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binevolentbookworm'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? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Classism
iconicavocado'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
Three takeaways:
• If you're looking for a feel-good story, think again.
Boy, was this book unexpected. This book went beyond a simple, sweet romance book. While I actually connected a lot with Anna in the later half of the book and what she goes through I was really taken back by the dramatic turn the story took. I have a love-hate feeling towards this change up and ultimately dock a star because the switch up is so strong that I think other readers would be really jarred when they read it. It's a nice book, but I do caution you to read trigger warnings before you start this book.
To read more spoiler notes of mine see below:
I wish there was more of Quan and Anna's relationship within the book. The book takes a major turn midway that overtakes the whole story from romance to self discovery through massive hardship. The love story definitely takes a backseat the rest of the book. Which I didn't mind because the themes that come out of it connected to me personally. I just don't think this serious emotional twist is "for everyone" especially in this kind of genre.
This is not a book you read to cheer yourself up, that is for sure!
I also didn't think it was totally necessary for Quan to have had cancer. I personally felt that was a bit unnecessary to have that much sadness between both main characters considering where the last half of the story goes.
Graphic: Ableism, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
absofsteel77'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: Terminal illness
Moderate: Ableism, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Vomit
skbat'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: Ableism, Mental illness, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror, Cancer, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Infertility, Vomit, and Car accident
marianaribeiro'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
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
rlpdean's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Death of parent
shannahtan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
In the author’s note, Hoang said Anna felt the most like her, which is why she used “I” instead of “she” in the Anna’s chapters. I like that this is a book where the man falls first. There is some romance, and I would say the majority is about being a caregiver, finding yourself, families deciding when to let someone go, and family pressure.
All in all, I would say this was my favorite of the 3 books because it didn’t seem like miscommunication was the main reason they broke up in the middle. She was figuring herself out while her dad was dying, and although it seems unrealistic that she’d say yes to a marriage and tell herself to deal with it later, I can understand how masking can take over your life.
Graphic: Sexual content and Terminal illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent
dua_liepard'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
3.5
Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
carnimdream'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Confinement, Infidelity, and Terminal illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
mackie9999's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident