The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
mollyrook's review against another edition
- 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
What I didnât love were the enemies-to-lovers arc and the third-act breakup. As I found with The Matzah Ball, I find âIâm mad at you for something I think you did when we were 13â to be uninspiring. They also got over it so fast in this book that they might as well have just known each other from camp without it being an enemies thing.
I also didnât think the third-act breakup was super necessary in this book. I know that Liyah has a lot of baggage to work through, but I never really bought her belief that she is unlovable. I think he could have helped her through those feelings with it just being a fight and not a full breakup.
Overall, I really liked this book, and I think itâs a great book for anyone who wants to expand their horizons of what it means to be Jewish.
Moderate: Racism, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual assault
hoagie's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Rape
womanwill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Liyah and Daniel find themselves saddled with a joint work project years after a Jewish summer camp disaster ended their blossoming friendship. As they work closely together to craft events to raise millennial memberships at the Field Museum, the sexual tension inevitably simmers.Â
Runya Katz delivers not only thoughtfully crafted characters but layers to the story. Liyah works through a deep trauma from her past that left her unable to trust in romantic love while Daniel grapples with the death of his father. Their Jewish faith and biracial identities (Liyah is half Black and Daniel is half Korean) bridge a safe space for their love to grow.Â
On top of all this, Runya Katz also injects the story with the importance of friendship and family, both chosen and birth, as a support network. Both Daniel and Liyah have therapy sessions on the page (swoon) and regularly turn to their loved ones for support working through their traumas.
The short:
- childhood friends-to enemies-to adult friends-to loversÂ
- agitation-to-loveÂ
- only one bed
- airplane meet disaster
- forced proximityÂ
- workplace romance
- dual biracial Jewish rep
- bi rep
I cannot wait to read what Runya Katz puts out next!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. All thoughts my own.
Â
Graphic: Death of parent and Sexual assault
Moderate: Grief
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
- 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
1.5/5 spice
Tropes:
Childhood friends to enemies to lovers
Reverse Grumpy/sunshineÂ
Work togetherÂ
Forced proximityÂ
Trauma/healing
Jewish rep
BIPOC MCs
LGBTQIA rep
Dual POVÂ
At first it was a struggle for me to get through this book because it starts off with a big misunderstanding/miscommunication issue that is brought up several times throughout the story and doesn't seem to be completely resolved until Liyah is forced to confront her trust and self worth issues towered the end. It was also a struggle because I was very upset with Liyah for the majority of the story. I had moments that I loved her personality, but every time she was confronted with her aversion to love and relationships, I wanted to shake her. But I'm really glad I kept reading.
I really enjoyed the friend group dynamic, and Liyah's bestie, Neen, was my favorite. They really brought Liyah out of her destructive behavior and forced her to confront her feelings... and they held nothing back. I honestly feel like they saved the story... because there's no way Liyah would've been able to get out of her funk without their help.Â
I also really enjoyed reading about Liyah and Daniel's experiences as Jews of color and how they've had to cope with prejudice and racism. There are a lot of raw, emotional moments that go beyond the surface conflicts, and it's for these moments that I was able to get through the initial struggle with reading this book. It was definitely a reminder that everyone handles trauma/grief differently, and I need to be more open and empathetic to people and situations that I've never experienced.
Overall, I highly recommend for fans of second chance or childhood friends to lovers. This is a well-rounded story with a diverse set of characters that are relatable and real.Â
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.Â
Trigger/Content warnings:
SA (mentioned as a memory), death of parent (past tense), racism, grief, misogyny, sexual content
Graphic: Grief and Racism
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault and Death of parent
adinarj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual assault
caseythereader's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
 - This book! THANK YOU FOR SHARING is exactly what I want in a romance novel: great banter, excellent tension, working to understand past traumas, and immense character growth.
- Every character in this book has such a big personality. I'd read a novel centering any of the side characters (but please please a book for Neen first!) I adored them all, even when they were being frustrating.
- On top of all that goodness, I've never read a novel featuring two mixed race Jewish adults before (plus Liyah is queer on top of that). I love that romance is a place where identity and and the tough conversations and experiences around it can be explored with nuance and care.Â
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Grief, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Drug use, and Rape
Minor: Cancer and Racism
cassielaj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Grief and Sexual content
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Racism, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Rape
ruthhelizabeth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
One of my favourite romance books of the year.Â
Liyah and Daniel first met when they were just teenagers, kids really, at Jewish summer camp, sneaking away to kiss at night time.Â
Years and years later, and after a heavy grudge, Liyah is horrified to realize she has to sit next to him on a plane and even worse, work with him on the most important project of her professional life. Chaos ensures.
I really enjoyed this book. I didn't find myself dragged into the pages, racing to finish, but I feel it was even sweeter savoured over a few weeks reading and I shed a few tears along the way.Â
It was genuinely delightful to read realistic, messy but growing people try to be their best selves from both ends. I found myself rooting for each of them to love themselves more along with the other.Â
Graphic: Gaslighting, Racism, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Death of parent
Minor: Rape and Sexism
melanie_reads_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a real emotional roller coaster of a read for me. These characters really went though a lot, but it felt so very real. I adored Liyah and Daniel, and was so glad they got their happy-ever-after. At times I wasnât sure it would happen, but this is romance and in tropes we trust!
Talking of tropes, if youâre after hurt-comfort, found family, fish out of water and second chance romance then this book is for you.
I thought it was well written and hope the author writes many more stories, because I want to read them.Â
Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for the poor to read and review this wonderful book.Â
Moderate: Grief and Sexual assault
Minor: Racism and Death of parent
bookedwithbonnie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Grief, and Racism