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michelles_books9's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Dementia
Moderate: Car accident, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail
jg34's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
I most definitely judged this book by its cover. I had heard of Mhairi McFarlane and based on the context and later seeing she has written many books all with cartoon covers, I came to the conclusion that she must write mindless lighthearted romance books. That is what I was in the mood for when I picked this book out but I got way more than I bargained for!
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Dementia
Moderate: Child abuse and Car accident
Minor: Infidelity and Panic attacks/disorders
bluereads99's review against another edition
too much to deal with rn i cannot but i love this author so much mahbe in like a decade or two ill read it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
rachbreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
4.25
But no one wants to hear that your chance at happiness is time-sensitive. There’s very little interest in handling the truth that, sometimes, the diem is no longer the right one to be carped.
This book was a perfect blend of heartache and laugh-out-loud, I really really loved it. It was my first Mhairi McFarlane - I picked this one up because I've been impatiently waiting for a new Emily Henry or Abby Jimenez book and this was recommended as a comp. It's a great comp for both of those authors - really beautiful romance, but serious issues to work through as well. Eve is a great protagonist and I was really rooting for her and *some* of her friends...cough...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Minor: Child abuse
skylover's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
This book had me laughing aloud, snapping my fingers in agreement, audibly gasping, and highlighting or underlining takeaway quotes. I went into this with an idea of what to expect, and was pleasantly surprised this book had much deeper themes to it than what can be assumed at first glance. Justin was my favorite character, I could always count on him for a laugh. I loved Eve's character development and her standing up for herself when the moment she dreamed of finally happened - Ed saying he loved her - and instead of reciprocating, she called him out on his behavior!! thought this book was a good balance of humor alongside grief, and vice versa. I knocked it .50 cause I felt the references to different movies and pop culture were too much at times and didn't make sense since no one was a media critic or in the media world for that matter to know all those things, and the last 50 pages felt rushed yet the ending was drawn out, if that makes sense. Otherwise, I think this book is a keeper and would read again or recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
Minor: Death of parent
closed romance, grief, old friends, UKkarolinaz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Physical abuse, Dementia, Car accident, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Death
slefebvre95's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Car accident
Moderate: Grief
katerina_l's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Dementia and Child abuse
gaby_readsss's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this book 💛
I randomly picked this book from my library the other day, and honestly didn’t expect to love it as much as I did.
This book was so good! The story took so many twists and turns and I obviously love when a book surprises me.
I kept guessing and theorizing about what was happening the entire time, and each time I was wrong. I needed to keep turning the pages to find out how everything was going to end.
I absolutely love Eve and the love interest also has my heart. 🥹 He’s the best!!! 😫
This is not a typical romance novel in the sense that it isn’t all about a couple getting together. No, this book is so much deeper than that. It depicts grief in such a raw and realistic way that made me feel seen. It talks about friendships, love, and letting go of the past. And so much more.
One of my favorite reads this year for sure. ❤️🩹
I randomly picked this book from my library the other day, and honestly didn’t expect to love it as much as I did.
This book was so good! The story took so many twists and turns and I obviously love when a book surprises me.
I kept guessing and theorizing about what was happening the entire time, and each time I was wrong. I needed to keep turning the pages to find out how everything was going to end.
I absolutely love Eve and the love interest also has my heart. 🥹 He’s the best!!! 😫
This is not a typical romance novel in the sense that it isn’t all about a couple getting together. No, this book is so much deeper than that. It depicts grief in such a raw and realistic way that made me feel seen. It talks about friendships, love, and letting go of the past. And so much more.
One of my favorite reads this year for sure. ❤️🩹
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent