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tearainread's review
- 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
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Miscarriage
rachreads925's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Pregnancy and Miscarriage
dogoodwithbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Sora Reid has had enough with love. Having had strings of bad relationship to another, Sora decides to kick off a month-long #GoSolo journey in February and highlight those experiences at her freelancing gig. Sure, running into old childhood friend, Jack Mann, might make
The Second You’re Single isn’t necessarily bad. But it’s not great. When I first heard about the book, I thought that it would be a really cool concept. Though, when I got deep into the book, I don’t think Tanamachi really met my expectations.
One of the things I’ve noticed is that a lot of the characters seem to be the “pick me” type. Sure, there were some exceptions (i.e. Stella) and even Sora at times didn’t fall into the “pick me” trope. But there were too many “pick me” characters to the point where they just sounded annoying or desperate. Worst of all of them were Mal, and I really didn’t like her as a character.
Also, most of the dialogue felt either forced and/or over exaggerated. I get with rom-coms that some things have to go a certain way to fit a particular trope. But Tanamachi writes characters saying things that I don’t feel like most people would actually say. Again, I think this goes into characters either sounding annoying or desperate complaints I mentioned earlier.
Though, there were some things that Tanamachi gets right in this book. One, this book is VERY witty/funny. I think because of Sora's blunt and sometimes sarcastic take on things really helps get this to be a decent read. I also think Sora does go through a really good character development and how she ultimately finds herself. Also, no one can tell me that the epilogue was NOT adorable.
Overall, I don’t think The Second You’re Single is a bad read, but I don’t know if I would read it again either. I think that there were less “pick me” characters and somewhat realistic dialogue, I think would have rated this book higher. Though, if you like books with a sarcastic MC trying to somehow find herself, maybe you can get something out of this book.
Graphic: Body shaming and Infidelity
Moderate: Miscarriage and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer and Pandemic/Epidemic
jenny_bean_reads's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Miscarriage
elfit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I loved the Asian representation from both main characters, their family dynamics (especially Allie and all her glitter glory), and just the way Sora works through everything. I found myself nodding or saving passages of wisdom.
Over all this one made me happy. It is a comfortable rom-com filled with bacon, annoying exes, and misunderstandings. Just feel goods all around.
Graphic: Infidelity, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Grief
bjurban's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Minor: Miscarriage
arbertram10's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Miscarriage
carolynlovesbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Fatphobia
Minor: Infidelity and Miscarriage
hsteel's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Moderate: Cancer, Body shaming, and Miscarriage
chymerra's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
- Sora—While I loved her character, I thought she was a hot mess for most of the book. I did think that she was depressed for a good part of the book, and guess what? She had reason to be. She had a tough few years with some awful things happening to her. I would have been surprised if she wasn’t depressed. She couldn’t trust her feelings when it came to Jack (because his ex was semi-stalking him), and she needed to be single until March 1st. Again, I wasn’t surprised when everything blew up in her face. But it was after that made me impressed with her. Oh, and her love of bacon. I think she and my 9-year-old would get along great. She also cut through the BS when it came to her sister. But I wish that it had been sooner.
- Jack–Did he have his issues? He did. He comes across as too needy and a little desperate at the beginning of the book. He was also too kind to his ex. He took everything that woman did with grace and understanding; that was amazing. I also liked that he understood Sora’s situation with solo February. But I didn’t think he got how big it was until he was forced to the side and hidden away. I didn’t blame him for feeling the way he did. I would have done the same thing.
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Bullying, and Stalking
Moderate: Miscarriage and Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent, Cancer, and Child abuse
Child abuse consisted of verbal abuse and neglect.