jenheitland's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Suicide, and Death
rd77's review
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
I really, really loved this book. It was a unique premise and executed very well. It’s not purely a romance book either- there’s a lot involving coming of age, grief, and self-discovery. The characters were all loveable and quite realistic, in my opinion. It felt like a genuine story with a touch of whimsy added in. There was always enough twists and surprises to keep you interested but nothing that detracted from the true heart of the story- it was incredibly well balanced. I feel like the side characters were fleshed out just well enough where it felt realistic because they had their own lives and own things going on, and the main character Clementine actually played a part in their lives.
The writing was incredibly poetic and really added to the impact of the story. My favorite was each time Clementine
This definitely has become one of my all time favorites.
The writing was incredibly poetic and really added to the impact of the story. My favorite was each time Clementine
Spoiler
described how she would paint Iwan’s eyes, almost as an aside, but it just felt so beautiful and real.This definitely has become one of my all time favorites.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
bringmybooks's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Thank you to Edelweiss, Berkley, & Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
This one worked for a lot of people - like, in a super moving heartfelt wept their eyes out book hangover for days kind of way - but I got … nothing. I love love LOVED The Dead Romantics so my hopes and the hype were pretty high here, but I don’t even think that’s the culprit.
I’m genuinely surprised that even though I really liked the writing and the premise was UNREAL, I felt nothing for these characters. I was shuffling through the pages waiting for something truly magical, but the majority of it was just weird instalove and a magical element that didn’t make any sense.
(Note: magical elements don’t * have * to make sense, see: About Time, which is a pitch perfect film with a magical element that makes 0 sense - but the characters and their stories have to REALLY work for this to work, if you know what I mean)
Anywho - I’m going with “borrow” on this one because while it wasn’t my slice of pie, I know that it’s *chef’s kiss* for others!
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
This one worked for a lot of people - like, in a super moving heartfelt wept their eyes out book hangover for days kind of way - but I got … nothing. I love love LOVED The Dead Romantics so my hopes and the hype were pretty high here, but I don’t even think that’s the culprit.
I’m genuinely surprised that even though I really liked the writing and the premise was UNREAL, I felt nothing for these characters. I was shuffling through the pages waiting for something truly magical, but the majority of it was just weird instalove and a magical element that didn’t make any sense.
(Note: magical elements don’t * have * to make sense, see: About Time, which is a pitch perfect film with a magical element that makes 0 sense - but the characters and their stories have to REALLY work for this to work, if you know what I mean)
Anywho - I’m going with “borrow” on this one because while it wasn’t my slice of pie, I know that it’s *chef’s kiss* for others!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Mental illness, Death, Grief, and Pregnancy
caoxtina's review
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Suicide, and Sexual content
anbieker's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual content
lulubeth's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death
Minor: Suicide
baraya's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Death, Grief, and Pregnancy
mollyb13's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
The romance is lovely and features a couple that I was 100% rooting for, I was attached to the side characters, and Poston beautifully explores grief throughout the book. I recently had a 'meh' experience with magical realism and this book has completely changed my mind on the genre. The magic wasn't complicated and completely made the book what it is. At times a lighthearted romance, at others a story about losing someone you love, and what it means to meet a person at the right (or wrong) time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Suicide
caseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Grief, Alcohol, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy and Suicide
agiecummings's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Honestly, this book is just so dreamy. From the romance to the setting, from the food to the travel, it’s just delightful. As someone who has lived in NYC for 10 years, it was just so magical to read a story set in NYC that actually felt like NYC. Like the ✨magic✨ of NYC that brings people here every year without fail.
But also, let’s talk about the love story between Iwan and Clementine. First, all I have ever wanted was a chef as a boyfriend. And a tattooed one that you share a beautiful basically time bending past with? Sign me up. Their story is so precious and I love that they are able to recognize and enjoy each other in both times. What a fun mystical realism aspect to the book. But truly if a man made me homemade lemon pie I would lock him down immediately.
And, then to talk about the grief of it all? The tragic way she lost her aunt and the way that Iwan is able to meet her (because of the magic apartment) in the exact right time and place to slowly help her heal? That’s magic I want and need to believe in.
This story is so beautifully crafted. The words float off the page. I often found myself speed reading to see what she would say next and then having to pull myself back to re-read because I was so excited to get to the next thing.
I just loved every aspect of this book. Side characters. Character arcs. Love story. Magic. NYC. Read it and enjoy.
But also, let’s talk about the love story between Iwan and Clementine. First, all I have ever wanted was a chef as a boyfriend. And a tattooed one that you share a beautiful basically time bending past with? Sign me up. Their story is so precious and I love that they are able to recognize and enjoy each other in both times. What a fun mystical realism aspect to the book. But truly if a man made me homemade lemon pie I would lock him down immediately.
And, then to talk about the grief of it all? The tragic way she lost her aunt and the way that Iwan is able to meet her (because of the magic apartment) in the exact right time and place to slowly help her heal? That’s magic I want and need to believe in.
This story is so beautifully crafted. The words float off the page. I often found myself speed reading to see what she would say next and then having to pull myself back to re-read because I was so excited to get to the next thing.
I just loved every aspect of this book. Side characters. Character arcs. Love story. Magic. NYC. Read it and enjoy.
Spoiler
If I had one tiny critique it would be give me a real epilogue. Where we see Iwan and Lemon actually living their life together. How’s the restaurant? What kind of traveling have they done? What’s Clementine’s job? I need answers. But still a 5⭐️ read. Immaculate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Minor: Suicide