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knitdyeread's review against another edition
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Grief
amberinpieces's review
- 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
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia, Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Antisemitism, Death of parent, and Classism
chandlery's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, and Grief
apollo0325's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It was an easy read, and while I liked a lot of the elements such as the exploration of trauma and how trauma affects our relationships, I also felt like it didn’t do enough. We get told who Cass is, but we never get to SEE who Cass is. Despite her deceased status, I think we could have done some small flashbacks especially with the letter from Cass at the end. It contextualizes the relationships between Cass, Miriam, Hannah, Levi, and Noelle and it makes the reader understand the emotional toil Cass’s loss has put on the main characters as well as the community. It feels like the book forces you to rely on how it might feel to lose a loved one, and if the reader like me has not experienced that, the emotional punches of this novel become weak.
I also hated the epilogue lmao it’s so obvious that they planned sequels to this because of the epilogue.
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, and Alcohol
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism
Toxic parent, narcissistjfhobbit's review
- 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
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Grief
moonyreadsbystarlight's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked so much about this, but there were parts of the writing that just weren't for me. I can't describe it much without spoilers or just talking for longer than a book review should be. Even still, it was a good read!
And for those who care, the spicy scenes are fade to black. So, while there's plenty of lusting, this may be good for folks who aren't super into heavy sex scenes.
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Drug use, Fatphobia, and Antisemitism
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
I do think the book itself was slightly longer than it needed to be. Part of that was because of how much time takes place, I think. It just felt a little drawn out. But I did enjoy the romance! It felt realistic to me.
If you do pick this up, be warned there are some pretty heavy themes of grief and dealing with past traumas from abuse. It's still a rom-com, but definitely with some heavier themes.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Antisemitism
softstuff513'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
2.5
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
lisacanteven's review against another edition
- 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
I immediately fell in love with all the characters. They are so deep yet so lovable. I want to know all their stories. And hopefully I will get to. I really felt like Miriam's character was take so much from my own experience. When you have made someone feel like a character was written for them, you have succeeded. In this case, Helena did this with Miriam for me. The issues Miriam had with her mom were completely different than mine, yet the consequences were very similar. Thank you, Helena.
Please read this book for such a real yet gentle and beautiful look into adults coping in the best ways they know how. Things can get messy, but they can be fixed with some healthy communication. I think this book does a great job of demonstrating how we can have respect and leave room for people's traumas, but we can still expect them to grow. I just loved this book.
I immediately picked up the next book, For Never & Always, because the ending was perfect. The build-up to the next two characters' stories was so good. I am in a chokehold for their book.
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting