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kaitrates's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The single most important thing to know about this book is that these characters are extremely unlikeable and messy. If that isn't your jam, this isn't the book for you! If it is—or, if you're willing to try—you'll be rewarded with a rich and layered exploration of love and life through your 20s and 30s.
I love when books are written by people who KNOW the city they set their story in. The level of detail Goldbeck included in this warmed my heart and made it so that NYC was almost another character. I can't imagine this story happening anywhere else. That's how embedded it was into the story.
The best way I can describe these characters is that they're all the worst parts of yourself laid bare on the page. Josh is insufferable and snooty and I mostly wanted to smack him upside the head. Ari is...well IDK that I've ever read a character who needs therapy more than she does. She's terrified of intimacy, often ends up using and discarding people, and is the definition of hurt people hurt people.
You aren't supposed to like them...so when you start to? Well TBQH it felt like a therapy session to me.
I also love the subtle (I imagine to those outside of the world) nods to ethical non-monogamy. Mentioning Feeld and unicorns and Goldbeck mentioning navigating a long-term relationship and dating apps simultaneously. Its not written in a way I've seen before—as just one of many normal relationship structures that have their pros and cons like everything else in the world—never mind in a mainstream romcom, and it made me very happy. SO did the super explicit and repeated consent checks that never, not once, not even for a nanosecond, detract from the pure SEXINESS of the spicy scenes.
I loved being transported back to some of my favorite spots (the ramble my love how i miss you) in NYC while also seeing it through new eyes.
I really enjoyed this. I wouldn't necessarily put it in the "life changing" category but I can recommend it wholeheartedly.
I love when books are written by people who KNOW the city they set their story in. The level of detail Goldbeck included in this warmed my heart and made it so that NYC was almost another character. I can't imagine this story happening anywhere else. That's how embedded it was into the story.
The best way I can describe these characters is that they're all the worst parts of yourself laid bare on the page. Josh is insufferable and snooty and I mostly wanted to smack him upside the head. Ari is...well IDK that I've ever read a character who needs therapy more than she does. She's terrified of intimacy, often ends up using and discarding people, and is the definition of hurt people hurt people.
You aren't supposed to like them...so when you start to? Well TBQH it felt like a therapy session to me.
I also love the subtle (I imagine to those outside of the world) nods to ethical non-monogamy. Mentioning Feeld and unicorns and Goldbeck mentioning navigating a long-term relationship and dating apps simultaneously. Its not written in a way I've seen before—as just one of many normal relationship structures that have their pros and cons like everything else in the world—never mind in a mainstream romcom, and it made me very happy. SO did the super explicit and repeated consent checks that never, not once, not even for a nanosecond, detract from the pure SEXINESS of the spicy scenes.
I loved being transported back to some of my favorite spots (the ramble my love how i miss you) in NYC while also seeing it through new eyes.
I really enjoyed this. I wouldn't necessarily put it in the "life changing" category but I can recommend it wholeheartedly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
kschupner's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
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
4.25
this was such a fun slowburn enemies to lovers read!! if it doesn’t make me angry with how close they are to getting together but aren’t, i don’t want it. ari has her commitment issues for sure but the resolution was so good it makes up for it!!! this was such a fun book with such good banter and modern humor/writing that didn’t feel too cringey or too modern if that makes sense. the side characters are silly and i loved them just as much as the main characters. i actually hadn’t heard of this book until i saw it on a display at barnes and noble that said “FALL-ing in love”; i wanted something cute and seasonal in between my throne of glass read while i had my internship going on and this was perfect for it!!!! i’d definitely recommend it if you’re into slowburn with good banter/chemistry
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
savvy999's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
… it’s quick witted and sharp and twists the gendered aspects of when Harry met Sally. But I am inclined to see a sense of dependence on the source material and Nora Ephron influence. I need more time to think about the nature of adaptation and how much it can be transformative and how much we further a reliance on nostalgia in this genre. What I can say definitively is that the modern romance space cannot escape Reylo.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Death of parent
lizziemarie01's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Biphobia, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
cheryl_gager's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This was somewhat disappointing but also a bit confusing (in terms of my enjoyment). I liked the middle portion of the book when Ari and Josh were friends and felt like their was so much potential to develop their friendship into a romantic one but the romance never came. At the start I found both of the main characters dislikable, and I can't say I liked the side characters much either. Ari was annoying and Josh was stuck up/ snobbish. Then when they became friends they really balanced each other out and I thought that I was starting to like the book enough to give it a 4 star rating. Then the third act conflict comes in and I just was over them by that point, mainly Ari. I felt like Ari had some issues from childhood that were never brought up or dealt with (I am guessing based on one comment she made) and it just meant that I felt like a bit of depth was missing. I missed the romance. Apart from sleeping together once before the third act conflict, there was nothing romance wise that happened (and yes they did feel jealous at times but refused to admit it). I just don't by that this would be a couple that would work as he changed a bit but she really didn't and the year later at the end didn't really indicate anything was done to become better. If it was not for that friendship I don't know if I would have finished this book as I was contemplating a dnf.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
takarakei's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Idk I liked this, but I got a little disinterested in the third act. Loved the queer rep! but also Ari was so messy askldnasdlk. I've seen When Harry Met Sally but it's not like a fav movie so I appreciated it as the backbone to the story. Wish there would've been dual narration!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
autumn33344's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use, Infidelity, and Alcohol
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Death of parent
alexisgarcia's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
this book did some things right and some things fell very VERY flat. some parts were funny and others were very cringey and hard to read. i liked and hated the characters. not sure if i would ever recommend this. (also a message to romance authors, please stop using the exact same name for all male leads. thank you)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
beccaand's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Death of parent
sheriffrockyraccoon's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
I cannot BELIEVE I was tricked into reading Reylo fic… and I liked it? Of course When Harry Met Sally is one of my favorite movies so how couldn’t I, but still!
Goldbeck’s lead characters are very quirky in the perfect romcom way. While I did find the dialogue stilted at times and could have done with less of the side characters (sorry, but they really just weren’t developed enough), overall I got exactly what I wanted out of this book: to kick my feet and giggle.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes contemporary romance or a relaxing beach read, I was dying to see what happened next with Josh and Ari. Plus, any Nora Ephron fans will enjoy the little nods to her writing.
Goldbeck’s lead characters are very quirky in the perfect romcom way. While I did find the dialogue stilted at times and could have done with less of the side characters (sorry, but they really just weren’t developed enough), overall I got exactly what I wanted out of this book: to kick my feet and giggle.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes contemporary romance or a relaxing beach read, I was dying to see what happened next with Josh and Ari. Plus, any Nora Ephron fans will enjoy the little nods to her writing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Alcohol