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rosebek's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
slow-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
3.0
kle105's review against another edition
3.0
I have to preface this by saying that I lost my father to cancer four years ago. There is a sensitivity note at the beginning that had I known would probably not have read it but it was for a book club.
Knowing the sensitivity was coming is essential, but it was almost like I was dreading every page. Waiting for the worst moment in my life to be talked about in a book, which didn't even happen until farther toward the end and it made this such a slow read for me.
That being said I did like the frenemy relationship of Willa and Ryder. Willa was a little much at time, drawing conclusion without asking questions, and was extremely closed off. Sometimes I could understand, other times a little over the top.
Ryder faced his own challenges having lost most of his hearing after contracting meningitis. Due to some miscommunication they did not get off on the right foot when paired together for a class assignment. Ryder was well detailed and I felt I could picture his lumberjack vibe well.
I did like the push and pull of their relationship and some of the inner thoughts were hilarious. Ryder's family was pretty awesome in how they took in Willa and her mom during tough times.
I think there was a little too much packed into this story. A lot of really hard struggles, that made it too long, and too heavy at times digesting and resolving things at times came too quickly.
I did like the representation of disability and mental health. I will continue to read the series as I think the others will appeal to me more, without the death piece hanging over it.
Knowing the sensitivity was coming is essential, but it was almost like I was dreading every page. Waiting for the worst moment in my life to be talked about in a book, which didn't even happen until farther toward the end and it made this such a slow read for me.
That being said I did like the frenemy relationship of Willa and Ryder. Willa was a little much at time, drawing conclusion without asking questions, and was extremely closed off. Sometimes I could understand, other times a little over the top.
Ryder faced his own challenges having lost most of his hearing after contracting meningitis. Due to some miscommunication they did not get off on the right foot when paired together for a class assignment. Ryder was well detailed and I felt I could picture his lumberjack vibe well.
I did like the push and pull of their relationship and some of the inner thoughts were hilarious. Ryder's family was pretty awesome in how they took in Willa and her mom during tough times.
I think there was a little too much packed into this story. A lot of really hard struggles, that made it too long, and too heavy at times digesting and resolving things at times came too quickly.
I did like the representation of disability and mental health. I will continue to read the series as I think the others will appeal to me more, without the death piece hanging over it.
estimpert's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Terminal illness
whosbradpitt's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A contemporary "frenemies" to lovers romance between college students who are forced to interact through their meddling professor (ew). I found Willa grating, but her story with her mom greatly improved her character. Ryder was far more interesting and enjoyable, and I liked the depiction of him dealing with his relatively new disability. Definitely an "ugh just TALK TO EACH OTHER" romance, and I'm never a real fan of the "you know you love someone because you constantly needle each other" trope, and yet, the book was okay and I think I'll keep reading the series.
mkriley's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
gquartin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.0
lacyparrish's review against another edition
4.5
I had been hearing about the Bergman family, but I hadn't had the chance to read any of the series yet. This is a very authentic feeling college-based romance with a large helping of disability representation. Fair warning about triggers ... I didn't expect a B-plot of parental illness, but it was woven in wonderfully. Willa and Ryder are both strong personalities and they do frenemies very well ... and lovers even better. Add in some soccer and a stressful class project and I was hooked.
Full Rating (out of 10 possible): 8.000 (based on a modified CAWPILE system)
Romance level (out of 5 possible): 3 (for on-page, intimacy scenes with some details)
Full Rating (out of 10 possible): 8.000 (based on a modified CAWPILE system)
Romance level (out of 5 possible): 3 (for on-page, intimacy scenes with some details)
masha3478's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
2.75