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kimzeyk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.5
Beautifully written, even while I found it somewhat anxiety-inducing being inside of the characters’ heads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
sleepyreaderthings's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
I’m not a romance reader, but I wouldn’t categorize this as a typical romance. It was so much more than what I’ve read before in the genre, and that’s on me for not realizing that there is so much more than smut and fluffy romance. I was truly shocked at how much I loved this book and the characters of Regan and Aldo.
Jumping into the book was an adjustment with the whole narrator and scene thing that was there at the start. Not having chapters but instead sections isn’t always my favorite, but somehow I have fallen in love with the two books I’ve read that are like that (this included.) The writing is great but also confusing and pretentious. I loved it! I found myself reading and getting lost in Regan’s thoughts only to end up in Aldo’s somehow? I was confused at points but then I got it. It was meant to be that way because our minds are messy. Those of us who struggle mentally don’t have a super organized brain or thought process, and I think Olivie Blake showed that spectacularly.
I identified with both Regan and Aldo in so many ways, mostly because I’ve dealt with depression and anxiety and crazy intrusive thoughts. I know what it’s like to push people away and to wonder when they’re going to leave. Because it’s inevitable. Because I can be mean and difficult, and who can stomach that? I understand Regan not wanting to be on meds anymore, and I understand her interactions with her psychiatrist. I didn’t tell mine anything honest. Idk. This was just such a real and refreshing book in all ways. They’re both stuck inside their heads, constantly thinking and searching for something just to stay alive and find a reason. Aldo had time and then Regan. I had shows in high school and now I have books. We all find little things to help keep us alive and breathing because some of us aren’t blessed with calm minds. Some of us struggle to speak to others and fit in, and omg was it so good to see that represented here for my past self.
I was scared how this would end because I’m a pessimist. My friend argues I’m not, and in comparison to him, he’s right. But I expected a sad ending because people like Aldo and Regan aren’t always lucky enough to get one. I am glad that I was wrong.
Jumping into the book was an adjustment with the whole narrator and scene thing that was there at the start. Not having chapters but instead sections isn’t always my favorite, but somehow I have fallen in love with the two books I’ve read that are like that (this included.) The writing is great but also confusing and pretentious. I loved it! I found myself reading and getting lost in Regan’s thoughts only to end up in Aldo’s somehow? I was confused at points but then I got it. It was meant to be that way because our minds are messy. Those of us who struggle mentally don’t have a super organized brain or thought process, and I think Olivie Blake showed that spectacularly.
I identified with both Regan and Aldo in so many ways, mostly because I’ve dealt with depression and anxiety and crazy intrusive thoughts. I know what it’s like to push people away and to wonder when they’re going to leave. Because it’s inevitable. Because I can be mean and difficult, and who can stomach that? I understand Regan not wanting to be on meds anymore, and I understand her interactions with her psychiatrist. I didn’t tell mine anything honest. Idk. This was just such a real and refreshing book in all ways. They’re both stuck inside their heads, constantly thinking and searching for something just to stay alive and find a reason. Aldo had time and then Regan. I had shows in high school and now I have books. We all find little things to help keep us alive and breathing because some of us aren’t blessed with calm minds. Some of us struggle to speak to others and fit in, and omg was it so good to see that represented here for my past self.
I was scared how this would end because I’m a pessimist. My friend argues I’m not, and in comparison to him, he’s right. But I expected a sad ending because people like Aldo and Regan aren’t always lucky enough to get one. I am glad that I was wrong.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
gbeene's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
an endearing love story, through there were moments that I definitely questioned their relationship. very detailed, lyrical prose, sometimes a little too philosophical. Though Regan’s pov sometimes felt like an episode, I really enjoyed both main characters
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Sexual content
nclausel25's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Drug use and Infidelity
mariebrunelm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
Are you sometimes so stubborn about what you want a book to be that you overlook what’s actually written on the cover or the back ?
Olivie Blake is an author I've wanted to read for a few years. I couldn't decide which of her books to start with until I heard about this one and some words ticked very specific boxes: PhD student character, Art, Time. I blissfully ignored the subtitle that said “a love story” and jumped in.
This novel really is a love story, can you believe it ? That being said, Blake has a very original approach to romance which did appeal to me although the genre usually doesn't. It’s a very playful novel, literary-speaking. I don’t want to give too much away, but the author plays with narration in a way I haven’t often seen and it felt very clever without being too high-brow, if that makes sense.
Rep: MC with bipolar disorder (not stated but described at length and stated in the acknowledgments), autistic-coded MC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual content
e_riahh's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
anclibrary's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Suicidal thoughts
readerette's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A well written story about two imperfect people trying to make their way in life, who find an imperfect love with one another.
If you are bothered by relationship drama, this may not be a story for you, but I enjoyed the philosophical musings of both characters enough to balance out the drama (I especially resonated with Aldo). I've never had exactly the thoughts or obsessions these two had, but some of their wonderings and worries definitely struck a chord for me that made the book quite an emotional journey.
If you are bothered by relationship drama, this may not be a story for you, but I enjoyed the philosophical musings of both characters enough to balance out the drama (I especially resonated with Aldo). I've never had exactly the thoughts or obsessions these two had, but some of their wonderings and worries definitely struck a chord for me that made the book quite an emotional journey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Mental illness and Sexual content
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
cnannery19's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Addiction, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting
lauren_shilling's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
5.0
I expected to enjoy this book, but not nearly as much as I did! It was beautifully written, first of all. The amount of utterly gorgeous quotes in this book is incredible. It's the kind of writing that has the ability to tackle super complex topics and ideas and explain them in ways that both make them make sense (if they need to make sense at all) while also emphasizing just how complex they are. I loved following these two characters. I will never forget about Aldo and Regan and their story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts