ecravens'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: Child death, Cursing, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Cancer, Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
beckyremillard'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
3.75
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Addiction
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Pregnancy
kaitlynnnng'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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent, Drug use, Drug abuse, Child abuse, and Death
jjohnston_05's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Drug abuse and Alcoholism
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Child abuse, Cancer, and Death of parent
chelsearose'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
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Addiction, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Miscarriage, Child abuse, and Pregnancy
faraway_'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
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Addiction, and Alcoholism
Minor: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Cancer, and Death of parent
abiigrl'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
4.75
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, and Death of parent
ymireads'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
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Addiction
Moderate: Sexual content, Child abuse, Death, and Grief
natttbuggg'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
This book is the perfect example of romance done right. The heavy topics were balanced perfectly with the fluff and spice. I absolutely loved that Asher didn’t demonize Cal’s prescription to Adderall when discussing his alcoholism and previous opioid addiction. Adderall addictions are more common among those who are not in need of it, but rather use it as a party drug. Asher making sure to exclude it from Cal’s list of vices made very happy to say the least. The other aspect I loved was that Cal and Alana both discussed frequently that recovery is not something that can be done for others, rather it needs to come from the person’s own need and want to recover. It would have been easy to have Cal come in and say “you’re the reason I want to get sober” and have that been the big touching romantic gesture but it would be unrealistic. Change cannot be made if it is for any other reason than for yourself.
THE ENDING THOUGH!!! I kept hearing people say that this book gives amazing closure to the whole family and WOW DID IT! I kind of forgot about their father, Seth, until they ran into each other at the AA meeting, and I was left wondering for the rest of the chapter what would be his end. Especially with the 6% in shares that is left unaccounted for. I was so glad to see Seth get his comeuppance, ESPECIALLY when he had the chance to make things better. Part of me wishes we got his book of redemption but overall it makes more sense for his character to not have changed given everything we see of him (I just wanted more time with everyone else). I think his choice in picking the easier sobriety option only exemplifies the kind of person he is, because even now without alcohol he is still a horrible human who does not want to change. Not even for his own children.
This book made me sob like a WATERFALL! Although I knew that the plank from the dock would come back later in the book I wasn’t exactly sure how, but the way we did get it got me crying. But what got me full body sobs though was Cami’s gift in the end. I am a sucker for “adopt me” gifts but having seen Cami fall in love with Cal along side Alana made this even more impactful that seeing the 1 minute clips on tiktok.
I am absolutely devastated that the series came to an end (especially when I literally started The Fine Print on 1/19/2023) but I am so happy that I got to experience the stories of these people and I cannot wait to read Lauren Ashers’ backlist and whatever else comes from her beautiful mind later on!
Graphic: Alcohol, Addiction, and Alcoholism
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Child abuse, Cancer, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Mental illness
araceli1022'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
5.0
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Miscarriage and Child abuse