Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - Next to You

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Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Next to You by Hannah Bonam-Young

70 reviews

4knitsakes's review against another edition

4.5

4.5 stars rounded to 5. Fantastic friends to lovers/he fell first (AND HARD) book. I loved everything about it. The bus reno, the banter between Matt and Lane, working through trauma/PTSD. All of HBY books have mental health/disability representation and I am here for it. I was worried at about the half way point where the book was going, but I loved the journey for Lane going through her past trauma of losing her father and the relationship problems it caused between her and Matt. A little disappointed that Matt said he would wait, but then less than two chapters later losing his patience and leaving (3rd act breakup). He throughly makes up for it and the reuniting trip Lane made had me internally squealing for the grand gesture to get him back.

Content Warnings

spectacles_and_books's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

"Grief... it's really just all the love you want to give the person you've lost. Building up until it hurts... Find somewhere to put the love... or its gonna keep hurting"

A heartfelt friends-to-lovers Romance that explored how to truly accept love that you don't feel you deserve. Lane and Matt's relationship was explored so thoughtfully.

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krisi616's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

Content Warnings

lindsaymck's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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

4.0

Looks like he could kill you, is a cinnamon-roll: Mattheus. Matt really is “a cinnamon-roll hero with a heart of gold and a filthy mouth” and the fact that he is such a family man who is head over heels in love with Lane made this book great for me. He would do anything for her, bus renovation included, and was so patient and understanding. I am a sucker for a “he-falls-first” and I actually got annoyed with Lane’s indecision at times in the face of such dedication and commitment.

The “friends to idiots to lovers” review is spot on. Matt is an idiot for pretending he could keep feelings out of this relationship and Lane is an idiot for pushing him away when he is her best shot at happiness. I was OBSESSED with Matt’s family and the time spent at their magical home with them was a highlight of the book.

In the end, I was proud of Lane for how hard she fought her dragons and healed the wounds of her past with her mom and sister. Only when she loved herself again could she love Matt in the way he deserved - I get it, I get it, I just wanted her to figure her shit out so she and Matt could get their happily ever after! The “grand fucking gesture time” and ending really concluded the story on a high note for me.

Things that will stick with me:

THE LeTTeRs?! I mean…”Fuck, I miss you. You’ve ruined me. Do it again.” 🥵
“Happiness is like one of those places on an enchanted island, its gates guarded by dragons. One must fight to gain it.”
*Manamea* - my new favorite word

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