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_bookish_lauren's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
Overall: 4.5/5
Spice level: 2.5/5
Tropes: childhood best friends to lovers, small town
Representation: interracial MM, MC Luka is gay and MC Rook is demisexual
CW: parental illness, parental death (off page)
This childhood best friends to lovers story was damn near perfect. The connection between Rook and Luka felt effortless from their very first time meeting as kids. They had the best friendship story I've seen written in a long time.
And the way the author navigated Rook's sexuality and his self-discovery was done with such care and compassion.
This was truly a beautiful story and is one of my favorites for 2024 so far.
I appreciated that the author kept the parental death off page but took care in showing the characters processing their grief alone and in community. It was so important to their development.
Overall, I had no real criticism for this book. It was so well done! Johnson's writing is always beautifully emotional. With just a touch of spice.
Spice level: 2.5/5
Tropes: childhood best friends to lovers, small town
Representation: interracial MM, MC Luka is gay and MC Rook is demisexual
CW: parental illness, parental death (off page)
This childhood best friends to lovers story was damn near perfect. The connection between Rook and Luka felt effortless from their very first time meeting as kids. They had the best friendship story I've seen written in a long time.
And the way the author navigated Rook's sexuality and his self-discovery was done with such care and compassion.
This was truly a beautiful story and is one of my favorites for 2024 so far.
I appreciated that the author kept the parental death off page but took care in showing the characters processing their grief alone and in community. It was so important to their development.
Overall, I had no real criticism for this book. It was so well done! Johnson's writing is always beautifully emotional. With just a touch of spice.
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent