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michelles_books9's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Dementia
Moderate: Car accident, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail
jg34's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Yes this book ultimately was a romance (very good one at that) but it was much deeper than that. It was a journey of grief and how to navigate life after tragedy and what happens when you learn secrets that change how you see those closest to you. It was poignant and honest. But also very funny!
The main character Eve is what you could call ‘quirky’ but there is a line between unbearably and embarrassingly quirky vs just a bit silly. Eve is the second. Each character in this book had layers and it was so interesting watching everyone interact and learn and grow.
And the romance! So good. I don’t want to give too much away but the way these two character banter and handle each others grief with such grace and brutal honesty was what made me fall in love with this. We love mature adults, no silly miscommunication or anything here. Also no spice! Which I usually prefer an under-seasoned romance myself but idk why I really expected there would be, I guess because I thought this would be more like a Tessa Bailey romance book. It was not do not let the cartoon cover fool you!
I also loved how well everything concluded. There is always room for some ambiguity but I felt every loose end that was important got tied off by the end which is so pleasing. Specifically I really really liked Eve getting to tell another character exactly how she felt after she had been mistreated for years. Maybe it went too well to a point where it was unrealistic but it felt very cathartic to me it’s really refreshing getting to see a character spell out exactly how she feels and for it to be a conversation not a fight. Like I said we are mature adults here!!
Maybe the 5 star rating which I rarely give out is in part due to my admittedly low expectations being blown out of the water, but I stand by it. This was a great book.
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Dementia
Moderate: Child abuse and Car accident
Minor: Infidelity and Panic attacks/disorders
karolinaz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Grief, Physical abuse, Dementia, Car accident, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Death
katerina_l's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Dementia, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Death, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Car accident, Abandonment, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
alouoneill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Dementia and Child abuse
laurenkimoto's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was not prepared for the level of emotional devastation that was going to occur. I was thinking this was going to a somewhat serious but still romance focused book but no shot through the heart.
Overall good characters and good development, but I do feel like the use of one character being a psychologist was a bit trope-y and was just used to make a plot point/revelation.
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Dementia
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Child abuse
lisa_m'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
I did not know what to expect going into it but I couldn't stop once reading. I read it all in one day and cried so so much. It was beautiful and so well written but also so extremely hard hitting.
Mhairi McFarlane is incredible at describing. I felt immidiately immersed in the story and even though I didn't like all the characters and disliked some decisions they made, they all just felt so real. Like real humans with real problems.
I think the best experience you can get reading this book is knowing nothing about it so I don't want to say anything more. This book made me really emotional and it's a story I doubt I will ever forget.
I can't wait to read more books by the author because everything I've read so far was amazing. Definitely one of my favourite authors now!
Graphic: Child abuse, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Dementia, Emotional abuse, Car accident, Death, Grief, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Bullying, Body shaming, and Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Self harm
mmalone'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
4.0
Moderate: Grief, Bullying, Car accident, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
kamuffel's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Grief, Death, Child abuse, Dementia, and Domestic abuse
mbmontgo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Grief, Death, and Dementia
Minor: Physical abuse, Drug use, and Child abuse