Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay

4 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

---

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

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.

---

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

---

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

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

---

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