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legalplanner's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Julian and Dahlia are the epitome of friends to more to enemies to more. The family dynamics in this were fun to watch because both families were loud, boisterous, and supportive of one another. Their dynamics made the one type of trope I dislike bearable--MISCOMMUNICATION. Which, the way this one happened it wasn't a true miscommunication between them but a failure to communicate.
This book dealt with heavy topics and honestly it was very relatable. I loved how hard Dahlia had things but how much Julian wanted to make things better for her once he knew about them. I also loved how much Julian despised his former roommate and Dahlia's ex. It made so much of the story so much better.
Graphic: Death of parent, Bullying, and Infertility
readingwith_kelsey's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Infertility and Grief
bagelpapi's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Infertility, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
amateur_bookworm's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Infertility, Sexual content, Cursing, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage
kiwij96'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
4.25
However, I enjoyed reading this despite some of the criticisms. A lot of romance books that I have read in the past have always ended with children, even when originally characters didn't want them, so to read something that held discussions on infertility and miscarriages and the grief and trauma that comes with them was refreshing.
Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infertility, and Mental illness
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Child death and Miscarriage
mana_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infertility
Minor: Death of parent
tenderbench's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Infertility, Medical content, Mental illness, Alcohol, Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Sexual content, and Death of parent
aparratto21's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Infertility
finnickdeservedbetter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Tropes & Themes
- Small town
- Billionaire romance
- Childhood rivals to lovers
- Friends with benefits
- Second chance
- Carpenter x interior designer
- One bed
- Witty banter
- Mexican-American FMC & MMC
- Infertility/genetic illness struggles
- Mental health rep (anxiety & depression)
- Dead dad trauma
Spice:
Medium (4+ explict scenes)
My Thoughts:
To absolutely no one's shock, I loved yet another Lauren Asher book.
I took me a second to warm up the Dahlia but I ended up loving her. I really liked seeing not only anxiety and depression representation that was realistic and non-stigmatizing, but also infertility/genetic illness talked about. That's not super common in contemporary romance. I really admired her strength in healing from what Oliver did to her, as well as accepting that she'll always struggle with mental illness. Sometimes it iz what it iz. Anxiety and major depression gang ✌🏻😘
I also loved Julian of course. I too, am a petty and spiteful asshole. I loved seeing his growth and journey learning to be emotionally vulnerable. I also really appreciated seeing a MMC that was adamant about adopting and that adoptive kids are no less part of their family (although conversations about the adoption industry are also very important).
That being said, I'm very excited for Rafe and Ellie's book. Fingers crossed book three will be Lorenzo and Lily 🤞🏻
Favourite Quote:
Graphic: Cursing, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness, Infertility, and Grief
Minor: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Death of parent
faraway_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Mental illness and Infertility
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Toxic relationship