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erikaraz's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
noellegrace8's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was cuuute. I love how individualistic Tiffy is! She's not of average appearance, but she doesn't it affect what she can wear and act like. She's not the definition of "conventionally" attractive, as Leon's girlfriend so viciously remarks upon, but Leon is absolutely enraptured by her looks & beauty. I love it!
It's also solid epistolary literature. The way the chapters transition from one of their notes/letters to a relevant scene is awesome. It feels so natural.
I appreciate that the book covers more than just their romance, too. I like the prison subplot, how it shows what people might be like when justice fails and truth is suppressed. And the look into publishing, and hospice even moreso, is interesting.
I didn't give a full 5 because I prefer having an up-close-and-personal look into characters, but this felt a bit bird's-eye at times.
I give both Carrie Hope Fletcher and Kwaku Fortune 4.5/5⭐️'s. And the only reason they're not higher is probably (unfortunately) not thier fault. The production left in a lot of mouth sounds. The tracks should have been edited better.
It's also solid epistolary literature. The way the chapters transition from one of their notes/letters to a relevant scene is awesome. It feels so natural.
I appreciate that the book covers more than just their romance, too. I like the prison subplot, how it shows what people might be like when justice fails and truth is suppressed. And the look into publishing, and hospice even moreso, is interesting.
I didn't give a full 5 because I prefer having an up-close-and-personal look into characters, but this felt a bit bird's-eye at times.
I give both Carrie Hope Fletcher and Kwaku Fortune 4.5/5⭐️'s. And the only reason they're not higher is probably (unfortunately) not thier fault. The production left in a lot of mouth sounds. The tracks should have been edited better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Chronic illness, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
theverycraftyvegan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
I absolutely loved this book! I loved the premise of how Tilly and Leon start flat sharing, how they officially meet, and how their relationship evolved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cursing, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Alcohol
lilawsahar's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? No
2.75
She has such great friends :) What a supportive group.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
mariskyjy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A sweet, lighthearted read. I listened to the audiobook, and enjoyed the use of two narrators. I also liked that it was easy to distinguish Leon's chapters due to the distinctively different writing style. All of the subplots were fun to follow as well, it kept the story going in it's slower phases.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia
- Medical content is because Leon works as a hospice nursecreolelitbelle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I do not normally read romance and can admit to probably enjoying this more as a rom-com movie. In the beginning, Leon felt very one-dimensional and like he was just moving through the motions in his own life. That happens to people, but I nearly quit the audiobook from boredom through his chapters. His brother is more interesting from jail. Tiffy has a chorus of people surrounding her, passions in life, and depth of her character that contribute to real plot points. Leon and Tiffy each grow greatly as people through either self-awareness or being more active in their own lives. Both narrators do a good job of putting emotions into their characters. A textbook toxic gaslighting relationship is in the book, but overcoming abuse is done respectfully without being patronizing. The expected 3-act romance formula happens, and I did not care for how the break-up act played out.
I loved how the phone calls throughout the book really sounded more electronic and distant as if the listener was actually hearing it through a phone and not just more regular audio. The difference in audio styles of the phone calls is a nuance and attention to detail I do not typically hear in audiobooks.
I loved how the phone calls throughout the book really sounded more electronic and distant as if the listener was actually hearing it through a phone and not just more regular audio. The difference in audio styles of the phone calls is a nuance and attention to detail I do not typically hear in audiobooks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual content, Medical content, and Alcohol
savage_book_review's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
3.5
After being ditched for another woman, Tiffy is desperate to find a new place to live. Leon has a flat sitting empty at night while he's out working and is in need of extra cash. Seems like the ideal arrangement; they live together and yet have the place to themselves. It's just the rest of their lives that make things more complicated...
Picked this book up after seeing the recent TV adaptation advertised (still haven't managed to actually watch ot though!) and liking the premise. It certainly delivered upon my expectations; I was pleasantly surprised that the set up didn't feel contrived, but instead made perfect sense in the circumstances! Similarly, the exchange of messages via post-it note works really well; they have phones and know how to use them, but somehow again there was no questioning why they didn't just message or WhatsApp eachother, even when their notes become longer.
