wilybooklover's review against another edition
emotional
2.5
The romance trope and archetype references were really cute, and I loved the romance between Nora and Charlie, but sadly the romance was more of a subplot and I hated everything else in the book.
I couldn’t stand Libby. Like, I cannot even accurately convey the depths of my rage whenever she was on-page; she was AWFUL. I hated the plot surrounding her sisterly relationship with Nora and that was the central plot — publishers, authors, PLEASE stop marketing books as romances when the main plot IS NOT THE ROMANCE!! It didn’t even feel like 50/50 women’s fiction/romance; it felt like a book about grief and familial relationships wrapped up in superficial romance packaging. I thought romcoms (which, again, this is marketed as!) were supposed to be fun and lighthearted yet this was so heavy, especially from the 50% mark which had a weird tonal shift into angsting about parental trauma. That’s not to say you can’t cover heavy topics in a romcom, but when all I’m thinking about as I’m reading is how much your characters desperately need therapy, the tone is all wrong for the genre. When I pick up a romcom I want something light and fluffy and most of all focused on the romance. I felt like I barely even got to know Charlie!
Also rivals to lovers WHERE? They’re working together, not in competition with each other?? And the heroine is not the ice queen she was promised to be; she’s actually quite warm and caring. You can tell me she’s a coldhearted bitch and that everyone refers to her as a shark all you want, but you also have to show me that for me to believe it. I feel like nothing about how this book was marketed (AKA my expectations) is related to what was between the pages. I did love Emily Henry’s writing, as usual but also as usual it feels as though the book was trying to be deeper and more different than it really was.
If there had been more focus on the romance or maybe dual POV with more of Charlie’s life for balance I think I would have really liked this but as it is... meh. This is my favourite of her three ‘romances’ but that really isn’t saying much. I just don’t think Emily Henry works for me (I’ve said this before but every time I get lured in by the hype).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death
Moderate: Chronic illness, Pregnancy, Medical content, and Abandonment
Minor: Drug use, Miscarriage, and Body shaming
dms3899's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
Minor: Miscarriage
natashahillier's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
This is my favourite Emily Henry book so far. I loved the plot and the characters, and I loved the bits of behind the scenes of writing a book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death and Death of parent
kefredriksen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death of parent
Moderate: Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Abandonment, and Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Cursing, and Alcohol
pil4r's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death and Death of parent
lauren717's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Minor: Miscarriage, Alcohol, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, and Pregnancy
thebookpaiges's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Cursing
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
trobinsonmorris's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The woman who is a villain in most love stories visits a small town to make her own (sort of)
Pros:
- Easy read Rom Com
- Emily Henry can do no wrong
- Strong female lead is always a win
Cons:
- This book was lacking in Taylor Swift references for me
📚📖
Pros:
- Easy read Rom Com
- Emily Henry can do no wrong
- Strong female lead is always a win
Cons:
- This book was lacking in Taylor Swift references for me
📚📖
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
crispfrijoles'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, and Death of parent
kalilarhiane's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
The premise was interesting and I loved the romance - getting to see characters flirt and genuinely enjoy each others presence was refreshing. The relationship between the sisters was sweet, and as an older sister I could relate to the main character heavily.
Some of the banter felt a little left of what real people sound like, but I didn’t mind much as it was entertaining.
Towards the last quarter of the story it felt like it dragged a little but I got back into it within a couple of chapters.
Overall a very enjoyable romance with some fun characters.
Some of the banter felt a little left of what real people sound like, but I didn’t mind much as it was entertaining.
Towards the last quarter of the story it felt like it dragged a little but I got back into it within a couple of chapters.
Overall a very enjoyable romance with some fun characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Death of parent, Death, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit