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a_hooman's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.0
ebabs48's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
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
5.0
Omg this fucking beautiful slow burn romance is one of the best books ive read all year! Im still crying tears of joy from the ending! You get to know these characters and really bond with them and i can really really feel the connection they have with each other - its emotional and profound. Please read this book 💜💜💜💜
imme_van_gorp's review against another edition
4.0
|| 4.0 stars ||
This was such a soft and gentle love story. Harper and Reid were caring and nurturing towards each other and their entire relationship was just lovely. They had a lot of hurt/comfort between them, and the book truly spent time on building a real connection between them.
They were both exactly what the other needed; Harper gave Riley the patience, understanding and respect he needed to deal with his recent blindness, while Riley gave Harper the confidence, trust and happiness he needed to deal with the trauma of the abuse he suffered by his last boyfriend.
Both of these characters were extremely likable. They were so different with Riley being smiley and charming while Harper was shy and timid, yet they found each other in their respective pain and loneliness. They could be there for each other in a way no one else could, and it felt oh so comforting.
The main thing that I didn’t quite appreciate about this book was the pacing. It could feel a little slow at times, even though I do understand why it needed to be slow.
But really, this was a lovely book. It was written well, it had some deeper and genuinely sad emotions, and the romance was rather beautiful.
This was such a soft and gentle love story. Harper and Reid were caring and nurturing towards each other and their entire relationship was just lovely. They had a lot of hurt/comfort between them, and the book truly spent time on building a real connection between them.
They were both exactly what the other needed; Harper gave Riley the patience, understanding and respect he needed to deal with his recent blindness, while Riley gave Harper the confidence, trust and happiness he needed to deal with the trauma of the abuse he suffered by his last boyfriend.
Both of these characters were extremely likable. They were so different with Riley being smiley and charming while Harper was shy and timid, yet they found each other in their respective pain and loneliness. They could be there for each other in a way no one else could, and it felt oh so comforting.
The main thing that I didn’t quite appreciate about this book was the pacing. It could feel a little slow at times, even though I do understand why it needed to be slow.
But really, this was a lovely book. It was written well, it had some deeper and genuinely sad emotions, and the romance was rather beautiful.
rhe323's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
bookishwishes's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.5
knocturnal27's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
marsali's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
theoguinto's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this story. I was initially a little hesitant to read a story with a blind MC because I was scared about feeling too bad for him, but the author did a really good job establishing that Riley was not a character who needed sympathy or pity (from anyone, even the reader)
His incredibly bright and cheery outlook on life, even against people treating him like he was an invalid, was a joy to read. He was funny, charming, quirky, but also complex in his emotions around his vision. I liked that he expressed frustration towards people when they coddled him, made him feel less human. I also loved his sense of humor. I can't tell you the number of times I laughed out loud whenever he casually decided to rename Larry.
Harper was also very well portrayed. I felt for him whenever he found himself trying to fight against the abuse Dallas had subjected him to. I was rooting for him whenever he was in a situation that allowed him to try and move past his trauma, but I also completely understood when he found himself struggling against it.
I really love how clear it was that both MCs needed something more than what they initially wanted.
Riley just wanted independence, but he realized that he needed someone who could love him and make him feel whole in the face of Harper leaving. The independence wasn't enough, and he knew that alone wasn't going to make him happy. He wanted independence, but needed someone like Harper.
Harper just wanted somewhere to stay and get his bearings, which he found in Riley's apartment, and eventually his own when he moved out. But when he finally got that, he wasn't happy. He realized that what he really needed was somewhere and someone he could feel safe with, someone like Riley.
These are the types of romance stories that I love to read. When both MCs have their own separate struggles, but they both grow and love each other by helping the other deal with the struggles. The couple becomes more than just the two individuals that make it.
The side characters were also incredibly well done. Rob was the best friend that Riley could've asked for. He's patient, not condescending, and still treated him like a person. Daniel was that for Harper, though less patient but that's more so because Harper needed a person that was protective of him, because he wasn't protective of himself.
Not to say that this was a perfect story. I wasn't a big fan of how Harper seemed to be stuck on believing that Riley was straight, even after Riley engaged him in sexual activities and even literally said that he wasn't, but that can be forgiven since Harper wasn't 100% sure of Riley's internal thoughts.
Still one of my favorite love stories though! I'm interested in seeing the sequel.
His incredibly bright and cheery outlook on life, even against people treating him like he was an invalid, was a joy to read. He was funny, charming, quirky, but also complex in his emotions around his vision. I liked that he expressed frustration towards people when they coddled him, made him feel less human. I also loved his sense of humor. I can't tell you the number of times I laughed out loud whenever he casually decided to rename Larry.
Harper was also very well portrayed. I felt for him whenever he found himself trying to fight against the abuse Dallas had subjected him to. I was rooting for him whenever he was in a situation that allowed him to try and move past his trauma, but I also completely understood when he found himself struggling against it.
I really love how clear it was that both MCs needed something more than what they initially wanted.
Riley just wanted independence, but he realized that he needed someone who could love him and make him feel whole in the face of Harper leaving. The independence wasn't enough, and he knew that alone wasn't going to make him happy. He wanted independence, but needed someone like Harper.
Harper just wanted somewhere to stay and get his bearings, which he found in Riley's apartment, and eventually his own when he moved out. But when he finally got that, he wasn't happy. He realized that what he really needed was somewhere and someone he could feel safe with, someone like Riley.
These are the types of romance stories that I love to read. When both MCs have their own separate struggles, but they both grow and love each other by helping the other deal with the struggles. The couple becomes more than just the two individuals that make it.
The side characters were also incredibly well done. Rob was the best friend that Riley could've asked for. He's patient, not condescending, and still treated him like a person. Daniel was that for Harper, though less patient but that's more so because Harper needed a person that was protective of him, because he wasn't protective of himself.
Not to say that this was a perfect story. I wasn't a big fan of how Harper seemed to be stuck on believing that Riley was straight, even after Riley engaged him in sexual activities and even literally said that he wasn't, but that can be forgiven since Harper wasn't 100% sure of Riley's internal thoughts.
Still one of my favorite love stories though! I'm interested in seeing the sequel.
jen_and_her_books's review against another edition
5.0
The story of Riley and Harper is one of healing, learning to trust again and trying to get one’s life back after a devastating incident (or in Harper’s case assault).
Harper and Riley meet through an agency that sends Harper, a healthcare professional, to Riley’s. Riley lost his sight due to an accident and had refused help until this point. Riley turns out to be exactly what Harper needs and vise versa.
This story is written with so much empathy and sensitivity it is a joy to read. Dianna handles those hard topics with a dash of humor without taking away the seriousness. This one might be my favorite of Dianna’s books
Harper and Riley meet through an agency that sends Harper, a healthcare professional, to Riley’s. Riley lost his sight due to an accident and had refused help until this point. Riley turns out to be exactly what Harper needs and vise versa.
This story is written with so much empathy and sensitivity it is a joy to read. Dianna handles those hard topics with a dash of humor without taking away the seriousness. This one might be my favorite of Dianna’s books