Scan barcode
laheath'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
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing, Mental illness, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Racism
dianaschmidty'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: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
maggies's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Racism
briannaslittlelibrary'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
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
readingwithtrey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Sadie was not a lovable character at all. She was a lot. In the beginning of the book, she was so much of a brat that I seriously thought I’d have to call it quits on this. One thing that was really off putting for me was that her and her 2 girl friends used a certain word as a term of endearment excessively. This along with the overuse of modern cliche phrases, really made me second guess continueing to read. But when Sadie accidentally responds to a roommate listing (thinking she’s on a dating app), I thought the story would get better. It was a unique plot line with a lot of potential.
I didn’t buy the relationship between Jack and Sadie. Jack’s character completely fell flat. He really lacked a personality so we didn’t get to really know him. Due to this, it seemed to come out of left field when the relationship started to turn romantic.
The were a couple of nods to diversity in this book. When I came across the first one I thought “wow, unexpected diversity. Go author.” But then it’s literally just like 2 sentences. It really read as though the author was just checking off representation boxes without going deeper than surface level.
I went back and forth between giving it 2 or 3 stars because I know that some of the things that bothered me may not bother others & I try to keep that in mind when rating books. I settled on 3 stars because I did want to know how it ended; but honestly, I probably wouldn’t recommend it🥴.
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Death, Car accident, and Death of parent
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse and Car accident
lnzava'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
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness and Toxic relationship
Minor: Racism
mandapanda816'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
4.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Car accident, and Death of parent
ericaereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The writing and Sadie's character growth saved this book for me, because otherwise it would have been a three star read; in part because Jack felt like a Mary Sue and because, at the end of the day, the romance is not what stood out about this book. Unless you count the solid romance Sadie has with the brownstone. Honestly her finding and getting to stay there was the happy ending that my millennial heart sobbed for, because who wouldn't?
Was the romance sweet? Yes. Did it sweep me into my feelings? Occasionally. But what I remember months after reading is Sadie's journey toward self-assurance and acceptance as she builds her business. Yes, Jack provides financial and emotional support, but I didn't feel like he was the one that had to provide that support. Which is more reflective of real life, but not what I want in a romance damn it!
If this had been marketed as general fiction it would have been a (perhaps) five star read.
Just because a book has a romance plot doesn't mean it is a genre romance. Come on publishers. Get with it.
Moderate: Mental illness and Sexual content
xlivinglikejen's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent