The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
chasingpages1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Vomit, Cursing, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Excrement
musingsbynitika's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Death of parent
diana_raquel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.5
“But most of us are too scared to even ask what we want, in case we can't have it.”
That's it!
Friends-to-lovers it's not my favorite prompt! And this book proves it! The only reason why I'm giving this book a 3.5 stars rating is that I liked the interaction between Poppy and Alex as friends. And I think that I'm being a little generous here. Look, I know that the end game of the book is romance, but do they have to be a couple? Why couldn't they reconnect and stayed friends?
I admit that, at first, even knowing that this was a friends-to-lovers story, I was having fun. I was entertained. I liked the writing style and I have to say that the characters are well-developed. Another thing that I really liked was the non-linear story because, that way, I felt like we were knowing more about the characters and kept the reason why Alex and Poppy were no longer friends a secret for a little more time. However, Alex's love for Poppy seemed a little on the obsessive side. Not to the point of being a red flag, but it's a little creepy. And that put me off.
So I would not recommend this book, but I'm willing to read Book Lovers. Maybe I'll like it!
That's it!
Friends-to-lovers it's not my favorite prompt! And this book proves it! The only reason why I'm giving this book a 3.5 stars rating is that I liked the interaction between Poppy and Alex as friends. And I think that I'm being a little generous here. Look, I know that the end game of the book is romance, but do they have to be a couple? Why couldn't they reconnect and stayed friends?
I admit that, at first, even knowing that this was a friends-to-lovers story, I was having fun. I was entertained. I liked the writing style and I have to say that the characters are well-developed. Another thing that I really liked was the non-linear story because, that way, I felt like we were knowing more about the characters and kept the reason why Alex and Poppy were no longer friends a secret for a little more time. However, Alex's love for Poppy seemed a little on the obsessive side. Not to the point of being a red flag, but it's a little creepy. And that put me off.
So I would not recommend this book, but I'm willing to read Book Lovers. Maybe I'll like it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, and Alcohol
Moderate: Gaslighting, Car accident, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexism, Classism, Cancer, and Medical content
anastashamarie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Emily Henry books hit me right in the heart. It's the same way I felt seen and heard by Sarah Dessen as a teenager...just grown up and with more quarter life crises instead of comings-of-age. And like Sarah, Emily is officially going to be an instant buy author for me from hear on out.
🌴 This was everything I want in a romance. Dynamic relationships (friendships, family relationships, and romantic relationships). Woven past and present storyline with a little bit of mystery. Emotional and personal growth themes. Banter that makes me blush and giggle. So much romantic/sexual tension. It's just *chef's kiss*.
🌄 And I will die on the hill that friends-to-lovers makes for a much more realistic and heart wrenching love story. There is so much more at stake than any other trope.
I saw some comments that "if they'd just talked about it, this whole book wouldn't have happened." And clearly those people have never caught feelings for a friend. It's not just a matter of admitting your feelings; it's the very real possibility of losing someone who's a highlight of your life, of destroying a dynamic that feels so perfect that it can't be anything BUT fragile and that a fraction of it will always be better than none. So you hope it goes away--and tuck it away yourself if it won't--if only to keep your piece for as long as you can. Emily Henry captures those nuances perfectly, if you ask me.
🧳 Everyone who says this book is boring is missing the whole point. Poppy and Alex's story is about friendship and simplicity, not about excitement and trips. It's knowing you always have your favorite person there at the end of the day. It's the hope and comfort of a healthy and supportive relationship with the one person who gets you. It's being adults who still play. It's the intimacy of still finding joyful and novel moments amid the mundane.
At the risk of going on an Esther Perel-based rant, Poppy and Alex's relationship is what science says is the most fulfilling and satisfying. And it definitely gives me the warm and fuzzies.
🏨 The only things I have to complain about are 1) that the time jumps mixed with the writing style could get confusing and 2) that the ending felt a little rushed. I wish the past summers were written in past tense and the current summers were written in present tense. I'll leave out my specific issues with the end to stay spoiler free.
