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jonasreads's review
emotional
inspiring
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
lachelle45's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.25
mnwakeford's review
5.0
This was such a beautifully written book. I have read and enjoyed a few other stories by Cara Bastone, so I know what an intelligent and insightful writer she is. This one did not disappoint at all.
The romance was slow-burn (not usually my favourite), but it made the coming together at the end all the sweeter - and what an epic melding of two souls it was! I am still reeling from the kitchen/bedroom scene at the end, not just because it was spicy (that it was!) but because the author was able to infuse such a deep emotional connection into their lovemaking, something I rarely see in other romances. Sebastian was just lovely, my new book boyfriend. This had all the feels. So good!
The romance was slow-burn (not usually my favourite), but it made the coming together at the end all the sweeter - and what an epic melding of two souls it was! I am still reeling from the kitchen/bedroom scene at the end, not just because it was spicy (that it was!) but because the author was able to infuse such a deep emotional connection into their lovemaking, something I rarely see in other romances. Sebastian was just lovely, my new book boyfriend. This had all the feels. So good!
gunnu_aulakh's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
laiabrary's review
1.0
I don’t even know where to start…
There was very little to like about this—if not nothing. I love age gap romances. And when I read one I don’t mind some insecurity from one of the main characters about said age gap. But Seb was constantly worrying about being too old for Via. Every page, there would be a mention of their age difference (which, let’s be honest, isn’t that big of an age gap; he’s in his early forties and she in her late twenties.)
On top of the age gap ruining this book because of it being the main focus, the book was excruciatingly long. For no good reason since nothing interesting was happening, besides Seb whining about his age, which undoubtedly isn’t interesting.
I truthfully expected to love this since I adore Cara Bastone’s Love Lines Series but this ended up being one of the worst books I have read in 2022. I don’t think I’ll continue this particular series but I do look forward to reading other Cara Bastone books, because I still believe she can write amazing stories.
There was very little to like about this—if not nothing. I love age gap romances. And when I read one I don’t mind some insecurity from one of the main characters about said age gap. But Seb was constantly worrying about being too old for Via. Every page, there would be a mention of their age difference (which, let’s be honest, isn’t that big of an age gap; he’s in his early forties and she in her late twenties.)
On top of the age gap ruining this book because of it being the main focus, the book was excruciatingly long. For no good reason since nothing interesting was happening, besides Seb whining about his age, which undoubtedly isn’t interesting.
I truthfully expected to love this since I adore Cara Bastone’s Love Lines Series but this ended up being one of the worst books I have read in 2022. I don’t think I’ll continue this particular series but I do look forward to reading other Cara Bastone books, because I still believe she can write amazing stories.
caseyflemingo's review
3.0
I fell for judging a book by its cover, I expected this book to have a lot more of cute moments with the dog, hahaha. So that was a little disappointing to me. But overall this book was okay, it’s very much a slow burn, and I liked the beginning more than the rest of it.
jg93's review against another edition
I just found myself getting bored of this book (and it's not a very long book!) The constant internal struggle where the 42-year old MMC agonizes over having a crush on the 27-year old FMC was off-putting to me - he mentioned her age SO many times, and spoke as if he was geriatric with a crush on someone barely legal. It felt like it was trying to make it seem less weird by making him agonize over it, but it just drew attention to it so much more than if it had just been something he considered, and then they later discussed between them (granted, I didn't read enough to see how they deal with it as a couple, so maybe it was handled better in the last half)
I also love a good slow burn, but IMO, this just felt...slow in general. I read until the 47% mark, and wasn't feeling much chemistry between the leads. That, combined with the FMC still having a boyfriend (even though it's clear from the beginning they're doomed) the age thing, and the overall stakes feeling very low, I just wasn't compelled to keep reading. I do want to read more from this author, because I've heard good things about her books in general.
I also love a good slow burn, but IMO, this just felt...slow in general. I read until the 47% mark, and wasn't feeling much chemistry between the leads. That, combined with the FMC still having a boyfriend (even though it's clear from the beginning they're doomed) the age thing, and the overall stakes feeling very low, I just wasn't compelled to keep reading. I do want to read more from this author, because I've heard good things about her books in general.