Reviews

I really liked that this was an easy read. It's a good book to read when you're in a reading slump. The plot itself is pretty fast-paced, but the romance itself is VERY slow. Now, I honestly liked that there was a lot of buildup to the romance and time spent on developing the friendship of the two characters before their romance. I just wish that we got more of them as an actual couple.

I didn't really like the end. It felt kind of rushed compared to the rest of the book. I thought that the resolution with Penny and her mom wasn't very fulfilling. This was dissapointing since the emotional climax with the characters in Choi's other book, Yolk, was so well executed in my opinion.
I also think that the plot surrounding Sam's character was left very unfishied. There wasn't a satisfying conclusion with his documentary at all. My overall thoughts is that I really liked the beginning and middle of the book, but the third act fell short for me.

Content Warnings

sheze77's review against another edition

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3.0

I gave this book 3.5 stars. If you are looking for a cute contemporary, this is perfect. I enjoyed reading this however it was very predictable. For most people, this book is totally relatable since we all had that awkward phase of talking to someone in person but we can text them for hours.

Overall, an enjoyable read!

laurad_reads's review against another edition

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5.0

Okay this was everything! Literally everything I could want!
I loved the everydayness of it, the real thoughts and reasoning. The slow building love and friendships.

How we think we know things and don’t and how people are different and need different things and that life truly comes down to truths and daring to speak it.

So yes this book was everything and I have to buy it now so I can read it again like to tomorrow.

abbeyhatton1's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

meghanw42's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

Beautiful love story.

honeyedhearts's review against another edition

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3.75

this was cute! not what I've come to expect from Choi but cute nonetheless.
Tattooed tortured boy works at a bakery/coffee shop and meets and falls in love with emo, anxious, quiet college girl.
There's some interesting aspects of rebuilding parental bonds and cutting people out of your life that you've been clinging to and allowing people in that you've been icing out, but overall it was just a silly little romance.

it was fine! I like Choi's writing style (clearly lol), but the way this book dealt with deeper themes felt a lot more surface level than some of her other work. Still worth it, just not an Excellent read.

mittland's review against another edition

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4.0

started off not really enjoying this but ultimately it won me over, I liked it. and now I'm out of mary h.k. choi books to read

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