quasinaut's review against another edition
funny
medium-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
3.75
I have such mixed feelings about this book. Overall, I liked Ari and Russell's interactions but hated the central concept that they're trying to reunite their divorced bosses. There was such a lack of personal boundaries, and I strongly disliked that Ari and Russell would spend any of their time and money on their bosses' lives instead of finding better jobs and/or going on dates with each other (none of the weird double dates count).
Seth and Torrance, the bosses, had their own odd dynamic. They would have moments of self-reflection, even times when they would call out their toxic behavior, but then they would undercut any progress by a) continuing to make the workplace terrible, b) sharing too many personal details, or c) interfering in their employees' personal lives.
I don't know. I think even the sweet moments and positive representation were overshadowed for me by not being on board with the Set It Up/Parent Trap storyline.
Seth and Torrance, the bosses, had their own odd dynamic. They would have moments of self-reflection, even times when they would call out their toxic behavior, but then they would undercut any progress by a) continuing to make the workplace terrible, b) sharing too many personal details, or c) interfering in their employees' personal lives.
I don't know. I think even the sweet moments and positive representation were overshadowed for me by not being on board with the Set It Up/Parent Trap storyline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness, Abandonment, and Toxic relationship
craftysnailtail's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Grief, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
sarahallez's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
nabecker13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Abandonment, Mental illness, and Fatphobia
mghrt06's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Fatphobia
clareasday's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Mental illness, Medical content, and Sexual content
dubiousbunny's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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: Sexual content and Mental illness
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Fatphobia
theotterside's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Fatphobia
greatestheights's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Mental illness
abitbetterbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
A good, sweet read with lots of heart! Fairly lighthearted and romantic but with great emotional depth and still covered meaningful subject matter in a sensitive way. I loved Ari & Russell together and the newsroom setting was a new one & very refreshing. I appreciated the nuanced take on Ari’s mental health and her struggle with depression, and how that related to her relationship with her mother.
I’m not Jewish, but Rachel Lynn Solomon is, and I really appreciate how she navigates the different characters’ relationships to their own faith and heritage. I loved all the moments of Jewish joy, from the family Shabbat dinner to the bat mitzvah towards the end. As an outsider looking in, it feels like a privilege to experience stories that are fictional and still feel informed by an authors lived experiences.
It definitely was a breath of fresh air to have a fat love interest in a romance! I’m pretty sure this is the first romance I’ve ever read where a man was anything but super jacked & thin. I appreciated the conversation around fat being a neutral descriptive word and calling out people who are “concerned for their health”. I would love to see the review / opinion of more fat folks re: how they felt about this representation.
Overall, not a mind-blowing or life-changing novel, but after this second 4-star read from RLS, I now know I can rely on one of her books for a pick-me-up romance & will be a go-to in the future!
I’m not Jewish, but Rachel Lynn Solomon is, and I really appreciate how she navigates the different characters’ relationships to their own faith and heritage. I loved all the moments of Jewish joy, from the family Shabbat dinner to the bat mitzvah towards the end. As an outsider looking in, it feels like a privilege to experience stories that are fictional and still feel informed by an authors lived experiences.
It definitely was a breath of fresh air to have a fat love interest in a romance! I’m pretty sure this is the first romance I’ve ever read where a man was anything but super jacked & thin. I appreciated the conversation around fat being a neutral descriptive word and calling out people who are “concerned for their health”. I would love to see the review / opinion of more fat folks re: how they felt about this representation.
Overall, not a mind-blowing or life-changing novel, but after this second 4-star read from RLS, I now know I can rely on one of her books for a pick-me-up romance & will be a go-to in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, and Medical content
Minor: Fatphobia, Misogyny, and Abandonment