Reviews

Avevi detto che era per sempre by Trish Doller, Trish Doller

emhinton's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

5/5

Synopsis:

It's been almost a year since Anna's fiancé, Ben, died by suicide. She wakes one morning to realize it's the day they'd set to sail from Florida to Trinidad. On a whim, Anna leaves her life and family behind to follow through with Ben's careful planning. With her inexperience sailing solo, she quickly realizes that she needs help and hires Keane, an Irish sailor who is dealing with his own grief. 

Review:

I'd been in a huge reading slump when I picked up this book at the recommendation of a coworker, whose recommendations I will ALWAYS take now. I was immediately hooked by Anna's tenacity, the beautiful descriptions of sailing, and the representation of raw grief. I was a little wary at first that this would feel too melodramatic, but it absolutely wasn't. 

I have been dealing with my own (completely unrelated) grief, and this book helped pull me out of a slump I'd been in for about a month. Reading how Anna moved through her phases of grief after Ben's death, and how Keane dealt with the loss of his leg and livelihood, helped me come to terms with my own ups and downs. 

I don't want to dwell too much on the grief aspect of this book; it is a romance after all! And the romance was just so lovely. It's definitely a slow burn and the spice isn't super spicy (I'd give it 3/5 on the spicy pepper scale), but it's sooo well done. I generally don't like when the characters in a romance continue to put off expressing their feelings for one another, but I thought it worked here. Anna obviously didn't want to disrespect her relationship with Ben, and Keane was respectful enough of Anna to give her space while still making it clear that he was present and interested. 

Now, I don't want to include spoilers for the ending, but I'd be remiss not mention one of my favorite sections of the book. If you're familiar with romance in general, you're also familiar with the common third act plot point. I generally don't enjoy books that use this trope, but it worked extremely well here. I loved reading how Anna discovered more of herself and her ability to persevere. She turned out to be kind of a badass! 

I won't say the book exceeded my expectations, considering I went in blind and barely knowing of the book's existence. But it certainly set my expectations for future contemporary romances, especially ones dealing with heavy subjects like loss and grief. 

kimmyhch's review against another edition

4.0

Such a cute book! I wasn't a fan of the religious part, and the grieving part wasn't relatable to me but overall it was wholesome. The ending was GREAT.

jmmoran's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

erikaburns34's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

• 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

4.0

maroreads's review against another edition

Meh story but great concept

elizabeth_its_liz_reading's review against another edition

2.0

A shell of a book — needs additional plot and character development. Did not like the religious overtones combined with the insensitivity toward suicide.

roeckitcody's review against another edition

Holy moly this book is a hug, a comforting portrayal of grief and an emotional and physical journey that really changes who you are. I really loved this.

hammock_and_read's review against another edition

5.0

This book was sad but happy not the typical rom-com or what you might get from the cover. I listened to this via audiobook and just loved the narrator. I already have wanted to sail and sail around the world and this gave me major wanderlust for that. I enjoyed how they both grew emotionally- waited for the right time.





4.5 stars
3.5 steam

TW: suicide

marybethvingi's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

bee_kay25's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0