ellaticonstellation'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? It's complicated
4.0
Spoiler
I like this book because I never read anything like it. It's simple but emotional. It's stressful to be in a situation where you love someone and lose him. You move on and love someone new and then the old love comes back. Damn, it sounds heartbreaking.I like that this discusses how people change, we evolve and that's okay.
It became preachy at the end that's why I deducted a star. But overall, I enjoyed this. Thank you, Taylor✨
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Cursing, Abandonment, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
mari1532's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Synopsis: In High School Emma Blair dreamed of a life as far away from her hometown as possible. And when she goes to a party in her junior year of high school she encounters the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with, Jesse. After almost a decade of dating and a single year of marriage though fate intervenes and the only man Emma has ever loved is gone forever.
As Emma tries to put her life back together she has to challenge everything she thought she knew about herself. As she begins to forage a new identity for herself she also wants to love again and her high school friend Sam might be just the man to teach her that she can.
Thoughts:
Spoiler
I was very invested in Emma as a character. My favourite part of the book was the growth in her relationship with her sister. It was a truly lovely arch throughout the narrative. I also appreciated the connection that Emma developed with her nieces although I do wish that had been explored a little more.I also wish that Sam had made more of an appearance in the story. Reid did an excellent job of conveying how much Emma loves and cares for Sam, but I would have liked to see them interact a little more throughout the story.
I absolutely did not like Jesse at all. Start to finish. Did I feel bad for him because of the horrific things he endured, sure did. Did it make me like him any better? Sure didn't.
This is an interesting work of literature that held my attention and I was really invested in the outcome. Although it did feel that the cultural standards of domesticity were the driving force of some of Emma's decisions rather than a shifting of her priorities. Overall, not a bad read.
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
Spoiler
Emma describes a desire to not keep living but doesn't classify it as wanting to kill herself. It is more framed in terms of her grief. Also, I find the way that Jesse returns and expects Emma to be the same and meet his every demand a bit toxic. I do not think that it was written with the intention that it would feel toxic. Obviously, Jesse has trauma to work through, but he really did not seem to care about Emma's life while he was gone at all.annasbooks00's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.25
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
kfmcf's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I think there was a bit of suspension of disbelief that I struggled with at points that caused me to knock it down to a 4, but overall I found this book a success.
Don't read if you're not in an emotional stable place though, for real.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
kshertz'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
Minor: Death, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Grief
bookishcoffeedrinker's review against another edition
- 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
With all authors there are hit and misses and this one was somewhere in between as a cute contemporary romance to start of the new year.
(For reference I've read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and absolutely adored it. I DNF'd Daisy Jones and the Six. It wasn't quite my style.)
Spoiler
Spoiler
Spoiler
I'll come back and write a better review eventually. I am just spouting a summary at this point.
Overall this book was enjoyable. It's not something I'd jump to recommend to people at first look at my bookshelf but if you want a cutesy fast paced romance read this would be appropriate. It wasn't a TJR tear-jerker but I am willing to read more of her books because I am a sucker for contemporary romance.
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Body horror
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy, Self harm, and Medical content
ashley_1206's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
if there’s one thing you should know what TJR books is that she is going to leave you questioning all you will ever know about life. this plot wasn’t even happening to me but i learned so much about myself, the world around me, and the life i’m living. i have ENDLESS quotes that i could share.
next i wanna talk about how relatable our main character is. we watch her grow up and struggle through life like no other. and i know some of you may think “two men being in love with you? sounds like a dream.” no man this book had me STRESSED. not going to lie i did have a favorite not even 30% into the book and i was LOYAL. i was almost slipping sometimes (we don’t talk about that).
not sold yet? fine. this book has the second chance at love trope from 2 different angles. go enjoy <3
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Toxic relationship