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ellacat11's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexism
Moderate: Medical trauma, Death of parent, Medical content, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Child death, Suicide, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Terminal illness, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, and Infidelity
Minor: Child death, Grief, and Car accident
missalyssap's review
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
3.0
This book was alright but the whole time I couldn’t stop thinking - why couldn’t her mom be the one to move instead of Cassie? I really liked the guys at the firehouse and the rookie (Owen) was really sweet the whole time! That part with DeStasio being a mess and almost killing them all in that fire was wild, especially with everyone believing him over Cassie when everyone know beforehand that apparently he was a drunk. That part towards the end with Amy was kinda weird, like there for no reason. The parts with Cassie and her mom were alright but I wasn’t as interested in that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Terminal illness, and Sexism
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide
onkenzisshelf's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
What I Liked:
- The cast of characters - Center does such a great job with character descriptions and development in her books and this was no different. I could EASILY paint a picture of every character.
- The pacing was awesome - I finished this in less than 24 hours.
- I just love the feel of all Katherine Center's books. That probably sounds weird but I feel like even though there is tragedy and heartbreak and disappointments in all of them, they all feel like a big hug.
- The way this book deals with addiction and dying was beautiful. Diane's whole character just embodied positivity and light and DeStasio was the opposite, but both's lifespan of their individual tragedies was done beautifully.
What I Disliked or Wanted More Of:
So my biggest gripe about this was how unbelievable the timeline of Owen and Cassie's relationship was. Like they'd been on ONE date, had one night time rendezvous, and now he's asking to marry her? Like hey, glad it worked out, but come on. - The above without spoilers: Things just moved unreasonably fast in this book and made things seem very unrealistic.
- The epilogue felt a little gimmicky and too cheesy for my taste.
You Should Read if You Like:
- Any other Katherine Center book.
- A book that feels like a big hug, but still dives deep into the tough stuff.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Cancer, and Death
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