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witcheep's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
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
4.0
This isn't a light read, even though the romance is swoonworthy and funny.
I like how the mental health struggles of the main characters' actually have a big impact on the plot and their relationship; too often in the romance genre mental health issues are just a sidenote even when the representation is done respectfully. Here, the PTSD and anxiety are seen affecting multiple areas of both Aja' and Walker's lives, and we get a good look into them finding ways to work with it and communicate about it with each other.
The book also brings up the topic of loneliness in a very tangible way, and reminds us that romantic relationships aren't the only place where people feel vulnerable seeking new connections. Forming new friendships takes courage and time, which is also reflected in the book.
I like how the mental health struggles of the main characters' actually have a big impact on the plot and their relationship; too often in the romance genre mental health issues are just a sidenote even when the representation is done respectfully. Here, the PTSD and anxiety are seen affecting multiple areas of both Aja' and Walker's lives, and we get a good look into them finding ways to work with it and communicate about it with each other.
The book also brings up the topic of loneliness in a very tangible way, and reminds us that romantic relationships aren't the only place where people feel vulnerable seeking new connections. Forming new friendships takes courage and time, which is also reflected in the book.
She wanted to meet people she could go out with, have fun with, talk to, but she wasn't sure she knew how to do that anymore.
Even if going along the ride of all the emotional turmoil in the plot takes an emotional toll on the reader, going through all the struggles with the main characters in the book is cathartic. In the end, this book feels like getting a solid embrace after a rough patch, finally finding your place to feel comfortable and cared for in –
Now he realized he knew exactly how eating that cobbler made him feel. Like he was home. [--]
Before, the cobbler had been the only thing that made him feel that way. But things were different. [--]Maybe that's why he'd started calling her Peaches without a second thought. [--] he unconsciously recognized that she made him feel as at home as the cobbler did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction and Vomit
karty_v's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Cute story but heavy in some parts
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction and Abandonment
amberinpieces's review
emotional
funny
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
yreluctant's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
rachelisathomas22's review against another edition
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
This is a sweet book that pairs steamy, tension filled, small town romance with an exploration of managing mental health in the face of new situations. This was a fun, diverse, and joyful romance for a cozy day!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Grief
3readingcircus's review against another edition
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Abandonment
malpal132's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
3.0
This book deals heavily with anxiety and PTSD, so it felt like a bit of an emotional slog to read through but it also had some good moments. Unfortunately I got the ick from his nickname for her, which is Peaches, but in general I liked their relationship. Idk. It was decent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
micalyia's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I switched between the audio and physical for this.
1. The audio was narrated by a Black woman (happy dance). But she did a terrible job of voicing Walker 😂😂. I really wished they had gotten another voice actor for him. Cause if I didn’t know this man was white I would have fully believed this was a black man.
2. Why tf was Walker white? Honestly I think the author missed out on the perfect opportunity to have a cute black romance. Disappointed.
3. Him calling her peaches gave me the ick. I could not take that damn nickname serious. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.
4. I did enjoy the conversations surrounding mental health issues, anxiety and ptsd. But it’s almost as though if one character was going through it, the other person was forgotten or expected to have their shit together which is not in the least realistic.
5. Overall it was cute. The sex was hot. In my mind I’m just going to keep pretending the entire cast was black lmao. This was a pretty strong plot and maybe if I didn’t listen to the audiobook I would have enjoyed it more but all it all, it is what it is peaches.
1. The audio was narrated by a Black woman (happy dance). But she did a terrible job of voicing Walker 😂😂. I really wished they had gotten another voice actor for him. Cause if I didn’t know this man was white I would have fully believed this was a black man.
2. Why tf was Walker white? Honestly I think the author missed out on the perfect opportunity to have a cute black romance. Disappointed.
3. Him calling her peaches gave me the ick. I could not take that damn nickname serious. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.
4. I did enjoy the conversations surrounding mental health issues, anxiety and ptsd. But it’s almost as though if one character was going through it, the other person was forgotten or expected to have their shit together which is not in the least realistic.
5. Overall it was cute. The sex was hot. In my mind I’m just going to keep pretending the entire cast was black lmao. This was a pretty strong plot and maybe if I didn’t listen to the audiobook I would have enjoyed it more but all it all, it is what it is peaches.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Addiction
llams's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Addiction
headinthepages's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
I really enjoyed this romance! I loved the small town setting, the themes of complex family, mental illness, new adult friendships, boundaries & moving on from the past.
The romance itself was great. I loved the tension and the “betting” trope done in a non problematic way! The bingo scenes were cute and made me want to go play!
The sex scenes were open door and steamy.
I can’t wait to read what the the author does next! :-)
The romance itself was great. I loved the tension and the “betting” trope done in a non problematic way! The bingo scenes were cute and made me want to go play!
The sex scenes were open door and steamy.
I can’t wait to read what the the author does next! :-)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Abandonment, and Alcohol