Reviews tagging 'Vomit'

The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers

2 reviews

smileymiley550's review

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emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


While this is marketed as a semi-"You've Got Mail" romance, this book is emotional and reflective at its best, and juvenile at its worst. The romance takes a backseat while character development, grief, mental illness, and complex family dynamics are in the driver's seat. It's pretty decent for general fiction , but I wouldn't categorize it as a romance.

The story follows 2 characters that were best mates in school until a misunderstanding causes a fissure in their relationship. These characters are stuck--unable to decipher their desires, pursue their passions, effectively communicate, and generally deal with the complex reality of life. AKA, they're in arrested development and stuck in their juvenile patterns of behavior and thinking. They are both coping with grief over their mutual best friend who died young of advanced cancer and they are both struggling with familial relations. A book swap through their neighborhood little free library brings them back together and re-ignites their love for literature.

"The Book Swap" had a very slow start that didn't feel entirely necessary, at least in Erin's part. The book swapping was easily the highlight.  I did really enjoyed the siblings and their dynamics with the main characters. I'm the oldest sibling, but Georgia is a dream of a big sister. James I liked but Erin irritated me most times--I'm not convinced she's grown past her grief, abandonment issues, and inability to forgive.

I am grateful for the free ARC enook copy that was provided to me by NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Graydon House. All opinions are my own.
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lalalaretta's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I read through this in a day and have so many thoughts but I'll just share my immediately reaction here. I'm seeing a lot of criticism that this wasn't a cutesy romcom and it's not. But every romance book I've read for years lays the trauma on thick but oh well, resolves it, teehee and isn't that sweet? Here, I feel like the reactions of the characters are proportionate to what they experienced and resolution requires real work from everyone. Social media users love to talk about mental health but really struggle with characters they deem unlikable who are actually in the midst of a major depression. The Book Swap is a nuanced and accurate take on mental health struggles, still leaving us with hope.

I thought the dialogue was accurate and fun, the growth in characters was inspiring, and the therapy was not trite. 

I will be recommending this to my friends, for sure. Looking forward to reading more from Tessa Bickers.
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