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lacrimaeignis's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I absolutely adored this story! Is it cliched? Yes. Is it predictable? Most definitely. Is the development of the plot unbelievable? Yes but that's kind of the point as this is intended to be a comfort read. Was it still a fun read? For me, yes.
While the book is a Contemporary Romance/Rom Com, it is probably more accurate to call it a Slice of Life book. Which is to say if you're expecting a book with a lot of plot or exciting events, you'll likely be disappointed. Character development is also focused more on the side characters rather than the main couple.
I very much identified with our protagonist Evie - and not just because she decides to rent out and run a bookstore in England to escape her everyday life (which is totally something I would do and frankly would love to do right now). I really enjoyed taking this relaxing trip to England with Evie. It was nice to see her interactions with the various villagers and how even in a seemingly perfect village everyone still has to deal with their own issues (some way worse then others). But what I loved most was how supportive the majority of the characters were to each other.
I do wish that Roane had been given more flaws because the "flaws" he had weren't even really flaws especially because it had nothing to do with his personality but were based on arbitrary circumstances. I loved Roane but he was too perfect and therefore felt very unrealistic. And while it wouldn't have changed much about the story I wish the "spice" had been a bit more... well spicy. Not to say a romance story can't be good without it. But the tension that had built up between the characters and their chemistry was great but then when they finally got together, it felt like they had completely lost that spark.
While the book is a Contemporary Romance/Rom Com, it is probably more accurate to call it a Slice of Life book. Which is to say if you're expecting a book with a lot of plot or exciting events, you'll likely be disappointed. Character development is also focused more on the side characters rather than the main couple.
I very much identified with our protagonist Evie - and not just because she decides to rent out and run a bookstore in England to escape her everyday life (which is totally something I would do and frankly would love to do right now). I really enjoyed taking this relaxing trip to England with Evie. It was nice to see her interactions with the various villagers and how even in a seemingly perfect village everyone still has to deal with their own issues (some way worse then others). But what I loved most was how supportive the majority of the characters were to each other.
I do wish that Roane had been given more flaws because the "flaws" he had weren't even really flaws especially because it had nothing to do with his personality but were based on arbitrary circumstances. I loved Roane but he was too perfect and therefore felt very unrealistic. And while it wouldn't have changed much about the story I wish the "spice" had been a bit more... well spicy. Not to say a romance story can't be good without it. But the tension that had built up between the characters and their chemistry was great but then when they finally got together, it felt like they had completely lost that spark.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Racism
Minor: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Classism, and Lesbophobia
hanz's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
This was initially a fun silly rom com, but the last third was so irritating to the point that it ruined my initial enjoyment of the book. Once Evie is in a relationship, she seems to forget all of the "women can be independent" stuff she's been telling other characters and the late act break up was so ridiculous it seemed to be shoehorned in because it's expected of the genre, when the conflict of them living in different countries would have been enough.
Really liked the first two thirds, especially the focus on friendship, but unfortunately let down by the ending.
Really liked the first two thirds, especially the focus on friendship, but unfortunately let down by the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
lizzieb29's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual content, Homophobia, Addiction, and Racism
Minor: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, and Death of parent
imds'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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Racism, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Miscarriage and Homophobia
instalovewithbooks's review
lighthearted
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? No
3.75
I really did like this book, but the HP references thrown in made it watered down. Disappointing honestly. And the references did not even need to be there. It was just added in, it didn't add anything more to the story, and even if it did, the author should have changed it.
Otherwise, it was a fun cutesy read.
Otherwise, it was a fun cutesy read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent
There is brief mentions of HP references if you find that triggering for you.marthabethanreads's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
lcwdreamer's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Racism
chloewakham's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Emotional abuse, and Cursing
Moderate: Alcoholism
coacklebee's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I really enjoyed this book at the outset, but it ended up falling short of what I had been hoping it would be. I'm not a huge fan of the lying because you think the other person won't like you trope, and by the time I realized exactly where it was going, I was just frustrated, waiting for the eventual reveal of how old (or should I say, young?) and how rich Roane was. The lying about the age difference in particular felt really immature and soured what had otherwise been a cute, fluffy romance. There were some genuinely fun moments, but also some really cringe-worthy moments too, especially when it came to issues of race. All in all, a little disappointed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Racism
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
decklededgess's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
trigger warnings:sexual content, emotional abuse, gun violence, slut shaming, body shaming
this book was so fkn stupid i skipped the last few chapters to read the ending and epilogue and IT STILL WAS A WASTE OF MY TIME.
this book was so fkn stupid i skipped the last few chapters to read the ending and epilogue and IT STILL WAS A WASTE OF MY TIME.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, and Body shaming