emily_mh's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book was initially going to be a five star read for me but its rating was ultimately brought down by the ending’s inability to properly resolve each storyline.
The romance was SO cute at first. Like, I was enjoying the romance so much it was giving me comfort on the level of Heartstopper. Belle and Chloe fit together like puzzle pieces. The second chance romance aspect and their history gave depth to their connection, and they had some great interactions. But about halfway through the book the love triangle aspect still hadn’t been addressed and I started to stress about whether it would be concluded well…and it wasn’t. It’s only RIGHT at the very end (like, final five pages) that it’s finally sorted out. I also feel so bad for Regina because she only broke it off with Chloe because she felt in the way of her and Belle, not because she realised that her relationship with Chloe was toxic, so she was upset and everything. Also, the last-minute resolution made me question the depth of Chloe’s feelings, because SHE didn’t choose to break it off with Regina first.
The character development was similarly half-baked. The characters are set up in the beginning for development in the following areas: Chloe in learning what she wants and how to assert that, Belle in embracing femininity, and Regina in learning school/life balance OR finding friends who support her drive to do well in school. However, we don’t see Chloe actually assert what she wants (either with Belle or college), we don’t find out why Belle rejected femininity in the first place, and Regina neither finds balance nor people who support her drive. They kind of remain the same people throughout.
Even though there were these negatives that dropped my star rating so suddnely at the end, the art style was always fantastic. The pink monotone palette was such a good choice for the tone of the book.
Rep: lesbian Jewish MC, lesbian Japanese-American MC, lesbian Brazilian-American MC
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Bullying, Blood, Alcohol, Cursing, Vomit, and Ableism
chasingpages1's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Vomit
Minor: Cursing, Medical content, and Mental illness
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