mirandamess139's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
saltphxchic's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Note: while I tried not to give story, or anything big away, there is potential for mild spoilers in this rant.
I'm torn on the number of stars to give. Because I do feel like it was decent writing and there is definite potential. The book was able to hold my interest. I appreciate the turns and getting different perspectives from each character. But there were so many cringe moments, repetitiveness, and even predictability in the story that I just can't get past. I also find it hard to believe this was written by a Woman. I keep double-checking because I swear this has to be a male author.
Starting with our main female character who falls into the manic pixie dreamgirl trope (of course she's also a virgin), she's here to save everyone from themselves y'all 🙄, including a man who is more than 10 years her senior and definitely not a virgin. The author has entirely mysoginistic views on love and sex. Let's not even get into the super cringe OBGYN scene, has this author never been to a gynecologist before? She makes it seem like going to the doctor's an amusement ride and that you'll barely escape cumming while there. That's not even broaching the ethical side of him even agreeing to see her as a patient.
We also find the characters in typical gender roles, with our main female offering up herself, her time, and her money to clean his apartment and fill his fridge with food (he's a doctor and likely makes loads more than her). This man also doesn't even want her there, nor does she live there, but were supposed to believe this is healthy for her, just because she's taking care of him and his curmudgeonly father? Meanwhile, she has time to do this as she works full time, has a babysitting side gig, is editing a novel in her free time, and lives no where near him? He can't even be bothered to acknowledge her work or thank her. In typical male fashion, he just pretends everything just magically appears stocked and cleaned. Because apparently an adult man in his mid-thirties can't be bothered to take care of himself. He even somehow goes for weeks without even realizing his father has chased away his housekeeper. He doesn't bother checking in on his own employee (or paying her?) and he sells himself the lie that maybe his housekeeper just showed up again one day. Typical men, you dont have to arrange cleaning services, women just show up and do it for you!
Then we've got the tiny bit of pregnancy story at the end, well this is glossed over other than to make sure we know she just has a perfect pregnancy, with no issues, pains, etc. Of course our now 23 year old manic pixie girl is perfect in every way and doesnt complain about the same stuff majority women do during pregnancy. This must be why the main male loves dating someone so much younger than him. Apparently she's just a walk in the park.Â
There is also nothing emotional or sexual from a woman's point of view in the sex scenes. I felt they would more appropriately fit on pornhub as they're written for the male gaze, i.e. talking about how wet the female is i.e."The wetness pooled, running down my thigh." I think every scene mentions her wetness at some point, even telling us "Her wetness could be seen from satellites."Â
There are just so many cringe moments, especially surrounding the main characters virginity and the man's faux altruistic view of not taking it, queue back to the obgyn scene. Ugh, I just want to roll my eyes. This man constantly takes advantage of this woman, then feigns altruism. It's beyond frustrating. I want to be clear, I am not against a steamy book. I have read plenty of steamy books. But the sex scenes in this book would not get to me as a woman, they sound more like the typical sex men think is good, i.e. sex that is lacking even just basic touching and foreplay that I think most women appreciate. I think for most women sex is about the journey, not the end goal. It is clear these scenes were simply to get off, and clearly make it seem women get off just as easily as men.Â
Don't even get me started on the blowjob scene where he basically tells her "Good girl" (OM-barf!) and of course she likes it, she wants so much to be a "good girl" that she takes half his "assault rifle, larger than legal cock" and readily slurps up his jizz, "Thick, white ropes shot out of him, landing on my lips, tongue, teeth. He palmed the back of my head, guiding me forward. My lips wrapped around the tip of his cock to accept the rest. He filled my mouth, tasting earthy and warm. I swallowed, unable to get enough of him."
All this behind a thin door in his doctor's office, while his employees likely listen on the other side. Talk about professionalism. He probably f****** multiple women, without condoms mind you, in his office and then he gets to continue to be one of the top Doctors in New York, trusted by women, for their OB-GYN needs. Ugh, so much insidious misogyny.Â
As you can tell from my review, the misogyny is where most of my anger lies, but I have problems with the rest of the story as well. The entire idea that this kid who, they're both grieving, worked so hard to get accepted into Harvard just for the sole purpose of having someone read and edit his book so he can present it to her.... The entire idea is just ridiculous. And as someone who has dealt with 2 family members committing suicide it feels appalling to me to explain away somebody's suicidal ideation and life planning like this. Years of hard work, just for someone you met once a year, that you never planned on following through with for yourself? It's not believable and takes away from the grief the author wants to portray.Â
I also found a lot of the story was predictable, especially the so called big dropper at the end that was delivered by the reformed curmudgeonly father. I won't give away his news, but I saw it coming 100 miles away, among other predictable storylines in this book.Â
I think the author has potential, they can write well, and for as much as I hated this book, I did finish it. It could have been shorter, or perhaps if they drew more on the emotions they wanted to convey (grief, sadness, depression, healing, understanding, connections) then I would have devoured its length. But the sexual tension was so glaring and took over everything, there was no room for other emotions to be considered. I feel it was a disservice to this story and it's characters. Because I see how emotionally powerful this book could have been.
