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deetabz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Racism, Sexism, and Alcohol
readwithria'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? Yes
4.5
I’ve been lucky enough to read two of Falon Ballard’s other books as ARCs, so when I saw that I could immediately check out Lease of Love from the library I knew it was a sign to finish her backlist. Sadie and Jack are such amazing complements to each other, and they support each other so well. I loved reading about their relationship with each other and with their friends!
Read this book if you love
💐 forced proximity
💐 slow burn
💐 strangers to friends to lovers
💐 family trauma
💐 therapy rep
💐 found family
Falon Ballard is now officially an auto-buy author for me. 4.5 stars.
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
laheath'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
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing, Mental illness, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Racism
kaydeedickins's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Classism
readingwithtrey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Sadie was not a lovable character at all. She was a lot. In the beginning of the book, she was so much of a brat that I seriously thought I’d have to call it quits on this. One thing that was really off putting for me was that her and her 2 girl friends used a certain word as a term of endearment excessively. This along with the overuse of modern cliche phrases, really made me second guess continueing to read. But when Sadie accidentally responds to a roommate listing (thinking she’s on a dating app), I thought the story would get better. It was a unique plot line with a lot of potential.
I didn’t buy the relationship between Jack and Sadie. Jack’s character completely fell flat. He really lacked a personality so we didn’t get to really know him. Due to this, it seemed to come out of left field when the relationship started to turn romantic.
The were a couple of nods to diversity in this book. When I came across the first one I thought “wow, unexpected diversity. Go author.” But then it’s literally just like 2 sentences. It really read as though the author was just checking off representation boxes without going deeper than surface level.
I went back and forth between giving it 2 or 3 stars because I know that some of the things that bothered me may not bother others & I try to keep that in mind when rating books. I settled on 3 stars because I did want to know how it ended; but honestly, I probably wouldn’t recommend it🥴.
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Death, Car accident, and Death of parent
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse and Car accident
drealovesbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Alcohol
annahamburger'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content, Car accident, and Abandonment
Minor: Racism and Sexism
lexslittlelibrary'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? Yes
5.0
Sadie is sweet and confident and so easy to root for. She’s not unaware of her strengths as so many rom com characters are, but she is also able to wallow in her flaws as well.
Jack is a beautiful portrait of what it feels like to grieve and feel guilt for continuing to live after that grief begins to pass. He’s fiercely loving and lovable even at his weakest moments.
Top it all off with a great cast of side characters who form the sweetest found family I’ve read about in a while and a second romance to root for and you’ve got a truly incredible read.
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Misogyny
kaseybereading'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Car accident