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deannahall14's review against another edition
- 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
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
cassidylee'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
peachmoni'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
bella613's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Grief
lauren_lovestoread's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Emotional abuse
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
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
I did not know what to expect as I started reading this but it pleasantly surprised me! The premise of Noelle discovering old letters and photos of her late grandmother with a past lover hooked me right from the start🥹 Noelle makes a TikTok video sharing this and puts a call out if anyone knew her grandma’s “Paul” from the letters. She connects with Paul’s grandson Theo first, only to find out he is Noelle’s past academic rival from their school days. The three of them agree to go on a roadtrip to further explore Noelle’s grandma’s past and to read more and more of the letters that Paul shares with Noelle. Gosh, this was absolutely precious 😭
Amidst her grief, Noelle was also let go from her job a few months ago that only deepens her existential crisis and she is at a bit of a loss lately. This trip was just what she needed, and I loved how she learned more about her grandma before her grandma became a mom and grandmother! Noelle’s story inspired others on TikTok to reach out to their parents and grandparents while it brought solace to those who were grieving, just like her. Loss and grief is one of the few universal experiences all humans will endure, and the way Joyce wrote this was clearly with so much tenderness and care. I teared up reading about Noelle and her grandma’s traditions of “tell me a secret” and watching Noelle unpack her intangible grief.
I also was so moved by Noelle’s uncertainty of what comes after death, but her absolute confidence that she could still feel her Gram, in both small and big moments, all around her. Noelle’s grief completely enveloped her which could feel insurmountable, but to me, that showed me just how deeply she loved her grandma and how special it is to share a love that strong. I think many of us can relate to this aching feeling of loss and devastation.
As far as the romance between Theo and Noelle, I loved the forced proximity and the softening of their banter as they got to know each other and their grandparents’ stories more. It’s a major reason I adore romance; the fact that people can begin with such disdain towards another and with a bit of bravery, vulnerability, and empathy, that they have the power to change their minds about that person. That’s just so staggeringly human and not to be a total sap, but it honestly takes my breath away.
On the steamy side, I was giggling so much because the fact that they had to restrain themselves so much during this road trip (since his grandpa Paul was down the hall lol) was so painful but also just so real. Idk we’ve all been there😅 I thought it was so authentic that both of them were so concerned over how the other viewed their “success” - we all talk a big game of how we can each define what a fulfilling, successful life means to us and validating others, but sometimes we are our hardest, cruelest critics.
Overall, this was a stunning romance and I would absolutely recommend it. I can’t wait to read what Joyce writes next!
steam rating: 3/5
I did not know what to expect as I started reading this but it pleasantly surprised me! The premise of Noelle discovering old letters and photos of her late grandmother with a past lover hooked me right from the start🥹 Noelle makes a TikTok video sharing this and puts a call out if anyone knew her grandma’s “Paul” from the letters. She connects with Paul’s grandson Theo first, only to find out he is Noelle’s past academic rival from their school days. The three of them agree to go on a roadtrip to further explore Noelle’s grandma’s past and to read more and more of the letters that Paul shares with Noelle. Gosh, this was absolutely precious 😭
Amidst her grief, Noelle was also let go from her job a few months ago that only deepens her existential crisis and she is at a bit of a loss lately. This trip was just what she needed, and I loved how she learned more about her grandma before her grandma became a mom and grandmother! Noelle’s story inspired others on TikTok to reach out to their parents and grandparents while it brought solace to those who were grieving, just like her. Loss and grief is one of the few universal experiences all humans will endure, and the way Joyce wrote this was clearly with so much tenderness and care. I teared up reading about Noelle and her grandma’s traditions of “tell me a secret” and watching Noelle unpack her intangible grief.
I also was so moved by Noelle’s uncertainty of what comes after death, but her absolute confidence that she could still feel her Gram, in both small and big moments, all around her. Noelle’s grief completely enveloped her which could feel insurmountable, but to me, that showed me just how deeply she loved her grandma and how special it is to share a love that strong. I think many of us can relate to this aching feeling of loss and devastation.
As far as the romance between Theo and Noelle, I loved the forced proximity and the softening of their banter as they got to know each other and their grandparents’ stories more. It’s a major reason I adore romance; the fact that people can begin with such disdain towards another and with a bit of bravery, vulnerability, and empathy, that they have the power to change their minds about that person. That’s just so staggeringly human and not to be a total sap, but it honestly takes my breath away.
On the steamy side, I was giggling so much because the fact that they had to restrain themselves so much during this road trip (since his grandpa Paul was down the hall lol) was so painful but also just so real. Idk we’ve all been there😅 I thought it was so authentic that both of them were so concerned over how the other viewed their “success” - we all talk a big game of how we can each define what a fulfilling, successful life means to us and validating others, but sometimes we are our hardest, cruelest critics.
Overall, this was a stunning romance and I would absolutely recommend it. I can’t wait to read what Joyce writes next!
steam rating: 3/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Minor: Death and Abandonment
guardianofthebookshelf's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death
theverycraftyvegan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
I adored the story between Noelle and Paul as much as I enjoyed the story between Noelle and Theo.
My late Grand Dad’s name was Paul and I cried multiple times while listening to this book. Some sections were so beautifully written.
And the sexual tension between Noelle and Theo. Hooooly. It felt like it took them forever to realize the reason they drove each other crazy.
My late Grand Dad’s name was Paul and I cried multiple times while listening to this book. Some sections were so beautifully written.
And the sexual tension between Noelle and Theo. Hooooly. It felt like it took them forever to realize the reason they drove each other crazy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic relationship
crystalleighwrites's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is everything I want in an enemies to lovers romance and more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, and Grief