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tankytoon's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Slow at first, this book did not take off immediately for me, perhaps due to the meandering narrative, but soon I am sucked into the Clayborn's portrayal of two imperfect characters trying to come to terms with their fragility.
Usually timid Greer harbors a secret: due to a chronic illness, she's tired of getting treated with kids' gloves by her family, thus when she asks her bestfriend's brother for help on a school project, she does so reluctantly.
Famous photographer Alex does not stay long at one place, so it's highly unusual for him to grant his sister's bestfriend a favor by agreeing to stick around for a month. After all, this is only the second time they met, since their initial meeting a few years ago didn't go too well .
The way that Greer unwittingly opens up to Alex, and the way that Alex unknowingly becomes fascinated with Greer, is so delectable and delicate, like a cocoon slowly opening up to become a butterfly.
Clayborn's writing is phenomenal, as well as sensual without being vulgar or salacious. I also liked how mental illness is treated here with Patricia, being such an unorthodox but likeable therapist.
At the end, I loved how Greer finally allowed herself to be vulnerable, despite years of asserting her independence and how Alex lets himself be grounded in one place and realizes that being tethered does not mean he's trapped. I also liked where there's no finite certainty of their future, but at least they make efforts to try their luck.
Usually timid Greer harbors a secret:
Famous photographer Alex does not stay long at one place, so it's highly unusual for him to grant his sister's bestfriend a favor by agreeing to stick around for a month. After all, this is only the second time they met, since their initial meeting a few years ago didn't go too well .
The way that Greer unwittingly opens up to Alex, and the way that Alex unknowingly becomes fascinated with Greer, is so delectable and delicate, like a cocoon slowly opening up to become a butterfly.
Clayborn's writing is phenomenal, as well as sensual without being vulgar or salacious. I also liked how mental illness is treated here with Patricia, being such an unorthodox but likeable therapist.
At the end, I loved how Greer finally allowed herself to be vulnerable, despite years of asserting her independence and how Alex lets himself be grounded in one place and realizes that being tethered does not mean he's trapped. I also liked where there's no finite certainty of their future, but at least they make efforts to try their luck.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Addiction
theladydetective's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
3.75
The book was a bit heavier for me than I was expecting. Still overall healthy (therapy is a big focus in this book), and a happy ending. Enjoyable characters and a solid ending to the series. I didn't fly through reading it due to content. I also wasn't convinced the main characters were on the same page life wise.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
analenegrace's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Kate Clayborn is such a talented writer and now I've finished all her books and have to wait for more! This book captured the chronically ill experience as well as the flaws of academia and advising, many relatable things for me!
As a chronically ill disabled woman, Kate Clayborn did a fantastic job writing the story of one. She wove in learning about Greer's health so well, and it felt so incredibly natural. Greer was a fleshed-out character whose health and limitations were important, but so were her personality, interests, and dreams. We got little bits of Greer in Kit's and Zoe's book, so I was thrilled to finally get inside her head and understand more about her. Alex was another in a series of well-written men in Clayborn's books that made me wonder if perhaps her husband is just that fantastic! I also imagine she must have a thing for chest hair because all of her Men MCs have chest hair described as the perfect amount!
I loved the side characters and especially Greer's relationship with her family. Their protectiveness and overbearingness were understandable, as was her discomfort with it. I liked that it reached some sort of resolution as Greer learned to express her needs and wants to everyone in her life. This book also dealt with Alex's anxiety and panic attacks so well, showing that while therapy is a resource, it doesn't quickly solve your problem but is instead a tool for understanding yourself.
Another 5 Star read from Clayborn, I only wish she had a larger back catalog!
As a chronically ill disabled woman, Kate Clayborn did a fantastic job writing the story of one. She wove in learning about Greer's health so well, and it felt so incredibly natural. Greer was a fleshed-out character whose health and limitations were important, but so were her personality, interests, and dreams. We got little bits of Greer in Kit's and Zoe's book, so I was thrilled to finally get inside her head and understand more about her. Alex was another in a series of well-written men in Clayborn's books that made me wonder if perhaps her husband is just that fantastic! I also imagine she must have a thing for chest hair because all of her Men MCs have chest hair described as the perfect amount!
I loved the side characters and especially Greer's relationship with her family. Their protectiveness and overbearingness were understandable, as was her discomfort with it. I liked that it reached some sort of resolution as Greer learned to express her needs and wants to everyone in her life. This book also dealt with Alex's anxiety and panic attacks so well, showing that while therapy is a resource, it doesn't quickly solve your problem but is instead a tool for understanding yourself.
Another 5 Star read from Clayborn, I only wish she had a larger back catalog!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
kaydeedickins's review
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Chronic illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Alcohol
katrinaward's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Child abuse, Addiction, and Alcoholism
jelavision's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.25
While the author wrote about some heavy subjects, like panic attacks and chronic illness, there was also a lightness in the love story between Greer and Alex. It was lovely seeing them grow as characters and fall in love. Clayborn does such a great job writing her characters and having them persevere. The book has some good steamy moments but the sensual intimate moments before the MCs had sex were the best.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Chronic illness
mairead_parade's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
Clayborn writes particularly loveable characters and is great at fitting familiar tropes with the specific details of their lives. I really enjoyed Greer and Alex’s story and love to see on-page therapy (and have it be an important part of the plot’s resolution!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, and Addiction
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