genevieve_eggleston's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Dementia, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, Mental illness, Alcohol, and Cursing
Minor: Sexual content and Toxic friendship
billievee's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I read this not long after finishing Smyth's second novel, Not My Problem, and I was taken aback by how much more intense this one is. The romance is front and center here, but more than that, the protagonist's backstory is absolutely devastating. The montage scenes are a lot of fun, and the author has a lovely sense of humor, but don't let the playful cover art fool you; this is a bittersweet story, and it handles the tough topics with both delicacy and honesty.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Minor: Homophobia
lolajh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.25
First of all, any potential readers know that Saoirse’s name is pronounced Seer-sha and I only found that out at the end of the book where she explains it and it’s not something like say-or-rees or say-ors or freaking ‘sauce’ like I’ve been pronouncing in my head the past two weeks of reading this. Anyways! Here’s the review!
I just want to say that I am ANGRY. This book right up until literally the last chapter was an absolute five-star read. I hated the ending and feel so underwhelmed.You’re telling me these lesbian ass bitches didn’t drop their futures to break the rule of the montage and “having to break up” (because they didn’t have to at all) to be gay in Ireland together? What the fuck! WHO IS VERONICA. FUCK OFF I NEED SAOIRSE AND RUBY TO BE ENDGAME HELLO? Where was their wedding? I cannot tell you how much I NEEDED the (what I thought would be) predictable cheesy plot twist where it isn’t literally JUST A SUMMER THING and they’d JUST FUCKING DATE. Sorry. I’m so opinionated about this book. Where was the “happily ever after” that’s literally above the book’s blurb, the thing that’s foreshadowed throughout the whole book? The meet cute happened, the falling in love montage, the big fight, the hero realising they’re wrong, the grand gesture, now where is the happily ever after? I thought my fucking book was printed wrong and missing the actual last pages. I’m so pissed off.
Now, onto what I liked. So, Saoirse, let me tell you I loved to hate her. Why? Because she’s ME. She is the most relatable character I’ve ever read the perspective of. Her life and character all has such human reason it feels like she really is real. Flawed characters are the best <3
And I FUCKING LOVED RUBY (among other characters like Oliver and Beth and not really Saoirse’s dad) She is a lovable little ball of sunshine that in some parts maybe deserved more than Saoirse and shouldn’t have forgiven her so many times, but that’s okay.
I don’t have much else to say. Maybe if the ending was different I’d be able to appreciate the parts of this book that I loved so much, but I really feel like I can’t. I’m going to be resorting to ao3’s alternate endings to this book immediately to fill the void in my heart that I now have because of that ending.
I just want to say that I am ANGRY. This book right up until literally the last chapter was an absolute five-star read. I hated the ending and feel so underwhelmed.
Now, onto what I liked. So, Saoirse, let me tell you I loved to hate her. Why? Because she’s ME. She is the most relatable character I’ve ever read the perspective of. Her life and character all has such human reason it feels like she really is real. Flawed characters are the best <3
And I FUCKING LOVED RUBY (among other characters like Oliver and Beth and not really Saoirse’s dad) She is a lovable little ball of sunshine that in some parts maybe deserved more than Saoirse and shouldn’t have forgiven her so many times, but that’s okay.
I don’t have much else to say. Maybe if the ending was different I’d be able to appreciate the parts of this book that I loved so much, but I really feel like I can’t. I’m going to be resorting to ao3’s alternate endings to this book immediately to fill the void in my heart that I now have because of that ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Chronic illness
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Sexism, Ableism, Violence, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual content, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
viireads's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Abandonment, Chronic illness, Mental illness, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Sexism and Toxic relationship
Minor: Homophobia
lisa_m's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I was hoping for a cute sapphic romance. It kind of was that but also not at all. This book is sad - I cried multiple times and there is a lot of things to unpack.
Let me start of by listing what I didn't like about this book:
- the main character was kind of annoying at times. Also I got really mad at her for the way she treated other people and argumented herself out of every wrong doing.
- the book was really sad and depressing at times (I cried a few times throughout the book)
- it doesn't have a happy ending
I really liked Oliver and his dynamic with Saoirse. They had that teasing brother and sister "funny enemies" thing going on which I really like.
I also liked Beth. I get why Saoirse didn't like her but I think she is actually pretty great. I did not however like her father. I get that he's trying his best but I would be so so mad at him for everything he has done.
The ending was fine I guess. I don't have super strong feelings for this book I have to say. I thought it was okay but I doubt it will stick in my mind for long.
I think I'm just kinda disappointed because I wanted to like this book so bad and I also really thought I would..
Let me start of by listing what I didn't like about this book:
- the main character was kind of annoying at times. Also I got really mad at her for the way she treated other people and argumented herself out of every wrong doing.
- the book was really sad and depressing at times (I cried a few times throughout the book)
I really liked Oliver and his dynamic with Saoirse. They had that teasing brother and sister "funny enemies" thing going on which I really like.
I also liked Beth. I get why Saoirse didn't like her but I think she is actually pretty great. I did not however like her father. I get that he's trying his best but I would be so so mad at him for everything he has done.
The ending was fine I guess. I don't have super strong feelings for this book I have to say. I thought it was okay but I doubt it will stick in my mind for long.
I think I'm just kinda disappointed because I wanted to like this book so bad and I also really thought I would..
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Ableism, Classism, Confinement, Dementia, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Homophobia and Pregnancy
Minor: Bullying
jazdono's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Minor: Sexual content and Homophobia
stopthesun's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Sexual content, Bullying, Ableism, Homophobia, and Alcohol
corabookworm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I really really enjoyed this book! It started out a little bit slow, and I wasn't really vibing with the characters or the writing style. But when the romance started to pick up, it got a lot more interesting, and towards the end I feel like the book really found it's voice, and the main character was a lot more likable. I'm definitely glad that I read this book, and if you're looking for a cute sapphic romance, this one's for you. :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Ableism, Abortion, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Pregnancy, Classism, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Homophobia
foreveristhesweetestcon's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
So cute!!! And because it's a rom-com, it's great for some light-hearted summer reading :)
I felt all the right things in the right places (the "grand gesture" is a personal favorite--Ciara Smyth did it so well!!), and I think Smyth definitely hit all the rom-com tropes in the nail. The jokes mostly were very funny and relatable, especially for me as a lesbian. Saoirse and Ruby have this adorable chemistry that made me really root for them, and I also loved seeing Saoirse's development with Beth. (Also shout out to Barbara, she was hilarious as well).
The ending left me wanting a little more, but I should have expected that things would have happened the way they eventually did. Overall, this book was so good though, and it was refreshing to read a sapphic book that didn't center around coming out/homophobia!
I felt all the right things in the right places (the "grand gesture" is a personal favorite--Ciara Smyth did it so well!!), and I think Smyth definitely hit all the rom-com tropes in the nail. The jokes mostly were very funny and relatable, especially for me as a lesbian. Saoirse and Ruby have this adorable chemistry that made me really root for them, and I also loved seeing Saoirse's development with Beth. (Also shout out to Barbara, she was hilarious as well).
The ending left me wanting a little more, but I should have expected that things would have happened the way they eventually did. Overall, this book was so good though, and it was refreshing to read a sapphic book that didn't center around coming out/homophobia!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Ableism and Homophobia
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