On the surface, this is a very cute story, but there are darker themes running throughout. Normally, the only thing that gets me to close the book and take a breath before continuing is second-hand embarrassment, but in this case there were a couple of occasions where I needed a moment to allow my more visceral reactions towards certain characters and actions to subside. Tiffy does go on something of a healing journey throughout the book, and so I also found myself having to revise my opinion on some of her thoughts and actions, and recognise them as almost a 'conditioned response' to a girl who can't quite let go of a guy who is clearly not good for her. I give the author kudos for illustrating the development and recovery process in such a way.
The book is very well rounded, with a number of great little sub-plots and other details that serve the main plot very well and flesh out both the main and secondary characters, making them particularly lovable (or hateable as the case may be). There's a little bit of social commentary on the state of the justice system, a story of long-lost love, and an admiration of crochet that absolutely tips this towards the 'cosy' end of the spectrum in places!
The one thing I didn't get to grips with was the way Leon's chapters were structured. The chapters alternate between Tiffy and Leon's PoVs, but while Tiffy's are written in fairly standard prose, Leon's are a bit all over the place. Parts are written in abridged sentences, almost like he's filling in a patient's chart as part of his job. Speech isn't set out in speech marks, but rather prefixed with the name of the speaker, giving the impression of text messages or even a script. And other elements of the text feel more like a continuation of the post-it notes. There isn't a specific reason given for this quirky style and, while it is still 100% readable, it felt like energy needlessly wasted when it could have been set out in the same way as Tiffy's and been just as effective while being easier to digest.
I was initially torn about whether I'd keep this book or not, but the more I think about adding it to the charity pile, the stronger the feeling I get that I'll want to read it again at some point. So, for now at least, it earns a place on my bookshelf.
Picked this book up after seeing the recent TV adaptation advertised (still haven't managed to actually watch ot though!) and liking the premise. It certainly delivered upon my expectations; I was pleasantly surprised that the set up didn't feel contrived, but instead made perfect sense in the circumstances! Similarly, the exchange of messages via post-it note works really well; they have phones and know how to use them, but somehow again there was no questioning why they didn't just message or WhatsApp eachother, even when their notes become longer.
On the surface, this is a very cute story, but there are darker themes running throughout. Normally, the only thing that gets me to close the book and take a breath before continuing is second-hand embarrassment, but in this case there were a couple of occasions where I needed a moment to allow my more visceral reactions towards certain characters and actions to subside. Tiffy does go on something of a healing journey throughout the book, and so I also found myself having to revise my opinion on some of her thoughts and actions, and recognise them as almost a 'conditioned response' to a girl who can't quite let go of a guy who is clearly not good for her. I give the author kudos for illustrating the development and recovery process in such a way.
The book is very well rounded, with a number of great little sub-plots and other details that serve the main plot very well and flesh out both the main and secondary characters, making them particularly lovable (or hateable as the case may be). There's a little bit of social commentary on the state of the justice system, a story of long-lost love, and an admiration of crochet that absolutely tips this towards the 'cosy' end of the spectrum in places!
The one thing I didn't get to grips with was the way Leon's chapters were structured. The chapters alternate between Tiffy and Leon's PoVs, but while Tiffy's are written in fairly standard prose, Leon's are a bit all over the place. Parts are written in abridged sentences, almost like he's filling in a patient's chart as part of his job. Speech isn't set out in speech marks, but rather prefixed with the name of the speaker, giving the impression of text messages or even a script. And other elements of the text feel more like a continuation of the post-it notes. There isn't a specific reason given for this quirky style and, while it is still 100% readable, it felt like energy needlessly wasted when it could have been set out in the same way as Tiffy's and been just as effective while being easier to digest.
I was initially torn about whether I'd keep this book or not, but the more I think about adding it to the charity pile, the stronger the feeling I get that I'll want to read it again at some point. So, for now at least, it earns a place on my bookshelf.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Moderate: Terminal illness, Violence, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Racism, Sexual content, Alcohol, and War
annieb26's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
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: Emotional abuse, Violence, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Medical content and Alcohol
nancy163's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
Minor: Alcohol
samcanuel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This book got me out of a major reading slump. I really enjoyed how the narrators each had a distinct voice. This story dealt with heavy topics with grace and entwined a sweet love story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
Moderate: Sexual violence, Terminal illness, and Violence
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Alcohol