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maria8w4's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
slow-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? N/A
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol
readinginthegrey's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was recommended to me by someone at a bookstore, and I see why, it was quite good.
It does the grumpy sunshine trope well. Aidan is an MMC that's gruff and private but not in an over-dramatic 'I never smile ever' kind of way and is quite fawnable worthy. Vanessa, the FMC, has self-doubt that feels very relatable. The two bond in a way that feels organic. It's also a slow burn that's an actual slow burn.
For the first 200 pages or so, I was eating it up.
After that, I still read it, but more on a once in a while basis.
Vanessa got a bit much for me sometimes. For instance *spoilers* her friend is in an abusive relationship, but she's more concerned about the fact that she was lied to than her friend being in that situation. It does get addressed a little later on, but not in a meaningful way (despite the book being 500 pages).
Some points tend to repeat, like her self-denial (also, I get it, Aidan is huge, I and I don't need that mentioned 200 times) while others don't feel fleshed out enough. The mood also feels a bit on and off sometimes. Like there will be things like the abusive relationship mention or toxic family members, but for the most part, this is actually a pretty cozy read. On a personal note, I was excited that Aidan was vegan and hoped Vanessa would become one as well, but alas, that did not happen.
All that said, this was a decent comfort read. I'm glad I bought it, but don't think it will be a reread.
It does the grumpy sunshine trope well. Aidan is an MMC that's gruff and private but not in an over-dramatic 'I never smile ever' kind of way and is quite fawnable worthy. Vanessa, the FMC, has self-doubt that feels very relatable. The two bond in a way that feels organic. It's also a slow burn that's an actual slow burn.
For the first 200 pages or so, I was eating it up.
After that, I still read it, but more on a once in a while basis.
Vanessa got a bit much for me sometimes. For instance *spoilers* her friend is in an abusive relationship, but she's more concerned about the fact that she was lied to than her friend being in that situation. It does get addressed a little later on, but not in a meaningful way (despite the book being 500 pages).
Some points tend to repeat, like her self-denial (also, I get it, Aidan is huge, I and I don't need that mentioned 200 times) while others don't feel fleshed out enough. The mood also feels a bit on and off sometimes. Like there will be things like the abusive relationship mention or toxic family members, but for the most part, this is actually a pretty cozy read. On a personal note, I was excited that Aidan was vegan and hoped Vanessa would become one as well, but alas, that did not happen.
All that said, this was a decent comfort read. I'm glad I bought it, but don't think it will be a reread.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
nikkiblack17's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming
makerealityvanish's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Domestic abuse
Minor: Fatphobia
rebthebarber's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
evelynmeisell's review against another edition
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
cristinaaa's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Abandonment
scrambledpegs's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
dr_amy_k_west's review against another edition
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was an accidental read; not into sports-related romance, but it was on Libby's available now shelf. Wanted to like the characters more than I did. It was a longer read than expected and despite the issues I had with the story I still wanted to read to the end to see how the author was going to resolve the issues with character development, especially regarding the MMC. The first 1/3-1/2 of the book has Vanessa (FMC) engaging in what I see as overly apologetic and appeasing behaviors. As the book progresses you come to understand the back story behind her tendencies but there's little-to-no character growth around recognizing these tendencies or the motivations behind them. She lies repeatedly to those she cares about as well as to herself and there's no real acknowledgment or growth in terms of the consequences of her actions/inactions. She takes responsibility for things that aren't hers, blames herself, calls reasonable emotions and behaviors "nagging" or unreasonable, and apologizes for her anger all in the guise of "taking responsibility"; in reality, it's a lot of overcompensating for trauma. The MMC while showing emotional growth later on in the story still gets away with a lot of crappy behavior for much of the book. They don't get together until after she starts working out and loses weight and it's unclear for the majority of the book if the MMC liked her for who she was from the beginning until the book is almost over.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Car accident, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse