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sarahflanders's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Alcohol, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
sunshower12's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
I found the main character annoying and narcissistic. She kept repeating over and over in different iterations the following statements:
1. I'm broke
2. I have no purpose in life or a life in general because I don't have a full time job as a journalist and am only able to get freelancing gigs.
3. I need to ace this article I've been contacted to write so I can get hired on full time and finally have a career. (She's ungrateful for the fact that she actually has two part time jobs because they're not in the field she went to school for.)
4. My mom and I are getting kicked out of our apartment because we can't afford the rent hike and OH NO WHAT WILL WE DO??? She HAS to get this full time writing job so that she and her Mom will have a place to live!!! (Doesn't take into consideration that she and her mother both work and have a great support system so they will definitely not end up homeless. Her mom doesn't seem to be worried about it but the main character constantly freaks out over it.)
Halfway through the book I was like OMG WE GET IT ALREADY. Not only that but every single time she has to make a purchase she has a meltdown because of financial anxiety and it just felt like I was reading her say and do the same things every five minutes.
On the topic of her narcissism- she gets upset every time she doesn't get what she wants, when things don't go her way, and when people aren't fawning all over her. She's also very cringe and thinks she is right about everything... case in point, holding her arms out in a bar anticipating hugs because she thinks people she barely knows are going to be upset that she's leaving a town she's been visiting for less than two weeks.... Then is put out when the people just kind of stare at her. Definite main character syndrome. And what's funny is that she is self aware and understands how she's acting but does nothing to try to change or be a better person. I cant stand her, I couldn't care less that she got her happy ending and her love interest annoyed me as well. I wasn't at all impressed by this book. The only saving grace is that the writing itself wasn't terrible.
1. I'm broke
2. I have no purpose in life or a life in general because I don't have a full time job as a journalist and am only able to get freelancing gigs.
3. I need to ace this article I've been contacted to write so I can get hired on full time and finally have a career. (She's ungrateful for the fact that she actually has two part time jobs because they're not in the field she went to school for.)
4. My mom and I are getting kicked out of our apartment because we can't afford the rent hike and OH NO WHAT WILL WE DO??? She HAS to get this full time writing job so that she and her Mom will have a place to live!!! (Doesn't take into consideration that she and her mother both work and have a great support system so they will definitely not end up homeless. Her mom doesn't seem to be worried about it but the main character constantly freaks out over it.)
Halfway through the book I was like OMG WE GET IT ALREADY. Not only that but every single time she has to make a purchase she has a meltdown because of financial anxiety and it just felt like I was reading her say and do the same things every five minutes.
On the topic of her narcissism- she gets upset every time she doesn't get what she wants, when things don't go her way, and when people aren't fawning all over her. She's also very cringe and thinks she is right about everything... case in point, holding her arms out in a bar anticipating hugs because she thinks people she barely knows are going to be upset that she's leaving a town she's been visiting for less than two weeks.... Then is put out when the people just kind of stare at her. Definite main character syndrome. And what's funny is that she is self aware and understands how she's acting but does nothing to try to change or be a better person. I cant stand her, I couldn't care less that she got her happy ending and her love interest annoyed me as well. I wasn't at all impressed by this book. The only saving grace is that the writing itself wasn't terrible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcoholism
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
disclaimer if you’ve read other reviews by me and are noticing a pattern: You’re correct that I don’t really give starred reviews because I don’t like leaving them. Most often, I will only leave them if I vehemently despised a book. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all.
Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not, regardless if I add stars or not. Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
This started out promising and was sweet and fluffy enough, but I was so frustrated with how the FMC Adiba treated and talked about her love interest’s familial trauma and current family dynamic. I felt Adina’s advice and commentary on his situation were sheltered (which, fair— I get it because we all grow up differently), privileged, and a bit selfish. I understand wanting your partner to stand up for you but I felt the situation was much more nuanced than she was making it out to be.
I enjoyed the trope of a city girl coming to a small town, and the way that Schorr flipped the trope around by having her fall for yet another New Yorker like herself who was just visiting Pleasant Hollows. That was goofy, and indeed a lot of fun to watch unravel. I loved Adina’s best friend (maybe I’d like her book better) & I thought the love interest Finn was smooth & so brazen with his flirting lol.
The steam is fade to black so sexual content is very tame, just to set your expectations! Anyway, this felt like it was paying homage to Gilmore Girls and all the tv romcoms that are set in small towns, but having it be hilariously opposite of what the movies show.
Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not, regardless if I add stars or not. Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
This started out promising and was sweet and fluffy enough, but I was so frustrated with how the FMC Adiba treated and talked about her love interest’s familial trauma and current family dynamic. I felt Adina’s advice and commentary on his situation were sheltered (which, fair— I get it because we all grow up differently), privileged, and a bit selfish. I understand wanting your partner to stand up for you but I felt the situation was much more nuanced than she was making it out to be.
I enjoyed the trope of a city girl coming to a small town, and the way that Schorr flipped the trope around by having her fall for yet another New Yorker like herself who was just visiting Pleasant Hollows. That was goofy, and indeed a lot of fun to watch unravel. I loved Adina’s best friend (maybe I’d like her book better) & I thought the love interest Finn was smooth & so brazen with his flirting lol.
The steam is fade to black so sexual content is very tame, just to set your expectations! Anyway, this felt like it was paying homage to Gilmore Girls and all the tv romcoms that are set in small towns, but having it be hilariously opposite of what the movies show.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Addiction
Minor: Death of parent, Sexism, and Sexual content
liltastypuff's review against another edition
3.25
I enjoyed this book, even if the end did put me off a bit. The characters were for the most part enjoyable. My main issue was the selfishness and immaturity of the third act, it just left me with a bad taste. If the ending had been handled differentially(both or either the beginning or ending of the third act) it would have been a really enjoyable read. Unfortunately all I think about now is how immature and emotionally spoiled she was.
Small Town/Big City
Forced Proximity
Small Town/Big City
Forced Proximity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
jackiepreston's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I wanted to like this book so much, but Adina felt naive and stupid in a bad way, not an endearing way, and Finn felt like a complete nonentity as a love interest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Sexual content
internationalreads's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Addiction, Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content
_sampleedit's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The author ignored the rule of “show don’t tell” to the point that I can barely describe to you any character growth that happened in this story. Disappointing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Addiction
melbell016's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
karina_dreamsinwords's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
This book definitely has Gilmore Girls vibes so I think that makes for a perfect cozy/autumnal read. The mentions of Hart of Dixie was probably my favorite part because I think it’s such an underrated Tv show!
There were some cringey parts when it came to the smut, but that’s probably a personal thing lol.
I didn’t agree with how the FMC handled herself in the romantic conflict towards the end, but that could also just be a personal thing.
Overall this was a sweet little RomCom that I think will appeal to lovers of cheesy Hallmark movies and Happily Ever Afters.
There were some cringey parts when it came to the smut, but that’s probably a personal thing lol.
I didn’t agree with how the FMC handled herself in the romantic conflict towards the end, but that could also just be a personal thing.
Overall this was a sweet little RomCom that I think will appeal to lovers of cheesy Hallmark movies and Happily Ever Afters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism