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impalalibrary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I really really liked this book, the characters are just so good and I loved their ongoing bet for our main plot while exploring their relationship together and with everyone around them.
Also loved the casual lesbian relationship of aunt Pete and her wife! I love when it’s just there and it’s not made to be a big deal or part of the plot.
I didn’t find myself emerged in it though, it took me quite a while to finish because I kept getting distracted..
Definitely like Emily Henry’s writing style though, so I’ll check out more of her work soon!
Also loved the casual lesbian relationship of aunt Pete and her wife! I love when it’s just there and it’s not made to be a big deal or part of the plot.
I didn’t find myself emerged in it though, it took me quite a while to finish because I kept getting distracted..
Definitely like Emily Henry’s writing style though, so I’ll check out more of her work soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Cancer
catherine10134u38's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
2.0
Can't believe this is a popular book.
This is for people who want something sad and loves complicated characters that are "messed up." If you're also okay with characters rationalizing cheating on someone while they have cancer then this is for you. This is complicated and deep I guess but all these characters were just so frustrating to me. The ending was so rushed and I can't comprehend for the life of me why January would want to be with Gus fr. I wouldn't be surprised if Gus cheated on her 10 years later and was like "I told you I was messed up, I'm so sorry you don't have to forgive me." The grief in this story was good but what got me was the rationalizing the cheating for me. The writing DRAGGED ON AND ON.
It was slow with so many LONG and boring beats. Maybe I'm too young (17 almost 18) to be reading about these people's cheating and still being married while fucking someone else. Maybe I could come back to this when I'm 30 and understand what their talking about. IDK. Lowkey feel like I should have DNFd this but it taught me that people are complicated and carry baggage and can still be loved. Doesn't make the writing any less boring, the side characters any less plain/boring or the entire plot any less boring either. Boring boring boring. The whole thing about their individual stories is so ??? LAME. It barely even made a difference as far as I can tell.
For me...it put me in a reading slump. I was bored. Rushed ending. Glad to be done with this. Sorry.
This is for people who want something sad and loves complicated characters that are "messed up." If you're also okay with characters rationalizing cheating on someone while they have cancer then this is for you. This is complicated and deep I guess but all these characters were just so frustrating to me. The ending was so rushed and I can't comprehend for the life of me why January would want to be with Gus fr. I wouldn't be surprised if Gus cheated on her 10 years later and was like "I told you I was messed up, I'm so sorry you don't have to forgive me." The grief in this story was good but what got me was the rationalizing the cheating for me. The writing DRAGGED ON AND ON.
It was slow with so many LONG and boring beats. Maybe I'm too young (17 almost 18) to be reading about these people's cheating and still being married while fucking someone else. Maybe I could come back to this when I'm 30 and understand what their talking about. IDK. Lowkey feel like I should have DNFd this but it taught me that people are complicated and carry baggage and can still be loved. Doesn't make the writing any less boring, the side characters any less plain/boring or the entire plot any less boring either. Boring boring boring. The whole thing about their individual stories is so ??? LAME. It barely even made a difference as far as I can tell.
For me...it put me in a reading slump. I was bored. Rushed ending. Glad to be done with this. Sorry.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity
unmistakablyphoenix's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Well written, great chemistry, satisfying story with more depth than expected. Some parts, I was just waiting to get to the next interesting scene, but I was gripped by the story and finished this book in less than 5 days.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Minor: Child abuse
drellejay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.0
IMHO - unnecessarily detailed sexual content - I didn't expect to encounter this and found it gratuitous. Moving father- daughter relationship, female friendship, forgiveness, reflections on world views and creativity. I felt conflicted that I wanted J and G to end up together, even though January:Naomi as Sonia: January
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Terminal illness and Death of parent
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
saskiahill's review
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Death, Terminal illness, Infidelity, Grief, Death of parent, and Cancer
leannanecdote's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Sexual content, Mental illness, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Cancer, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Suicide
anafora159's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Terminal illness and Cancer
cherryfreckle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Cursing, Cancer, Death, Sexual content, Infidelity, Alcoholism, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Torture, Child death, and Fire/Fire injury
azileotulp's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
4.5
I had to read this book in sections as an assignment for my class, and I can't emphasize how difficult that was when I always wanted to read more. I loved January and Gus, and I'm always a sucker for the "love interest has been hopelessly in love with main character for years while said main character actively dislikes them" trope. One thing I found incredibly frustrating was Gus' marriage. I don't necessarily hate that he was married, as he was technically separated, but the way that he confesses to January that he thought about going back to his wife while he was telling January that he actually chose her?? Why was he messing with my girl's emotions like that. Overall, I was a huge fan, and I felt like this was one of the few books I've read that didn't feel rushed in the end, and everything I wanted to know more about was wrapped up. (Although, I have to admit that I was kind of hoping for a little January and Naomi confrontation, but I can live without it.) I really can't recommend this book enough. It's such a relaxing read that always seems to be moving forward but still doesn't move too fast.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Cancer, Cursing, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
Minor: Child abuse and Alcohol
alexiconic's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
It was a fun, wholesome read and there was a lot that I loved: Gus and January's chemistry, the premise (I was in the same predicament of writing on a deadline), two very different people trying to write as though they are different... it was a great way to have the characters spend time together and to make "enemies" or rivals to lovers work.
But...
The ending was too rushed: In the second half of the book, the problems felt way too serious for such a fast resolution! I didn't always enjoy January's character (a personal peeve) or the miscommunications between Gus and January, although those were often, blessedly, quickly resolved.
also, sleeping and sexing in a tent next to a burnt out cult home? are we supposed to think this is hot??
But...
The ending was too rushed: In the second half of the book, the problems felt way too serious for such a fast resolution! I didn't always enjoy January's character (a personal peeve) or the miscommunications between Gus and January, although those were often, blessedly, quickly resolved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Child abuse, Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, Cancer, Physical abuse, Car accident, and Violence