lorinadupuy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I really like this story because I feel like it really describes teenage love. It's as beautiful as it is heartbreaking
laceydbell's review against another edition
5.0
I was hooked early and had trouble putting this one down. Great character depth. All the feels. Loved this one.
achaperonwrites's review against another edition
5.0
This book fucking ruined me.
“Elliot and words. Peanut butter and chocolate. Coffee and biscotti. Love matches made in heaven.”
—
“Elliot and words. Peanut butter and chocolate. Coffee and biscotti. Love matches made in heaven.”
—
adriennespinner's review against another edition
5.0
My first review on GoodReads! I really enjoyed this one! I've seen mixed reviews - one of the booktubers I follow LOVED it, and another booktuber hated it. I will say that both make good points. The main characters are great, but annoying at times. I rolled my eyes at some of their immature dialogue, but then had to remember that a lot of the book is told when they were teenagers. It kept me reading to anticipate the "twist", and I loved the way the authors wrapped everything up. A disclaimer about "spice".... Normally, I'm cool with spice between consenting adults. The idea of spice being described involving minors (even if they're 17/18 years old) was a little cringy, but once you get past that, the story is super cute. A great, feel-good romance with plenty of bookish vibes!
sri_savita's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
The more I think about it, this story is fucking weird.
“Favorite word?” he whispers.
I don’t even hesitate: “You.”
So, this started out promising for anyone who swoons for bookish-themed romance, however, by the end there was a lot more wrong for me than was right.
1) WAY too much angst for so little payoff, I mean yes, the twist near the end as the past is FINALLY revealed was heart-wrenching - but Elliot and Macey are just SO INTENSE FOR THE WHOLE BOOK. Their anxiety provokes anxiety in the reader. In Macey's case, I understand the toll grief takes and that might be why she bottled it all up inside but I wish she had been given better support to talk openly with more than just Elliot. That's a lot of pressure for them both to ONLY rely on each other.
2) Macey and Elliot are both very YA-style characters, at first you're like "aw childhood loves" but the whole "you're my everything" just wasn't romantic to me. People need their own friendships and other relationships. You can't fault other people and just throw yourself into one single person to be everything for you. I found their dynamic more and more unhealthy as the book went on. Very co-dependent. And yes, Macey may not have had many role models but that only adds to how strange it is that Elliot encourages this idea that he can be everything for her and that didn't sit right for me. I don't think he was explicitly taking advantage of her naïveté and sheltered nature, but y'all need other friends or this shit is going to get old fast. I do LOVE Elliot's patience and direct honesty, and he was just a really compelling character in other ways for sure.
3) Every. single. interaction. is. so. damn. wrought. with. overthinking minutia. Just CHILL. Stop being consumed by this other person and act like goddamn adults. You're 28/29. COMMUNICATE. Ultimately as with most rom-coms it's a whole lot of resisting an inevitable conclusion and then feeling instantly, infinitely better and wondering why you didn't do that in the first place when there was no real reason keeping you apart. Duh. This book could have been shorter. Had there been a convincing conflict keeping them apart for 11 years it would have been believable, instead Elliot broke up with his girlfriend THE SECOND HE SAW MACEY AGAIN. That is unhinged my dude.
4) I don't care that they were kids, the woman on woman hate with terms like "skank" just sticks out horribly now. Don't do this and say you can't connect to other women.
5) I may have to re-read this part but it seems like with the whole Elliot and Emma misunderstanding
The more I think about it, this story is fucking weird.
“Favorite word?” he whispers.
I don’t even hesitate: “You.”
So, this started out promising for anyone who swoons for bookish-themed romance, however, by the end there was a lot more wrong for me than was right.
1) WAY too much angst for so little payoff, I mean yes, the twist near the end as the past is FINALLY revealed was heart-wrenching - but Elliot and Macey are just SO INTENSE FOR THE WHOLE BOOK. Their anxiety provokes anxiety in the reader. In Macey's case, I understand the toll grief takes and that might be why she bottled it all up inside but I wish she had been given better support to talk openly with more than just Elliot. That's a lot of pressure for them both to ONLY rely on each other.
2) Macey and Elliot are both very YA-style characters, at first you're like "aw childhood loves" but the whole "you're my everything" just wasn't romantic to me. People need their own friendships and other relationships. You can't fault other people and just throw yourself into one single person to be everything for you. I found their dynamic more and more unhealthy as the book went on. Very co-dependent. And yes, Macey may not have had many role models but that only adds to how strange it is that Elliot encourages this idea that he can be everything for her and that didn't sit right for me. I don't think he was explicitly taking advantage of her naïveté and sheltered nature, but y'all need other friends or this shit is going to get old fast. I do LOVE Elliot's patience and direct honesty, and he was just a really compelling character in other ways for sure.
3) Every. single. interaction. is. so. damn. wrought. with. overthinking minutia. Just CHILL. Stop being consumed by this other person and act like goddamn adults. You're 28/29. COMMUNICATE. Ultimately as with most rom-coms it's a whole lot of resisting an inevitable conclusion and then feeling instantly, infinitely better and wondering why you didn't do that in the first place when there was no real reason keeping you apart. Duh. This book could have been shorter. Had there been a convincing conflict keeping them apart for 11 years it would have been believable, instead Elliot broke up with his girlfriend THE SECOND HE SAW MACEY AGAIN. That is unhinged my dude.
4) I don't care that they were kids, the woman on woman hate with terms like "skank" just sticks out horribly now. Don't do this and say you can't connect to other women.
5) I may have to re-read this part but it seems like with the whole Elliot and Emma misunderstanding
Spoiler
his consent was clearly violated, and this rape was just glossed over.noellesbookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
"Favorite word?"
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Christina and Lauren have done it again! Being only the second book I've read by this amazing duo, they've now become an autobuy for me! I gushed so much about The Unhoneymooners and while it's definitely high on my favorites list, I think I love this one even more!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Macy and Elliot's story was so captivating and real, it broke my heart and made me cry, and I loved every minute of it!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This book features romance, friendship, loss, and forgiveness. If you are looking for an emotional and endearing love story that will break your heart and mend it back together, this is the perfect book! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Christina and Lauren have done it again! Being only the second book I've read by this amazing duo, they've now become an autobuy for me! I gushed so much about The Unhoneymooners and while it's definitely high on my favorites list, I think I love this one even more!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Macy and Elliot's story was so captivating and real, it broke my heart and made me cry, and I loved every minute of it!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This book features romance, friendship, loss, and forgiveness. If you are looking for an emotional and endearing love story that will break your heart and mend it back together, this is the perfect book! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
finebook's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
anjjj's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
LOVED THIS BOOK! Enjoyed it so much.
brynnica's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.5