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kemikemi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.0
This book started out fun zany; the characters were funny, the premise was so wild, and I loved the way that Meddy’s family had her back immediately. However, I started getting frustrated with characters, and then the last act of the book devolved into what the fuck???? that then got so quickly wrapped up all neatly with a bow…it just didn’t end up panning out in a way that kept up with the promising start for me.
As for as the main character herself, I took issue with how around midway Meddy contradicted herself regarding her moral code and lying; I went on a rant to my friend about how in one of the scenes Meddy refused to lie to someone’s face but then she literally ended up doing just that a couple scenes later because her NOT lying to cover for something earlier resulted in a false assumption being made that she decided she had to play along with. And considering the entire premise of the story is her trying to cover up a person’s death that she caused, which would then turn into a secret she’d plan to harbor forever, Meddy drawing her proverbial line at lying about something technically related but rather innocuous in comparison felt so ridiculous. There’s just something that bothers me about deception/“I have a secret” story plots where characters refuse to lie and/or are terrible at lying on the spot—like you’re either committed to keeping this a secret at all costs or not!! You’re stressing me out!!! Another thing that bothered me was how heavily Meddy started internal monologuing during all the high intensity situations at the end of the book; she kept repeating the same thoughts/themes and it got a bit too repetitive in a way that took me out of the action.
But about the pacing and ending of the book: honestly, despite how insane the premise is, the first half of the book does feel like it unfolds rather realistically for the situations that keep happening regarding the dead body main plot, and disbelief can be reasonably suspended to go along with the zaniness—which is perfect. However, after the actual wedding ceremony ended is where it started to go too off the rails for me, and I just wasn’t satisfied with how everything past that ended up unfolding and wrapping up the book. It was all wayy too much and too fast in my opinion, so I found myself disappointed by HOW we got to the ending (the ending we all all into the book knowing from the start). So in all, this book ended up being a little bit of a miss for me compared to how I originally thought I was going to like it, and I’m not sure I’m going to read the sequel(s) ☹️
As for as the main character herself, I took issue with how around midway Meddy contradicted herself regarding her moral code and lying; I went on a rant to my friend about how in one of the scenes Meddy refused to lie to someone’s face but then she literally ended up doing just that a couple scenes later because her NOT lying to cover for something earlier resulted in a false assumption being made that she decided she had to play along with. And considering the entire premise of the story is her trying to cover up a person’s death that she caused, which would then turn into a secret she’d plan to harbor forever, Meddy drawing her proverbial line at lying about something technically related but rather innocuous in comparison felt so ridiculous. There’s just something that bothers me about deception/“I have a secret” story plots where characters refuse to lie and/or are terrible at lying on the spot—like you’re either committed to keeping this a secret at all costs or not!! You’re stressing me out!!! Another thing that bothered me was how heavily Meddy started internal monologuing during all the high intensity situations at the end of the book; she kept repeating the same thoughts/themes and it got a bit too repetitive in a way that took me out of the action.
But about the pacing and ending of the book: honestly, despite how insane the premise is, the first half of the book does feel like it unfolds rather realistically for the situations that keep happening regarding the dead body main plot, and disbelief can be reasonably suspended to go along with the zaniness—which is perfect. However, after the actual wedding ceremony ended is where it started to go too off the rails for me, and I just wasn’t satisfied with how everything past that ended up unfolding and wrapping up the book. It was all wayy too much and too fast in my opinion, so I found myself disappointed by HOW we got to the ending (the ending we all all into the book knowing from the start). So in all, this book ended up being a little bit of a miss for me compared to how I originally thought I was going to like it, and I’m not sure I’m going to read the sequel(s) ☹️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Car accident, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
Minor: Racism
talkstofish's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A lighthearted, easy, fun read. I enjoyed Meddy’s character and found her complicated relationship to her (immigrant) family very relatable. When we get swept into the craziness of a murder at a wedding, I kept reading for every twist and turn - only to feel like the end was a very unbelievable wrap up. I also felt that her previous relationship break with her ex-boyfriend was far too easily resolved, but they seem cute so I’m going to read the sequel about them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
Minor: Murder and Sexual harassment
percervall's review against another edition
funny
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
If you enjoyed the Finlay Donovan series, I think you’d enjoy this as well
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Vomit, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Violence, and Xenophobia
keelirae113's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Car accident, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism, Police brutality, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
716a_m's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Kidnapping, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault
fkshg8465's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
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
4.0
Almost as cute as Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers. Started out as what I thought was going to be a syrupy sappy romance, and I was initially disappointed after having fallen in love with Vera Wong - was hoping it was going to be more of the same. Glad I stuck it out. There were definitely a few small editorial issues with structure and continuity, but if I ignore all that, it was funny and charming and fun enough that I’ve already taken out the sequel from the library.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Racism, Xenophobia, Car accident, and Alcohol
veeteegee's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
A surprisingly endearing read considering the subject matter. It also requires you to release some common sense processing to enjoy it… It seemed very wild to me that no one once considered security cameras in the many kerfuffles that occurred in the hotel??? But that would’ve eliminated many plot points pretty quickly so I suppose it made sense to ignore that as a realistic solution. There were moments that felt repetitive and I did feel the author wanted to do a lot within these pages that wasn’t fully developed. However, I went into this read without many expectations so it kept me entertained throughout the reading experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Gore, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Xenophobia and Sexual harassment
fernandalaram's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
jackieyvette's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
This book was so fun to read, and I loved the pacing.
This story had so much love winding through it in so many ways. From Meddy and her aunts, Nathan, Jacqueline, and everyone in between. I can't wait to see what happens next. With all the love you almost forget this involves a dead body. Meddy and Nathan are adorable, and I really loved their story.
What I would describe as a rom-com Weekend at Bernie's.
Crying score: none
This story had so much love winding through it in so many ways. From Meddy and her aunts, Nathan, Jacqueline, and everyone in between. I can't wait to see what happens next. With all the love you almost forget this involves a dead body. Meddy and Nathan are adorable, and I really loved their story.
What I would describe as a rom-com Weekend at Bernie's.
Crying score: none
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
emmajh91's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Drug use, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Car accident, Murder, and Sexual harassment