Scan barcode
kaneebli's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Child death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
Minor: Incest, Toxic relationship, and Blood
sytaylor's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, and Car accident
spicyviolets's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
3.5
This was good. It was a really in depth exploration of complicated grief, and I think it was done incredibly well. I liked both main characters (and maybe it was just the narration) but I didn’t feel like their chemistry was electric enough. I also feel like we should’ve explored how the accident impacted Grant’s life a little more. It seemed like we were going to at the beginning of the book, but then it backed way off once the MCs connected. It felt unresolved.
The humor that was in this book was good given how serious the subject matter was. It added just the right amount of levity.
The humor that was in this book was good given how serious the subject matter was. It added just the right amount of levity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Suicide
lindsayreads21's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
I don’t know how to put into words how much I loved this book. At first, I didn’t like either of the main characters much. But as I got further in the story, I felt so connected to them in ways I didn’t expect. The underlying grief and anger caused by the death of Helen’s sister is heartbreaking and added an incredible depth to this story. Simply perfect from beginning to end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Grief
kirstyreadsblog's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Grief
Moderate: Suicide
drgiovannamp's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
3.75
I wish this book was not a romance book. It felt like it needed to be fiction. It had such realistic depictions of family dynamics and what it’s like to grow up with immigrant parents. Then it had moving components of grief but also how complicated grief can be when the loss is by suicide. I didn’t really enjoy the romance component and at times it felt unrealistic given the circumstances of how they know each other.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Grief
jennaviolet's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Would have rated it higher but the last few chapters were tough. It’s also hard to root for the love story between people in these circumstances? It also feels more like lust than love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Suicide, and Car accident
klaudiao's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, and Grief
takarakei's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
As a big sister, this book made me cry. There were some absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking moments.
The reviews for this book are so harsh and I truly don’t get it. First of all, this is not a second chance romance: the two MC barely knew each other in high school let alone had any romance between them. Simply going to the same school (and being linked by the tragedy that occurred then) is not qualification for second chance romance. This is just two people with a complicated past coming together to overcome said past.
This book is told in dual pov and it switches mid chapter, which I think was aided by the great narration. I think it also lended to this reading like a movie (which makes sense since the author is a screenwriter). I’m not sure why people are so averse to this.
People think it’s insta love? Or was too fast?????? I… no. The only thing I can think of is that because the POVs are not chapter long maybe it reads as if it’s moving faster plot wise because the pov switches more often?! But I am extremely averse to instalove and this was not that. I thought the romance was so well done and hot 🥵 yes there is (good!!) spice.
So why not 5 stars?: mild spoilersthere is a third act breakup which is heavily forecasted based on the circumstances, and yet it still was hard to read. And it does drag on a tad, I just personally prefer either no breakup or like an easily resolved one. But I am a little forgiving considering the circumstances. And after it’s resolved the ending felt a little rushed.
This book also deals heavily with first generation American children dynamics with their parents. And I thought that was handled with care and thoughtfulness.
Overall I think this is a really beautiful romance that deals with grief at it’s core so maybe it’s not for everyone but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The reviews for this book are so harsh and I truly don’t get it. First of all, this is not a second chance romance: the two MC barely knew each other in high school let alone had any romance between them. Simply going to the same school (and being linked by the tragedy that occurred then) is not qualification for second chance romance. This is just two people with a complicated past coming together to overcome said past.
This book is told in dual pov and it switches mid chapter, which I think was aided by the great narration. I think it also lended to this reading like a movie (which makes sense since the author is a screenwriter). I’m not sure why people are so averse to this.
People think it’s insta love? Or was too fast?????? I… no. The only thing I can think of is that because the POVs are not chapter long maybe it reads as if it’s moving faster plot wise because the pov switches more often?! But I am extremely averse to instalove and this was not that. I thought the romance was so well done and hot 🥵 yes there is (good!!) spice.
So why not 5 stars?: mild spoilers
This book also deals heavily with first generation American children dynamics with their parents. And I thought that was handled with care and thoughtfulness.
Overall I think this is a really beautiful romance that deals with grief at it’s core so maybe it’s not for everyone but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Drug use