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lurker_stalker's review against another edition
slow-paced
- 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
After loving the first in the series, I had high hopes for Mo and Kate. We got a lot of them in Three Reasons to Say Yesand I wanted to get back to them and focus on their relationship.
One of the things I love the least about romance novels is when lack of communication is used as a plot device. Things that could pretty easily be cleared up and moved on from if only the characters would talk to each other. All the Reasons I Need is almost solidly made up of poor communication.
Don't get me wrong, Kate's issues are serious ones but, for me, they were overshadowed by the near constant "let's not talk about this" thing that was going on.
I liked seeing more of Reed and Julia and the kids though.
My win/loss ration is still pretty good with Ms. Clevenger so this won't stop me from reading her books and I'm certain I'll end up with a new favorite at some point, too.
Thanks to Bella Books for the ARC!
One of the things I love the least about romance novels is when lack of communication is used as a plot device. Things that could pretty easily be cleared up and moved on from if only the characters would talk to each other. All the Reasons I Need is almost solidly made up of poor communication.
Don't get me wrong, Kate's issues are serious ones but, for me, they were overshadowed by the near constant "let's not talk about this" thing that was going on.
I liked seeing more of Reed and Julia and the kids though.
My win/loss ration is still pretty good with Ms. Clevenger so this won't stop me from reading her books and I'm certain I'll end up with a new favorite at some point, too.
Thanks to Bella Books for the ARC!
lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
"When I kiss you, it feels like I've been kissing you my whole life."
I'm melting with happiness, oh my goodness, this was such a treat! I really liked the first book I read by Jamie Clevenger, and I enjoyed this a bit more. This was a light but intense friends to lovers novel with characters who are already in love, who are already so comfortable and easy with each other, who are obviously so meant to be, but for varying reasons they can't say that to each other, don't believe that the other person feels the same. There was a kind of back and forth ('we belong together... but what if we ruin our friendship!') that can get exhausting in a romance novel but it was done just enough to make their fears plausible and give the book tension. I found the writing to be generally tighter and better than the first book of the series, and it had a great flow.
I suppose it could have been slow or perhaps too angsty for some, but I really really adored these characters so it worked for me. I sense that Mo got a teensy bit of a rework from the first book, or perhaps it's just that there was more time and space to show the deeper parts of her character here. Whatever it was, I really loved her, how kind and goofy and funny she was, how smart and genuine and protective of Kate she was. And Kate is lovely, I just want to give her a big hug. I like the way her backstory was handled, the way therapy and mental health were treated, the fact that there was no big grand solution. Mostly there was just a lot of wonderful chemistry between these two characters. They start off loving each other, and the book shows us how and why and it was just really great, and super enjoyable to me.
Listened to the audiobook as ready by Abby Craden, who always does an amazing job.
Content warnings:
Very enjoyable, looking forward to the third book, as I really liked Terri!
I'm melting with happiness, oh my goodness, this was such a treat! I really liked the first book I read by Jamie Clevenger, and I enjoyed this a bit more. This was a light but intense friends to lovers novel with characters who are already in love, who are already so comfortable and easy with each other, who are obviously so meant to be, but for varying reasons they can't say that to each other, don't believe that the other person feels the same. There was a kind of back and forth ('we belong together... but what if we ruin our friendship!') that can get exhausting in a romance novel but it was done just enough to make their fears plausible and give the book tension. I found the writing to be generally tighter and better than the first book of the series, and it had a great flow.
I suppose it could have been slow or perhaps too angsty for some, but I really really adored these characters so it worked for me. I sense that Mo got a teensy bit of a rework from the first book, or perhaps it's just that there was more time and space to show the deeper parts of her character here. Whatever it was, I really loved her, how kind and goofy and funny she was, how smart and genuine and protective of Kate she was. And Kate is lovely, I just want to give her a big hug. I like the way her backstory was handled, the way therapy and mental health were treated, the fact that there was no big grand solution. Mostly there was just a lot of wonderful chemistry between these two characters. They start off loving each other, and the book shows us how and why and it was just really great, and super enjoyable to me.
Listened to the audiobook as ready by Abby Craden, who always does an amazing job.
Content warnings:
Spoiler
Discussion of anorexia, bulimia, past child molestation.Very enjoyable, looking forward to the third book, as I really liked Terri!
spencer0200's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
abbytenge's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
catbartram89's review against another edition
5.0
What an emotional rollercoaster this was, but 100% worth it in the end. This book was beautifully written. Abby kept me engaged the whole time and I didn't want to stop listening!
I highly recommend the series and I'm looking forward to listening to the next and more from Jaime
Story rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating.
I highly recommend the series and I'm looking forward to listening to the next and more from Jaime
Story rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating.
milliehawkinss's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
kburns2004's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to throw my book at the main characters in this book. It was basically the same conversation repeated 3 or 4 times. I did appreciate having a BIPOC lead character though.
jessslibrary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.5