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blissofalife's review against another edition
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Listen. I am indeed a fanfiction reader and a Reylo shipper. I didn't know that's what this was originally going into it, but it quickly became obvious. That being said, I think if I had read this on Ao3 as a Reylo fanfic I would've really enjoyed it. You just have certain expectations about how characters are going to act and more suspension of disbelief when it comes to fanfiction. The characters in a fanfiction can be atrocious but you still love them because you loved them in their original stories, that's why you're reading the fanfiction to begin with.
But starting a book with no background expectations or knowledge of characters is a very different experience. This as a published book? I'm conflicted. The characters were all pretty dislikable. Ari and Josh are depressed for nearly the entire book, and though they set clear boundaries and expectations of what their relationship is going to be (which I am personally a fan of, I love some good communication), when Josh's perspective is full of thoughts of Ari as more than a friend and his sexual desire for her it felt like he made no effort whatsoever to respect Ari's CLEARLY COMMUNICATED needs and wants. But later we're supposed to sympathize with him when she rejects him? And cheer for them to get together? No. I don't think so.
Everybody in this book needs therapy. It made for good storytelling for the first half of the book, but after that it became repetitive and hard to root for the characters. Toxic relationships abound. Everybody's mad all the time, nobody's happy ever, and that sucks. The ending felt forced and very rom-com-esque. I give 'em a year.
But starting a book with no background expectations or knowledge of characters is a very different experience. This as a published book? I'm conflicted. The characters were all pretty dislikable. Ari and Josh are depressed for nearly the entire book, and though they set clear boundaries and expectations of what their relationship is going to be (which I am personally a fan of, I love some good communication), when Josh's perspective is full of thoughts of Ari as more than a friend and his sexual desire for her it felt like he made no effort whatsoever to respect Ari's CLEARLY COMMUNICATED needs and wants. But later we're supposed to sympathize with him when she rejects him? And cheer for them to get together? No. I don't think so.
Everybody in this book needs therapy. It made for good storytelling for the first half of the book, but after that it became repetitive and hard to root for the characters. Toxic relationships abound. Everybody's mad all the time, nobody's happy ever, and that sucks. The ending felt forced and very rom-com-esque. I give 'em a year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Gaslighting
geoalice23's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
jjha's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was so excited about this book. NYC, yes! Autumn romance, yes! Haters to lovers, yes! And yet, it just didn’t work that well for me. When Harry Met Sally is one of my all time favorite movies so going in there was a high bar, so my comparison may not be fair. For me there wasn’t enough backstory to make Ari’s behavior seem warranted. Josh was a bit better, but still a jerk. I wanted more of them actually healing themselves so when they do get together it feels earned. They didn’t have to heal completely as a them accepting each other as who they are (without changing) is key. They are deeply scarred and while they can heal together they also need to own and mend their poor behavioral tendencies.
I really liked a lot of the supporting characters especially Abby and Radhya. Maybe Radhya could have her own book?!
Extra points for all the NYC references.
I really liked a lot of the supporting characters especially Abby and Radhya. Maybe Radhya could have her own book?!
Extra points for all the NYC references.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
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