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_mm_'s review against another edition
emotional
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit
khloereads86's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I’m disappointed in the end of this book. I was really enjoying it until the reveal of why they separated 11 years ago.
When they were younger, it was frustrating to me that they took so long to finally get together as a couple. Then, as adults, it was frustrating to see Macy stay in her relationship for so long when there was clearly nothing of real emotional value for her in it.
I found it weird from the beginning that they would still be so obsessed with each other having had 11 years apart. I mean, Elliot saw her once and broke up with his girlfriend. He also said he stayed living in the same area because he had the best chance running in to her there. After 11 years apart you can’t really even say you know a person.
Maybe it’s just that I don’t typically love the whole childhood friends-to-lovers-to-strangers-to-lovers thing because it always ends up being the same reason for them splitting.
If cheating doesn’t bother you, then this would probably be great, but even though they tried to explain away Elliot’s infidelity, it still happened. Him saying he genuinely thought he was with Macy seems like a crazy stretch to me.
Honestly, it reminded me of Every Summer After (just finished reading) which had a similar plot line but this one didn’t make me smile goofily as much. The only reason I gave it the same rating is because the ending wasn’t as bad in this one, though I still didn’t love it. I did like the favourite word game and the book references though.
When they were younger, it was frustrating to me that they took so long to finally get together as a couple. Then, as adults, it was frustrating to see Macy stay in her relationship for so long when there was clearly nothing of real emotional value for her in it.
I found it weird from the beginning that they would still be so obsessed with each other having had 11 years apart.
Maybe it’s just that I don’t typically love the whole childhood friends-to-lovers-to-strangers-to-lovers thing because it always ends up being the same reason for them splitting.
Honestly, it reminded me of Every Summer After (just finished reading) which had a similar plot line but this one didn’t make me smile goofily as much. The only reason I gave it the same rating is because the ending wasn’t as bad in this one, though I still didn’t love it. I did like the favourite word game and the book references though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Car accident, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Grief, Cursing, and Vomit
stephfauteux's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This book broke my heart. I will probably be thinking about it for a long time. However, without giving any spoilers, the reason why the main characters stopped talking was anticlimactic and actually almost ruined their love story for me to be honest. But the reality of Macy’s hardships and everything she’s been through just made me want to root for her and whatever made her happy. Macy’s dad was my favorite and the true MVP of this story.
Basically, their childhood best friends turned lovers then something happens and they don’t speak for 11 years until they run into each other, quiet literally, at a coffee shop but now their both in different relationships etc. The book switches back and forth between when they were kids and present day, both storylines heading toward what caused the fallout, until they converge with the night they stopped talking. While the reason they had a falling out is anticlimactic and predictable, everything else from that day is now and OUCH I really didn’t see that coming and Christina Lauren really didn’t need to do us like that.
Would have gotten 5 stars from me if it wasn’t for the cause of their falling out tainting their relationship for me. 🤷🏻♀️
Basically, their childhood best friends turned lovers then something happens and they don’t speak for 11 years until they run into each other, quiet literally, at a coffee shop but now their both in different relationships etc. The book switches back and forth between when they were kids and present day, both storylines heading toward what caused the fallout, until they converge with the night they stopped talking. While the reason they had a falling out is anticlimactic and predictable, everything else from that day is now and OUCH I really didn’t see that coming and Christina Lauren really didn’t need to do us like that.
Would have gotten 5 stars from me if it wasn’t for the cause of their falling out tainting their relationship for me. 🤷🏻♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Infidelity and Terminal illness
Minor: Vomit and Pregnancy
valley_ooo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
4.75
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I had been putting it off for months, but finished it in one sitting after finally starting it! I loved it so much, and the "then" and "now" tellings make this book so unique.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Car accident
Minor: Grief and Vomit
elizabeth_delozier's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
This book is pure comfort. I don't know how else to say it. You know - the book that isn't a particularly happy book, but that when you read it, you feel nothing but comfort. This is that book for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol and Vomit
midnightrose_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
4.25
This is a second chance romance between Elliot and Macy who live in Northern California. When Macy’s Mom passes away from cancer when she’s younger, her father buys a vacation home in a nearby seaside town. When they are moving into the house she stumbles onto a boy reading in the large closet in her new bedroom. His name is Elliot and his family lives next door. They quickly become fast friends sharing a love of books and favorite words. What follows is the beauty of first love and the agony of when that love is tested.
I really enjoyed this story. Elliot’s family was fantastic and Macy’s father was someone who loved her fiercely. The budding romance between Macy and Elliot is definitely swoon worthy. The Then and Now timelines really give a good sense of how they grow up to be the people they become in the present timeline. The only reason this wasn’t a completely 5 star read was because of the reason that Macy doesn’t speak to Elliot for 11 years. In my opinion there, was no way he wouldn’t have heard about the event that took place. The news, newspaper or online, or perhaps someone would have told his parents. I feel like that crucial element, that hinges a lot of emotional weight on it, really requires the reader to suspend belief. Not so much the event itself, but the idea that Elliot remains clueless that it occurred, until Macy finally reveals what happened at the end of the novel. Other than that it’s a solid second chance love story.
I really enjoyed this story. Elliot’s family was fantastic and Macy’s father was someone who loved her fiercely. The budding romance between Macy and Elliot is definitely swoon worthy. The Then and Now timelines really give a good sense of how they grow up to be the people they become in the present timeline. The only reason this wasn’t a completely 5 star read was because of the reason that Macy doesn’t speak to Elliot for 11 years. In my opinion there, was no way he wouldn’t have heard about the event that took place. The news, newspaper or online, or perhaps someone would have told his parents. I feel like that crucial element, that hinges a lot of emotional weight on it, really requires the reader to suspend belief. Not so much the event itself, but the idea that Elliot remains clueless that it occurred, until Macy finally reveals what happened at the end of the novel. Other than that it’s a solid second chance love story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Death, Medical trauma, and Car accident
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Vomit, and Infidelity
wet_towlette's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book isn’t really my genre so I did find parts of it boring or uncomfortable but I was still so invested. Like when everything was revealed I was not okay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death of parent
Moderate: Vomit, Sexual assault, and Car accident
abigail_hos's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
This book is so good. I read 350 pages yesterday and finished it this morning. Yes I read it fast because I’m returning it (long story) but also cuz it’s really so so good. It’s so easy to just keep reading, to say hmm just one more chapter. I love how I got to see them grow up it’s so beautiful the way they communicated. Their honesty, I just love everything about it. All their inside jokes, the favorite word, the dragon porn. Love it. I love their little closet library and how he always brought her his books. It was just so cute and I love it. I love the mom’s checklist thing, and the daughter dad dynamic. I love Elliot’s family, literally everything about this book I love so so much. It’s so cute. 5/5. This kinda felt like a Colleen Hoover book idk why. The favorite word thing reminded me of their little jokes in it ends with us which is a good thing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Vomit, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Addiction and Vomit
Minor: Blood and Pregnancy
ashleyvaleria's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
5.0
definitely a comfort book for me <3 macy and elliott story was so heartbreakingly beautiful. loved the dual timelines. being able to see the very beginning of their story and see them develop as close friends was heartwarming. also seeing them in the “future” start to rekindle their friendship and find out as a reader what caused them to stop communication for 11 years really kept me reading. devoured this in 5 hours and was on the verge of tears the whole time. their closeness in their friendship is something i thrive to one day have with someone. they’re perfect <333
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Vomit
nawal_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Vomit