bookbird's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? N/A
4.75
A really beautiful take on grief, moving on, and loving one another.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Car accident, Death of parent, and Grief
laurataylor's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Alcohol, Child death, Cursing, Car accident, and Medical content
lsmith725's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? No
4.5
I've read Taylor Jenkins Reid before, but I believe this is the first of her books. It does not read like a debut novel. It is fabulously written and made me feel everything. Our main character Elsie has lost her husband only 10 days after getting married. She has never met her mother in law; in fact, Ben never even told his mother that they were married. To make matters even tougher for Elsie, she and Ben only knew each other for 6 months. This is the story of navigating a quick, whirlwind relationship that ended just as quickly as it began. Their love doesn't seem to have any proof, no lasting legacy.
If you are looking for a lovey-dovey, sweet romance read, this will not fill your desire. This story focuses as much or more on the forced relationship between Elsie and her mother in law as it does on the relationship between her and Ben. I love Susan. Her emotion is so raw but she steps up and deals with it in the right way. Honestly, raw is the main word I would use to describe this story. The only place it was lacking for me was in the Ben/Elsie relationship development. I needed more emotion there. There was plenty of cuteness and flirting, but not enough actual deep emotional connection. Maybe that's because the relationship was supposed to develop in only a few months. Just felt a touch insta-lovey.
If you are looking for a lovey-dovey, sweet romance read, this will not fill your desire. This story focuses as much or more on the forced relationship between Elsie and her mother in law as it does on the relationship between her and Ben. I love Susan. Her emotion is so raw but she steps up and deals with it in the right way. Honestly, raw is the main word I would use to describe this story. The only place it was lacking for me was in the Ben/Elsie relationship development. I needed more emotion there. There was plenty of cuteness and flirting, but not enough actual deep emotional connection. Maybe that's because the relationship was supposed to develop in only a few months. Just felt a touch insta-lovey.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Death of parent
bealittlebrave's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Child death and Death
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
allisonmaier's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
edie_erkens's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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
4.25
This is a deeply emotional book about working through loss. The way Reid portrays grief is so heart-wrenching. This is a good book to read when you need to be reminded that it is going to be ok.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Car accident, and Death
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Death of parent
kdailyreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Car accident, Death, Alcohol, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer and Cursing
Minor: Pregnancy and Abortion
elizaboooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Car accident
Minor: Death of parent
notabookseller's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
i love you, ben ross
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Car accident, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent and Vomit
Minor: Chronic illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Gun violence
cosmicsapphic's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, and Death of parent