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anastashamarie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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
5.0
***A few TWs at the end of this review that may be seen as spoilers. Marked with asterisks, like so.***
I absolutely adored this book from beginning to end. Maybe it's because I'm feeling sentimental because we lost my GG earlier this year, or maybe it's just because I'm a sucker for a coastal, friends-to-lovers romance after my teenage Sarah Dessen obsession. But this was literally the perfect summer read for me.
Not only was this a give-you-a-cavity sweet, but there was so much more to the story, which was packed with themes of family, obligation, prejudice, and love. I loved the woven storyline of Jenna's and her grandmother's healing, told through alternating perspectives in a shared setting. Though this is a love story on the surface, it's really about acceptance and finding who you're meant to be more than it's about the romance overall. It made me grin giddily at the banter between the romantic pairings, laugh out loud at Evelyn's antics, and even sob by the end.
(It does have fade-to-black sexual encounters, but honestly I think that "mystery" was entirely appropriate for the tone of the rest of the story.)
Even though I was quite sure this would end in a HEA, I wouldn't necessarily call this book 100% predictable either. I was absolutely absorbed beginning to end.
Just 10/10, A+ work in my opinion.
***TWs: suicide, xenophobia/religious bigotry, mentions of spouse dying by drunk driver, alcohol misuse***
I absolutely adored this book from beginning to end. Maybe it's because I'm feeling sentimental because we lost my GG earlier this year, or maybe it's just because I'm a sucker for a coastal, friends-to-lovers romance after my teenage Sarah Dessen obsession. But this was literally the perfect summer read for me.
Not only was this a give-you-a-cavity sweet, but there was so much more to the story, which was packed with themes of family, obligation, prejudice, and love. I loved the woven storyline of Jenna's and her grandmother's healing, told through alternating perspectives in a shared setting. Though this is a love story on the surface, it's really about acceptance and finding who you're meant to be more than it's about the romance overall. It made me grin giddily at the banter between the romantic pairings, laugh out loud at Evelyn's antics, and even sob by the end.
(It does have fade-to-black sexual encounters, but honestly I think that "mystery" was entirely appropriate for the tone of the rest of the story.)
Even though I was quite sure this would end in a HEA, I wouldn't necessarily call this book 100% predictable either. I was absolutely absorbed beginning to end.
Just 10/10, A+ work in my opinion.
***TWs: suicide, xenophobia/religious bigotry, mentions of spouse dying by drunk driver, alcohol misuse***
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Suicide, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Death, Misogyny, Racism, and Grief