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carmenteriele's review against another edition
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I liked the aspect of the main girl struggling with the relationship with her parents, and I liked the tension between the love interests. All the drama felt a little overpowering though, and it took itself a little too seriously at times.
emmareidy's review against another edition
emotional
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Suicide
macintasha's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
reading_in_maine's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Grief
lucywalter's review against another edition
2.0
Ughhhhh this started off okay and had a really sad trope which gave this potential to be a really emotional read. Then everything just came out of nowhere, like since when do you guys like eachother??? Um did you forget what happened? The romance (or Insta lust)was poorly executed and more thought should have gone into using that specific trope if it was going to play out that way.
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
1.0
Everything about this book and author feels like an industry plant to me. Beach Read you are in danger girl.
lilanreads's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I've read so far this year. This book tells the story between Helen and Grant, who were linked through a tragedy (check TW!) and unexpectedly meet again a decade later. The story is set in a TV show writers room. Helen is the author of the book that's going to be adapted, and Grant is one of the screenwriters.
.
Given the premise of the initial conflict (the tragedy) and how Helen is depicted as a total grump (even downright rude to Grant), I had a lot of skepticism about how this would work. Apparently, I worried over nothing because Yulin Kuang tied everything up very nicely. The way both Helen and Grant heal from the trauma and develop their relationship is so touching.
.
The writing itself struck a balance between funny, sharp, and melancholic, but not too preachy. I love angst, and boy does this book deliver! It has a second chance feel to it (due to the fallout in the past), which I really like. I first heard of Yulin Kuang as the one who will be directing and adapting two of Emily Henry's books (Beach Read and PWMOV). The way she depicts what it's like inside a writers' room or producing a TV show is very interesting! She has a lot of experience here, and it shows.
Incredible writing, especially in the 3rd act. Her screenwriting/directing experience really shows here—it feels like watching a show with the sharp switches between different POVs. Many reviews also compare Yulin Kuang with Emily Henry, but I vibe with Kuang's style more because her characters are more mature and well-grounded, not too quirky like in Emily Henry's books.
.
I also wanted to point out Helen's feeling of suffocation by her Chinese family, which unfortunately also resonates with me. While this carries over until the end, thankfully the ending is so satisfactory! It was laid out like a long extended epilogue, and I felt really content reading it.
.
I strongly recommend this book, especially if you're even remotely into angst/second-chance romance. Truly memorable!
.
Given the premise of the initial conflict (the tragedy) and how Helen is depicted as a total grump (even downright rude to Grant), I had a lot of skepticism about how this would work. Apparently, I worried over nothing because Yulin Kuang tied everything up very nicely. The way both Helen and Grant heal from the trauma and develop their relationship is so touching.
.
The writing itself struck a balance between funny, sharp, and melancholic, but not too preachy. I love angst, and boy does this book deliver! It has a second chance feel to it (due to the fallout in the past), which I really like. I first heard of Yulin Kuang as the one who will be directing and adapting two of Emily Henry's books (Beach Read and PWMOV). The way she depicts what it's like inside a writers' room or producing a TV show is very interesting! She has a lot of experience here, and it shows.
Incredible writing, especially in the 3rd act. Her screenwriting/directing experience really shows here—it feels like watching a show with the sharp switches between different POVs. Many reviews also compare Yulin Kuang with Emily Henry, but I vibe with Kuang's style more because her characters are more mature and well-grounded, not too quirky like in Emily Henry's books.
.
I also wanted to point out Helen's feeling of suffocation by her Chinese family, which unfortunately also resonates with me. While this carries over until the end, thankfully the ending is so satisfactory! It was laid out like a long extended epilogue, and I felt really content reading it.
.
I strongly recommend this book, especially if you're even remotely into angst/second-chance romance. Truly memorable!
mariacita20's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
meganjeg's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
slmoore2013's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.5