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apolen's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
smuttymcbookface's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Racism and Suicide
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
- 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
Diane is a 29 year old hairstylist who is raising her two nephews (5&10). Her little family has endured so much and she is doing everything she can to give her boys the best life possible. When they move into a new house, she meets Dallas, a 41 year old retired from the navy. Not only is he her neighbor, but he also becomes her oldest nephew's baseball coach. As their friendship flourishes, so do their feelings for each other.
Diane is so incredibly strong and determined. She has taken on such a huge responsibility in raising her 2 nephews and will do anything for them. She is fierce, speaks her mind, and loves her family more than anything. Her boys are her whole world and she will fight anyone who tries to hurt them. As much as she worries and stresses about not being a good enough guardian for them, she is raising some incredibly smart and sensitive boys. Her relationship with them comes first and is more important than anything else in her life. She is very hesitant to let anyone in due to her past truama and the fear of her boys being hurt.
Dallas is grumpy and a bit closed off, but as he warms up to Diane, we see that there is so much more to him. He is generous, protective, and so caring. He takes care of his grandmother and even takes in his asshole brother. He loves Diane and her boys so fiercely and wants nothing more than to take care of them. He takes his time and truly gets to know her. He is honest and open with her. He takes a while to tell her how he feels, but he shows it in everything he does throughout their entire friendship.
I love that we get a peek into the characters from Kulti and Wall of Winnipeg. Vanessa is Diane's best friend and Sal is her cousin. I also really liked all the side characters.
Yes, it is a SLOW burn, but I love how much we get to see their relationship grows and their feelings develop. Their relationship develops slowly, but it makes sense considering their respective backgrounds. Neither would jump into something quickly, it wouldn't make sense for their characters.
That epilogue... Perfect ending.
My only issue is that I think that large age gap wasn't necessary, 12 years is a pretty big gap.
Tropes: slow burn, age gap, grumpy/sunshine, single parent
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Domestic abuse and Suicide
kb33's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Suicide, and Violence
steelerl828's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Racism, Vomit, and Abandonment
callmeluh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Domestic abuse and Suicide
nicolesreadingbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Grief
n33v's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It was phenomenal, I genuinely squealed and punched my pillow so many times!
But to FULLY feel the effects of the book and get the maximum amount of pleasure from punching your pillow you should read The Wall Of Winnpeg and Me as well as Kulti
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt
thefatpaperback's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Suicide
nononononononono's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit