Reviews tagging 'Grief'

The Happily Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

164 reviews

organizedxchaos's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging hopeful reflective 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

3.75

Overall: 3.75⭐️ 

The miscommunication trope got a little old after the second time around, but overall it was fun read. I liked the song title going along with the chapters vibe. Probably would’ve rated it higher if I hadn’t felt like the plot could’ve been wrapped up a lot sooner, and the miscommunication hadn’t been overdone. 

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elaineh7's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0


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abidavisf's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

The Happy Ever After Playlist is joyous. I expected it to break me apart, and it did threaten to in places, but rather than primarily focusing on grief, it embedded itself in the ways in which one can sew their broken parts back together and find themselves amongst the darkest storms.

The instant chemistry between Sloan and Jason is electric and had me giggling throughout. If Abby Jimenez isn’t making me sob, she’s making me howl with laughter. There is no in between. 

I thought there would be more Brandon in this book, though perhaps that would be inappropriate. I do feel like I still have unanswered questions about Sloan and Brandon’s relationship and would have loved to have read more about them.

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deluna's review against another edition

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funny sad 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

2.5


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mollydolly2404's review against another edition

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3.0

DESCRIPTION

Artist Sloan Monroe just can't seem to get her life on track. But one trouble-making pup who randomly jumps into her car with a "take me home" look in his eyes is about to change everything. With Tucker by her side, Sloan finally starts to feel more like herself. Then, after weeks of unanswered texts, Tucker's owner reaches out. He's a musician on tour in Australia. And bottom line: He wants Tucker back. 
Well, Sloan's not about to give up her dog without a fight. But what if this Jason guy really loves Tucker? As their flirty texts turn into long calls, Sloan can't deny a connection. Jason is hot and nice and funny. There's no telling what could happen when they meet in person. The question is: With his music career on the rise, how long will Jason really stick around? And is it possible for Sloan to survive another heartbreak?

FORMAT

Digital - Kindle

REVIEW

Enjoyed being back in this world. Loved Sloans character and the depiction of grief and enjoyed seeing Josh and Kristen again.

However, I did not like Jason - I much preferred her relationship with Brandon, and the trope (famous musician) wasn’t my favourite.

RATING

Good 😊

SPICE

Mild 🌶️

TROPES

📖 Famous Musician
📖 Love after Loss
📖 Miscommunication


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antidietleah's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.0


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erinmassey23's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.0

sad they just bypassed the whole sexual assault thing :/

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noellegrace8's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This Jimenez is plot-heavy, which I love. The celebrity plot is interesting and authentic, even though it seems like it would easily be inauthentic. The characters, as usual for Jimenez, have perfect chemistry and are both fully fleshed out. I love her dual POV style. They are respectful of one another, fully in sacrificial love, and help one another through their struggles.

That being said, my lack of 5⭐s is the usual - the random poor decision or trauma dump near the end! I wouldn't hate a last-minute wrench in the love story. What I do hate is a poorly chosen last-minute wrench. What Jason did was completely out of character!

Also, I have empathy for what Lola went through with the music industry, but NOTHING, absolutely *NOTHING* excuses sexual harassment and assault. If the genders of Jason & Lola had been reversed, the assault would have been considered unforgivable by everyone. It was unacceptable for the woman they were touring with to push Jason toward helping Lola. There are professional mental health specialists and, if push comes to shove, police, for a reason.

I give Erin Mallon 3.5/5⭐. I hate her male voice! It sounds like an old wizard haha. And she enunciates with her mouth kind of closed. Plus, I think she was sick while recording this? She sounds stuffed up. But her female voice is average/good. As usual, Zachary Webber gets 5/5  from me. Always a perfect delivery - he IS the voice of The Book Boyfriend.

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kendranh's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

4.75

Abby Jimenez has done it again in creating a love story that makes me want to laugh, cry, and actually start dating again.

Watching Sloan come back to life after the events of the Friend Zone (highly recommend reading these books in order although not a requirement) was amazing. 

The way Jason and Sloan met and came together was like a warm hug in the form of a book. Jason’s patience as Sloan overcame her grief and fear of a new relationship was very well written.

I found some of the conflict in the second part of the book frustrating, but not enough to knock off more than .25 stars because frankly there HAD to be conflict or I would have lost interest. I enjoyed the conflict that was driven by Sloan and Jason trying to step out of the way of the other person’s dreams, but I did not like the use of Lola as a tool to drive them apart. It felt reminiscent of Britney Spears being villainized for years and left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth.

Overall, I highly recommend!

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tidoublegarrr's review against another edition

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emotional funny medium-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

I enjoyed this one more than the first book; Sloan is practical and her story sympathetic. The romance was enjoyable plus a cute dog! Abby Jimenez’ writing pulls me in more during the rom-com first half where it’s more fun. The second half of the books I haven’t been into. There are fast-changing, dramatic plot points that are undone in a following paragraph suddenly. But still, this was a fun beach read.

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