kshertz's review
emotional
funny
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? No
4.75
This was such an awesome read. I really loved the protagonist and her love interest. It was super funny. I couldn’t put it down. The cleaning out of the Aunts house and all that this man does… it’s fantastic. Definitely recommend it as a great romance book. ❤️
Content Warnings
Minor: Gaslighting, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Bullying, Toxic relationship, and Domestic abuse
megwilli's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Infidelity
Moderate: Death and Alcohol
100_pages_hr's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Loved this book! The HOA situation would drive my husband crazy, but it made for some really funny moments in the book.
I loved Mallory. She was strong and never gave in to her ex. I really loved Nick! He was my favorite type of hero grumpy but sweet inside.
I really loved that this book was full of hilarious moments but also covered some real serious moments as Mallory goes through a divorce. I loved how she discovered her own strength.
Some of the family drama and Mallory's attitude got to me a few times so it didn't end up being a five star read, but it was a very good read.
I loved Mallory. She was strong and never gave in to her ex. I really loved Nick! He was my favorite type of hero grumpy but sweet inside.
I really loved that this book was full of hilarious moments but also covered some real serious moments as Mallory goes through a divorce. I loved how she discovered her own strength.
Some of the family drama and Mallory's attitude got to me a few times so it didn't end up being a five star read, but it was a very good read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy
theespressoedition's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
One of the things I've found to be the most challenging over the past few years is finding a contemporary romance that doesn't feel painfully predictable. I'll read a synopsis, think, "oh that's going to be so unique," and then I'm sorely disappointed when I actually read the novel. I think that's kind of how I felt with Back in the Burbs.
Okay, so I do need to say that it had me cackling with frequency throughout the first half of the books. Considering the fact that our protagonist is going through a divorce because of a seriously emotionally abusive ex who cheated on her (freaking heavy stuff, man) - it still had fantastic humor.
I was seriously thrilled when Mikey's character was introduced since he was so sweet and helpful. Apparently, enemies-to-lovers is the "only option" for some people because Mikey was thrown to the side the literal second that Nick popped up. Now, I realize that Nick was not a toxic character and I appreciated that. The enemies-to-lovers trope was actually pretty mild on that account (thank goodness), but it did make me sad that Mallory practically assumed she was just going to always be attracted to "the jerk." Rather than "giving in" to that, it would've been nice to see her take time to fully recognize that Nick wasn't awful so she could have a healthy relationship. Instead, it took nearly the entire book for her to realize something that could have taken two seconds if she wasn't in such denial.
I was in a relationship so painfully similar to her and her ex, Karl, that there were times where I needed to skim the chapters because the content was too triggering. Learning how he spoke to her and treated her made my skin crawl and it actually made it more challenging to wind up liking Nick - even as the story went on.
The best parts were the references to her Aunt Maggie, who sounds like a total hoot. I felt as though the plotline with Sarah was completely unnecessary and the issues with her parents were exasperating and unresolved, which bothered me too. I'm assuming that if this is a series, we're going to see Sarah's story next, so I hope that clears some plot holes up a bit.
Okay, so I do need to say that it had me cackling with frequency throughout the first half of the books. Considering the fact that our protagonist is going through a divorce because of a seriously emotionally abusive ex who cheated on her (freaking heavy stuff, man) - it still had fantastic humor.
I was seriously thrilled when Mikey's character was introduced since he was so sweet and helpful. Apparently, enemies-to-lovers is the "only option" for some people because Mikey was thrown to the side the literal second that Nick popped up. Now, I realize that Nick was not a toxic character and I appreciated that. The enemies-to-lovers trope was actually pretty mild on that account (thank goodness), but it did make me sad that Mallory practically assumed she was just going to always be attracted to "the jerk." Rather than "giving in" to that, it would've been nice to see her take time to fully recognize that Nick wasn't awful so she could have a healthy relationship. Instead, it took nearly the entire book for her to realize something that could have taken two seconds if she wasn't in such denial.
I was in a relationship so painfully similar to her and her ex, Karl, that there were times where I needed to skim the chapters because the content was too triggering. Learning how he spoke to her and treated her made my skin crawl and it actually made it more challenging to wind up liking Nick - even as the story went on.
The best parts were the references to her Aunt Maggie, who sounds like a total hoot. I felt as though the plotline with Sarah was completely unnecessary and the issues with her parents were exasperating and unresolved, which bothered me too. I'm assuming that if this is a series, we're going to see Sarah's story next, so I hope that clears some plot holes up a bit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Spoiler
Don't even get me started on the epilogue. Just read nearly any other romcom epilogue and you've read this one too. Please, someone, give me an epilogue that doesn't include pregnancy, for goodness' sake.herbivorereader's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Infidelity, Death, and Toxic relationship
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