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kamrynkoble's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love Emily Henry. She’s an insta-buy author for me. I preordered this book the day it was announced.
It’s really classically her: bookish protagonists, rom com with a heavy dose of childhood trauma and psychological shards of glass, small-town vibes, quirky characters, and witty, unique dialogue and descriptions. If you like Henry, I think you’ll like this.
It was missing just a little bit of sparkle to be a full 5 stars for me. I enjoyed Daphne and Miles, and the premise, but the plot was just a slow-rolling coast. I don’t feel particularly attached to the characters either, and I still don’t understand Miles’s third act *choice.* It was a choice.
I still enjoyed this one and am glad I preordered.
Also, this one is hardly steamy. It’s technically open door, but not graphic at all. The first kiss had me hot and bothered more than anything else. I think this would be fine for a high schooler.
It’s really classically her: bookish protagonists, rom com with a heavy dose of childhood trauma and psychological shards of glass, small-town vibes, quirky characters, and witty, unique dialogue and descriptions. If you like Henry, I think you’ll like this.
It was missing just a little bit of sparkle to be a full 5 stars for me. I enjoyed Daphne and Miles, and the premise, but the plot was just a slow-rolling coast. I don’t feel particularly attached to the characters either, and I still don’t understand Miles’s third act *choice.* It was a choice.
I still enjoyed this one and am glad I preordered.
Also, this one is hardly steamy. It’s technically open door, but not graphic at all. The first kiss had me hot and bothered more than anything else. I think this would be fine for a high schooler.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment, and Drug use
quasinaut's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
There are a lot of aspects of this book that I loved, and some that didn't quite hit for me.
The setting, most of the main and side characters, the conversational banter - both flirty and friendly, not just between Daphne and Miles - the get-to-know-Waning-Bay side quests - all of these were pretty great.
For me, though, it was frustrating that Daphne's choices and reactions were all based on her history with her unreliable father: her distrust of Miles for being charming, her judgement of Ashleigh as unreliable for running late, and so on. I wanted her to recognize sooner that she wasn't really seeing them as individuals, but conflating them with her dad and his behavior, and it harmed her developing relationships with them.
As a librarian, I am so grateful for how libraries were portrayed, both the good (community!), the bad (inappropriate patrons!), and the in-between. But there were still parts that bothered me - why was it totally cool for unattended adults to crash storytime? Why did only like four people work at the library? Why was Daphne planning a fundraiser? Why was it her sole focus for months? Why did Daphne do so much work when she wasn't at work?? Pet peeves of mine, sure.
Despite my complaints, the wonderful characters and humor and descriptions made this overall another fun Emily Henry read!
The setting, most of the main and side characters, the conversational banter - both flirty and friendly, not just between Daphne and Miles - the get-to-know-Waning-Bay side quests - all of these were pretty great.
For me, though, it was frustrating that Daphne's choices and reactions were all based on her history with her unreliable father: her distrust of Miles for being charming, her judgement of Ashleigh as unreliable for running late, and so on. I wanted her to recognize sooner that she wasn't really seeing them as individuals, but conflating them with her dad and his behavior, and it harmed her developing relationships with them.
As a librarian, I am so grateful for how libraries were portrayed, both the good (community!), the bad (inappropriate patrons!), and the in-between. But there were still parts that bothered me - why was it totally cool for unattended adults to crash storytime? Why did only like four people work at the library? Why was Daphne planning a fundraiser? Why was it her sole focus for months? Why did Daphne do so much work when she wasn't at work?? Pet peeves of mine, sure.
Despite my complaints, the wonderful characters and humor and descriptions made this overall another fun Emily Henry read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Abandonment
daisy2050's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Abandonment
jpfortmiller's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
shelbylynnn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Didn’t connect emotionally to this one quite as much as happy place but still thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. Big fan of her characters and writing style!! Now where can I find myself a Miles 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment and Emotional abuse
justsmileandread's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, and Emotional abuse
hanlov's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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
5.0
Emily Henry continues to blow me away with every book she writes I loved this so much. Daphne is me I am Daphne. I loved her and Miles so much but I loved even more watching her choose to fall in love with her town and the people in it after everything she’s been through. I giggled, I cried, I smiled like an idiot!!! Such a great read.
——— some fave quotes 💜🍋💙
"You, my girl, are whoever you decide to be. But I hope you always keep some piece of that girl who sat by the window, hoping for the best. Life's short enough without us talking ourselves out of hope and trying to dodge every bad feeling. Sometimes you have to push through the discomfort, instead of running."
"I was never the one just having fun. I was the one anticipating consequences." (emily get out of my head fr)
"I feel a bittersweetness that this moment can't last, that time will pull us along soon. But for the first time in a while, I'm excited about the unknown.
I'm looking forward to the surprises."
——— some fave quotes 💜🍋💙
"You, my girl, are whoever you decide to be. But I hope you always keep some piece of that girl who sat by the window, hoping for the best. Life's short enough without us talking ourselves out of hope and trying to dodge every bad feeling. Sometimes you have to push through the discomfort, instead of running."
"I was never the one just having fun. I was the one anticipating consequences." (emily get out of my head fr)
"I feel a bittersweetness that this moment can't last, that time will pull us along soon. But for the first time in a while, I'm excited about the unknown.
I'm looking forward to the surprises."
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment
chemeducator's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Abandonment
samchase112's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
Oh MAN this book — and Daphne and Miles and all their issues — burrowed its way into my heart. I spent four hours reading in the sun on the dock, because I absolutely could not put it down. All of Daphne and Miles’s hardships hit deep, and watching them work through it as individuals and together… gods, it was beautiful. And I will defend them as long as I need to, because anyone who doesn’t love Miles is wrong.
Shelve this beside Book Lovers on my Emily Henry favorites list!
Shelve this beside Book Lovers on my Emily Henry favorites list!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Drug use, and Child abuse
kassidyreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship