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wanderlust_romance's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Kai and Esme both hold on to deep seeded insecurities and doubts. Kai in relation to his autism and emotive capacity; Esme in relation to her lack of financial security, education, and ability to provide for her daughter. Both main characters struggle with these internal conflicts while also grappling with the courage to admit these doubts to one another (ie. miscommunication is at play here). But it makes sense within the context of the plot and how the characters interact and understand one another - especially when you consider some of the cultural and language challenges at play. This was a truly charming romance centered around interesting and nuanced main characters with a believable HEA.
Similar to book 1, I found the end resolution slightly rushed in terms of pace even if it did tie up all the open plot lines.
Tropes/Themes/Elements I Enjoyed:
- Vietnamese MCs
- Set in northern California (Bay Area-ish)
- Close proximity (roommates)
- Single mom
- Neurodiverse MMC (autism)
- He's a virgin ;)
- Arranged marriage / mail order bride plot line
- Immigration and economic differences
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, and Car accident
shannnne_reads_words's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Death, Vomit, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Self harm, Medical content, Car accident, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
toofondofbooks_'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: Addiction, Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
kirareadssometimes'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
4.75
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Medical content, Car accident, and Classism
hannibanani29's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Ableism, Cursing, Death, Medical content, Car accident, and Classism
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
criticalbooks'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
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Grief, and Car accident
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think my main issues were where we didn't get the full extent of the backstory for Khai until the very end - I would have liked that far sooner as the reader. And I tend to not like when there is miscommunication used to drive the plot. I understand how it was integral because they were coming from different situations and there was a complete misunderstanding between them. But my true frustration was in how it was never discussed or dealt with? It felt almost like it just disappeared and didn't have to be discussed at any point which I think is an issue for how Esme thought she was being treated and why...
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Medical content and Car accident
It's not a car accident, but there is mention of someone dying in a motorcycle accidentroseamillerg'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
4.0
I also preferred Esme and Khai’s relationship over Stella and Micheal:)
Less smutty than the first book though😕💀
P. S. Quan is the best. And Jade makes my heart melt🥺
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Ableism, Child death, and Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Medical content, and Pregnancy
leighannezinsmeister's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death and Car accident
Minor: Medical content
ananko'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: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Medical content, and Alcohol