theespressoedition's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
This was exactly what I hoped for in a sequel! I really wasn't sure how the authors were going to follow Dash and Lily's Book of Dares, because that story was truly adorable and fantastic. However, this really was an amazing "next chapter" in Dash and Lily's story!
Often, when I read YA romance, I find myself getting frustrated with the happily-ever-afters and the fact that everything is so perfect when in reality, teen romance rarely works out long-term and there's usually a slump after the first year (or sometimes less). This book tackled that wonderfully.
It gave us the post-honeymoon phase where Dash and Lily have to navigate what their relationship looks like now that they've been together for a full year. It also conquered things like dealing with grief, getting through the holiday season when things get tough, struggling with big life changes, and even intimacy (both physical and emotional).
Lily's Christmas spirit reminds me so much of myself and my own love for the holiday season. Seeing how Dash worked to get her back to her "old self" was so sweet and made me think that it was precisely how my husband would try and handle things if I suddenly wasn't feeling myself during the most festive time of the year. The fact that they brought back the moleskin notebook was also really precious!
Honestly, I can't find too many things about this story that I didn't care for. It was really well done all the way around. A great way to kick off my Christmas reading!
Often, when I read YA romance, I find myself getting frustrated with the happily-ever-afters and the fact that everything is so perfect when in reality, teen romance rarely works out long-term and there's usually a slump after the first year (or sometimes less). This book tackled that wonderfully.
It gave us the post-honeymoon phase where Dash and Lily have to navigate what their relationship looks like now that they've been together for a full year. It also conquered things like dealing with grief, getting through the holiday season when things get tough, struggling with big life changes, and even intimacy (both physical and emotional).
Lily's Christmas spirit reminds me so much of myself and my own love for the holiday season. Seeing how Dash worked to get her back to her "old self" was so sweet and made me think that it was precisely how my husband would try and handle things if I suddenly wasn't feeling myself during the most festive time of the year. The fact that they brought back the moleskin notebook was also really precious!
Honestly, I can't find too many things about this story that I didn't care for. It was really well done all the way around. A great way to kick off my Christmas reading!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use
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