✈️ So anyway, A+ wholesome & emotional love story if you're someone who appreciates relationships of all sorts.
🌴 This was everything I want in a romance. Dynamic relationships (friendships, family relationships, and romantic relationships). Woven past and present storyline with a little bit of mystery. Emotional and personal growth themes. Banter that makes me blush and giggle. So much romantic/sexual tension. It's just *chef's kiss*.
🌄 And I will die on the hill that friends-to-lovers makes for a much more realistic and heart wrenching love story. There is so much more at stake than any other trope.
I saw some comments that "if they'd just talked about it, this whole book wouldn't have happened." And clearly those people have never caught feelings for a friend. It's not just a matter of admitting your feelings; it's the very real possibility of losing someone who's a highlight of your life, of destroying a dynamic that feels so perfect that it can't be anything BUT fragile and that a fraction of it will always be better than none. So you hope it goes away--and tuck it away yourself if it won't--if only to keep your piece for as long as you can. Emily Henry captures those nuances perfectly, if you ask me.
🧳 Everyone who says this book is boring is missing the whole point. Poppy and Alex's story is about friendship and simplicity, not about excitement and trips. It's knowing you always have your favorite person there at the end of the day. It's the hope and comfort of a healthy and supportive relationship with the one person who gets you. It's being adults who still play. It's the intimacy of still finding joyful and novel moments amid the mundane.
At the risk of going on an Esther Perel-based rant, Poppy and Alex's relationship is what science says is the most fulfilling and satisfying. And it definitely gives me the warm and fuzzies.
🏨 The only things I have to complain about are 1) that the time jumps mixed with the writing style could get confusing and 2) that the ending felt a little rushed. I wish the past summers were written in past tense and the current summers were written in present tense. I'll leave out my specific issues with the end to stay spoiler free.
✈️ So anyway, A+ wholesome & emotional love story if you're someone who appreciates relationships of all sorts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Bullying
Minor: Grief and Panic attacks/disorders
blackveilbeccy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
After a slow start, I really adored this. I think that’s almost entirely due to the male love interest who is utterly swoonworthy. It’s worth reading just for him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death of parent, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Cursing
Moderate: Abandonment, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Drug use, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Outing, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, and Homophobia
meggiemeggie52's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content, Cursing, and Death of parent
Minor: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
gaetkoguy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
I generally don’t like romance novels. But this one was different. It had character. And heart. And humor. I felt for Alex and Poppy. I rooted for them. I could relate to and understand their trepidation of falling head-over-heals in love with someone. It’s was a mystery and a thriller. A slow burn and a page turner. I’m so glad I read it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Alcohol, Death of parent, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
orangesquidbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
It was such a fun cute lil romance I loved it
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
sammymilfort's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book reminded me why I love friends to lovers so much. It was so honest and raw.
Poppy and Alex have such a beautiful connection and this book definitely represents right person wrong time. Miscommunication trope is a thing in this book but it worked so well because the reader doesn’t know what actually moments are until it all connects in the past chapters and it was so well done and weaved together perfectly. It was not overused or done in a repetitive way, but more in a sense of being afraid to say anything due to the fear of losing each other
I loved Poppy as a character and Alex has set my expectations higher for the level of care and love in a relationship.
This is definitely one of my top books of the year and I cannot wait to read Emily Henry’s other books!!
TW: Frequent Mention of Death of a Parent and Grief, Depression
Poppy and Alex have such a beautiful connection and this book definitely represents right person wrong time. Miscommunication trope is a thing in this book but it worked so well because the reader doesn’t know what actually moments are until it all connects in the past chapters and it was so well done and weaved together perfectly. It was not overused or done in a repetitive way, but more in a sense of being afraid to say anything due to the fear of losing each other
I loved Poppy as a character and Alex has set my expectations higher for the level of care and love in a relationship.
This is definitely one of my top books of the year and I cannot wait to read Emily Henry’s other books!!
TW: Frequent Mention of Death of a Parent and Grief, Depression
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Bullying, and Cursing
smicallef27's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders