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kaleys23's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death
Minor: Child abuse
jg34's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
I most definitely judged this book by its cover. I had heard of Mhairi McFarlane and based on the context and later seeing she has written many books all with cartoon covers, I came to the conclusion that she must write mindless lighthearted romance books. That is what I was in the mood for when I picked this book out but I got way more than I bargained for!
Yes this book ultimately was a romance (very good one at that) but it was much deeper than that. It was a journey of grief and how to navigate life after tragedy and what happens when you learn secrets that change how you see those closest to you. It was poignant and honest. But also very funny!
The main character Eve is what you could call ‘quirky’ but there is a line between unbearably and embarrassingly quirky vs just a bit silly. Eve is the second. Each character in this book had layers and it was so interesting watching everyone interact and learn and grow.
And the romance! So good. I don’t want to give too much away but the way these two character banter and handle each others grief with such grace and brutal honesty was what made me fall in love with this. We love mature adults, no silly miscommunication or anything here. Also no spice! Which I usually prefer an under-seasoned romance myself but idk why I really expected there would be, I guess because I thought this would be more like a Tessa Bailey romance book. It was not do not let the cartoon cover fool you!
I also loved how well everything concluded. There is always room for some ambiguity but I felt every loose end that was important got tied off by the end which is so pleasing. Specifically I really really liked Eve getting to tell another character exactly how she felt after she had been mistreated for years. Maybe it went too well to a point where it was unrealistic but it felt very cathartic to me it’s really refreshing getting to see a character spell out exactly how she feels and for it to be a conversation not a fight. Like I said we are mature adults here!!
Maybe the 5 star rating which I rarely give out is in part due to my admittedly low expectations being blown out of the water, but I stand by it. This was a great book.
Yes this book ultimately was a romance (very good one at that) but it was much deeper than that. It was a journey of grief and how to navigate life after tragedy and what happens when you learn secrets that change how you see those closest to you. It was poignant and honest. But also very funny!
The main character Eve is what you could call ‘quirky’ but there is a line between unbearably and embarrassingly quirky vs just a bit silly. Eve is the second. Each character in this book had layers and it was so interesting watching everyone interact and learn and grow.
And the romance! So good. I don’t want to give too much away but the way these two character banter and handle each others grief with such grace and brutal honesty was what made me fall in love with this. We love mature adults, no silly miscommunication or anything here. Also no spice! Which I usually prefer an under-seasoned romance myself but idk why I really expected there would be, I guess because I thought this would be more like a Tessa Bailey romance book. It was not do not let the cartoon cover fool you!
I also loved how well everything concluded. There is always room for some ambiguity but I felt every loose end that was important got tied off by the end which is so pleasing. Specifically I really really liked Eve getting to tell another character exactly how she felt after she had been mistreated for years. Maybe it went too well to a point where it was unrealistic but it felt very cathartic to me it’s really refreshing getting to see a character spell out exactly how she feels and for it to be a conversation not a fight. Like I said we are mature adults here!!
Maybe the 5 star rating which I rarely give out is in part due to my admittedly low expectations being blown out of the water, but I stand by it. This was a great book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Dementia, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse and Car accident
Minor: Infidelity and Panic attacks/disorders
rachbreads's review
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
4.25
But no one wants to hear that your chance at happiness is time-sensitive. There’s very little interest in handling the truth that, sometimes, the diem is no longer the right one to be carped.
This book was a perfect blend of heartache and laugh-out-loud, I really really loved it. It was my first Mhairi McFarlane - I picked this one up because I've been impatiently waiting for a new Emily Henry or Abby Jimenez book and this was recommended as a comp. It's a great comp for both of those authors - really beautiful romance, but serious issues to work through as well. Eve is a great protagonist and I was really rooting for her and *some* of her friends...cough...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Minor: Child abuse
karolinaz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
katerina_l's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
alouoneill's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse and Dementia
gabyscozylibrary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
I loved this book 💛
I randomly picked this book from my library the other day, and honestly didn’t expect to love it as much as I did.
This book was so good! The story took so many twists and turns and I obviously love when a book surprises me.
I kept guessing and theorizing about what was happening the entire time, and each time I was wrong. I needed to keep turning the pages to find out how everything was going to end.
I absolutely love Eve and the love interest also has my heart. 🥹 He’s the best!!! 😫
This is not a typical romance novel in the sense that it isn’t all about a couple getting together. No, this book is so much deeper than that. It depicts grief in such a raw and realistic way that made me feel seen. It talks about friendships, love, and letting go of the past. And so much more.
One of my favorite reads this year for sure. ❤️🩹
I randomly picked this book from my library the other day, and honestly didn’t expect to love it as much as I did.
This book was so good! The story took so many twists and turns and I obviously love when a book surprises me.
I kept guessing and theorizing about what was happening the entire time, and each time I was wrong. I needed to keep turning the pages to find out how everything was going to end.
I absolutely love Eve and the love interest also has my heart. 🥹 He’s the best!!! 😫
This is not a typical romance novel in the sense that it isn’t all about a couple getting together. No, this book is so much deeper than that. It depicts grief in such a raw and realistic way that made me feel seen. It talks about friendships, love, and letting go of the past. And so much more.
One of my favorite reads this year for sure. ❤️🩹
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent
rachelmerrie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Your typical chaotic romance. I probably would’ve rated it higher if I wasn’t currently in the middle of a fantasy series with much more complexity and depth.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent
laurenkimoto's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Whoever categorized this as romance, I would like to have a conversation. This is firmly in the genre of women’s fiction (I.e. if you gender swapped the main characters it would just be general fiction).
I was not prepared for the level of emotional devastation that was going to occur. I was thinking this was going to a somewhat serious but still romance focused book but no shot through the heart.
Overall good characters and good development, but I do feel like the use of one character being a psychologist was a bit trope-y and was just used to make a plot point/revelation.
I was not prepared for the level of emotional devastation that was going to occur. I was thinking this was going to a somewhat serious but still romance focused book but no shot through the heart.
Overall good characters and good development, but I do feel like the use of one character being a psychologist was a bit trope-y and was just used to make a plot point/revelation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Dementia, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
lisa_m's review against another edition
adventurous
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
This was no doubt one of the best books I have ever read. Very clear 5 Stars!
I did not know what to expect going into it but I couldn't stop once reading. I read it all in one day and cried so so much. It was beautiful and so well written but also so extremely hard hitting.
Mhairi McFarlane is incredible at describing. I felt immidiately immersed in the story and even though I didn't like all the characters and disliked some decisions they made, they all just felt so real. Like real humans with real problems.
I think the best experience you can get reading this book is knowing nothing about it so I don't want to say anything more. This book made me really emotional and it's a story I doubt I will ever forget.
I can't wait to read more books by the author because everything I've read so far was amazing. Definitely one of my favourite authors now!
I did not know what to expect going into it but I couldn't stop once reading. I read it all in one day and cried so so much. It was beautiful and so well written but also so extremely hard hitting.
Mhairi McFarlane is incredible at describing. I felt immidiately immersed in the story and even though I didn't like all the characters and disliked some decisions they made, they all just felt so real. Like real humans with real problems.
I think the best experience you can get reading this book is knowing nothing about it so I don't want to say anything more. This book made me really emotional and it's a story I doubt I will ever forget.
I can't wait to read more books by the author because everything I've read so far was amazing. Definitely one of my favourite authors now!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Self harm, Abandonment, and Alcohol