seecaitlinread's review against another edition
5.0
Wow this book blew me away. Talk about emotional whiplash. When I was deciding whether to read this book and was checking out reviews, a lot of them said to have a box of tissues handy. I was like lol sure. About 1/3 of the way through there had been some heart-wrenching moments, but I hadn’t cried yet. It was a solid 4 star book.
Cut to 3/4 of the way through - I’m curled up in the fetal position, straight up sobbing and trying to blink away the tears enough that I can keep reading. I cried SO MUCH Y’ALL. But I kept going because this book deserved it, and I trusted Benson to see me through. This deserves all the stars.
Benson writes about tragedy so masterfully it’s as if she’s the first person who has ever overcome it, and she’s providing the rest of us with a roadmap should we need it. I agree with other reviews that the relationship is really a secondary aspect (although it does dominate a lot of the book). It really is about going through the hardest thing you can - something that feels as if it might kill you - and coming out on the other side. I cannot recommend this one enough.
Cut to 3/4 of the way through - I’m curled up in the fetal position, straight up sobbing and trying to blink away the tears enough that I can keep reading. I cried SO MUCH Y’ALL. But I kept going because this book deserved it, and I trusted Benson to see me through. This deserves all the stars.
Benson writes about tragedy so masterfully it’s as if she’s the first person who has ever overcome it, and she’s providing the rest of us with a roadmap should we need it. I agree with other reviews that the relationship is really a secondary aspect (although it does dominate a lot of the book). It really is about going through the hardest thing you can - something that feels as if it might kill you - and coming out on the other side. I cannot recommend this one enough.
tmjmack12's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
3.5
jamietherebelliousreader's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars. I’ve had this book sitting on my bedside table for months now and I finally decided to pick it up and I’m so glad that I did. This was such a beautiful and emotional read. I was in tears for half of it.
I am a big fan of Benson’s writing style. It had me hooked from page one. The characters, the romance, all of it was absolutely fantastic. Anna and Lane’s love story was beautiful and I adored Anna’s niece and nephew. This story has a lot of heart and emotions as it deals with grief and loss but it was also funny and charming which really balanced it out well. I already want to read it again.
I am a big fan of Benson’s writing style. It had me hooked from page one. The characters, the romance, all of it was absolutely fantastic. Anna and Lane’s love story was beautiful and I adored Anna’s niece and nephew. This story has a lot of heart and emotions as it deals with grief and loss but it was also funny and charming which really balanced it out well. I already want to read it again.
amymarsdenauthor's review against another edition
3.0
Who'd Have Thought is one of my favourite romance novels, so I went into this with hight expectations. Unfortunately I just wasn't feeling it.
Like Anna, I really resented the situation she found herself in. Her brother and sister in law died in a car crash leaving their two small children (6 and less than 2) in Anna's care.
Anna never wanted children, and her brother never really asked her if she would be comfortable being their guardian. She had to move cities, find a new job, and ended up dumped by her girlfriend. I just didn't like the entire situation. I felt so sorry for Anna and so angry at her dead brother.
The romance with Lane was very insta-love, which can be fine, but it's not what I prefer.
I don't know. After the amazing Who'd Have Thought, I feel this one fell short.
Like Anna, I really resented the situation she found herself in. Her brother and sister in law died in a car crash leaving their two small children (6 and less than 2) in Anna's care.
Anna never wanted children, and her brother never really asked her if she would be comfortable being their guardian. She had to move cities, find a new job, and ended up dumped by her girlfriend. I just didn't like the entire situation. I felt so sorry for Anna and so angry at her dead brother.
The romance with Lane was very insta-love, which can be fine, but it's not what I prefer.
I don't know. After the amazing Who'd Have Thought, I feel this one fell short.
bethjg_01's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
angieinbooks's review against another edition
3.0
It’s not that I didn’t like this book, but it got a bit repetitive for me—too lost in details rather than plot. And the romance didn’t quite work for me.
I loved Anna and Lane, but there was never really any tension between them, other than that one time, which you could see coming a mile away. But they have this meet-cute moment at the grocery store and then another one where it turns out they both work. But everything happened really fast. And under normal circumstances I would think it was too fast, but with the hand that Anna is dealt, things happen way way too fast. Lane is awesome, but she’s a bit too awesome.
The real love story here is between Anna and her niece and nephew and the life that’s thrust upon her. I really liked that aspect of the story the most.
I’d hoped with all the rave reviews that I’d like this more. But alas...
I loved Anna and Lane, but there was never really any tension between them, other than that one time, which you could see coming a mile away. But they have this meet-cute moment at the grocery store and then another one where it turns out they both work. But everything happened really fast. And under normal circumstances I would think it was too fast, but with the hand that Anna is dealt, things happen way way too fast. Lane is awesome, but she’s a bit too awesome.
The real love story here is between Anna and her niece and nephew and the life that’s thrust upon her. I really liked that aspect of the story the most.
I’d hoped with all the rave reviews that I’d like this more. But alas...
sapphosgirlfriend's review against another edition
3.0
Y'all. Can I just say. I LOVE LANE. She is amazing and I would die for her. Okay, now that that's out of the way, let me tell you a little more about the book:
After Anna's brother dies in a car accident, she is left to take care of his kids. She has to move to a new city, her girlfriend breaks up with her, and she is grieving. All this, and she never even wanted children in the first place. In the midst of all of her life changes, she bumps into this woman at the grocery store. Can they navigate a relationship when Anna has so much going on?
I have to admit that this book made me cry. But it also made me laugh, and root for the characters, and. Overall, I thought this was a really enjoyable summer read!
After Anna's brother dies in a car accident, she is left to take care of his kids. She has to move to a new city, her girlfriend breaks up with her, and she is grieving. All this, and she never even wanted children in the first place. In the midst of all of her life changes, she bumps into this woman at the grocery store. Can they navigate a relationship when Anna has so much going on?
I have to admit that this book made me cry. But it also made me laugh, and root for the characters, and
Spoiler
I really wanted the whole custody thing to go wellcharley34's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
abri_reader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25