It's clear from the sneak peak of the next book at the end, the author hasn't changed writing styles. Immediately we are greeted by a 10 year age gap between the male/female characters. I'm not even going to start that one. What does a newly 18 year old girl have to give a 28 year old man. How about dating someone at least 25, then at least her brain is finished developing and not as easily accessible to your male grooming.
I'm torn on the number of stars to give. Because I do feel like it was decent writing and there is definite potential. The book was able to hold my interest. I appreciate the turns and getting different perspectives from each character. But there were so many cringe moments, repetitiveness, and even predictability in the story that I just can't get past. I also find it hard to believe this was written by a Woman. I keep double-checking because I swear this has to be a male author.
Starting with our main female character who falls into the manic pixie dreamgirl trope (of course she's also a virgin), she's here to save everyone from themselves y'all 🙄, including a man who is more than 10 years her senior and definitely not a virgin. The author has entirely mysoginistic views on love and sex. Let's not even get into the super cringe OBGYN scene, has this author never been to a gynecologist before? She makes it seem like going to the doctor's an amusement ride and that you'll barely escape cumming while there. That's not even broaching the ethical side of him even agreeing to see her as a patient.
We also find the characters in typical gender roles, with our main female offering up herself, her time, and her money to clean his apartment and fill his fridge with food (he's a doctor and likely makes loads more than her). This man also doesn't even want her there, nor does she live there, but were supposed to believe this is healthy for her, just because she's taking care of him and his curmudgeonly father? Meanwhile, she has time to do this as she works full time, has a babysitting side gig, is editing a novel in her free time, and lives no where near him? He can't even be bothered to acknowledge her work or thank her. In typical male fashion, he just pretends everything just magically appears stocked and cleaned. Because apparently an adult man in his mid-thirties can't be bothered to take care of himself. He even somehow goes for weeks without even realizing his father has chased away his housekeeper. He doesn't bother checking in on his own employee (or paying her?) and he sells himself the lie that maybe his housekeeper just showed up again one day. Typical men, you dont have to arrange cleaning services, women just show up and do it for you!
Then we've got the tiny bit of pregnancy story at the end, well this is glossed over other than to make sure we know she just has a perfect pregnancy, with no issues, pains, etc. Of course our now 23 year old manic pixie girl is perfect in every way and doesnt complain about the same stuff majority women do during pregnancy. This must be why the main male loves dating someone so much younger than him. Apparently she's just a walk in the park.Â
There is also nothing emotional or sexual from a woman's point of view in the sex scenes. I felt they would more appropriately fit on pornhub as they're written for the male gaze, i.e. talking about how wet the female is i.e."The wetness pooled, running down my thigh." I think every scene mentions her wetness at some point, even telling us "Her wetness could be seen from satellites."Â
There are just so many cringe moments, especially surrounding the main characters virginity and the man's faux altruistic view of not taking it, queue back to the obgyn scene. Ugh, I just want to roll my eyes. This man constantly takes advantage of this woman, then feigns altruism. It's beyond frustrating. I want to be clear, I am not against a steamy book. I have read plenty of steamy books. But the sex scenes in this book would not get to me as a woman, they sound more like the typical sex men think is good, i.e. sex that is lacking even just basic touching and foreplay that I think most women appreciate. I think for most women sex is about the journey, not the end goal. It is clear these scenes were simply to get off, and clearly make it seem women get off just as easily as men.Â
Don't even get me started on the blowjob scene where he basically tells her "Good girl" (OM-barf!) and of course she likes it, she wants so much to be a "good girl" that she takes half his "assault rifle, larger than legal cock" and readily slurps up his jizz, "Thick, white ropes shot out of him, landing on my lips, tongue, teeth. He palmed the back of my head, guiding me forward. My lips wrapped around the tip of his cock to accept the rest. He filled my mouth, tasting earthy and warm. I swallowed, unable to get enough of him."
All this behind a thin door in his doctor's office, while his employees likely listen on the other side. Talk about professionalism. He probably f****** multiple women, without condoms mind you, in his office and then he gets to continue to be one of the top Doctors in New York, trusted by women, for their OB-GYN needs. Ugh, so much insidious misogyny.Â
As you can tell from my review, the misogyny is where most of my anger lies, but I have problems with the rest of the story as well. The entire idea that this kid who, they're both grieving, worked so hard to get accepted into Harvard just for the sole purpose of having someone read and edit his book so he can present it to her.... The entire idea is just ridiculous. And as someone who has dealt with 2 family members committing suicide it feels appalling to me to explain away somebody's suicidal ideation and life planning like this. Years of hard work, just for someone you met once a year, that you never planned on following through with for yourself? It's not believable and takes away from the grief the author wants to portray.Â
I also found a lot of the story was predictable, especially the so called big dropper at the end that was delivered by the reformed curmudgeonly father. I won't give away his news, but I saw it coming 100 miles away, among other predictable storylines in this book.Â
I think the author has potential, they can write well, and for as much as I hated this book, I did finish it. It could have been shorter, or perhaps if they drew more on the emotions they wanted to convey (grief, sadness, depression, healing, understanding, connections) then I would have devoured its length. But the sexual tension was so glaring and took over everything, there was no room for other emotions to be considered. I feel it was a disservice to this story and it's characters. Because I see how emotionally powerful this book could have been.
It's clear from the sneak peak of the next book at the end, the author hasn't changed writing styles. Immediately we are greeted by a 10 year age gap between the male/female characters. I'm not even going to start that one. What does a newly 18 year old girl have to give a 28 year old man. How about dating someone at least 25, then at least her brain is finished developing and not as easily accessible to your male grooming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Body shaming, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Stalking, Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Pregnancy, Infertility, and Miscarriage
ebancroft's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, good enemies to lovers trope, full of steamy moments (but nothing to full on if you don’t like that).Â
I loved the character development and fell more in love with Tate and Charlie and the book went on, I especially enjoyed how different Charlie was for the main love trope in a steamy book.Â
A good read, didn’t feel like a 700ish page book. I wish there was a few less contemporary references (felt a little bit cringe at times) but overall I loved it, and I love the way this author writes.Â
I loved the character development and fell more in love with Tate and Charlie and the book went on, I especially enjoyed how different Charlie was for the main love trope in a steamy book.Â
A good read, didn’t feel like a 700ish page book. I wish there was a few less contemporary references (felt a little bit cringe at times) but overall I loved it, and I love the way this author writes.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Alcoholism, Infertility, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Death, Drug abuse, Addiction, Grief, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
innae's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Not what I expected. Â It was sad and beautiful and gave me the feels. Â Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcoholism, Self harm, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Drug use, Infertility, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, and Abandonment
samix3reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Death of parent, Drug use, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
deeloro's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
This book broke my heart. I went in blind and I don’t regret that. I think if I knew some of the plot points that shocked me and hurt me, the read wouldn’t have been the same. I ignored the trigger warnings (because I don’t really have any. If you need them, I won’t suggest skipping them.) since I feel they sometimes give away plot points. I dove in head first and got hurt. But I don’t regret it. I never do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infertility, Pregnancy, and Self harm
kaleygb's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Death, Bullying, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, Addiction, Drug abuse, Suicide, and Alcoholism
Minor: Infertility, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Child death
ladylaurenexplorer's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A 5 is the only rating I can give this book. It has bad me cry so much. Not only because it was sad, but because the moments, a lot of them, were so relatable to me.Â
I’ve been so seen when it comes to Kel thoughts and the strength of Charlotte.Â
I loved Tate & Terry’s growth. From the guilt, acceptance, and accountability for their actions. I really wish Kel could have been there to see everything through.Â
But I understand the feeling of there being nothing you can do to stop the actions of a loved one when you see the impact coming.Â
To me this was bittersweet and so hard for me to read, but I knew I won’t be able to continue if I stopped. I’m glad I did though!
I would definitely recommend, but to tell you the truth. At this time in my life, I can’t reread this! It’s to close to reality for me at times.Â
But please read it! It’s a beautiful piece of getting past the grief of losing someone you love as a family member or romantically. But finding the will to move forward and love for yourself!
I’ve been so seen when it comes to Kel thoughts and the strength of Charlotte.Â
I loved Tate & Terry’s growth. From the guilt, acceptance, and accountability for their actions. I really wish Kel could have been there to see everything through.Â
But I understand the feeling of there being nothing you can do to stop the actions of a loved one when you see the impact coming.Â
To me this was bittersweet and so hard for me to read, but I knew I won’t be able to continue if I stopped. I’m glad I did though!
I would definitely recommend, but to tell you the truth. At this time in my life, I can’t reread this! It’s to close to reality for me at times.Â
But please read it! It’s a beautiful piece of getting past the grief of losing someone you love as a family member or romantically. But finding the will to move forward and love for yourself!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Suicide, Death, Death of parent, and Drug abuse
everythingbutthebagel69's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow wow wow. Not at all what I was expecting but in a very good way.Â
Im giving this 5 stars because didn’t want to put this down, I thought about it when I wasn’t reading it & it surprised me.Â
Would someone literary minded have a diff opinion, maybe, but I really enjoyed the ride.
All that said, I do have some qualms. Our FMC is very naive. It kills me.Â
The way Tate reasons to accept his feelings for Charlie is so dumb. The voicemail being permission?? Stupid.Â
And the elephant in the room being MALPRACTICE. I MEAN I GET IT IN THE STORY BUT IT’S STILL A TOUGH PILL.
Im giving this 5 stars because didn’t want to put this down, I thought about it when I wasn’t reading it & it surprised me.Â
Would someone literary minded have a diff opinion, maybe, but I really enjoyed the ride.
All that said, I do have some qualms. Our FMC is very naive. It kills me.Â
Spoiler
Saying I love you after giving head for the first time? Come on.ÂThe way Tate reasons to accept his feelings for Charlie is so dumb. The voicemail being permission?? Stupid.Â
And the elephant in the room being MALPRACTICE. I MEAN I GET IT IN THE STORY BUT IT’S STILL A TOUGH PILL.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcoholism
essjayreads's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
5.0
This book broke me. But then it put me back together. I read it in 2 sittings, but only because I had to go to sleep.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse