kotroby's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I have to say, I was expecting the second book in this series to be a slight letdown, but it was actually just as fun and lovely as the first! Our main cast of characters is back, with the heartfelt exception of Susannah, and they're as entertaining as always. No one can call this book a masterpiece but for what it's worth its incredibly entertaining and felt every bit as exhilarating and watching it in a tv series format, perhaps because of the audiobook format (which, by the way, I love that they keep adding actors from the series as narrators!) Such a complex love triangle, very well done! Heart-wrenching to not know how it'll end tho! :) Team Jeremiah all the way.
Spoiler
So. The love triangle. I. Have. Thoughts. Since the first book I'd hoped she would end up with Conrad, it's felt right from the beginning like that was what the author obviously wanted for her, and his character seems to have loved her since forever, even if he doesn't show it. He's very fragile and seems like he has deep layers of emotions cursing through him. However he has become more and more annoying over time, constantly pretending his feelings aren't there, treating Belly like she means nothing, telling her as much, and then coming back with one sentence about liking her all along as if that makes up for it. Jeremiah has been so sweet with her this whole entire time, has stood by as the love of his life constantly, embarrassingly simps for his brother and remained by her side nonetheless. He has never judged her for it and never let her down, and has always been open and honest about his feeling. I've never read a book or series where I'm so uncertain as to who she'll end up with, or who she should end up with, but I think the right choice is Jeremiah. For all the reasons I've already said he deserves this, and she deserves to be loved by him, something Conrad seems devoted to not giving her. He has become such an annoying character to me, and the fact Belly seems to still, after all this, be lost in love with him is extremely annoying. For the next book I truly hope she and Jeremiah can end up happily together, they both deserve to be happy, I think Belly should take a step back and realise she has the perfect man right in front of her. Conrad has time and time again fumbled the bag and he doesn't deserve Belly, however emotional the broken boy trope might be he doesn't deserve her. However I have a strong feeling they will end up together as that seems to be implied throughout the whole series, so if that's the case I surely hope the author gives him so serious character development to make him earn it, and please don't heart Jeremiah, he doesn't deserve any pain.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer
lauren_shilling's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book was good, but also a bit slow for me. This book was very much about filling in what needed to happen to get to where we need to be in the third book. At least, that was what it felt like to me. It was heartbreaking all the way through, but the beachy vibes were definitely there, and that is what I really love about this series above all else and what makes it such a comfort series for me, so I did still very much enjoy this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Cancer
rebecca_arielle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Cancer, Alcohol, and Death of parent
pinkfawn's review
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.0
This one definitely has a bit more plot to it, since the characters were mostly established in the first book. Again, this is more of a fun read than anything. I wouldn't call it typical chick-lit either. Love triangles aren't really my thing but I am going to read the last book as I want to finish off the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer
learivel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.0
liked the alternate perspectives. still can’t stand Conrad tho he’s been a dick throughout both these even with his good moments. it’s not just him being in a mood anymore, it’s him perpetually not being good to be around. ALSO I watched the show between reading books 1 and 2 and it’s so much better. I love the way they modified it, added more storylines for the other characters, and made Belly more tolerable LOL
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
amberlfaris's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol
gcoulsxn's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Cancer
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Injury/injury detail
theinstaboomworm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Cancer, and Grief
cdoubet's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Grief, Medical content, Death, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Cancer, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Cursing, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit and Injury/injury detail
courtneydindin's review
challenging
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? Yes
4.75
Love love love. Just like the first book, I was so pleasantly surprised with just how much I enjoyed this story. Though, I do have to say that it’s a lot more complicated than the first book. Because of Susannah’s death, you get a lot more insight with who the characters turn into when dealing with loss, and also how they reciprocate feelings toward one another when feeling that. I’ve always been a Jeremiah stan through and through, and I’ll continue to be on his team, but experiencing Conrad deal with loss of a loved one literally with his mother and figuratively with Belly as she navigates her own feelings is surprisingly emotional, and I can’t help but empathize for him in all the things he must be feeling. I’d definitely say it’s a lot less lighthearted than the first book, but also an excellent display of how even when you’re young, the span of emotions you feel can be so overwhelming, overwhelming enough to feel like your entire life is being thrown off course. Love how the characters are slowly developing, and how the writing seems to be growing up as they do. It really offers an excellent perspective into their separate stories. Can not even express how much I loved this book, would HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Cancer, and Death of parent