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hjb_128's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Bullying, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Infertility and Infidelity
carbs666's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Ok I really wanted to love this book but I only liked it and I'm going to tell you exactly why while avoiding spoilers as much as possible!
You have to wait until you're roughly halfway thru the book for anything to really happen. Theres a difference between building tension and having no plot, but the book is very much like a classic in this way, as well with how much the writing tells rather than shows. Hector does exactly NOTHING to recommend himself until the last 5 chapters of the book so not totally sure why I'm supposed to feel like he and Nina got their HEA? Nina interested me, but I felt very keenly like she didn't belong in this book; she would have been an excellent weird little heroine for a genuine romance novel, but I just spent the entire book feeling sorry for her while everyone else played her like a fiddle. Valerie was vile and jealous and self absorbed and pitiful - a truly perfect villain. I did not predict this book would go in the direction it did and while I suppose the ending was satisfying, I think I was expecting something darker. Also, the aspect of psychokenisis was very much an afterthought throughout the book - I think it could have been replaced with basically anything else as a common ground uppm which Hector and Nina could build their relationship and the book would have been almost exactly the same, which was somewhat disappointing to me.
I will say that the narrative kept me tense and on the hook enough for me to keep reading - I was desperate to find out what the ending would be, I just think when I got there I was a bit disappointed.
You have to wait until you're roughly halfway thru the book for anything to really happen. Theres a difference between building tension and having no plot, but the book is very much like a classic in this way, as well with how much the writing tells rather than shows. Hector does exactly NOTHING to recommend himself until the last 5 chapters of the book so not totally sure why I'm supposed to feel like he and Nina got their HEA? Nina interested me, but I felt very keenly like she didn't belong in this book; she would have been an excellent weird little heroine for a genuine romance novel, but I just spent the entire book feeling sorry for her while everyone else played her like a fiddle. Valerie was vile and jealous and self absorbed and pitiful - a truly perfect villain. I did not predict this book would go in the direction it did and while I suppose the ending was satisfying, I think I was expecting something darker. Also, the aspect of psychokenisis was very much an afterthought throughout the book - I think it could have been replaced with basically anything else as a common ground uppm which Hector and Nina could build their relationship and the book would have been almost exactly the same, which was somewhat disappointing to me.
I will say that the narrative kept me tense and on the hook enough for me to keep reading - I was desperate to find out what the ending would be, I just think when I got there I was a bit disappointed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Bullying
betweenthecovers2019's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence
blakeandbooks's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
I am just such a fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia. This was a bit different than other books of hers that I’ve read. This book didn’t focus so much on magical realism as it did the romance and the meaning of what being loved feels like. (There’s still magical realism though!!) It’s definitely a slow burn, but I felt like it was the perfect amount of anticipation.
I’m looking forward to continuing to read through SMG’s works!
I’m looking forward to continuing to read through SMG’s works!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Gun violence, Gaslighting, and Sexism
Minor: Sexual content and Infertility
dejah_sowells's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed the story, but I do feel it dragged in some parts.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Domestic abuse and Pregnancy
theotheleo's review
emotional
tense
slow-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
3.75
Very good but too slow until the last 50ish pages
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Sexism
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Pregnancy
stagemanaginger's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I am disappointed because this was highly recommended by multiple sources I trust and I hated it :( the writing was good, which is why I rated it as high as I did, but I did not like a single character. The only reason I even kind of rooted for the main love interests to work out was because of how much more I disliked the villains than them. The magic was such a small part of the book and the characters, I wanted more of it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence
esme_may's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Such a good read! Not without its flaws (a little slow paced at first) but the author can really write a good sentence. Found myself underlining things all over the place! Going to read more from her for sure. The more I think about this book the more I like it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Sexism, Grief, Gun violence, Misogyny, Violence, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Alcohol, Murder, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
frogsreadfantasy's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Fairly straightforward regency romance with a bit of magic sprinkled in. The perspective switching got annoying, and I didn't always enjoy Hector's POV. He came off as somewhat petulant and dull, and his motivations weren't always clear. Valerie was a bit of a flat, cliched villain but her POV was fun to read. Nina was likeable as a MC and had a great progression/maturing throughout the novel. There is a thoughtful deconstruction of women's role in society through the contrasting POVs of Valerie and Nina. I saw someone else mention that it's meant to read like a telenovela, and the slightly overdone drama is definitely more enjoyable if you read it with that lens. Overall, it was enjoyable if a bit slow and melodramatic at times. Excited to read more from Moreno-Garcia!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Gun violence
mjwhitlock18's review
emotional
medium-paced
3.5
Regency romance with a dash of magical realism. Overall entertaining and I love the character of Nina. In the end, I like Hector and the way he cares for Nina, but I spent 60% of the book just wanting to scream at him and shake him. My main gripe with this book is that so much of the conflict hinges on miscommunication/lack thereof, which I don’t usually like. But in the end I love to see a bitch get what is coming to her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Bullying, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Gun violence and Sexism
Minor: Infertility and Sexual content