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kmdowling90's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Classism
bookish_leslie's review against another edition
4.5
What To Expect:
- M/F
- MC's in their late 20s
- Enemies to lovers
- Old high school rivals
- Road trip
- Forced proximity
- One bed
- Single POV
- Social media references (TikTok)
Themes: secrets, relationships with grandparents, grief, healing, trust, enoughness, self-discovery and self-belief, the impermanence of good/bad and making the most of the here and now
Spice: 3/5 đśď¸đśď¸đśď¸(several open door scenes with detailed descriptions and explicit language)
Overall, I had a good time with this book and would be interested in reading more from this author. The premise was interesting, if a little weird. Iâm not entirely sure why youâd want to go on a road trip inspired by your grandmaâs broken engagement with a man 50-60 years ago, least of all with a perfect stranger and your old high school nemesis, especially when the grandmother had clearly and happily moved on from that relationship. But also, road trip! Plus it got the main characters together, and they did have great chemistry.
Iâm feeling a little salty about the use of setting though. These characters were traveling to some iconic Western US spots, like Yosemite, Death Valley, Vegas, Zion NP, and the Grand Canyon. I so badly wanted an armchair travel experience alongside this romance, but for the most part, these settings were barely mentioned for the most part, let alone featured, and that not only felt like a big letdown, but also a missed opportunity.
That aside, I have to say that I really enjoyed the characters. Paul, Theoâs granddad, was such a sweetheart and probably my fav, but I also loved Noelleâs relationship with her brother and his girlfriend, and I could really feel the weight of her love, loss, and grief regarding her Gram.
âItâs so silent. It infuriates me that she can just be gone. That she left me like this, floundering for answers, talking to the sky.â
Noelle lying to everyone was off-putting, but I enjoyed the chemistry she shared with Theo, as Iâve already mentioned, and I liked that their connection wasnât only physical, but sometimes had moments of emotional vulnerability sprinkled in, too.
âWhatâs that game called?â he murmurs. âFrom last night?â
âTell Me a Secret,â I manage, my heart in my throat.
His jaw ticks. âSo, tell me one.â
I donât want to admit it, but itâs the elephant in the room. His thumbs are inches from the spot throbbing worse than my knee.
âI wouldnât stop you if you kissed me right now.â I say it quietly in case he changes his mind, but his eyes darken, pupils dilating. He doesnât move, though his mouth parts like he can already taste it. âNow you.â
His breath dances over my lips. âIf I kissed you right now, I wouldnât stop.â
I thought the writing was solid; the dialogue/banter was especially well done. And I appreciated that there was depth in this otherwise light-hearted story, in the way Noelle grieved for her Gram. I really wish weâd had Theoâs POV alongside Noelleâs, though.
I thought the writing was solid; the dialogue/banter was especially well done. And I appreciated that there was depth in this otherwise light-hearted story, in the way Noelle grieved for her Gram. I really wish weâd had Theoâs POV alongside Noelleâs, though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Cursing and Death
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
hjb_128's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
marisabenn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
Blame the pregnancy exhaustion for how long it took to read this đ
What a great debut! A little annoyed with the lack of full communication, but not enough to really call it a miscommunication trope. It made me miss my grandparents in a good way.
What a great debut! A little annoyed with the lack of full communication, but not enough to really call it a miscommunication trope. It made me miss my grandparents in a good way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, and Grief
starshine1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Cursing and Alcohol
readingwithmeredith's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
2.5
Too much spice- overtook the plot
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Grief
kirstenpod_'s review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Grief
Minor: Death, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
peachani's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
atamano's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
THIS WAS A HOME RUN, OUTTA THE PARK, STRAIGHT TO MY HEART. This book felt so indulgent; I literally would have to make myself stop reading at times because a) it was too cute or too sweet or too tense in the best way and, b) I desperately didnât want it to end so I prolonged it as much as I could.
Word vomit seems to be my review of choice lately so, buckle up for lots of thoughtsâŚ
Jessica Joyceâs writing flowed so easily and got straight to the main plot without feeling rushed. That takes talent!!!!
Noelle was such a strong character, so relatable. It was like Joyce was inside my head, down to the hopeful photography career path. Unbelievable.
And Theo, my God! The hot success story whoâs secretly quite sensitive and too hard on himself, limiting his trust in what others believe of him.
I emphatically did the Leonardo-DiCaprio-as-Jordan-Belfort-fist-bite several times while reading to avoid squealing out loud. The incredible slow burn of it all!!
I loved LOVED the deliciously sweet-and-sour banter, the palpable sexual tension (Theo Spencer you have not only ruined Noelleâs life, you have ruined my life), the believable close proximity. The road trip setting.
The Maggie Rogers shoutout!!! Though to be fair I like Theoâs Thom Yorke obsession too. I loved that Theo listened to âsad boy musicâ as Noelle described it. But Maggie is my girlllll.
Noelle and Theo are one of the cutest book rivals-to-lovers couples Iâve ever read; Iâm so serious. Their chemistry was off every chart. How they fed off each other, how they supported each other in earnest. The moment they finally gave into their feelings for each otherâUNMATCHED, I tell you!
All of their mutual disdain and lust was so much fun to read, all their give and take. I adored how they became such positive forces in each otherâs livesâso sweet. How much they praised each other, their concern for each otherâs emotions even when they didnât align completely. The honest communication. The story really captured the millennial restlessness of striving for success and thinking itâs never right. I really connected with those feelings, both in Theo and Noelleâs cases. *Especially* in Noelleâs case as Iâm a photographer just like her and I have gone down some of the very same thought spirals. I felt seen, validated.
This book just made my heart hurt in the best way. It was so tender and meaningful and the unknown love story of their grandparents (not what you think) bringing Noelle and Theo back together 10 years after high school was just everything.
A few favorite quotes:
âHe looks like a mess, like he belongs in Vegas. Heâs all sin.â
âIf you could see yourself through my eyes, your head wouldnât fit through the door.â
âDonât think that there are conditions to the way I feel about you.â
âBecause we battle, but at the end of the day weâre doing it side by side.â
âI had your voice in my head long after high school ended.â
âYouâre the one I want to tell everything to.â
âWe both deserve to be with someone who wants us exactly as we are, donât you think?â
You know when a book finds you at the exact right moment? This was kinda like that, except I think every moment would be exactly right for this book. Itâs an every-moment book.
You pick it up to read and it feels like itâs always been waiting for you.
Word vomit seems to be my review of choice lately so, buckle up for lots of thoughtsâŚ
Jessica Joyceâs writing flowed so easily and got straight to the main plot without feeling rushed. That takes talent!!!!
Noelle was such a strong character, so relatable. It was like Joyce was inside my head, down to the hopeful photography career path. Unbelievable.
And Theo, my God! The hot success story whoâs secretly quite sensitive and too hard on himself, limiting his trust in what others believe of him.
I emphatically did the Leonardo-DiCaprio-as-Jordan-Belfort-fist-bite several times while reading to avoid squealing out loud. The incredible slow burn of it all!!
I loved LOVED the deliciously sweet-and-sour banter, the palpable sexual tension (Theo Spencer you have not only ruined Noelleâs life, you have ruined my life), the believable close proximity. The road trip setting.
The Maggie Rogers shoutout!!! Though to be fair I like Theoâs Thom Yorke obsession too. I loved that Theo listened to âsad boy musicâ as Noelle described it. But Maggie is my girlllll.
Noelle and Theo are one of the cutest book rivals-to-lovers couples Iâve ever read; Iâm so serious. Their chemistry was off every chart. How they fed off each other, how they supported each other in earnest. The moment they finally gave into their feelings for each otherâUNMATCHED, I tell you!
All of their mutual disdain and lust was so much fun to read, all their give and take. I adored how they became such positive forces in each otherâs livesâso sweet. How much they praised each other, their concern for each otherâs emotions even when they didnât align completely. The honest communication. The story really captured the millennial restlessness of striving for success and thinking itâs never right. I really connected with those feelings, both in Theo and Noelleâs cases. *Especially* in Noelleâs case as Iâm a photographer just like her and I have gone down some of the very same thought spirals. I felt seen, validated.
This book just made my heart hurt in the best way. It was so tender and meaningful and the unknown love story of their grandparents (not what you think) bringing Noelle and Theo back together 10 years after high school was just everything.
A few favorite quotes:
âHe looks like a mess, like he belongs in Vegas. Heâs all sin.â
âIf you could see yourself through my eyes, your head wouldnât fit through the door.â
âDonât think that there are conditions to the way I feel about you.â
âBecause we battle, but at the end of the day weâre doing it side by side.â
âI had your voice in my head long after high school ended.â
âYouâre the one I want to tell everything to.â
âWe both deserve to be with someone who wants us exactly as we are, donât you think?â
You know when a book finds you at the exact right moment? This was kinda like that, except I think every moment would be exactly right for this book. Itâs an every-moment book.
You pick it up to read and it feels like itâs always been waiting for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood