Reviews with content warning for Car accident - Życie jest zbyt krótkie

For a genre I don't read very often, this was hard to put down and I'll definitely be reading more from this author. I've heard this Friend Zone series can be read as stand-alone novels, so I'm hoping that's right. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Adrian and Vanessa. Some reviewers have mentioned that it's too syrupy sweet for them, but I felt there was enough real life in this to balance both characters often reflecting on their feelings. They're both successful in their careers, and dealing with dysfunctional families, while Vanessa may be facing a diagnosis of ALS. Their relationship has its hurdles, somewhat predictably, but that and the side characters all make for a great, emotional story.

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this_momma_is_booked's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Wow. I was blown away by how much I loved this book. I have really enjoyed Abby Jimenez's other books, but this one really topped them. Abby was really able to create characters that we could connect with. She did something that is really difficult to do for many writers - create a completely believable conflict in which neither character is wrong in their position. I could see the merit to both Vanessa and Adrian's stance on what Vanessa should do regarding her life's path. I could genuinely understand why Vanessa would keep Adrian in the dark just as I could understand Adrian's feeling of betrayal. Abby created a beautiful story that is a romance, of course, but - at its core - a vehicle to show us that life really is too short to get hung up on the little things.

This is one of the few books I can think of where it would have ended just as beautifully if it didn't have a happily ever after. Sure, it wouldn't be considered a romance technically at that point, but it would still be a beautiful story.

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aliyahreads00000's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted slow-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

4.0

Spoiler!!!

So the whole book she was gonna die and then she just didn’t?? I loved it though and the characters are amazing.

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wellreadmegs's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

5.0

This book was so good! I can't stop thinking about it.

I repeat I love it when romance books tackle deep subjects while also falling for someone. It feels realistic and messy and truthful. I came into this book not knowing anything about the plot and never reading an Abby Jimenez book - but I will now be going back to read the others because wow I loved this one!

Vanessa is such a cool character and I loved her relationship with Adrian. Adrian also sounds so perfect in so many ways I still don't believe men like this exist! The end of the book had me guessing what was going to happen until the very end which I appreciated. It was just such a lovely, hopeful read about living your life to the fullest every day which after the past two years we've experienced I want more life.

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midnightbelles's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed this. I love a good found family (ish) trope and I especially loved getting to see Them fall in love and really compliment each other as a couple. Since I finally finished all 3 books in the series I will have to say that this one is better than the first in my opinion but nothing tops the happy ever after playlist. This book was really lighthearted and overall a quick and fluffy read. Just reading about them interacting and falling in love was enough for me.

Synopsis: Vanessa, a famous YouTuber who travels to live her best life before she dies due to ALS, meets her neighbor one night at 3am when he tries to convince her to get her baby to shut up. Seeing the terrible state she’s in because of the baby, he offers to help and they quickly fall for each other but hold back from dating. For him it’s because she doesn’t date and for her it’s because she doesn’t believe she’ll live long enough.

This book deals with a lot of heavy topics with her sisters drug addiction and other family issues but it’s handled well and is dispersed in with the fluff and romantic/happier moments.

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