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bustabluth's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment and Child death
msripley's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
0natalia0's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
The best depiction of depression I’ve read in a book so even though I did not find the plot that interesting I strongly recommend reading it
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Mental illness
erinnow's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Mental illness
mabellene's review
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Suicidal thoughts
ingrid6's review against another edition
Didn’t like this one. The mcs were a touch too pretentious and quirky for my taste and I thought the meme and professor google references were a little excessive. I think meme references or specific song references usually date stories so quickly.
I have to admit the book started at a disadvantage, since I’m not normally a “my ex’s brother” supporter by any means.
DNF’d right at the first hookup. Lost interest immediately, didn’t care to continue.
I have to admit the book started at a disadvantage, since I’m not normally a “my ex’s brother” supporter by any means.
DNF’d right at the first hookup. Lost interest immediately, didn’t care to continue.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Medical content and Child death
le3713'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, and Child death
kaitrates's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
Y'all it BREAKS my heart to rate this as such. This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and Olivia is one of my favourite authors. Alas, this one didn't work for me. 😭
I seem to be in the minority of this opinion, at least amongst my circles. Which makes me happy because, again, I really wanted to love this one!
Don't get me wrong: there's a lot of good here! There's fantastic depression rep, fun hijinks involving monster erotica and murder dolls, among other things, delicious sex scenes (including an absolutely obscene-in-the-best-way number of times he goes down on here), and great family, both found and otherwise. I'm high key jealous of Athena's family.
What really hindered my experience is the fact that I didn't buy that these two would become so close so quickly. There were so many scenes I loved...but couldn't believe (e.g. the bathtub scene was so beautiful but the ease with which she let him in surprised me). To go from one extreme (hate) to another (love) so quickly...it didn't work for me. As another example, I was shocked when they exchanged ILUs...and not in a good way. It didn't feel earned.
I also felt Athena and Matthew's characterisations were inconsistent. For example, the speed with which she came out of her depressive spiral. It felt more like her personality completely changed (valid and so real) in a blink (where I struggled)
Lastly, I think I wanted this to either be messier (e.g. Athena use Matthew to get back at Johnny but they fall in love...i'm talking PEAK mess) OR ditch the messiness of Matthew and Johnny being siblings.
I will absoluely keep reading Dade's works. I think about so many of her books (Ship Wrecked, 40-Love) on a regular basis. But this one won't stay in the rotation, sadly.
I seem to be in the minority of this opinion, at least amongst my circles. Which makes me happy because, again, I really wanted to love this one!
Don't get me wrong: there's a lot of good here! There's fantastic depression rep, fun hijinks involving monster erotica and murder dolls, among other things, delicious sex scenes (including an absolutely obscene-in-the-best-way number of times he goes down on here), and great family, both found and otherwise. I'm high key jealous of Athena's family.
What really hindered my experience is the fact that I didn't buy that these two would become so close so quickly. There were so many scenes I loved...but couldn't believe (e.g. the bathtub scene was so beautiful but the ease with which she let him in surprised me). To go from one extreme (hate) to another (love) so quickly...it didn't work for me. As another example, I was shocked when they exchanged ILUs...and not in a good way. It didn't feel earned.
I also felt Athena and Matthew's characterisations were inconsistent. For example, the speed with which she came out of her depressive spiral. It felt more like her personality completely changed (valid and so real) in a blink (where I struggled)
Lastly, I think I wanted this to either be messier (e.g. Athena use Matthew to get back at Johnny but they fall in love...i'm talking PEAK mess) OR ditch the messiness of Matthew and Johnny being siblings.
I will absoluely keep reading Dade's works. I think about so many of her books (Ship Wrecked, 40-Love) on a regular basis. But this one won't stay in the rotation, sadly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Child death, Abandonment, and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
sydapel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.25
I always hold Olivia Dade to a high standard, and my hype for this book was pretty huge (even though I don't hear ANYONE talking about it, which is a true travesty). Her books always strike this really excellent balance of deeply emotional and slightly ridiculous, which I really love. There's just enough silly-bordering-on-absurd plot points in this book to break up the difficult things Athena goes through in this book. I did also love Matthew as a character really exploring his boundaries to where he gives care and support. I think I loved him a little too much to really root for him and Athena to be together, which is my slightly self serving critique. Dying to know who the next book will be about!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Child death