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634's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
It wasn’t what I expected going in based on the synopsis
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Suicide and Gaslighting
Minor: Physical abuse
kgc8's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I picked up this book without being familiar with the books it spins off from (Sarina Bowen's True North series) and it can be read as a standalone. The characters are thoughtfully depicted, and so is how mental illness and an abusive relationship can affect many members of a family differently. The MMC is a domestic abuse survivor, which is not very common in romance books, and lent an interesting perspective. While I appreciate that therapy is a key part of resolving some of the couple's challenges, the end of the book is rushed. By the epilogue 6 months later suddenly everything is fine and everyone is well-adjusted and forgiven.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
britrcup's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
scmp73's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This book wasn’t great, but it wasn’t bad either. I just don’t really have any feelings toward it at all. The overall idea was good, but the execution wasn’t great for me.
Honestly the characters fell really flat for me. Haley could have been such a cool character, but she was just meh. Beck really had nothing to him, other than he was in an emotionally abusive relationship with Haley’s sister and hadn’t properly processed his feelings about that. I don't say that to make light of being in an abusive relationship. I just really feel like the author could have given him at least one other personality trait.
The author gives a warning that a character in the book has mental health struggles but says it is a secondary character who struggles. She also states that it’s a small part of the story, but I really have to disagree. Jess’ mental health struggles literally dictate what Beck and Haley do and how they navigate their relationship. It also plays a huge role in Haley’s relationship with her parents. While Jess may not physically come into the story until the last few chapters, the whole story revolves around her mental health, the consequences of her actions, and how it affects everyone around her.
Honestly the characters fell really flat for me. Haley could have been such a cool character, but she was just meh. Beck really had nothing to him, other than he was in an emotionally abusive relationship with Haley’s sister and hadn’t properly processed his feelings about that. I don't say that to make light of being in an abusive relationship. I just really feel like the author could have given him at least one other personality trait.
The author gives a warning that a character in the book has mental health struggles but says it is a secondary character who struggles. She also states that it’s a small part of the story, but I really have to disagree. Jess’ mental health struggles literally dictate what Beck and Haley do and how they navigate their relationship. It also plays a huge role in Haley’s relationship with her parents. While Jess may not physically come into the story until the last few chapters, the whole story revolves around her mental health, the consequences of her actions, and how it affects everyone around her.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Mental illness
Minor: Physical abuse
justpieisfine's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I loved this book. It was a easy light-ish hearted listen. I loved how to was super pro small business. The undertones that artists deserve a respectable wage for their talent made me squeal and made my artist heart happy.
I also loved how it talked about men being victims of domestic abuse and how women can be the abuser as well.
I hated the family and the sister. They enabled the sister so bad by coddling her because she didn’t want to get help for her mental illness. Then to tell h that she could stay away because she finally figured out how toxic her family was and found some boundaries? I wanted to cry because I’ve also been made into a bad guy for finding boundaries with family and it brought up a lot of feelings. While I’m glad they got help I didn’t think they deserved he’s forgiveness at the end.
Even though I hated the family, I still loved this book. Beck is so sweet. I want a man that can roast his own coffee and appreciated hand made stuff and supports my craft the way he does.
Aiden snow is one of my favorite narrators and I will definitely listen to this again.
I also loved how it talked about men being victims of domestic abuse and how women can be the abuser as well.
I hated the family and the sister. They enabled the sister so bad by coddling her because she didn’t want to get help for her mental illness. Then to tell h that she could stay away because she finally figured out how toxic her family was and found some boundaries? I wanted to cry because I’ve also been made into a bad guy for finding boundaries with family and it brought up a lot of feelings. While I’m glad they got help I didn’t think they deserved he’s forgiveness at the end.
Even though I hated the family, I still loved this book. Beck is so sweet. I want a man that can roast his own coffee and appreciated hand made stuff and supports my craft the way he does.
Aiden snow is one of my favorite narrators and I will definitely listen to this again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
steffany's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicide attempt