sydapel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Sexual content
monalyisha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
I’m going to recommend it (with full disclosure about its content) to a loved one who’s just come out of a 20-year-long marriage to a man who emotionally abused her (and her sons), a fact which she offers up with full transparency, strength, and vulnerability. Good f*cking riddance to him. I’m so grateful that an honest & hope-filled story like this exists.
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Infidelity
beckyremillard'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
3.5
Since I went into this looking for a romance, I’m not really a fan. It was a decent story, but not my cup of tea. If you’re looking for a story about friendship, discovering self and
Spoiler
jerk ex-boyfriends kind of getting what’s coming to them (although John didn’t get enough crap for being so manipulative)Spoiler
Seriously, they first kissed at 95%Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Grief, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Bullying
Moderate: Infidelity
sabmanosa'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer
streetmuseums's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent, and Grief
braggsy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Minor: Emotional abuse, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Infidelity
maggies'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: Grief, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Cancer
Minor: Vomit
hannahvalentine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Grief and Domestic abuse
Minor: Death of parent
aliceloyallaleon'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
4.0
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Infidelity, Grief, Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Bullying
mal_bookedatfirstsight's review against another edition
4.0
I have been a huge fan of Mhairi’s work for years! She crafts the character with so many complexities, they feel real. I will say I almost DNFed this book- In the beginning, I struggled to get into it and there were a ton of pop culture/celebrity references. I don’t know if perhaps it was a cultural divide or if I am just THAT unknowledgeable, but I felt like a lot of the sense of humor from these characters was heavily based on them and since I didn’t understand the references, I felt like I lost that connection. It wasn’t until about 20% into the book that I felt hooked!
Was it what I was expecting? No.
Did that make me love it? YES.
Although there is romance sprinkled towards the end, this book is very much Women’s Fiction. Ultimately about a woman named Harriet who is forced to confront her past relationships (not just romantically), to begin anew. This is not a fluffy romcom, despite the cover looking like so, but it delves into heavy topics such as grief and emotional abuse. I enjoyed Harriet as a character, who was constantly just trying her best. I adored Cal, even though I wanted more of him, I felt like he was genuine and an actual stable human lol. BUT I LOVED LORNA (the best friend, ride-or-die, will kick your butt if you mess with her loved ones)! Come on now, we all need a Lorna in our life!!!!
Spoiler
I feel like the John Tucker Must Die moment needs a shoutout/slow cap…. Ladies, ASSEMBLE!
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for gifting me this copy in exchange for my honest review.
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Infidelity