Scan barcode
thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
With each of her last three books, she makes the romantic tropes of “coincidence” fresh and fun. I would say so especially in this one, as it touches on nearly every cliche or archetype, but in a way that feels like it’s never been done before. Idk if that makes sense but she does, so just trust me.
Nora (loved the Ephron reference here!), our very accomplished MC with a heart for others above her own. I really related to her sense of needing control and feeling lonely, but also her increased longing for fulfilling daydreams and giving in to love.
And of course, our leading man Charlie Lastra, ladies and gentleman, is everything. The thoughtful sweetness hidden behind the intimidating, often-pouty exterior.
Their quick fire, intelligent banter kept me laughing the entire story through. The carefully crafted flirtatious insults. All of the tropes, but somehow still the exact right amount of trope, the precise dash of small town magic. This book is SMART, okay.
Nora and Charlie are the type of enemies-to-lovers you don’t find yourself rolling your eyes over, like not even once—they are remarkably real, sweet and sour. They’re not so over the top in their hatred that it definitely feels like the trope is the single reason for the continuation of the story. In this book, the trope more serves as a cheeky reminder that white hot tension and true fate are excellent anecdotes to Two Adults Who Are Meticulously Stubborn and Deliciously Compatible. The story is about the characters and their interactions, not just moving from point A to the inevitable point B. Sure, that does happen, but it’s not what you focus on the entire time. You’re drawn to all of the many points between. There is such a natural softening of the bristly edges, a gradual turn from enemies into lovers; it doesn’t feel rushed or forced at all, which I find happens in a lot of novels of the genre. The pacing for this one is just right.
In simpler terms, I loved this book. To Emily Henry, I say: I love your brain.
ALSOOOOO the January Andrews (from Beach Read) shout-out!!!! Little Easter eggs like that make me so, so happy.
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Abandonment, and Alcohol
kb_sherman'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: Cursing, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Drug use and Vomit
bash5617'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
4.5
Graphic: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
nebraskanwriter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved this book, it was so realistic. In the ways it tackles Nora and Charlie’s budding romance (SWOON), Nora’s relationship with her younger sister, Libby, how Emily Henry brings up past trauma Nora has had to endure after the death of her mother.
I related to this book so much, saw so much of myself in Nora and why she was making the decisions she was making. Charlie was a dream, my fave Emily Henry love interest for sure. Him and Nora both just felt so relatable, so real and raw. And they were honest with each other, they communicated which I really appreciated. Relationships and communicating is hard sometimes, it’s messy and Henry does a great job of showcasing that in this book. Their courtship isn’t swoon-y, it felt very natural. And I loved every moment of it, every bit of banter and angst. Loved this book so much, definitely my favorite Emily Henry book to date for sure!
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
jillkaarlela'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
(4.75⭐️) by far my favorite Emily Henry Book. Screaming, crying, throwing up. I did not think I would like this book as much as I did but danggggg. It deserves the hype. I quite literally could not put this book down. The banter is unmatched, and the tension and love gives me so many warm fuzzy feelings. This was not only SO ROMANTIC and so funny, but it also had a lot of depth and exploration and personal emotional of Nora’s character and her being stereotyped as a cold person when that’s not who she wants to be. As well as dealing with the residual trauma and grief of her mother’s passing. I loved seeing Nora’s and Charlie’s character arcs throughout the story. It was all around so well done. I loved the concept of what happens to the high powered career oriented women or men in romance novels who are left by the main character when they visit a small town and fall in love. I thought it was such a good juxtaposition to traditional romcoms. And the intertwining the book themed and the author’s (Dusty) book within was so good, and had me screaming crying and throwing up. Charlie and Nora will make you smile and blush like crazy. Coming from someone who doesn’t like romcoms very much as many are boring and one dimensional/predictable, this book is the exact opposite of that, it’s so good.
Age rating: 15+ (a few brief spicy scenes 1/5🌶️)
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Grief
I would say this is 16+. There are some steamy scenes.arthur_ant18'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
lazybooklover'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: Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Medical content, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol
jessgreads'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
5.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
laurendenton'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Medical content, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Miscarriage and Stalking