Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay

10 reviews

jehansen127's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol

aurora_selene13's review

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

 It is truly so refreshing to read a romance novel about two grown adults that can be vulnerable with one another. In addition to that vulnerability, the conflict wasn’t overbearing on the plot. Which I personally feel is a typical pit fall that a lot of romance novels fall into. The more chapters I read the more I couldn’t put this book down. There was intrigue, a sweet budding romance and Irish butter references on every page. This is an enjoyable book and an easy read due to the authors beautifully crafted plot, detailed descriptions of Ireland and most importantly - dialogue between the love interest. Dialogue that started off as witty banter then turned to deep conversations of their past and growing love for one another. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Abandonment

kb33's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Child abuse and Abandonment

chelsea_shelves's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing 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

5.0

This was a beautiful story and an absolute treat for book lovers. This slow burn romance is bursting with perfectly placed literary references and quotes as all main characters are deeply invested in the book world. The novel follows Emily Allen, a Massachusetts librarian, as she takes a short term job in a small town in Ireland as an assistant to the writer in residence and a bookstore clerk. The writer happens to be her all time favorite childhood writer (think JK Rowling or Madeleine L’Engle level fame). The author’s son runs the bookstore, and he is a handsome brooding Irishman fit for a romance novel… I think you can guess where this is going. The book is balanced with humor and heart. This is not completely lighthearted. It deals with grief, loss and complicated parent-child relationships. McKinlay’s beautiful crafting of a stunning Irish setting at the coziest bookshop helps to make these heavy topics more digestible. On the whole the characters are warm, intelligent and loving. It’s really a beautiful story, and not just the romance. Everything comes together so thoughtfully. I cried. I laughed. I didn’t want to leave the story when it ended, and I immediately put another McKinlay novel on hold. 

I listened to this an audiobook and think that hearing the Irish accent really elevated my experience of the book. It was well narrated. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, and Death of parent

Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Abandonment

infjkiki's review

adventurous emotional hopeful 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Sexual content

hdunscombe'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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Coming from a librarian, this is the perfect "booklover" romance. It made me giggle, sob, and daydream right along with Em and Kier, and Siobhan is the wise, motherly figure everyone longs to have in their corner - though she still has her flaws.

This is a great read for anyone trying to turn over a new leaf, learn to let go, embrace a new community, and/or navigate complicated parent relationships. It's awfully sad at times (keep the tissues on standby), but the lows are matched with swoonworthy highs, plenty of self-aware romance tropes, and dreamy romps through quaint villages, bookshop shelves, and castles. This will especially suit anyone who appreciates cozy and bookish settings (books + coffee + scones + rain), literary references, deeply lovable characters learning to be vulnerable, and a bit of spice to round things out. I legitimately wish the YA series that the plot centers on actually existed so I could read it. The details about Irish culture (slang, learning to drive, historic sites, pub culture) felt authentic, at least to an American reader.

The characterization is well-rounded and relatable, with representation of anxiety disorders, dyslexia, recovery from emotional trauma, blended families, and queer, immigrant, and differently aged and shaped characters.

I listened to the audiobook and really appreciated Pressley's commitment to the Irish accents. I found her to have great talent in bringing both playful and emotional voice acting, and her voices for Kier and Siobhan were stellar.

My only confusion: why is there a cat on the cover? The story has a great canine sidekick, but I don't recall any noteworthy cats.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, and Self harm

feistygarlicroll's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Car accident and Alcohol

dani_reis's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Death of parent

dogoodwithbooks'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? Yes

5.0

Closed Door Mod: Chapter 18

I was not expecting to fall in love with a book so much as I have with Love at First Book.

Whisked away to the heart of Ireland, former librarian Emily tries to set forth a new life for herself during her year-long work visa a local bookshop as well as serving as an assistant for her favorite childhood author. Meanwhile, Kieran, the bookshop’s owner and son of said author, is suspicious over Emily’s intentions and concerned about his mother returning to writing after a ten-year writer’s block. Yet, as the two spend more time together, the two realize that they have more in common than they originally thought.

I just love everything about this book. McKinlay has a way of words that transports you to the cozy charm of the Last Chapter within the small town of Finn’s Hollow (even the name of the town sounds cozy) as well as every book lovers’ dream of working within the walls of a bookshop or alongside their favorite author. The tension between Emily and Kieran, so palpable you could feel it, makes such for an enemies-to-lovers romance with enough slow-burn to have you kicking your feet and rooting for them to get together till the very end. Or maybe it’s how McKinlay makes you feel everything at once while reading this book.

Whatever it is that makes you want to read this book, and I can name a quite bit more reasons on why you should read this book, I assure you that you’re going to love it as much as I do. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Medical content and Abandonment

mandareads222's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful sad fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Medical content and Abandonment