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keepingyouonread's review against another edition
3.0
Kate’s first love and husband, Cam died two years ago from early onset Alzheimer’s. She’s a bit of a mess raising her son, juggling her job, and a somewhat quiet social life with best friend, Grace. When a storm, strands Kate and Hugh, her boss, at the beach for a weekend it’s the first time she can confront her grief and start moving forward.
What I liked: The emotions were high, I felt for Kate as a mom trying to make everything work. I would suggest reading trigger warnings because a few scenes were difficult to read.
The devastation a death of a spouse leaves on everyone is evident from Kate to her mother to her friends. I loved how she had a good network of support that really was an extended family.
What didn’t work for me: I felt like this was maybe 50 pages too long. I wanted Kate to get to where she needed to be faster. Justin seemed superfluous.
I’m not sure how I feel about the Kate/Hugh storyline. I also think the relationship went from a snails pace to sprint. I wanted more of them together as lovers not just friends.
On that note, I think the timeline could be a bit confusing and I wanted more of Cam and Kate before. We’re told about this great love but don’t see much of it before his disease.
Who should read it: This reminded me a bit of Me Before You. You like: friends to lovers, slow-burn romances, books about people working through grief, single moms.
rbelche's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
rachaelreadsalot'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Sweet but really tugs on the heart strings. I had definitely craved something more romantic but the writing is beautiful.
anamarquina's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage
shansxshelf's review against another edition
5.0
“Love outlives death… it won’t fade.”
I am completely and utterly heartbroken. I am in shambles, hollow, empty. I admire those who have the courage to still go on, when life takes away a loved one. I don’t think I possess that kind of strength. I started sobbing around the 80% mark and never stopped. This is a book that will stay with me. I don’t know what my life would be like without my husband, and I hope I don’t find out anytime soon. If you all need me, I’ll be in fetal position crying in a corner.
I am completely and utterly heartbroken. I am in shambles, hollow, empty. I admire those who have the courage to still go on, when life takes away a loved one. I don’t think I possess that kind of strength. I started sobbing around the 80% mark and never stopped. This is a book that will stay with me. I don’t know what my life would be like without my husband, and I hope I don’t find out anytime soon. If you all need me, I’ll be in fetal position crying in a corner.
goingonbookcation's review against another edition
3.0
3.5⭐️ rounding down.
Wow. Devastatingly sad. Please don’t make the mistake I did, this is not a romance book—it is a women’s fiction book about grief.
I think this was meant to send a hopeful message, but the pacing was all off. Some parts dragged on, and other parts—especially towards the end—felt so rushed. Kate was so painfully oblivious throughout the book (again, I get it, that is the point) but this made it even more sad and I just couldn’t get over my sadness even when the book tried to wrap up with a happy ending.
Overall it was a fine book, and I appreciated the author’s personal tie-in in the acknowledgements.
Wow. Devastatingly sad. Please don’t make the mistake I did, this is not a romance book—it is a women’s fiction book about grief.
I think this was meant to send a hopeful message, but the pacing was all off. Some parts dragged on, and other parts—especially towards the end—felt so rushed. Kate was so painfully oblivious throughout the book (again, I get it, that is the point) but this made it even more sad and I just couldn’t get over my sadness even when the book tried to wrap up with a happy ending.
Overall it was a fine book, and I appreciated the author’s personal tie-in in the acknowledgements.
ebruecker's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
damira_rx22'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? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Grief captured in such a beautiful, kind, and heart felt story. I wanted a bit more of a grand ending and that’s the only reason it’s not marked as a 5 star. I highly, absolutely would recommend!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Grief, and Death