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gwenswoons's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Loved this beyond, beyond. Every word miraculous and just what it needs to be. Such gorgeously drawn characters, from the smallest side folks to the incredible MCs, each with powerful and deeply human challenges, layers, and growth. I adored the audio and can’t wait to have my hands on a physical copy - I will read it again. I loved it more than I have loved anything in a long time and it will stay with me forever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Drug abuse, Abandonment, Child abuse, Addiction, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Racism, Self harm, Bullying, Grief, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, and Death of parent
sinasbooknook's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
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? Yes
3.5
i love shane and eva! i don’t think telling their story over seven days did these characters justice, especially with an epilogue that could’ve been half a book.
the first part of this book was ripping my heart out. i loved the dual timeline, learning about their traumas and how it’s shaped them as adults, and seeing eva exist and thrive with her disability. tia williams did a great job at developing shane and eva’s histories … and their attraction to each other was so devastatingly electric! they had great banter, williams is amazing at writing chemistry (and dialogue in general, all of their conversations were spot on)
but by the middle / end, it kind of fell off for me. something about the writing started to irk me, and a lot of the plot devices williams started to employ (introducing new povs, dramatic subplots) were more convenient than they were meaningful to the storytelling. we lost a lot of their character growth to the seven days theme, it all seemed to happen in the epilogue which made the ending feel so rushed!
still though, i thought this was an enticing and touching romance that got me in my feels
the first part of this book was ripping my heart out. i loved the dual timeline, learning about their traumas and how it’s shaped them as adults, and seeing eva exist and thrive with her disability. tia williams did a great job at developing shane and eva’s histories … and their attraction to each other was so devastatingly electric! they had great banter, williams is amazing at writing chemistry (and dialogue in general, all of their conversations were spot on)
but by the middle / end, it kind of fell off for me. something about the writing started to irk me, and a lot of the plot devices williams started to employ (introducing new povs, dramatic subplots) were more convenient than they were meaningful to the storytelling. we lost a lot of their character growth to the seven days theme, it all seemed to happen in the epilogue which made the ending feel so rushed!
still though, i thought this was an enticing and touching romance that got me in my feels
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Drug abuse, and Self harm
Minor: Child death
cassidyemaier's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I was really excited for this book, it had a few good moments. I felt like Eva was way too trusting of Shane after not speaking a word to him for 15 years. Eva’s daughter who plays a decent role in the story, should have been written as someone older than 12. The way she speaks is way too mature and it just didn’t feel right? I felt like the build up of their romance didn’t get me giggling and kicking my feet like I hope it would have? the last 10 chapters were hard for me to finish, I almost dnf this book…/:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Alcoholism, Child death, Gun violence, Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, and Racial slurs
kaitrates's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
8 Feb 2024 Update
I decided to remove my rating for this b/c I don't think I can fairly rate it given my complicated feelings.
While my updates for this book were positive, I was left with a sour feeling in my stomach after finishing. I've been trying to figure out why and, thankfully, a conversation with <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/141644247-sarah">Sarah</a> helped clarify things. 🙏🏻
First, the things I enjoyed. The supporting cast (Audre, Cece, Belinda) were amazing and I loved them so so much. I loved how NYC was as much a characters as any of hte people, and Williams' descriptions were SPOT ON and made me giggle so hard. I STG if you never lived there you probably think we make this shit up but its real. 🤣 I liked the individual character arcs for both Eva and Sean, especially seeing Eva step out of shame and into power as it relates to her disability and her desires.
This book also felt to me like a love letter to Blackness, Black culture, and Black artistry.
While I started out enjoying the high stakes, things got REALLY REAL very quickly and I was taken aback. I’ll own that I didn’t look up content warnings (list below) before reading—and they weren’t included in the book itself *sigh*—but honestly I might have chosen not to even read this if I had seen the full list.
One of the big things Sarah helped me put words to is that IDK if I would qualify this as a romance. It has a romance for sure but it felt more literary to me.
Similarly, this book was missing a certain swoon factor for me (oh god did I just type that?! 😅). I didn't find either the love story or the sex scenes compelling. It was all very insta-animal-magnetism and love and sex and that's not something I generally enjoy.
I’ll also note that I couldn’t identify with the migraine rep, despite having both migraines and a chronic pain condition. Williams has written a lot about what it meant to her to write Eva an d I do recommend seeking out those articles for more context (thought, TBH I would’ve liked a bit more of it within the story).
I also was not at all prepared for the heaviness and intensity of this book and it definitely and unfortunately impacted my enjoyment. I think if you go in knowing that and/or you don’t have any major triggers on this list, you’ll find something incredible.
___
Initial Review - 4 Feb 2024
This book was A LOT and while i throughly enjoyed it at times it also was way more intense than i was expecting. I’m gonna sit with it for a little longer…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Abandonment, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Gore, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Blood
Minor: Gun violence and Child death
kiara_taylor's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have never been so upset about a book being over. Absolutely loved everything about this book. So wonderfully written, I from the beginning routed for this couple more than any book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Child abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, and Self harm
sowall's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Shane and Eva’s love is just so deep and so beautiful.
They just…feel.
I also felt. It was very sad at times.
My only critique is that Audre is a bit too wise for her years and that we do not need outfit descriptions all the time. Otherwise? Marvelous.
They just…feel.
I also felt. It was very sad at times.
My only critique is that Audre is a bit too wise for her years and that we do not need outfit descriptions all the time. Otherwise? Marvelous.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Drug abuse, Self harm, and Alcoholism
staceysouldancer's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, Abandonment, Blood, and Addiction
Moderate: Self harm, Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, and Sexual content
Minor: Child death
libellumartinae's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
alright, I'd like to say that this book is utterly fantastic.
I had been eager to start it and read it as it seemed quite an interesting and lovable readout it is much more, as it depicts many tough elements without being too heavy and although the relationships between the characters is tense and definitely darker at times as it held so many secrets and individual - and shared - trauma, it never seems like a tale of desperation. it's an hopeful outright out of life and starting again. probably one fo the best second chances romance - and romance - of the year and that I have ever read, also because there was the employment of the 'I am not enough' theme but in a way that wasn't stereotypical and neither annoying.
the sole thing I'd have liked to be done better is the ending as in some parts it felt too rushed. I also admit that it is a personal preference but I learned I much prefer finals in which they don't end up halfway through but with an epilogue. still, at parts, it seemed too fast to me and I'd like for it to be longer (if anything to stay with them a bit longer).
love yah!
I had been eager to start it and read it as it seemed quite an interesting and lovable readout it is much more, as it depicts many tough elements without being too heavy and although the relationships between the characters is tense and definitely darker at times as it held so many secrets and individual - and shared - trauma, it never seems like a tale of desperation. it's an hopeful outright out of life and starting again. probably one fo the best second chances romance - and romance - of the year and that I have ever read, also because there was the employment of the 'I am not enough' theme but in a way that wasn't stereotypical and neither annoying.
the sole thing I'd have liked to be done better is the ending as in some parts it felt too rushed. I also admit that it is a personal preference but I learned I much prefer finals in which they don't end up halfway through but with an epilogue. still, at parts, it seemed too fast to me and I'd like for it to be longer (if anything to stay with them a bit longer).
love yah!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Addiction
Moderate: Sexual assault and Suicide attempt
debbilynn42's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Drug use
Minor: Child death
rossi_am's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Self harm, Child death, and Drug abuse