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ndmngz'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
Quan and Anna were an amazing match of characters as love interests. The love that grew between them was a bit fast, but it didn't feel like unrealistic insta-love, it more so felt like two people who understood each other and fit right together finding each other at the right time. I wish I got more development of Quan's backstory, but it was certainly a plot focused on Anna's struggles. Quan wasn't a flat character by any means though (I just loved him and wanted more), he stood firm and fought for his relationship with Anna and understood his place as a new partner in her family struggles, but still advocated for himself when things were pushed too far.
I will say, this is not the rom-com it appears to be. Though the other books in the series tackle serious and emotional topics in parallel with the romance, this book is even more of a heavy hitter. Huang tackles a lot of topics that are reflective of her own experiences, more so than any other of the books she's written (according to her Author's Note), and because of this the writing is even more poignant, intentional, and impactful. It was more of a contemporary fiction with a subplot of romance, and though it wasn't what I expected, I truly loved it and was moved to tears at the end. Huang beautifully articulates the painful struggle of being poorly treated and regarded by family, while still loving them and feeling the need to adhere to family obligations. As well as a very rough and real portrayal of mental health, grappling with diagnoses and adjusting your world view as an adult, and how family fits into that picture.
Please note some trigger warnings include emotional abuse from family members, familial illness and death, caregiver burnout, and suicidal ideation.
Moderate: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Death of parent
saskiahill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gaslighting and Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Minor: Car accident
gartimar'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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Cancer
Minor: Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
kelsimitchell'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? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Gaslighting and Emotional abuse
emlefe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
The rom-com aspect was not as present as in the first two books but it didn’t botter me because you could feel Anna and Quan’s love, their passion and their connection.
I wish I had read the trigger warning before but that is 100% my fault. I still really enjoyed this book and I recommend it to everyone - but please read the TW before.
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Gaslighting, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Terminal illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Cancer
angelfireeast24's review against another edition
Graphic: Bullying, Classism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Sexual content, Ableism, Misogyny, and Sexism
teatunesandtales'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
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Cancer, Classism, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
Trigger Warnings: Caretaker burnout, Autistic burnout.ninebookishlives's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Medical content
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Gaslighting
onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
Graphic: Medical content, Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Infertility, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
xandriaisreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
While her actions can be frustrating, they're understandable. Masking to the point that you lose yourself and sense of control. To get so low to the point she got before she really started to make a change, my heart ached for her. Especially during the conversations with her sister.
I really enjoyed this book just as I have the others. I wish we got to see more interactions with the previous main characters. To have Anna and Stella interact and have someone who more closely understands her struggle would've been interesting to read.
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Ableism, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death of parent and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Infertility