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virgoabb's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content
anna_maria_wirth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
avery_hutchinson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
gracescanlon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Compared to a character like Julian, who though he had wrong ideas about himself and needed therapy (nothing to be ashamed of), functioned as a respectful, professional adult, Hallie looked even more immature, rude, and inconsiderate. The disparity in their maturity levels also made their non-physical attraction and compatibility improbable.
Hallie’s friend and her friend’s husband were lovely, funny, and interesting. I wish they’d gotten more “screen time” — the two of them and Natalie (Julian’s sister) were the most intriguing characters besides Julian!
I did greatly appreciate the mid- to plus-sized representation in the book. Specifically, I loved that multiple other characters besides Julian found Hallie attractive. I think my favorite part of this was that although Hallie wasn’t a thin woman, her desirability was a matter of fact to the people around her. Additionally, they never mentioned her weight in relation to her looks, which was delightful and a breath of fresh air. (An aside: Julian saying that the parts of her body she’s insecure about are what turn him on was, to me, sweet as well as sexy.)
Julian’s dirty talk did seem to begin out of nowhere, but I didn’t find it unbelievable for a character like him. After all, he can’t be straight-laced in every way. A person’s got to have some method of blowing off steam — especially one as uptight as Julian! So I thought his using dirty talk in bed was definitely within the realm of possibility. However, his transition from Mr. schedules-jerking-time to filthy-mouthed lover could’ve been more natural and gradual.
Also, I found the whole dirt thing incredibly off-putting. I don’t mean to shame — honestly, it just confused me.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death
mrsmishler's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
hapalyn's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death and Grief
bzliz's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.25
Fans of “opposites attract” tropes will love this. For me, the pacing was a little weird and I kept backtracking to see if I’d missed a point where the characters had real chemistry. The first spicy scene made me laugh but it did feel fun. I can’t get over the second spicy scene where they
Trigger warnings:
Alcohol- lots of wine drinking throughout, some general drunkenness
Alcoholism- side character regularly drinks to a blackout state, is not a main focus
Fire- past event, led to family fallout
Panic attacks/disorders- main character suffers from panic attacks and occasionally shuts down and loses time as a result
Sexual content- it’s a Tessa Bailey book
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Alcoholism and Fire/Fire injury
coco78337's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
saraavowlerr's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury
katelynnreads's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief and Fire/Fire injury