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gwenswoons's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.0
It’s beautiful — the writing and characters are lovely, and the English academic setting is vivid painted and lovingly rendered. It is definitely not my favorite type of romance novel: so unbelievably dark with the terminal diagnosis thread running throughout, HEA notwithstanding; so I am definitely NOT likely to try the comps of Jojo Moyes and Nicholas Sparks that the blurb mentions. But if a more heart-wrenchy romance is for you it’s a good one! For me when I read romance I just truly want something that feels more constant in the hopefulness and okayness (even though I love contemporary romance that has complicated MCs, realistic backstories, et al!). Definitely glad I read this and will read other Julia Whelan — Thanks For Listening was one of my faves when I first was getting into the genre so I will totally look forward to her lighter stuff (and like, that one even has some major trauma in the female MC’s backstory, but it wasn’t so deep in the weeds depressing for as big a chunk as this one). Obviously the audio narration for both novels (by Whelan) is totally gorgeous and perfect!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
uppercasenoises's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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? No
3.75
This story felt like it was marketed as a romance, but I do not think of it as being a romance book, and once I shifted my mindset I began to enjoy the book more. I was surprised by how deep the content was, and as someone who has experienced caring for someone with terminal cancer, I really appreciated the perspective of the author. The story was a quick read and so heartwarming, but prepare for some sad content. First-person POV.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Minor: Misogyny, Vomit, and Alcohol
No sexual content other than jokes.lakeness's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
NOT a Romance.
It's a maudlin ableist homage to A Walk to Remember - the tragic character with terminal cancer is even named Jamie! Other than being furious that an audiobook narrator, who's done dozens of romances and knows the genre criteria well, marketed this tragic mess as a romance, it's also just awful. I found Ella and Jamie insufferable. The whole second half is cloying and has so much contempt for disabled people, it's amazing they're still publishing these.
Also the voice she used for Jamie made him sound like aging Michael Caine tsking over young Master Bruce.
It's a maudlin ableist homage to A Walk to Remember - the tragic character with terminal cancer is even named Jamie! Other than being furious that an audiobook narrator, who's done dozens of romances and knows the genre criteria well, marketed this tragic mess as a romance, it's also just awful. I found Ella and Jamie insufferable. The whole second half is cloying and has so much contempt for disabled people, it's amazing they're still publishing these.
Also the voice she used for Jamie made him sound like aging Michael Caine tsking over young Master Bruce.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, and Misogyny