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foldingthepage_kayleigh's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
This was a sweet, slow burn and closed door romance, intertwined with a deep focus on mental health that makes you feel connected and invested in the characters. It was also FUNNY! There were so many points where I laughed out loud, facepalmed, or cringed on Everly’s behalf. A fun and lighthearted book to close out your summer reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol and Infidelity
kfmcf's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I'm really not sure what this book wanted. Did it want to deep dive into marriage issues? Did it want to explore different facets of anxiety? Did it want to be a romance? It was so muddled trying to decide what it wanted that everything fell short.
I wish it that it had been more character focused - not just on the leads. The main plot was about this "Bachelorette" style radio dating show and it honestly felt like it didn't matter. Plus, Everly (FL) had no other real character depth besides her anxiety. As someone with anxiety and panic attacks, if that was what I was boiled down to in a book I would be disappointed. Also Chris (ML) seemed to have 0 flaws except his daddy issues.
There was also an overarching theme of parental issues in this book. Parental issues in a story are fine but the parents in this book were so obnoxious that I genuinely didn't know what I was supposed to think. Obviously Chris' dad was supposed to be awful, but Everly's parents with their weird off and on again separation was bizarre. And they were playing her like a weird middleman and then she *finally* spoked to them about 75% into the book. So so so many things could be solved through communication and while this can be a useful device in stories, I feel it was leaned on too heavily here. I also feel that there were just too many problems. There was no steady flow or climax to the story. It was just a bumpy road.
Honestly, I really wish the story had been about Stacey. Her conflict of being afraid of love and relying on dating to feel validated was far more endearing and then her finally having the confidence to take a dive on something more "real" was immensely more interesting.
Overall, I never was able to truly escape into this book. I think another edit and polish and trim could have aided it but really I think it mostly just needed to find a more solid footing.
I wish it that it had been more character focused - not just on the leads. The main plot was about this "Bachelorette" style radio dating show and it honestly felt like it didn't matter. Plus, Everly (FL) had no other real character depth besides her anxiety. As someone with anxiety and panic attacks, if that was what I was boiled down to in a book I would be disappointed. Also Chris (ML) seemed to have 0 flaws except his daddy issues.
There was also an overarching theme of parental issues in this book. Parental issues in a story are fine but the parents in this book were so obnoxious that I genuinely didn't know what I was supposed to think. Obviously Chris' dad was supposed to be awful, but Everly's parents with their weird off and on again separation was bizarre. And they were playing her like a weird middleman and then she *finally* spoked to them about 75% into the book. So so so many things could be solved through communication and while this can be a useful device in stories, I feel it was leaned on too heavily here. I also feel that there were just too many problems. There was no steady flow or climax to the story. It was just a bumpy road.
Honestly, I really wish the story had been about Stacey. Her conflict of being afraid of love and relying on dating to feel validated was far more endearing and then her finally having the confidence to take a dive on something more "real" was immensely more interesting.
Overall, I never was able to truly escape into this book. I think another edit and polish and trim could have aided it but really I think it mostly just needed to find a more solid footing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol and Cursing
decklededgess's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
trigger warnings: anxiety and panic attacks, harassment, infidelity, alcohol, emotionally immature parents
No listen this had a really promising premise?? I love a Bachelor franchise spoof and the promise of a main character with anxiety?? Sounds like a dream. But dude this was so fucking bland!!!
Chris was an utter dweeb, what's her face the MC was utterly uninspired. The best friend was more a stick in the mud than helpful or inspiring, and a lot of the times came off as toxic and lowkey a bully.
It felt like the main character was just getting pushed around all over the place by her friends, by her job, by her parents, by Chris, and she just seemed to take it all as a criticism of her anxiety and that her feelings were irrelevant. And there was no resolution on that front. No one was called out for being utterly shitty to her and it was all a "hey don't let your anxiety get the best of you" as if feelings are completely invalid due to diagnosed anxiety and panic disorders. Eugh.
And to top it all off, no smut? bruh. Miss me with that.
No listen this had a really promising premise?? I love a Bachelor franchise spoof and the promise of a main character with anxiety?? Sounds like a dream. But dude this was so fucking bland!!!
Chris was an utter dweeb, what's her face the MC was utterly uninspired. The best friend was more a stick in the mud than helpful or inspiring, and a lot of the times came off as toxic and lowkey a bully.
It felt like the main character was just getting pushed around all over the place by her friends, by her job, by her parents, by Chris, and she just seemed to take it all as a criticism of her anxiety and that her feelings were irrelevant. And there was no resolution on that front. No one was called out for being utterly shitty to her and it was all a "hey don't let your anxiety get the best of you" as if feelings are completely invalid due to diagnosed anxiety and panic disorders. Eugh.
And to top it all off, no smut? bruh. Miss me with that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Infidelity, and Alcohol
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