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emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I almost put this at a 3.75 because I felt like the ending was completely rushed and I could’ve done without the elongated romance chapters. I love the retelling and exposition of Margaret’s story and I really wish this was only about that portion. I need Miss Henry to write a literary fiction or historical fiction because I just know it would be so good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is probably Emily Henry's least romance filled book yet. That’s not to say it isn’t a good book, but the romance did feel as though it were the B plot in this one. I found the structure of the book, including the dual timelines through story telling to be interesting. I thought the plot involving Margaret was compelling as the reader (just like Alice) was trying to piece together her story and what she was hiding. At times the romance felt a little insta-love like because we did not see the interaction between the two characters as much. It was challenging to really buy into Alice and Hayden as a couple. Despite that they did have moments where you felt the romance growing between them, I wish there was more of them. I would almost describe this book as Daisy Jones and the Six meets The Last Great American Dynasty meets The Lucky One but also make it a workplace romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Car accident, Pregnancy
Minor: Dementia
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Genuinely, I had my doubts about this book being good pretty quickly. The characters and the storytelling didn’t resonate with me and I stayed a little bored for the majority of the book. It did pick up towards the middle and I started to love the characters and get into Margaret’s story. Honestly it was about a 3 star book until about 60-70% and then from then on it was really good. The lead up and ending really saved it for me but it also felt a bit rushed with the two MC’s getting together.
This was a “good” book, it just felt lackluster at times like we really only got deep and personal with Margaret and not the love interests. Which is okay, her story was great. But I needed the romantic connection and more depth and backstory for Alice and Hayden. I know we got quite a bit for him at the end with his family history and any more early on would’ve ruined it but, it definitely felt like it was harder to connect with him throughout the story because of that.
Overall, not my favorite EH but still a great read!
Tropes:
Rivals to Lovers
Writer FMC/MMC
Slow Burn
Insta-Love
Mystery
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Pregnancy
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent
Moderate: Death
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This book isn’t a normal Emily Henry. It’s a pivot from her usual plots but it still has its Emily Henry flare. The banter and romance is still top tier. People are comparing it to Wvelyn Hugo and I just don’t think they’re comparable. Once you start reading GBBL and get into the thick of it, you’ll see what I mean.
The themes in this book have me still in awe a day later. I’ve been reflecting on finishing this book and words still can’t do justice the way it made me feel.
The theme of legacy, and what your families legacy means for you, and how generational trauma matters just as much as generational wealth and privilege.
I lost my dad young so I related to soooo many feelings in this book. It made me want to call my mom and just tell her how much I love her. She knows it and we have a great relationship… but it really makes you think about where you come from. What stories would be told about us? What did my great grandfather do that led to my grandfather being the way he is?
The ending has me sobbing. Knowing WHO the whole book was for??????
The themes in this book have me still in awe a day later. I’ve been reflecting on finishing this book and words still can’t do justice the way it made me feel.
The theme of legacy, and what your families legacy means for you, and how generational trauma matters just as much as generational wealth and privilege.
I lost my dad young so I related to soooo many feelings in this book. It made me want to call my mom and just tell her how much I love her. She knows it and we have a great relationship… but it really makes you think about where you come from. What stories would be told about us? What did my great grandfather do that led to my grandfather being the way he is?
The ending has me sobbing. Knowing WHO the whole book was for??????
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy
Minor: Sexism
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
My least favorite Emily Henry to date. It wasn't terrible, just boring.
The lead couple and their romance was pretty unconvincing and Margaret's story just wasn't interesting to me. The big reveal was predictable and not worth slogging through all this family history for.
The overall vibe was different enough from previous books that I forgot I was reading a Emily Henry novel.
The lead couple and their romance was pretty unconvincing and Margaret's story just wasn't interesting to me. The big reveal was predictable and not worth slogging through all this family history for.
The overall vibe was different enough from previous books that I forgot I was reading a Emily Henry novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Grief
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Dementia, Car accident, Suicide attempt
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, Abandonment
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
While I enjoyed the parallel unfolding stories of Alice-Hayden and Margaret, this is not my favorite EmHen book. I think the parallel stories might’ve split some of the attention, leaving the main couple without as much depth. Captain Cecil forever though!
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent