akswhy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
Expertly crafted characters with incredible banter. Some of the more romantic dialogue was little too mushy for me, and at times there was almost too much plot, but the vibes were stellar.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Medical trauma and Medical content
Minor: Child abuse
samreadssometimes's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
i did not think i would like this book (i don't seem like it's primary audience), but i LOVED it. it was funny and sweet and made me cry and it was SO GOOD. i would recommend this to everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Death of parent, Medical trauma, and Medical content
amre23's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical trauma, Cursing, Mental illness, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, and Sexism
Minor: Alcohol, Vomit, Misogyny, and Cancer
sarah_who_reads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The backstory of this book is delightful: Emily Henry wanted to write a story about the uptight woman in New York in a Hallmark Channel-style romance, who gets dumped when her boyfriend gets sent by his job to rural America and meets a small-town girl who's trying to save the family business. Nora is the woman in New York: she works in publishing, never cries, organizes everything for both herself and her sister, and is, indeed, pretty uptight. When her sister, Libby, begs her to come on a road trip to the sleepy North Carolina town where Nora's client's best-selling book is set, Nora reluctantly agrees, only to arrive and immediately run into her nemesis, Charlie Lastra, the editor who rejected the same best-selling book. It's a romance, so you know where this goes, but the premise alone should be enough to suck you in.
I liked this book for a lot of the reasons I like all of Emily Henry's books: there's travel; the sub-plot revolves deals with grief in an authentic way that resonates a lot with me; the protagonists have sizzling chemistry. However, I do wonder how long it will take for Henry to write some people of color into her books. Like, is she nervous about writing outside her own experience? Can she not get some beta readers? These are my more generous interpretations of why there are no people of color in the book; I hope she remedies this issue in the next book. Also, for me personally, sickeningly-sweet or close sister relationships feel inauthentic and I thus find them rather off-putting (especially Libby called Nora "Sissy" - gag), but maybe others are totally here for this.
I liked this book for a lot of the reasons I like all of Emily Henry's books: there's travel; the sub-plot revolves deals with grief in an authentic way that resonates a lot with me; the protagonists have sizzling chemistry. However, I do wonder how long it will take for Henry to write some people of color into her books. Like, is she nervous about writing outside her own experience? Can she not get some beta readers? These are my more generous interpretations of why there are no people of color in the book; I hope she remedies this issue in the next book. Also, for me personally, sickeningly-sweet or close sister relationships feel inauthentic and I thus find them rather off-putting (especially Libby called Nora "Sissy" - gag), but maybe others are totally here for this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Pregnancy
kalilarhiane's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
The premise was interesting and I loved the romance - getting to see characters flirt and genuinely enjoy each others presence was refreshing. The relationship between the sisters was sweet, and as an older sister I could relate to the main character heavily.
Some of the banter felt a little left of what real people sound like, but I didn’t mind much as it was entertaining.
Towards the last quarter of the story it felt like it dragged a little but I got back into it within a couple of chapters.
Overall a very enjoyable romance with some fun characters.
Some of the banter felt a little left of what real people sound like, but I didn’t mind much as it was entertaining.
Towards the last quarter of the story it felt like it dragged a little but I got back into it within a couple of chapters.
Overall a very enjoyable romance with some fun characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Death of parent, Death, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit
taylorleilani's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Drug use, Alcohol, Cursing, and Medical trauma
uppercasenoises's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
- 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
5.0
I LOVED THIS BOOK. I laughed out loud and sobbed at the end. This rom-com has some heavier themes and really dives into familial relationships. I blew through this in 24 hours, and it is narrated by one of my favorites (Queen Julia Whelan). This is maybe my favorite Emily Henry. First person POV.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Medical trauma
Minor: Medical content, Alcohol, and Sexism
Spice: 3/5, sexual content is open door but not totally explicit.c_ab_bage's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
i want to simultaneously be charlie lastra and also be with him. i need him so bad. AND NORA??? GODDAMN GIRL IF YOU NEED A DOG I CAN BARK. BUT APPARENTLY YOU’RE A CAT PERSON SO MEOW MEOW MF.
the banter is probably my favorite part of that book. bc. oh my god. i actually giggled a few times. out loud!! they are all so endearing, i love it.
the banter is probably my favorite part of that book. bc. oh my god. i actually giggled a few times. out loud!! they are all so endearing, i love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, Grief, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
juicy_juice's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
This is definitely a book for any woman who feels out of place, like she hasn’t and never will get a happy ending. Maybe she’s been labeled the villain once or twice, and she doesn’t give a damn.
Content Warnings
Minor: Medical trauma and Death of parent
lb781's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
This is a lighthearted book but that manages to treat important topics too! The main focus is a breath taking romance, and it is steamy (!!). You will undoubtedly get attached to the characters- they are well developed throughout the story. And, most importantly, the book is funny !