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lou_loo's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
This is not a story where he is dark and handsome, she is small and frail and they "fall in love" without having anything that makes them attracted to each other (why him and not another dark and broody man you know) or at least, nothing written on paper, nothing that we are told about.
This is the opposite. They start as neighbours (it's not their first encounter though), create a bet, a challenge, and hang out for the entire summer. The tension is built, and we can see why they're attracted to each other and get closer and happier around each other.
And I loved how the themes of grief, illness and pain were incorporated in the story, making it feel real, with actual fleshed-out characters, anchored in reality, while keeping the lightheartedness of it all. Emily Henry was able to address those themes without making the story dark or sad, she kept it real and very enjoyable.
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief
teeclecticreads'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
4.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
raes_library's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
flamesocks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Death of parent, Infidelity, Cancer, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse
sabrina_library's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
My first book by EH and I was captivated by her storytelling. A slower pace book and yet I was hooked from the very beginning 🥺
It was a beautiful, heartwarming, emotional story that shows not everything in life is perfect or how we initially expect it but sometimes it can be if you give it a chance and believe in it, and I personally thought that was beautiful. Safe to say January and Gus will remain in my heart for a very long time❤️🩹
Both were both complex characters, with their own family dynamics, that found their way towards each other for a second time to stay. Talk about being shocked to the core and yet coming stronger on the other side of it. I laughed at their banter and cried at their heart aches but above all I loved them through their self-discovery journey, both alone and together.
I don’t know how the rest of her books can get any better than this but I’m excited to find out 💓
Tropes:
-college rivals turned neighbours
-grumpy x sunshine
-second chance
-forced proximity
-0.5🌶️
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
saskiahill's review against another edition
3.75
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Death, Terminal illness, Infidelity, Grief, Death of parent, and Cancer
myheartbelongstobooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Grief
amirasarchive's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, and Cancer
Minor: Child abuse
houlaheup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Infidelity and Cancer
Minor: Vomit and Alcohol
kaydee_reads's review against another edition
- 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
Also Gus and January feel very real beyond the stock character archetypes you expect them to be. The author is skilled at slowly revealing how jaded she is under her bright exterior, and how much of a hopeless romantic he’s always been under his grumpy persona. They’re a much better match for each other than most grumpy/sunshine couples, and I loved them dearly.
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Child abuse