beesneysbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Child abuse
morbookish's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Domestic abuse
Minor: Rape
nickypizarro's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Gloria is coming out of a 10 yr abusive and toxic relationship but getting back out there so quickly wasn't exactly part of her plan. Hometown hero Aldo has other plans as he's been pining for the girl since high school but not until she's ready. The way he expressed his interest without making her feel uncomfortable was one of my favorite things. He promised a date in 6 months if she'll have him after he's back from deployment. Although an injury cuts his time short on deployment and getting back to the "old" Aldo is harder than it seems. This time it's Gloria who ends up being the hero.
While one of the main things I enjoyed about this book is how easily the plot/storyline interviewed with Pretending You're Mine, I wasn't the biggest fan of how many scenes were repeated. For a good chunk of the book, I thought I was just re-reading the previous book and I would've loved more scenes that weren't in the previous book. As well as lengthening it beyond where the first book ended to get a better look at how things ended after the first book ended. Harper felt like she was given more credit than Gloria with his health and getting him back to being Aldo but it was hard not to love and enjoy these two and their relationship.
Leaning more towards 3.5/5 stars for me
3/5 Twice Level
TWs: Mentions of domestic abuse, physical abuse, war, medical trauma, medical content, injury/injury details, blood, toxic relationship, and sexual assault/rape
While I have received an arc of this book, my thoughts are all my own.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Medical content, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, War, and Blood
sdemo08's review
- 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
5.0
Minor: Car accident, Violence, Medical content, Rape, Sexual content, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Toxic relationship, Blood, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
brittanyrader13's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Medical trauma and Violence
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, and Sexual assault