Take a photo of a barcode or cover
adventurous
emotional
funny
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:
No
That was such a great book! So fun. She was so funny and lighthearted. He was so grumpy and reliable and devoted to his son. Soo good. So many moments I loved! When she injured hiking and he goes to where she said she’s hiking because he worried about her. As he should be. She seems to constantly get into these situations. It was so emotional and such a slow burn. The the subtle moments were so impactful. Absolutely recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Infertility, Grief
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A sloooooooow burn, it’s not really even a romance until 80% into the book. And then, bam one really spicy scene before back to basics. I found Aurora to be annoying and very cartoonish at times. Also, how often does she just start crying? And how many times did I need to be reminded that Rhodes was a big, manly man, who had grey eyes? I did like the setting and plot of grief and closure with Aurora’s mom.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent
It was a little too long. It dragged in some places. I really liked how their relationship developed though I didn't care for the nicknames situation - Buddy (the Elf) is a cringey nickname and her thinking angel was him misremembering her name was just goofy. I really liked the pacing as I felt it gave me a lot of room to get to know the characters and be invested when the slow burn paid off but I think it could've cut 10-20% of the telling herself her every thought in real time. Still a big fan and would read again. Also another small criticism While cathartic, the mic drops on the ex and ex-MIL went a little too smoothly. Like.. is this a reliable narrator? levels of smooth lol
Worth the read? Yes
Worth the read? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship
Minor: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Infertility, Misogyny, Pregnancy
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The slowest of slow burns!
I hate to say this, because I love me a slow-burn romance, but it possibly could have been a little quicker. Near the three-quarter mark, it began to feel like we'd make romantic progress and then back track again and again. But it was still believable and enjoyable. All of the characters have such a great fleshed out back story that you can tell this was a loved book by Zapata. While I don't think that I loved Aurora as much as I was supposed to, it was because she acts like a real person. She's messy and sometimes a little too selfish, but so are a lot of people. And Amos and Rhodes's family situation? Gosh, I wish I had Zapata's skill. Wonderfully created and I will be looking out for other works of hers in the future.
I hate to say this, because I love me a slow-burn romance, but it possibly could have been a little quicker. Near the three-quarter mark, it began to feel like we'd make romantic progress and then back track again and again. But it was still believable and enjoyable. All of the characters have such a great fleshed out back story that you can tell this was a loved book by Zapata. While I don't think that I loved Aurora as much as I was supposed to, it was because she acts like a real person. She's messy and sometimes a little too selfish, but so are a lot of people. And Amos and Rhodes's family situation? Gosh, I wish I had Zapata's skill. Wonderfully created and I will be looking out for other works of hers in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy
Minor: Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Suicide attempt
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Slow pace hindered by author's cobstant repetition of the same idea multiple ways and by a "not a whole hell of a lot happens plotline" The first 4 or so pages was the repeating of "I am back home for a new start". I find that MZ's books need an editor like I need air to breathe. The 600 page tome could be cut down to maybe 400ish with proper editing. I read the HarperCollins edition so there was no real excuse for the spelling, grammar, and repition issues. I gave up as not a whole hell of a lot had happened but then got stuck in a 3 hour roadblock with just this book so finished it. Also Amos' messy paternity just felt unnecessary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Pregnancy