kdailyreads'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Violence, Mass/school shootings, and Gun violence
this_momma_is_booked's review
- 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
4.0
Spoiler
There is one aspect of this book that does bug me a bit - okay, the more I think about it, the more it bothers me. The entire book, we hear about Gloria's abilities, how she can predict the day you'll find your true love. Not once do we not see any of these matches work out - on the contrary, we see what happens when you purposely go against Gloria's prediction (Edie's mom marries a man who she knows is not her match and they end up divorced). However, we are told that Edie's twin bucked tradition and is marrying someone who she wasn't "matched" with and so far they've been together for 11 years and it's a wonderful relationship. Cool. Why aren't there any consequences for that? I'm not saying that I believe in this fate or matching ability, but for the purpose of the book, we're told Gloria is infallible. So what gives? Furthermore, why didn't it work out with Evie and her match? What is it about these sisters that the matching magic doesn't apply to them?I really enjoyed that the book didn't end up going in the direction I thought with the matching magic and it left me a little surprised at the end. Overall, I'd recommend this book!
Graphic: Death and Grief
Minor: Mass/school shootings and Child death
sdupont'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
4.75
Spoiler
My only issue (if I could call it that) was that I wish there was more time dedicated to delving into the relationship with Bennett. So much time was spent with Theo and I think it added to the story but I wanted the opportunity to dive into the dynamics between Edie and Bennett.Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Gun violence
hollielovesromance'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
This story is such a love letter to family and tradition. Hannah literally made me cry so hard. Gloria is the grandmother that we all deserve to have in our lives.
Spoiler
and I fucking love that Edie ends up with Bennett and not a sad rock boy that wants his manic pixie muse dream girl. Sorry Theo you seemed kind of cool.Moderate: Death
Minor: Child death and Mass/school shootings
kasemcgrath's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
Minor: Mass/school shootings
girlunderthelitchitree's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death
Minor: Gun violence and Mass/school shootings
savvyrosereads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Edie has spent her entire life waiting for June 24, 2022—the date her beloved grandmother prophesied Edie would meet her soulmate. When Edie boards an airplane that day and finds herself seated next to a handsome stranger, she assumes her fate is sealed, but it turns out things might be more complicated than she could ever anticipate.
I love magical realism and books that play with the concept of destiny vs. free will, so I had high hopes for the concept of this novel. And, in a lot of ways, Meant To Be Mine was what I expected—it was generally fun, generally uplifting, generally romantic, and played with all the themes of fate and determinism that I was anticipating.
What I didn’t love, unfortunately, were the characters—Edie made questionable decisions all the way through and Theo was a less-than-engaging love interest in my opinion. I also predicted where the ending was headed pretty early on, but wasn’t at all satisfied with exactly where it ended up. That said, I still “aww’ed” at a few moments, and I appreciated the close family dynamics and the Jewish representation.
In short—while this wasn’t my favorite, I definitely didn’t hate it, and if the concept sounds fun to you I’d encourage checking it out!
Recommended if you like: fate vs. free-will; magical realist romances; close-knit families.
CW: Death of a loved one; discussion of mass/school shooting and related trauma; grief.
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Mass/school shootings and Death
Minor: Sexual content
bpop'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
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Child death, Pregnancy, Mass/school shootings, Medical content, Murder, and Sexual content
jamiebethreads's review against another edition
5.0
Minor: Death and Mass/school shootings