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mariareviews's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
Four stars wasn’t what I thought I’d end up giving this book. Honestly, at the 20% mark, I was ready to DNF it and move on. While I do enjoy a good “villain” redemption arc, what really grates on me is when characters compartmentalize themselves and the people around them into your stereotypical book tropes. But despite that, Nora’s story hit home, especially as an older sister. Feeling like I have to be a second mother to my little sister has always been something I struggle with. No matter how much she grows up, she’ll always be my little sister—just like Nora feels about Libby. It’s a tough role to navigate, and I feel like the book really captured that dynamic.
What really won me over, though, was the banter between Charlie and Nora. It was sharp, funny, and felt real. As much as I enjoy the predictability of Hallmark movies, I’ve never understood why the woman always has to leave her exciting, successful city life to raise chickens on a farm. The whole opposites-attract trope can be so frustrating when it's done that way.
That said, the reason this book didn’t get five stars from me is because the ending felt a little underwhelming. I wanted more from Charlie and Nora’s reunion—something deeper, more fleshed out. I also would’ve loved to know more about Dusty and how Nora’s life in New York changed after she returned. A longer, more detailed epilogue would’ve really wrapped things up nicely. In fact, if I had taken Nora’s advice and read the epilogue first, I might not have started the book because I feel like it just didn’t live up to the rest of the story.
All in all, though, it’s a fun and easy read. It doesn’t require too much thinking, and it’s a nice twist on the usual small-town-romance and opposites-attract trope.
What really won me over, though, was the banter between Charlie and Nora. It was sharp, funny, and felt real. As much as I enjoy the predictability of Hallmark movies, I’ve never understood why the woman always has to leave her exciting, successful city life to raise chickens on a farm. The whole opposites-attract trope can be so frustrating when it's done that way.
That said, the reason this book didn’t get five stars from me is because the ending felt a little underwhelming. I wanted more from Charlie and Nora’s reunion—something deeper, more fleshed out. I also would’ve loved to know more about Dusty and how Nora’s life in New York changed after she returned. A longer, more detailed epilogue would’ve really wrapped things up nicely. In fact, if I had taken Nora’s advice and read the epilogue first, I might not have started the book because I feel like it just didn’t live up to the rest of the story.
All in all, though, it’s a fun and easy read. It doesn’t require too much thinking, and it’s a nice twist on the usual small-town-romance and opposites-attract trope.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Alcohol
emmahe'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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent
_pauline's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I had to try really hard to ignore certain things (- let’s PLEASE stop calling crushes by their last name & sisters sissy -) but overall I liked this a lot more than I expected. it took me a month to finish it but it’s entertaining & lighthearted for the most part; although the characters still have depth + there’s a lot more going on besides the romance plot
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit, Medical content, and Alcohol
jaimc's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
themollylorian'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? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
sxndaze's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.5
Maybe it's possible to belong in a hundred different ways to a hundred different people and places.
my second emily henry book, and i sadly didn’t vibe with it as much. nora is so concerned with not being the girl that men want in the end because she’s too cold, too much and too high maintenance, but she’s just got some trauma. it’s not a crime to care about your career and to love the city.
i don’t like libby. i understand and get the point of her, but i find her selfish and unlikable even with her motives. also baby as a middle name??? calling nora sissy??? unacceptable. speaking of terrible names, shepherd???
charlie though. i do adore charlie and the banter between nora and charlie is this book’s strongest aspect. they are lovely, but the foundation of their relationship is quite weak for a rivals (barely even. more like hardly tolerate) to insta lovers. he’s sweet to her and understands nora fundamentally, but i can’t help but wonder how.
overall it’s fine! i got through it quickly and felt compelled to keep going. i can’t say it was my favourite though, and i am sorry about that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit and Medical content
heather_freshparchment's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit
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
thestoriessofar's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
tattedtrashreader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
This book takes a quintessential Hallmark plot line and peppers in some of the funniest lines I’ve ever read with a twist and modern, relatable characters. Even my husband was laughing as we listened to the audiobook on our roadtrip. He told me he was going to reenact the wine scene 😂.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent