Falls while Nora went back to New York. Even though I knew it was an Emily Henry book and would have a happy ending, there was just something in the back of my mind telling me the ending would be bittersweet or sad. I'm so delighted I was wrong. That ending was everything I could ever ask for and more.
I really cannot speak higher of this novel. All rom-com fans can see parts of themselves in the characters and find something to enjoy. I fear this may set my standards too high regarding other rom-coms, but I don't even mind. I feel like I can be happy no matter what knowing that I have read such a wonderful story.
I guess I should start with the fact that this just might be the perfect rom-com. I tend to be pretty hard on other books of this genre. I love reading them, but there's always something in the back of my mind that tells me they could be better. This is the rom-com I've been waiting for. None of the minor details that have caused me to rate other rom-coms below 5 stars are present in this book. Really the only thing I can say I "disliked" was Libby, but I don't even think that's entirely accurate. Even if she bothered me at times, there was something about Nora's intense love for her that made me want to see her happy too.
I have to say, one place where I think this book really shines, especially compared to other rom-coms, is its protagonist. It is absolutely wonderful to read from Nora's POV, and honestly quite refreshing. One of my biggest qualms with other romances is that the protagonist seems to always deny that the MMC has a thing for her even if it has been made abundantly obvious. Nora isn't like that. She knows she has feelings for Charlie, and she knows he has feelings for her. Instead of the conflict stemming from an issue of that nature, it's actually much more mature and realistic, revolving around her feeling such devotion to the other people in her life that she is unable to choose what she wants.
I really cannot speak higher of this novel. All rom-com fans can see parts of themselves in the characters and find something to enjoy. I fear this may set my standards too high regarding other rom-coms, but I don't even mind. I feel like I can be happy no matter what knowing that I have read such a wonderful story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Vomit, and Medical content
In regards to pregnancy tag - This is referring to the main character's sister, who is pregnant throughout the story, not the main character.bookthief7's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
sophiestone's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent