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jrae_miller's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Gun violence and Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, and War
claracavanaugh's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Cursing, Confinement, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Gun violence, Body shaming, War, Medical content, and Colonisation
Minor: Colonisation and Car accident
booknerderika's review
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
There was so much representation in this book (Plus-size, LGBTQ+, mental health/trauma, etc) and tropes that I normally don't like but actually enjoyed here (2nd chance romance, single parent romance, "good boy" smut).
Lola is a plus-sized bisexual activist who stands firm in her beliefs and loves everyone so fiercely. Then there is Saint, the caring father and military veteran who feels it's his duty to protect everyone while neglecting his own struggles with
I appreciate that this was not a pro-war book and that the topic of how marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by military recruitment out of high school was brought up.
Saint wasn't a favorite character for me in the first book, but I have gained a new view of him and want nothing but the best for him.
I am curious to see how things are going to work out for the next couple. Especially with the drama from book 1. I am very much looking forward to book 3.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Biphobia, Gun violence, Sexual content, Body shaming, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Fatphobia
Minor: Car accident
kbairbooks's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, Grief, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Medical content, and Police brutality
sincerelykayladawn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I fell instantly in love with Saint and Rosie. The Vega Family has my whole heart.
I didnt give it 5 stars because there were several spelling & grammatical errors that probably shouldn't have made it through editing. There were a couple times the story moved forward in a way that felt abrupt, almost like a whole chapter was missing and I had to go back & make sure I didnt miss something. And there was at least one storyline i was anticipating seeing through, and that was left unresolved. (though, this is a series so maybe the next book will show that resolution).
Despite all that, I loved this book and will without a doubt read every other book the author gives us about this family of characters.
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death of parent
cover2covertx's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
For all of these reasons, this book is definitely a five star read for me. The book has a slow start, building on the characters and their pasts and especially fleshing out the side characters from the previous story as well; giving them even more of a backstory AND setting up the perfect scenarios for future books. :)
There's fantastic representation of diverse characters including Latinx families from different backgrounds, a bi-sexual female main character who is also plus-size, and a variety of different family dynamics (single dad, grandparents raising grandkids, etc.)
Book Tropes: slow burn, childhood friends, friends to lovers, second chance romance, forced proximity (related to business)
Graphic: Abandonment, Cursing, Gun violence, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Racism, Classism, Death, and Xenophobia
Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, Police brutality, War, and Fatphobia
stephbeaudoin20's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is the second book in a series, but you can definitely read it as a standalone. If you read it on its own, you'll be in the same place as the main character Lola. 😊
Things I am here for:
Lola is a fat woman who loves her body and doesn't dress to hide it 🔥
Diverse main characters: Lola is Puerto Rican and Mexican and Saint is Puerto Rican
Bisexual representation! Lola is bisexual and Saint immediately accepts her sexuality when they are in high school
Lola is an absolute badass, taking on systems and fighting the man
Saint is the absolute best single dad. Doing Rosie's hair and her edges 🥰
Saint listens to others, apologizes when he is wrong, and goes to therapy! No shame in getting help!
Rosie is the perfect addition to the story. I love her so much.
Lola chooses not to have kids. And that is OK. It's also OK for her to fall in love with Rosie and make a family.
This is the second Natalie Caña book I've read. The third act break up happens because of major character flaws with both main characters. They wrestle with these flaws and how to be a better partner. I'm not a fan of the third act breakup, but at least it's for the characters to grow instead of something ridiculous like miscommunication.
This is an arc, and I'm not supposed to quote it. Know that there are so many highlights on my copy. So many good things!
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Biphobia, Body shaming, Child abuse, Classism, Colonisation, and Cursing
Minor: Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, War, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Drug use