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dotarvi's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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: Toxic friendship, Medical content, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, and Infertility
Minor: Bullying
erin_robbins19's review
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility
samnreader's review
3.5
Reading this was really an experience. The heroine was plucky and appealing. The hero was major swoon material, and the exploration of their relationship was really slow and deliberate in a really great way. Henry is also a composer which was a lovely way to play with expression and feelings, and he is an extremely romantic hero.
The surrounding friends are interesting, but other than an exception or two are not fully fleshed other than to support the principals. This is what I found most disappointing, they seemed to be a means to an end for the couple, highly centered on everything having to do with them and not just smaller characters that support the overall story.
So while there is some great stuff here, the bones still felt a little underdeveloped. It's forced proximity with a whole cast, but they aren't really that interesting in their own right. The romance did it's job, for sure, but the rest was filler and a lot of the filler was rough and expositional. This is why I liked when the author wrote from Henry's point of view. He often had to show, because of his anxiety and tendency to freeze with new people and his overall reticence. Other chapters held details but they weren't feeling details always-they were often telling details.
I will say I also enjoyed Lanza's dialogue though. It was a pleasant surprise and why I kept reading after the initial pages-that's where the book seems to hit its stride. It also had good exploration of severe endometriosis, but I hope readers go into this with awareness of the chronic health, mental health and other possible triggers. While it read pretty lighthearted overall, it did get gritty from a few angles.
I recommend this with reservations (and with full content warning awareness), and I'd rate it between a 3&4. It mostly appealed to me for the unique composer spin and a couple of subplot threads that I thought were handled deftly.
The surrounding friends are interesting, but other than an exception or two are not fully fleshed other than to support the principals. This is what I found most disappointing, they seemed to be a means to an end for the couple, highly centered on everything having to do with them and not just smaller characters that support the overall story.
So while there is some great stuff here, the bones still felt a little underdeveloped. It's forced proximity with a whole cast, but they aren't really that interesting in their own right. The romance did it's job, for sure, but the rest was filler and a lot of the filler was rough and expositional. This is why I liked when the author wrote from Henry's point of view. He often had to show, because of his anxiety and tendency to freeze with new people and his overall reticence. Other chapters held details but they weren't feeling details always-they were often telling details.
I will say I also enjoyed Lanza's dialogue though. It was a pleasant surprise and why I kept reading after the initial pages-that's where the book seems to hit its stride. It also had good exploration of severe endometriosis, but I hope readers go into this with awareness of the chronic health, mental health and other possible triggers. While it read pretty lighthearted overall, it did get gritty from a few angles.
I recommend this with reservations (and with full content warning awareness), and I'd rate it between a 3&4. It mostly appealed to me for the unique composer spin and a couple of subplot threads that I thought were handled deftly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse
elysareadsitall's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
I just loved this book so much. The found family, the sweet romance, the cute dog, the excellent backstories, the representation. It's all good. I teared up more than once (weirdly, the one that got me the most was the soup).
Don't mind me. I'll just be over here cyberstalking Lindsey Lanza to get all the latest on any new books she writes.
Don't mind me. I'll just be over here cyberstalking Lindsey Lanza to get all the latest on any new books she writes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Infertility
luizac13's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
4.0
Ok i liked this book, but i felt like it was missing something idk. but overall really liked it. it was cool to see how the characters dealt with their stuggles and insecurities. i loved GRAHM such a little sweetheart. i liked henry and lucys relationship and it was so sweet that he would only open up to her, like he only felt 100% himself around her and that was precious. maybe i feel like it was missing some spice, but i liked it alot. all the cute little things he would do for her. its a cute book, but i think i would rather read over books over this one
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility
booksinherview's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Chronic illness, and Infertility
Minor: Abandonment
izziepng's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
I LOVE THIS BOOK ITS PROBABLY IN MY TOP 3-5 BOOKS RIGHT NOW.
I just finished it like 15 minutes ago and I can’t even collect my thoughts because I love it so much. I love Lucy and Henry (total get henry’s anxiety i have the same issues just less severe) I love Rowan (cutest thing ever) and Graham and Jayce and Preston and Adamma.
I love found family it makes me feel so cozy and as someone who basically has a fear of making friends (i’m not even gonna get into it) it’s hard to make me actually yearn to make friends but i wish i had the HAAAM group in my life.
I just finished it like 15 minutes ago and I can’t even collect my thoughts because I love it so much. I love Lucy and Henry (total get henry’s anxiety i have the same issues just less severe) I love Rowan (cutest thing ever) and Graham and Jayce and Preston and Adamma.
I love found family it makes me feel so cozy and as someone who basically has a fear of making friends (i’m not even gonna get into it) it’s hard to make me actually yearn to make friends but i wish i had the HAAAM group in my life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Chronic illness, and Infertility
Moderate: Child abuse, Infidelity, and Sexual content
novellybritt's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Chronic illness, and Medical content
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Sexual content, and Child abuse
hannah109's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Infertility
readwatchcrochet's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Love love loved this book!
The perfect book boyfriend (so thoughtful and cute) and a fast paced romance that I never wanted to end (I’ve basically highlighted the whole book). This was just such a cosy read, had me laughing out loud and then crying at the end. I’m going to try my best to articulate how much I loved this book but it’s one I’ll be buying for friends to read.
The perfect book boyfriend (so thoughtful and cute) and a fast paced romance that I never wanted to end (I’ve basically highlighted the whole book). This was just such a cosy read, had me laughing out loud and then crying at the end. I’m going to try my best to articulate how much I loved this book but it’s one I’ll be buying for friends to read.
“Girl starting over after a devastating breakup suddenly winds up living in a mansion with five gorgeous men. One who happens to be the celebrity crush she never knew she’s had for years”.
Personally this book and Lucy’s story just resonated with me so much.
There are a lot of things people go through quietly that are often difficult to talk about & often people will never know about.
This story just hit very close to home. And it explored the fears and struggles so well.
The meet cute was great and loved the bond that Lucy & Henry shared throughout the book. They just seemed to really compliment each other.
Sarah & Jack. Just horrible people all round. I think it is also a talent to write characters that readers can despise so much.
However, loved Graham, Jayce, Preston & Adama. Good when there are actually decent people in Lucy’s life and the dynamics between them all was spot on. Plus, there is a cute dog who gets up to lots of mischief.
“You’ve had an extra-thick, double-knotted, dipped-tar string of bad luck”
Themes:
• second chance romance
• finding your family
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Please check the TW before reading.
Thanks to the publisher, author & NetGalley for this arc in exchange for this honest review.
• second chance romance
• finding your family
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Please check the TW before reading.
Thanks to the publisher, author & NetGalley for this arc in exchange for this honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Infertility
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Child abuse