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bookanonjeff's review against another edition
5.0
Standing Outside The Fire. Ok, so possibly *too* on point or perhaps even a little cliche with the title of the review there, since Talley explicitly brings that song in late in the book with one character explaining to another that this is exactly what has been happening. But I *love* that song, it is easily one of my all-time favorites. :)
Anyway, on the book itself: Very fun, but also very deep. The two main characters - Olivia and Chase - are dealing with similar events in their worlds, neither of them realizing at first just how similar they are even if their perspectives on the events in question are very different. Along the way, many, many hijinx are had, including one very scared and borderline feral kitty cat. It is hard to note a particular trigger warning that is relevant enough to probably mention (even though I am not a fan of the practice generally, it is that significant here - though off screen, discussed by the characters as past events). So I'll note that it ties into #MeToo and leave it at that. Truly a very balanced book about taking control of your own life and being open to possibilities that don't seem obvious at first, and a very fun read. Very much recommended.
Anyway, on the book itself: Very fun, but also very deep. The two main characters - Olivia and Chase - are dealing with similar events in their worlds, neither of them realizing at first just how similar they are even if their perspectives on the events in question are very different. Along the way, many, many hijinx are had, including one very scared and borderline feral kitty cat. It is hard to note a particular trigger warning that is relevant enough to probably mention (even though I am not a fan of the practice generally, it is that significant here - though off screen, discussed by the characters as past events). So I'll note that it ties into #MeToo and leave it at that. Truly a very balanced book about taking control of your own life and being open to possibilities that don't seem obvious at first, and a very fun read. Very much recommended.
jessreads82's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 ⭐️
An easy to read/listen to book that dealt with some serious issues about sexual assault and drug addiction. The characters seemed very real with their flaws and the things they were dealing with. I really enjoyed the beginning and middle, but the ending seemed a bit rushed.
An easy to read/listen to book that dealt with some serious issues about sexual assault and drug addiction. The characters seemed very real with their flaws and the things they were dealing with. I really enjoyed the beginning and middle, but the ending seemed a bit rushed.
sharondblk's review against another edition
1.0
I got 40 percent through and could not go on. The writing was odd, the heavy hints about Olivia's sister were repetitive and Chase was completely useless. I get she was a child star, but she couldn't do anything and didn't know anything. Olivia is either a life coach or a therapist, it's never made clear what. Does that make it a good (or professional) idea to take her client to her holiday house and fix up the house together?
What made me say I can't read this was a scene in a supermarket, where Chase has 250 dollars and a shopping list. that's a lot of shopping, but she goes over the amount, freaks out and leaves without the groceries. Her "life coach" then goes and takes a picture of the manager and threatens to put it on Instagram because he was "bullying" Chase. So that's apparently how you adult. No thanks.
What made me say I can't read this was a scene in a supermarket, where Chase has 250 dollars and a shopping list. that's a lot of shopping, but she goes over the amount, freaks out and leaves without the groceries. Her "life coach" then goes and takes a picture of the manager and threatens to put it on Instagram because he was "bullying" Chase. So that's apparently how you adult. No thanks.
sarahmarie094's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
3.5
kkayleen's review against another edition
4.0
i’m gonna give this book a strong 3.5 stars. it feels like the first actual “romance” book i’ve ever read without something dark & omnibus in the forefront tho there is that whole dead-sister-overdose theme even present here. i’m not super well versed in the throes of romance but MAN i was super attracted to the idea of zeke and who doesn’t love a full character transformation?
quick, easy, painless read, it feels like a good start into the world of romance books.
quick, easy, painless read, it feels like a good start into the world of romance books.
dcpisces's review against another edition
4.0
This is the perfect under-umbrella beach book. Not too hard to figure out what’s coming but it’s an easy read and I was rooting for the characters to come out on the winning side.
bjnyhus's review against another edition
4.0
I read this as a "break" from some heavier topics. It was not the break I thought it would be. There are really heavy themes and lots of trauma in this book. Even though it wasn't what I expected, I still loved it.
pinkpengin's review against another edition
5.0
I’m coming up on the end of two weeks of mental health leave and have been spending a lot of time thinking about what I really want. This book was a great (and surprising) push toward answering that for me, not based on what I think other people want or need from me. Semi-spoiler alert: I don’t think most people ever get to figure that out as clearly as Chase and Olivia do in this book, but that’s why I like fiction. It gives me something to hope for.