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shaipanda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book was deeply fucked up and the characters were super flawed but those weren’t even the reason why it wasn’t 5 ⭐️- I mean I fully was not prepared for all of that but that wasn’t even the issue really I don’t think. My issue mainly was because of all of that despite how much I loved the characters and the incredible character work that Tia Williams did, the main couple just seemed toxic and like they probably shouldn’t be together at least not till they got their shit together. That’s all even more true with Eva having a daughter and her being at least somewhat aware of their relationship. However, I do think this book is really really important in a lot of ways and was really really well done which is why I rated it as (relatively) highly as I did.
Not even when I finished it but as I got towards the end I really could not decide how I feel about this book. I think 4.25 is a pretty good descriptor but I still don’t fully know cause this book gave me such mixed feelings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child death, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Car accident, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Vomit
There are many instances of racial slurs, specifically the n word being used in this book but just wanted to give the context of that word only being used by Black people in this book. I feel kinda weird putting it as a content warning because of that context since I don’t think that’s what they mean but just in case, I figured I’d include it cause it is in theremaya_reads_books's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Self harm, Sexual content, and Blood
Moderate: Racism, Toxic relationship, Medical content, and Gaslighting
Minor: Child death
tayahmarie'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: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Gaslighting
bard_the_dragon'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
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Gaslighting
bookwormbullet'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: Addiction, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Car accident
mandi4886'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
3.25
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Toxic relationship
now_booking'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
The premise is that single mother Eva is struggling with writer’s block for her long running paranormal erotic romance series when she meets blast from her past, Shane, at a panel about race and is blown away by the strong feelings that never left. But with the trauma and toxicity associated with their past relationship and the weight of the baggage they both still carry, any chance of a second chance romance seems dead on arrival.
The best thing about this book is it’s sharp take on contemporary society. It’s full of smart, funny observations and perfectly excerptable quotes about Black culture and Black lived experience that you’ll find yourself nodding to in agreement as you picture the exact cultural reference the author means. This book is heavy on trauma and is potentially very triggering- there is severe addiction, self-harm, sexual assault, abuse, abandonment, neglect, self-harm, chronic pain (chronic illness), misogyny, toxic relationships, and others don’t like it. The story itself and the way it is told is also absolutely gorgeous- you fall in love with the characters and root for them from the very beginning. Particular favourites of mine were Eva, Shane and Audre. Reading Eva and the people in her life navigate her chronic migraines, felt incredibly raw and it was written with a lot of authenticity and heart and was for me, a highlight of this book. Perhaps I didn’t really “buy” that Eva-Cece-Belinda friendship because I didn’t think it was utilized to the max and it didn’t quite “fit” for me, but even they were likable and inoffensive and I love seeing female friendship celebrated. I loved that the book featured marginal groups from society and positioned them as romantic leads- Eva with her debilitating chronic migraines, and Shane, actively in recovery from addiction. I loved the choice of these characters and how they were portrayed. The thing is that this love never felt quite healthy and there was so much unresolved trauma and damage in their lives, it would have been nice for some more of the healing to be on page, just so you know this time they’re for real. This is one of those where you love the couple together but wonder if they’ll be able to overcome the dysfunction long-term.
One thing that bothered me a bit about this book is it’s attitude towards romance. It’s not that it was disparaging in anyway- but there’s an air of tongue-in-cheek speak about it in this book sometimes that make it feel like a second class genre or not “worthy” or serious. And I felt like sometimes the author’s fatigue with writing her erotic romance series made her indirectly disparaging of the genre and I didn’t like that. I would have liked to see more of Eva’s relationship with her mother once she decided looking into her family tree. There were crumbs around this plot point and these themes of matrilineal lines and curses and patriarchal systems that condemn difference that left a lot of space for further exploration.
Overall, there’s no denying how fabulous this was. I highly recommend it to everyone- be safe and consider your triggers.
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Mental illness, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, and Vomit
bookisha'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
.🌕.
It reads much more like a love story than a romance book. God knows I love a love story. There's so much to say about this book. I was so invested in the characters.
.🌷.
At one point I wondered if perhaps this book had too much black pain. Our main characters went through a lot as children. But then I realized the difference between this book and the Black trauma genre that I so greatly avoid at this time.
.💐.
The pain in this book is universal. While the book does not shy away from our character's blackness, it chooses to lean into it's beauty. It also seems intentional about the pain in the book not being a uniquely black one. Finally, it counts as a romance because it has the promise of a happy ending. Ultimately, this book is a love letter to love itself.
.🍃.
It explores mother daughter relationships and self love and forgiveness. It affirms my decision that I do not need to wait to completely heal to be loved. Love, like healing is a continuous journey and it is an honor to allow both in my life everyday.
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
noshelfcontrolll'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
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment