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tlaynejones's review against another edition
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Grief
alexlong's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Suicide, and Car accident
Minor: Death of parent
lindsaymck's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0
This was an impressive debut novel and one that I really enjoyed, but interestingly enough it is one that I don’t find easy to write a reflection about.
It is a story about how the past can shape the future until we do the work to process it and shape it for ourselves. Sometimes romances have silly reasons for characters not being able to be together, but this one was… legit. Helen Zhang’s younger sister, Michelle, commits suicide via Grant Shepherd’s car, only for Grant to later be a screenwriter on the tv show adaptation of Helen’s book series. The situation is obviously complicated, as Grant doesn’t want to make Helen uncomfortable but won’t quit the job, while Helen first feels pressured by her parents’ expectations to not connect with Grant and then feels selfish and guilty for doing just that. Grant was so lovable in a he-falls-first and he-falls-harder way, while Helen was definitely a harder sell, for Grant and for me.
Forced proximity catalyzes a reluctant acquaintance between them that grows into much more in an understandably complex way. I loved the way both Grant and Helen have thought about one another over the years in relation to Michelle’s death and that Helen does not blame him for it. The trauma-bonding that happens years after this horrible event makes both characters question how their fates are entangled, but it becomes so much more than connection through a mutual loss. Their relationship becomes the spark Helen needs so she is able to finally reflect on and recognize the ways she wants to heal and how she wants to love in a brave, bold way.
To me, this couple had a bit more angst than tenderness, but Grant says it best when he tells Helen: “You don’t have to be completely healed to be everything I want. To be mine. I love every part of you, you silly, infuriating woman. I love the parts of you. I haven’t even met yet.”
The discussed expiration date on the situation-ship due to the tv show’s schedule adds another layer to the drama, as does Helen thinking Grant is better off without her. By establishing some much-needed boundaries with her parents and communicating (in writing) all the things she wishes she could say to Michelle, Helen can process her past and move forward into the future she wants. I could be wrong, but the title makes me wonder whether the love story she is writing the ending for is her own with Grant or her writing to Michelle when she ends their story with love.
P.S. I can’t forget to mention Grant writing his address on Helen’s thigh after they fooled around in his office. 🔥
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Suicide, and Car accident
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Drug use
kcbas1's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Self harm, Suicide, Grief, and Car accident
hanz's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicide, and Grief
moonylovesstars's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicide, Grief, and Car accident
Minor: Addiction
ksilvio's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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: Addiction, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Grief, and Car accident
capmorrow's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Grief, and Car accident
Minor: Drug abuse
grosemareads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
3.75
Solid one off romance rom-com vibes. Deducting a point for Helen’s being irritatingly entrenched in denial for 95% of the book / Grant being so maddeningly in love with a woman for no apparent reason who does absolutely nothing but push him away. Still solid if you can push through mild annoyance, I understand that it’s the for the ~tension~
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Child death, Grief, and Car accident
reiverse's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Sexual content
Moderate: Child death