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bookworm_leilani's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
I marked this in content warnings as "moderate child abuse" which I don't think is quite accurate: the abuse, mainly via neglect and heavily emotional, of one of the main characters is a significant part of the narrative and one cannot read around it. However, marking this as "graphic" feels wrong as well, since for most people "graphic child abuse" is going to summon images of physical brutality, which is not the case here. Both Dominic and Sylvia are deeply marked by losses and grief, and the main subplot of the book is their untangling of the complicated relationships with their respective family members.
None of which is to say this book is not good: it's excellent, and I'd even say delightful. While it handles a lot of very heavy topics, including death, lost love, neglected childhoods, estrangements, and mental health, it did not feel overwhelming or dark to me. Conversely it is also not at all what I'd categorize as a "rom com." I loved this book, and think Lucy Parker executed a bittersweet, deeply hopeful, very romantic, very human story while deftly setting up what looks to be a promising series. It's just a.) not a rom com and b.) does deserve content warnings (a feature I love about this app!) but needed some finessing to make sense.
None of which is to say this book is not good: it's excellent, and I'd even say delightful. While it handles a lot of very heavy topics, including death, lost love, neglected childhoods, estrangements, and mental health, it did not feel overwhelming or dark to me. Conversely it is also not at all what I'd categorize as a "rom com." I loved this book, and think Lucy Parker executed a bittersweet, deeply hopeful, very romantic, very human story while deftly setting up what looks to be a promising series. It's just a.) not a rom com and b.) does deserve content warnings (a feature I love about this app!) but needed some finessing to make sense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent
kimiichanga'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
girly this was so good
like this was my jam
baker enemies to lovers, ft the great british bake off ALSO A ROYAL WEDDING
the fact that it had so many sub plot lines didnt feel congested to me
ugh this was so good
like this was my jam
baker enemies to lovers, ft the great british bake off ALSO A ROYAL WEDDING
the fact that it had so many sub plot lines didnt feel congested to me
ugh this was so good
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse and Injury/Injury detail
circe813's review against another edition
emotional
funny
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Violence, and Death of parent
getbrekked's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, and Car accident
Minor: Mental illness, Violence, Vomit, and Death of parent
meganpbennett's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I received a free ARC from William Morrow, through a Goodreads giveaway. And I loved it. The two characters are well fleshed out for a romance novel, and the chemistry is real. I also enjoyed the GBBO knockoff that the two main characters are the judges for, as well as the set-up for the next novel. The royals were a nice change from the usual depictions.
Update: 2023-04-05: Book was wonderful to read a second time.
Update: 2024-08-22: Reread the book and found it quite enjoyable.
Update: 2023-04-05: Book was wonderful to read a second time.
Update: 2024-08-22: Reread the book and found it quite enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Vomit, Stalking, and Death of parent
decklededgess's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
trigger warnings: loss of loved ones, child abuse mention, domestic abuse mention, physical harm and violence, cheating and infidelity, harassment and stalking, alcohol mention, sexual content
GOD I LOVED THIS BOOK FOR ME THIS IS PERSONALLY UNMATCHED
I will say there's a good chance I'm playing this up but I haven't read a book that's eaten me alive since the Brown Sisters series so that's really fkn saying something. And even then it's so unlike Talia Hibbert's work. The core of the two main characters' relationship is the fact that they compliemnt each other perfectly in terms of how they give and receive intimacy. This book cradles the gentlest of romances in delicate hands and delivers it to you with a warm blanket and a cup of your favourite beverage in a room bathed in soft lighting and leaves you with a lil peck on the forehead. I swear to GOD I cannot handle how soft this book is.
The third act conflict really did a number on me and I resolutely avoided reading it for a whole week because I was anxious about how it would turn out and whether or not the conflict would allow me to trust in the integrity of their relationship and probable "makeup" but I had nothing to fear becasue this was the IDEAL third act conflict, i.e. no break up only working together and facing the conflict hand in hand. UGHHHHHHHHHHH I might read it again now. I finished it three hours ago. SOB SO GOOD
GOD I LOVED THIS BOOK FOR ME THIS IS PERSONALLY UNMATCHED
I will say there's a good chance I'm playing this up but I haven't read a book that's eaten me alive since the Brown Sisters series so that's really fkn saying something. And even then it's so unlike Talia Hibbert's work. The core of the two main characters' relationship is the fact that they compliemnt each other perfectly in terms of how they give and receive intimacy. This book cradles the gentlest of romances in delicate hands and delivers it to you with a warm blanket and a cup of your favourite beverage in a room bathed in soft lighting and leaves you with a lil peck on the forehead. I swear to GOD I cannot handle how soft this book is.
The third act conflict really did a number on me and I resolutely avoided reading it for a whole week because I was anxious about how it would turn out and whether or not the conflict would allow me to trust in the integrity of their relationship and probable "makeup" but I had nothing to fear becasue this was the IDEAL third act conflict, i.e. no break up only working together and facing the conflict hand in hand. UGHHHHHHHHHHH I might read it again now. I finished it three hours ago. SOB SO GOOD
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, and Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment