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bekacrook's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.5
Talia Hibbert just knows how to write complex, interesting characters that you like because of their differences (and not in spite of their differences). Ruth felt authentic and I liked that Evan took the time to know her and notice her ways of displaying emotions, he never viewed her badly or assumed that she should respond in the way he would, instead he was intrigued by her and willing to learn her. Although they were quite different characters, they understood each other and were well matched, I liked them together.
It took time to build a clear picture of the events that occured in the very first chapter (prologue) but this was done well, it was drip fed to us so that we made the same assumptions as Evan. Some characters really grew, Ruth in particular around her confidence and self-belief, and some showed the beginnings of change like Mr Burne and Laura which felt honest and realistic - people don't change completely overnight after all.
Although some bits were difficult to read, I felt like the content was all handled well and respectfully while still being inkeeping with how the characters would speak about/handle different situations.
The epilogue was so well done, so realistic for the amount of time that had passed and again showed the progression of Ruth and Evan's relationship.
It took time to build a clear picture of the events that occured in the very first chapter (prologue) but this was done well, it was drip fed to us so that we made the same assumptions as Evan. Some characters really grew, Ruth in particular around her confidence and self-belief, and some showed the beginnings of change like Mr Burne and Laura which felt honest and realistic - people don't change completely overnight after all.
Although some bits were difficult to read, I felt like the content was all handled well and respectfully while still being inkeeping with how the characters would speak about/handle different situations.
The epilogue was so well done, so realistic for the amount of time that had passed and again showed the progression of Ruth and Evan's relationship.
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Cancer, Racism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Death of parent
aoifeprettypurplepolkadots's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
nenaveenstra's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.25
Talia Hibbert never lets me down. Her romance novels - a genre ridden with clichés and tropes - always feel so immensely real. The characters, the relationships, the sex… It always feels like I’m right there, like it could be my own life I’m reading about. Especially since she writes autistic women so well.
I had trouble getting into this book, though, because Evan’s character seemed to change suddenly as soon as Ruth took an interest in him. And the epilogue also wasn’t my favourite (I simply don’t consider getting pregnant a ‘happy ending’, but that’s just me). However, everything in between was perfect. Ruth’s character development, learning to trust other people and daring to put herself out there again after traumatic events… It made me feel so emotional, and I would die for her, I think.
This book doesn’t top the Brown Sisters-trilogy for me, but boy, does it get close. Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Ableism, Violence, Stalking, and Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse and Sexual assault
30something_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.5
He slid a hand over her neck and said, almost absently, “You’re perfect.”
She scowled. “Shut up.”
“Make me.”
Is this your love language? Then this book is for you.
Ruth Kabbah is autistic and the standoffish, loner/pariah of her small town. Evan Miller is new to town and her newest neighbor. Charmed by her prickly personality, he cannot help but bring her homemade meals every evening in a chance to get to know her a little better.
If there's three thing Talia's going to do, it's:
1. Give us an absolutely well-crafted, relatable MC (with some phenomenal disability rep)
2. Give that MC a love interest who is utterly irresistible, kind, and completely obsessed with them
3. Slip in some spine-tingling steamy moments that make you blush
*siiiiigghhhhhhh* I simply love them, your honor.
CW: ableism, racism, explicit sexual content, reference to sexual assault, toxic/abusive romantic relationship, slut-shaming, stalking, gaslighting, mentions of past death of a parent (cancer), terminal illness
She scowled. “Shut up.”
“Make me.”
Is this your love language? Then this book is for you.
Ruth Kabbah is autistic and the standoffish, loner/pariah of her small town. Evan Miller is new to town and her newest neighbor. Charmed by her prickly personality, he cannot help but bring her homemade meals every evening in a chance to get to know her a little better.
If there's three thing Talia's going to do, it's:
1. Give us an absolutely well-crafted, relatable MC (with some phenomenal disability rep)
2. Give that MC a love interest who is utterly irresistible, kind, and completely obsessed with them
3. Slip in some spine-tingling steamy moments that make you blush
*siiiiigghhhhhhh* I simply love them, your honor.
CW: ableism, racism, explicit sexual content, reference to sexual assault, toxic/abusive romantic relationship, slut-shaming, stalking, gaslighting, mentions of past death of a parent (cancer), terminal illness
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cancer, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
taliaalongi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, and Sexual content
reminiscences's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Classism
aromarrie's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
if there’s one thing talia hibbert’s steller at, it’s making her fmc steal every reader’s heart. first cherry from “the princess trap”, and now ruth??
she has evan wrapped around her finger and every scene between them was so charming because of it :’) they absolutely adore each other, bless them
she has evan wrapped around her finger and every scene between them was so charming because of it :’) they absolutely adore each other, bless them
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer and Emotional abuse
Minor: Violence and Death of parent
pinesandpages's review against another edition
3.5
This was fine! I don’t really enjoy the plot device where a woman’s mysterious and abusive past is hinted at obliquely for the bulk of the book, and then in one pivotal dramatic scene it all comes out. This book wasn’t as funny or snarky as Hibbert’s usually are, so I missed that aspect. Certainly spicy enough tho. I do wish Evan had a personality other than being extremely good looking, loving to cook for Ruth, and a slight savior complex. We brushed by most of his background, as he was mostly there to be the perfect partner.
Again, this was not bad, but probably my least favorite of Hibbert’s work that I’ve read thus far.
Again, this was not bad, but probably my least favorite of Hibbert’s work that I’ve read thus far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
peachani's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying and Cursing
Minor: Ableism, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Rape, Violence, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
rickireadss's review against another edition
3.5
another small town series has my heart! in this case, it’s not really for the small town aspect because those people are a**holes BUT i do like that it was due to the small town that these two happened to be next door neighbors. i really liked ruth and evan and how they developed a friendship first, but i wish we could have gotten more of them somehow?? idk i just wanted more before they just *boom* were fucking.
disability rep: autism (fmc)
⚠️: emotional abuse, toxic relationship, ableism, cancer, death of parent, racism
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
Minor: Racism