Scan barcode
helium'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? No
3.75
I really enjoyed this one compared to the first one because I find the characters much more fleshed out in this book. There are also multiple references to the previous book and I think this second book tied the whole story together in a beautiful way. Everyone we meet has a relationship with another character and I really enjoyed reading about all their entanglements.
Unlike the first book, I found this one much more endearing with stories that center around regret. This common theme made this book far more coherent and feel much more polished than the previous book. And so, as someone who has read both of them in the correct order, I do suggest following the timeline and not skipping ahead because, otherwise, I think reading the second book first will create confusion and take out from the experience.
The stories are heartwarming and very happy, so happy endings are to be expected. Even so, I felt like the message was a little cheesy at times, but you know what? This is a happy book, so no real complaints here.
This is what I expected from the first book, but at least this second one delivered. I thoroughly enjoyed this quick read and was glad to realize that the shortcomings of the first one were fixed in this one.
Minor: Suicide
allweseeorseem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
Minor: Pregnancy and Suicide
alice_nunes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
Minor: Suicide
ceils'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
4.0
Graphic: Grief
Minor: Suicide and Blood
princessfabulous's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
lsbonnie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death, and Death of parent
sarahlizzie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Murder, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Death
ohbookisme'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? Yes
4.5
“I have lived my life unable to tell the truth for risk of losing my own happiness.”
My thoughts:
I was rather skeptical about how this would follow the first book, but learning more about Kazu and how she reacts to certain situation was rewarding in so many ways. There was such an in-depth development of personal expression and feelings that could be quite triggering for some readers as much of this volume explores grief and depression in a graphic way. I definitely felt that I was an observer to these characters, not in an intrusive way, but they were welcoming and seemed aware of the reader in a very interesting way.
I still loved the short story format that this book continued from the first volume, it felt as though we were glimpsing into these characters lives. Albeit brief, but entirely sincere.
“‘If you can’t change anything, why would anyone want to go back?’ Yet he was now standing at the front door of the cafe thinking, ‘Even so, I want to go back.’”
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
josephmarklong's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Blood and Suicide
poppyinpages's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Miscarriage, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts