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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
ellielot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
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
scarlette's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death of parent
michmoo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Minor: Death, Drug use, Racism, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
venetiana's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
[The author also (afaik) appropriates the term "spirit animal" and I'm not sure how far the lines are blurred concerning colloquialisms. Some expressions rubbed me the wrong way.]
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Infidelity, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Rape, Terminal illness, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Stalking
daisycantread24's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual violence
joice_'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
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Drug use and Abandonment
slow burnanncatherine's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
“Real love was gritty. The real kind of love never quit. Someone who loved you would do what’s best for you; they’d stand up for you and sacrifice. Someone who loved you would face any inconvenience willingly. You didn’t know what love was until someone was willing to give up what they loved the most for you.”
“I always thought you looked like mine, but you sure do fucking feel like you’re mine, too"
“One of the worst things in the world was watching someone you love fall apart.”
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
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