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hexaflexagon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Moderate: Mental illness
chicprincess03'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Mental illness
savvyrosereads'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
3.5
Hallie drunkenly decides to write a secret admirer letter to her former high school crush Julian when he comes back to town…but their real life attraction may be complicated by their pen and paper romance.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—I love a Tessa Bailey audiobook. They’re fun, they’re silly, they’re cute, they’re spicy, and overall I am generally entertained. This book was no different! I’d go so far as to say it had some truly stellar moments—and I’ll never be over “he’d choose her smile over oxygen.”
That said, I struggle with romances where the primary conflict/obstacle to the relationship is just “they won’t talk about their feelings” and this one is definitely that. The third act breakup was also absolutely ridiculous to me, and frankly unnecessary.
I loved the set up for the next book that we got here, though, and am really looking forward to reading that one soon! Overall, would still recommend this, but there are definitely better TB’s out there as well.
CW: Grief; panic attacks/mental health; fire/wildfire
Graphic: Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
katierosecrane's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Alcohol, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
whatsophreadnext_'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? No
3.25
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death
meroree's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Ableism and Mental illness
abicaro17'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
4.25
Graphic: Mental illness, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Cursing, and Death
onefineelephant's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Alcohol, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Ableism
carefulfearanddeaddevotion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
i also hated the lack of communication. like i get miscommunication is a big trope in romance, but this was a bit much. like?? you're 30 years old, it's very clear you're into each other (especially after the
also, and i've tried to think of a better way to word it, but it's just this: Julian gave me the ick SO often. Just when i was like "heheh cute" he'd be like "the world will end if i dont see an Hallie Smile tm" and i'd need to go rushing to the nearest trash can. nasty. like just so weird. the constant simultaneous infantilization and objectification of Hallie was a bit much. but maybe im the weird one idk.
edit: the secret admirer letters are so marginally relevant to the story that i even forgot to include them in this review. Hallie, as the secret admirer, writes a total of 3 letters. Julian responds once. And im supposed to believe that it's a central part of story? it's not. they got to know each other wayyyyyyyy more in person than they did through the letters. the only purpose they served was the, frankly senseless, final conflict.
ALSO! and this is a small thing but
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Ableism, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism
callidoralblack's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Death, and Grief