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googiereads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
"Orvin once told me that time is the currency of life. And I had lost so much of it. It was that idea of lost time that finally made me realize I needed to move on."
One-third of this book I enjoyed how they started their connection and relationship. It was soulful, with bits and pieces of music (Jeff Buckley, U2, etc.) and New York. Pretty nostalgic. Like way before technology. As much as I miss the 90s, I realize the lack of technology can also make it hard to contact people. Frustrating but that's how it was. The second half of the book just broke my heart -- these missed chances, miscommunication, people in between -- I feel that regret they had over time lost. When they started reconnecting, it felt a bit rushed but then given how much time they've lost and the frustration of knowing the chances/moments stolen from them, I understand the urgency.
The book started out in the present time with that fateful meeting after 15 years of no communication, then dipped into the past and their wonderful love story, then back to the present with the big question of what are they going to do now having found each other. I find it fitting that in the beginning (the fateful meeting), the characters talked about being lost:
I became acutely aware of everyone around me carrying on, living life. I was static, standing on the platform, watching train after train go by, wishing I knew which one to be on
When they met again, it was wonderful to see the process of them finding themselves and also finding closure/resolution to their story. I said the second half (present time) was just angsty and I feel so bad, mostly for Grace because Matty had moments I wanted to strangle him. But, the ending was just perfect, heartwarming, and satisfying. I felt truly happy for the future that started out parallel but intersected. A wonderful read if you like second-chance romance (I am not even into second chances but this held my attention and I read the book in one sitting)
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion and Classism
readingwithmeredith's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Unpopular book opinion time: I know this a favorite of so many but I struggled to connect and really get into the story. The first part of the story I was sucked in and thought I could see why this book was so popular, but then when it flashed to the past it lost me. I kept pushing through but it just never grabbed me in the same way again. It felt like there was so much potential for the characters and connecting on more than physical attraction because of their backstories but I felt like it wasn’t capitalized on. There were glimpses of depth but I wanted more. I also felt like the twists and miscommunications were very predictable and I had guessed it was going to happen before the hallway point of the book. I can sort of see the appeal of this book, but it just fell flat for me. Maybe it just wasn’t the right book for me.
Content notes: I struggled with the use of drugs and alcohol in this book. Normally the use of drugs in a book is an automatic DNF for me but I decided to push through thinking it was going to be a steady theme, but it occurred in at least 4 scenes. This also is open door, which I knew going in, but there were 7 open door scenes scattered throughout the book- which was a lot for me and my taste. There also were a good amount of sensual dialog/jokes and language.
Content notes: I struggled with the use of drugs and alcohol in this book. Normally the use of drugs in a book is an automatic DNF for me but I decided to push through thinking it was going to be a steady theme, but it occurred in at least 4 scenes. This also is open door, which I knew going in, but there were 7 open door scenes scattered throughout the book- which was a lot for me and my taste. There also were a good amount of sensual dialog/jokes and language.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Medical content, and Classism
Minor: Vomit
bookswithbront's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I’m so conflicted about this book.
The characters drove me insane, and some of the story points didn’t work for me. But at the same time, I didn’t want to put it down.
The “before” parts of this book felt so real and true to what it’s like to fall in love in college. And yet I don’t understand why Matt’s character was so much more developed than Grace’s. Even when she was narrating, I felt like I was seeing her through Matt’s eyes. Matt was so much more nuanced and at times straight-up unlikeable, but I always understood what was going on with him. I think if we’d gotten the same for Grace it would have improved the book exponentially for me.
The characters drove me insane, and some of the story points didn’t work for me. But at the same time, I didn’t want to put it down.
The “before” parts of this book felt so real and true to what it’s like to fall in love in college. And yet I don’t understand why Matt’s character was so much more developed than Grace’s. Even when she was narrating, I felt like I was seeing her through Matt’s eyes. Matt was so much more nuanced and at times straight-up unlikeable, but I always understood what was going on with him. I think if we’d gotten the same for Grace it would have improved the book exponentially for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Death of parent, Grief, and Infidelity
Minor: Abortion and Classism
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