desana75's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Suicide
amandajl's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I interrupted reading the Harry Potter series for the first time to read this book for my book club. I wanted to finish it quickly so I could get back to HP, so I feel as though that may have colored my overall feelings of the book. Had I read this at a different time, I may have enjoyed it more. Overall, it was fine (rated 3.75). The first half felt very slow, but it picked up a little over 50% in. There were some very creative and original aspects, but overall I never really felt connected to the characters. Things felt forced. I also don’t love the whole “be passionate about what you do trope” because I just don’t relate to that or subscribe to that belief right now. Overall, I’m glad I read because I think it could lead to some interesting dialogue within my book club, but I didn’t connect with this book as a whole.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Suicide
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
Clementine comes home to find a man standing in her late-aunt's apartment. This is definitely a man she could fall for. Except, her aunt's apartment has a magical element. He exists in the past. 7 years in the past to be exact. She is 7 years in his future.
This was a super predictable plot, but it was still really cute. I liked how everything tied together throughout the book and how Clementine and Iwan were connected in so many ways.
It would have been really interesting to get a dual POV. Especially since he had to wait the full 7 years.
I thought that Poston approached the heavy topics with compassion. Though we did get those heavy topics, the book still managed to be fun and quirky.
Tropes: magical elements, instalove
This was a super predictable plot, but it was still really cute. I liked how everything tied together throughout the book and how Clementine and Iwan were connected in so many ways.
It would have been really interesting to get a dual POV. Especially since he had to wait the full 7 years.
I thought that Poston approached the heavy topics with compassion. Though we did get those heavy topics, the book still managed to be fun and quirky.
Tropes: magical elements, instalove
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Suicide, and Sexual content
cpete's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Suicide
nnneelrahc's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- 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 is so much more than just the paranormal/magical romance that I thought it was. The way the book evolves from something that seemed lighthearted and about finding love to what it ended with was so magical. This book takes you on an absolute journey and I devoured it in one afternoon.
I was an absolute sobbing mess at the end of it but I love it so so much. Easily one of my top reads this year
The last bit where Aunt Analea returns to the apartment 7 years in the past where Vera got to reunite with her made me a sobbing mess. The last few paragraphs and lines of love staying always.. killed me.
And the way that everything linked with each other and made sense was so good too!
Ashley Poston had me gasping, smiling and sobbing in one afternoon. My heart has been put through a journey and it’s gonna take some time to recover but such an amazing read ❤️
I was an absolute sobbing mess at the end of it but I love it so so much. Easily one of my top reads this year
Spoiler
The last few chapters made a bawling, sobbing mess out of me. Ashley Poston’s description of grief and the process of accepting a death was so relatable which made me bawl my eyes out (they’re still pretty puffy).The last bit where Aunt Analea returns to the apartment 7 years in the past where Vera got to reunite with her made me a sobbing mess. The last few paragraphs and lines of love staying always.. killed me.
And the way that everything linked with each other and made sense was so good too!
Ashley Poston had me gasping, smiling and sobbing in one afternoon. My heart has been put through a journey and it’s gonna take some time to recover but such an amazing read ❤️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
livinginikedworlds's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Love was an invitation into the wild unknown, one stap ata a time together.
I'm pretty sure this book left a marking on my soul. it is so beautifully written its actually hurts, I wasn't trully expecting all of it thought it would be a silly read no one the feels like gitting me through it (definitely recomned tho)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Suicide
jenheitland's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Suicide, and Death
rd77's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
I really, really loved this book. It was a unique premise and executed very well. It’s not purely a romance book either- there’s a lot involving coming of age, grief, and self-discovery. The characters were all loveable and quite realistic, in my opinion. It felt like a genuine story with a touch of whimsy added in. There was always enough twists and surprises to keep you interested but nothing that detracted from the true heart of the story- it was incredibly well balanced. I feel like the side characters were fleshed out just well enough where it felt realistic because they had their own lives and own things going on, and the main character Clementine actually played a part in their lives.
The writing was incredibly poetic and really added to the impact of the story. My favorite was each time Clementine
This definitely has become one of my all time favorites.
The writing was incredibly poetic and really added to the impact of the story. My favorite was each time Clementine
Spoiler
described how she would paint Iwan’s eyes, almost as an aside, but it just felt so beautiful and real.This definitely has become one of my all time favorites.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
bringmybooks's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Thank you to Edelweiss, Berkley, & Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
This one worked for a lot of people - like, in a super moving heartfelt wept their eyes out book hangover for days kind of way - but I got … nothing. I love love LOVED The Dead Romantics so my hopes and the hype were pretty high here, but I don’t even think that’s the culprit.
I’m genuinely surprised that even though I really liked the writing and the premise was UNREAL, I felt nothing for these characters. I was shuffling through the pages waiting for something truly magical, but the majority of it was just weird instalove and a magical element that didn’t make any sense.
(Note: magical elements don’t * have * to make sense, see: About Time, which is a pitch perfect film with a magical element that makes 0 sense - but the characters and their stories have to REALLY work for this to work, if you know what I mean)
Anywho - I’m going with “borrow” on this one because while it wasn’t my slice of pie, I know that it’s *chef’s kiss* for others!
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
This one worked for a lot of people - like, in a super moving heartfelt wept their eyes out book hangover for days kind of way - but I got … nothing. I love love LOVED The Dead Romantics so my hopes and the hype were pretty high here, but I don’t even think that’s the culprit.
I’m genuinely surprised that even though I really liked the writing and the premise was UNREAL, I felt nothing for these characters. I was shuffling through the pages waiting for something truly magical, but the majority of it was just weird instalove and a magical element that didn’t make any sense.
(Note: magical elements don’t * have * to make sense, see: About Time, which is a pitch perfect film with a magical element that makes 0 sense - but the characters and their stories have to REALLY work for this to work, if you know what I mean)
Anywho - I’m going with “borrow” on this one because while it wasn’t my slice of pie, I know that it’s *chef’s kiss* for others!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Mental illness, Death, Grief, and Pregnancy
caoxtina's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Suicide, and Sexual content