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a_ab's review
slow-paced
2.0
This book is a very mixed bag, which summed up to a 'meh' reaction from me.
The story has interesting representation, which was, unfortunately, oversimplified.
I was also bothered by the overbloated writing — the book could easily lose ~100 pages just by tightening the prose and going through basic scene editing.
The plot was way too convenient, and yet, even with those opportunities working in their favor, the characters spent 95% of the book with their heads snuggly lodged up their butts. To the point that my sympathy for them almost completely deteriorated by the end.
Another point of irritation: there is all this posturing about treating women with respect, and yet the main guy is jealousy-prone, possessive and dictatorial towards all women in his life, which is never really confronted or addressed. Apparently, he gets a pass just because he is attractive and the heroine likes him (for some unfathomable reasons — I couldn't come up with any beyond physical appeal, geographical proximity and convenience of shared family history, i.e. out of habit).
The story has interesting representation, which was, unfortunately, oversimplified.
I was also bothered by the overbloated writing — the book could easily lose ~100 pages just by tightening the prose and going through basic scene editing.
The plot was way too convenient, and yet, even with those opportunities working in their favor, the characters spent 95% of the book with their heads snuggly lodged up their butts. To the point that my sympathy for them almost completely deteriorated by the end.
Another point of irritation: there is all this posturing about treating women with respect, and yet the main guy is jealousy-prone, possessive and dictatorial towards all women in his life, which is never really confronted or addressed. Apparently, he gets a pass just because he is attractive and the heroine likes him (for some unfathomable reasons — I couldn't come up with any beyond physical appeal, geographical proximity and convenience of shared family history, i.e. out of habit).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, and Death of parent
gem114's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
The Second First Chance is a slowwww burn romance. Dhillon and Riya have been neighbors since they were five and would have been a simple friends-to-lovers story if not for a tragic fire in their families' shared townhouse that took the lives of Riya's brother and Dhillon's father. Rather than bringing them closer, their grief created a wall between them. Now, 15 years after the fire, they find themselves grappling with the fact that their true feelings for one another never faded despite those walls.
This was a quick, enjoyable read. It was definitely a tear-jerker at times, and I especially loved the descriptions of the sibling relationships.
This was a quick, enjoyable read. It was definitely a tear-jerker at times, and I especially loved the descriptions of the sibling relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny
Moderate: Pregnancy and Car accident
Minor: Vomit
bookwormbullet's review
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
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