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cupidslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
I really enjoyed this as a small town romance girlie. I think Meghan Quinn has a witty, funny, cozy way she writes her characters and her setting. I could just picture almond bay in my head, and I wanted to be transported there so many times! With any small town romance, it’s important to have well rounded main characters, as well as supporting side characters that really make it feel like a town you could touch, it’s that tangible. I think I could’ve used a few more, but I adored how out there Ethel was, and I loved Haye’s gran. Both Hattie and Hayes were multi faceted characters, with their own struggles and dilemmas, that ultimately worked themselves out after finding each other. They made each other better, and I like that despite the age gap, rockstar x fan, grumpy x sunshine tropes, they both didn’t just feel like flat caricatures of these things. My only gripe was the ending was rushed and sort of smashed into the book in the last 85-90 percent, which is sort of silly considering the book was 500 pages…truthfully we didn’t need like 3 chapters of them over the clothes rubbing against each other…lol. But all in all, if was a good read, and I will be coming back for the second book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Grief
Minor: Addiction, Violence, and Alcohol
beebowbabe's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Drug abuse, Infidelity, and Self harm
jaymef's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Grief, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
dkgreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
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
4.75
Ok. Wow. I don’t think Meghan Quinn has made me cry that hard before.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Sexual content, Grief, and Abandonment
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
After basically hitting rock bottom, Hattie moves back home and ends up working for Hayes, her brother's ex-best friends and world famous rockstar.
Though not my favourite book by Meghan Quinn, I did enjoy some parts, especially the banter between the two characters. Though the physical chemistry was there, I didn't really feel the emotional connection between Hayes and Hattie.
Honestly, I didn't really love any of the characters except for Hattie's best friend. Hattie was pretty immature, yes I know she is grieving, but she seems to just give up. She keeps going after Hayes even when he tells her it's not going to happen, then gets mad when he turns her down. He made his position pretty damn clear.
Hayeshas been abandoned by everyone he has loved and has major trust issues. The 3rd act breakup seems to come out of nowhere. He seems to be learning to trust again, then boom, he just pushes her away and assumes she will hurt him. He doesn't even give her a chance. His grovelling was barely grovelling IMHO.
I get that Hattie's family is grieving, but her siblings were kind of assholes to her on the beginning for no reason. They kind of redeemed themselves in the end, but they were still jerks for most of the book.
Though the ending was abrupt, I thought the Epilogue was cute.I am glad it didn't end with a pregnancy or wedding. Hattie's sister has secretly left her the Almond Store and we see her on her first day as the owner.
Tropes: Romantic Comedy, Enemies to Lovers, Brother's (Ex) Best Friend, Grumpy Sunshine, Small Town, Workplace, Age Gap (12 Years), Rockstar
Though not my favourite book by Meghan Quinn, I did enjoy some parts, especially the banter between the two characters. Though the physical chemistry was there, I didn't really feel the emotional connection between Hayes and Hattie.
Honestly, I didn't really love any of the characters except for Hattie's best friend. Hattie was pretty immature, yes I know she is grieving, but she seems to just give up. She keeps going after Hayes even when he tells her it's not going to happen, then gets mad when he turns her down. He made his position pretty damn clear.
Hayes
I get that Hattie's family is grieving, but her siblings were kind of assholes to her on the beginning for no reason. They kind of redeemed themselves in the end, but they were still jerks for most of the book.
Though the ending was abrupt, I thought the Epilogue was cute.
Tropes: Romantic Comedy, Enemies to Lovers, Brother's (Ex) Best Friend, Grumpy Sunshine, Small Town, Workplace, Age Gap (12 Years), Rockstar
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
jaydoe's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
Overall enjoyed the book very much! Could have been about 100 pages shorter, got a little slow around the 60% mark but overall a great read
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
bakersbookends's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Grief
hollyplebeau's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Meghan Quinn is the only author whose books can actually make me laugh out loud. She is the Queen of romantic comedy. Her female main characters are relatable, hilarious, and someone you want to be friends with Multiple times this book made me laugh, made me cry, made me blush from some steamy scenes. I had heard the storyline talked a lot about sister loss from cancer, which is very relatable to me, so I had hesitated reading the book but MQ does such a great job addressing all the different grief and emotions and processing. Gave me all the feels! I also appreciated some hidden Easter egg references to her other books! That was fun!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Alcohol
rnewk's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, and Abandonment
onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Drug abuse and Alcohol