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challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
I absolutely flew through this standalone book.
The TENSION was soooo good. You get forced proximity and the will they or won’t they for chapters and chapters.
The spice was well paced through the book and I was really rooting for there to be a HEA for all the characters at the end.
My fellow older millennials are going to love this as it’s set in the late 90s and has an accompanying playlist. The absence of cell phones was a lovely reprieve too.
This was such a nice pallet cleanser after slogging through a too long fantasy/romance series.
The TENSION was soooo good. You get forced proximity and the will they or won’t they for chapters and chapters.
The spice was well paced through the book and I was really rooting for there to be a HEA for all the characters at the end.
My fellow older millennials are going to love this as it’s set in the late 90s and has an accompanying playlist. The absence of cell phones was a lovely reprieve too.
This was such a nice pallet cleanser after slogging through a too long fantasy/romance series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
Moderate: Child abuse
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I went into this book expecting a 5 star read & it just wasn’t for me which breaks my heart.
Everything about this book should have hit for me, it is right up my alley - age gap, tortured souls, FMC growth, etc., but I think I felt a bit of a disconnect with the characters which is WILD for me to think, let alone type out.
I feel like Reed and Halley were very one dimensional in their relationship. It was ALL about the hardships they faced and the lust/attraction they had to each other (even if there was a very emotional attraction that layered there as well). I didn’t feel like there was ever any banter or true depth to their conversations. They hit some deep topics, obviously, but they almost seemed surface level. They were mentioned, they built each other up and pressured each other the other would get through it, they shared a longing gaze that spoke to each other’s soul, and then it was over.
Don’t get me wrong, Jennifer’s writing is beautiful. She always evokes emotions from me and I could feel the ache in my heart for the main characters a couple of times. But, overall, this one just wasn’t a “wow” for me.
Everything about this book should have hit for me, it is right up my alley - age gap, tortured souls, FMC growth, etc., but I think I felt a bit of a disconnect with the characters which is WILD for me to think, let alone type out.
I feel like Reed and Halley were very one dimensional in their relationship. It was ALL about the hardships they faced and the lust/attraction they had to each other (even if there was a very emotional attraction that layered there as well). I didn’t feel like there was ever any banter or true depth to their conversations. They hit some deep topics, obviously, but they almost seemed surface level. They were mentioned, they built each other up and pressured each other the other would get through it, they shared a longing gaze that spoke to each other’s soul, and then it was over.
Don’t get me wrong, Jennifer’s writing is beautiful. She always evokes emotions from me and I could feel the ache in my heart for the main characters a couple of times. But, overall, this one just wasn’t a “wow” for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism, Pedophilia
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Unfortunately, I just didn’t eat this up like I thought I would.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Infidelity, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Car accident
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Grief
Illegal age gap
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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
maybe I'll remember to write a review when I haven't been non stop reading until 2:30 am and I can see through my tear filled eyes.... oh this book!!! The 90s? Hot, single dad who who looks every bit of the 90s? who wears his heart on his sleeve and tries everyday to be a good man... and Halley?! My God I felt like she was writing my story, except I unfortunately don't fall for an older man, but an idiot with a tinfoil hat - this is why I don't read romance.... I end up a blubbering idiot because I AM this romantic who has never gotten to experience this kind of romance. I don't know why I do this to myself.
you won't regret reading this... Jennifer Hartmanns writing and story telling is too damn good. I will say TW: age gap but push past that please... it's not done in a disrespectful way, at least I didn't feel that at all. ugh I'll try to write a more cohesive review later. if not, just know this is a 6 star read for me. I base ratings on feelings and if I can't stop sobbing not only because I'm sad but because I'm happy?? yeah, that's one of THOSE books. I pray I find my Reed one day.
you won't regret reading this... Jennifer Hartmanns writing and story telling is too damn good. I will say TW: age gap but push past that please... it's not done in a disrespectful way, at least I didn't feel that at all. ugh I'll try to write a more cohesive review later. if not, just know this is a 6 star read for me. I base ratings on feelings and if I can't stop sobbing not only because I'm sad but because I'm happy?? yeah, that's one of THOSE books. I pray I find my Reed one day.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Gaslighting
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
I will never not give a JH book 5 stars. She’s my favorite author and I fall more and more in love with her writing every book I read. Age gap is my favorite trope so needless to say I ate this up. I absolutely loved Halley and Reed’s story. It wasn’t easy and Jennifer made me cry (again) just to put it all back together. I loved this book so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Gaslighting
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Panic attacks/disorders