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emotional
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Such mixed feelings. I saw other people describe this book as "deeply introspective" and tend to like those, but this didn't quite hit for me.
Firstly, I think this book was improperly marketed. It is listed as a contemporary romance, but there is almost zero romance. I'm talking, the main character actively avoids love and they kiss like three times in the book. It's a single POV, too, so while Emma is off being a recluse, there is no other perspective that provides any romantic insight.
And though not having a strong romantic plot is far from the end of the world, there wasn't much else offered. Emma comes from a loving, stable family. She has a best friend who is supportive, and her dating history is extremely mild. Her biggest struggle was that her mother was very sick (but recovered), which caused some family turmoil. There wasn't anything else happening in the plot that evoked a strong emotional response or resonance, so I found it difficult to care.
I am a very introspective and reflective person, and I tend to enjoy books that rely on that framework. This book just stayed too superficial to have anything worth reflecting on.
That said, I like the writing style and I was intrigued by the characters. I wish we got out of Emma's head more often to see more of those characters. It was a cozy, mellow, clean read. There were zero plot twists and was extremely predictable, and I'm not even mad about it. I like the secret identity/You've Got Mail trope.
Firstly, I think this book was improperly marketed. It is listed as a contemporary romance, but there is almost zero romance. I'm talking, the main character actively avoids love and they kiss like three times in the book. It's a single POV, too, so while Emma is off being a recluse, there is no other perspective that provides any romantic insight.
And though not having a strong romantic plot is far from the end of the world, there wasn't much else offered. Emma comes from a loving, stable family. She has a best friend who is supportive, and her dating history is extremely mild. Her biggest struggle was that her mother was very sick (but recovered), which caused some family turmoil. There wasn't anything else happening in the plot that evoked a strong emotional response or resonance, so I found it difficult to care.
I am a very introspective and reflective person, and I tend to enjoy books that rely on that framework. This book just stayed too superficial to have anything worth reflecting on.
That said, I like the writing style and I was intrigued by the characters. I wish we got out of Emma's head more often to see more of those characters. It was a cozy, mellow, clean read. There were zero plot twists and was extremely predictable, and I'm not even mad about it. I like the secret identity/You've Got Mail trope.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Pregnancy
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book sucked. The characters are supposed to be in their 30s, yet they act like children. All the problems are based on poor communication. The ending was so obvious. I just got more and more annoyed with this book the longer it went on.
I will admit, if I were 18/19/20 years old, I’d probably enjoyed this book more. Not by much. But a little more.
Unfortunately, I’m not that young anymore. So perhaps the problem is that I’m just not the target audience for this book.
I will admit, if I were 18/19/20 years old, I’d probably enjoyed this book more. Not by much. But a little more.
Unfortunately, I’m not that young anymore. So perhaps the problem is that I’m just not the target audience for this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Pregnancy
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a slog. Most of the characters are insufferable, but Emma is something else. Her Emily Dickinson obsession is like the beginning of an episode of Dateline. If ED wasn't already long dead I would worry this chicken would pull a single white female situation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Gaslighting
Minor: Cursing, Alcohol
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Pregnancy
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Pregnancy