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pagesof_autumn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
dani3lla_j's review against another edition
3.0
This is better than the first two in terms of the pacing and the characters. Anna has always been the talented child and the can't break the rule girly. Her boyfriend just said that they should have an open relationship before 'locking it in'. Quan is tattooed and a biker, he is a recovering cancer survivor and that cost him his confidence in dating. Anna wanted to go date after being provoked by her boyfriend while Quan needed to date after losing his confidence. They met on an online dating app and hit it off on animal documentaries on netflix. The pacing in this book is better than the first two book just because they didn't have sex until more than 50% and they actually had dates.
theshapeshifterreader's review against another edition
4.0
I love the character development! At first I disliked Anna for the way her negative mindset works but I also feel empathy for her especially on the times where she couldn’t say no and wasn’t able to speak up for herself. She reminds me of myself. I love how she improved herself realistically and slowly. Anna and Quan’s characters are so real, I can’t help but ent their relationship on the “after” part of the chapters. I wish I could find myself a man like Quan. A big thumbs up to this series, I enjoyed it. I hope there’s more works by Helen Hoang. Loved it.
books_with_joanne's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
thea's review against another edition
3.0
3.2 stars! not what i expected, but i still admire and appreciate the various themes throughout this book. a raw read with romance, but also about family and the heavy pressures of expectations that suffocate you. even though this is a romance novel, this was also a powerful journey of growth for both of the leads.
dannywithaygreenlikethecolor's review against another edition
5.0
In the author’s note: “To date, it’s the most “me” book I’ve written.”
To date this is my favorite book in the series not just because it felt so personal but because it’s the most “me” as well. I laughed OUT LOUD, and cried silently because as much as don’t want to listen or acknowledge others opinions. It’s frankly suffocating when you are your own enemy and those voices dictate everything you forget to be you. This book reminded me of that and the importance not just EXISTING BUT LIVING. I also feel like Quan was the star of this book as much as the protagonist which I didn’t feel that resonated in the previous installments. This is one of my ultimates favorite and I will happily recommend this series to others and keep in mind I am NOT Roman e or contemporary person I prefer fantasy, this year I wanted give other genres a chance and I feel like it is worth it.
To date this is my favorite book in the series not just because it felt so personal but because it’s the most “me” as well. I laughed OUT LOUD, and cried silently because as much as don’t want to listen or acknowledge others opinions. It’s frankly suffocating when you are your own enemy and those voices dictate everything you forget to be you. This book reminded me of that and the importance not just EXISTING BUT LIVING. I also feel like Quan was the star of this book as much as the protagonist which I didn’t feel that resonated in the previous installments. This is one of my ultimates favorite and I will happily recommend this series to others and keep in mind I am NOT Roman e or contemporary person I prefer fantasy, this year I wanted give other genres a chance and I feel like it is worth it.
bklassen's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
This was more of a sad book than a sexy book, which is ok! The book can be that and still be good! This is more of a heads up for readers because you may go into a book expecting one thing and receive another.
I love Kwan and was hoping his story would get more fleshed out, but still, it was nice to get an in-depth character study of Anna, essentially.
There’s a lot to unpack, between familial and cultural expectations, high standards of perfection, people pleasing, burnout, late age neurodivergence diagnoses, dating, and more. I really felt for Anna and was pleased to see that she messed up and had to repair the relationship, which feels more real and balanced than men always groveling (nothing wrong with the trope, but I do love subversion of tropes, or character decisions that feel real and less contrived).
Like I said, there is much less sex or even sexy times in this book than in the Kiss Quotient because the book focuses more on Anna’s acceptance of herself and growth, as well as the fraught relationship she has with her mother and sister, and her guilt and conflicting feelings regarding her grandpa.
I love Kwan and was hoping his story would get more fleshed out, but still, it was nice to get an in-depth character study of Anna, essentially.
There’s a lot to unpack, between familial and cultural expectations, high standards of perfection, people pleasing, burnout, late age neurodivergence diagnoses, dating, and more. I really felt for Anna and was pleased to see that she messed up and had to repair the relationship, which feels more real and balanced than men always groveling (nothing wrong with the trope, but I do love subversion of tropes, or character decisions that feel real and less contrived).
Like I said, there is much less sex or even sexy times in this book than in the Kiss Quotient because the book focuses more on Anna’s acceptance of herself and growth, as well as the fraught relationship she has with her mother and sister, and her guilt and conflicting feelings regarding her grandpa.