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lujisa's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Car accident, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Chronic illness and Pregnancy
lisa_m's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
4.75
This book was just so so cute! It is the first book I have read by the author but I definitely want to read more of them.
The plot was quite tropey but just in the way I like it. There was fake dating, sleeping in the same bed, kind of rivals to lovers.. But the characters all felt so real. Even though I know these situation would never happen in real life the way they reacted to them never took me out of the story. It was realistic and sweet.
I could really relate to the main character. She wasn't self centred or shallow like so many romance protagonists. She was exactly what so many romance try to write as a heroine but don't succeed. She is witty, beautiful and a great friend. She dealt with some bad stuff but doesn't make it an excuse. I love her journey throughout the book. She found her own self worth and it was really beautiful to read that.
She is a character I would love to be friends with in real life.
I also loved that the secondary characters all had personalities of their own that got explored. Emily was a big part of the story and I really like her. So often the beat friends are just there so the mc can vent to them or give us more info about what's happening or their past. Emily was so much more than that.
So many romance authors make the main character seem quite shallow probably in an attempt to have the reader see themself in their place. Often I just don't get why the love interest falls for her at all. It's always because she is so 'special' but we don't get to see any of that.
I had the exact opposite feeling while reading this book. I totally understand their journey and even though it is romanticised it also seemed so real. I was so mad for her when Dan left her.
I listened to the audiobook which was certainly an experience. I loved the accent but I had to listen to it slower that usual to actually understand anything. (Usually I listen on 2x speed)
I'm glad though that that wasn't the main conflict.
I also loved that Laurie got the promotion in the end. Since we know she always had a tendency to help her boyfriend get ahead and not herself it's good to see that even though she fell back to old routines she is now rewarded as well. It was a very cathartic ending. :)
The plot was quite tropey but just in the way I like it. There was fake dating, sleeping in the same bed, kind of rivals to lovers.. But the characters all felt so real. Even though I know these situation would never happen in real life the way they reacted to them never took me out of the story. It was realistic and sweet.
I could really relate to the main character. She wasn't self centred or shallow like so many romance protagonists. She was exactly what so many romance try to write as a heroine but don't succeed. She is witty, beautiful and a great friend. She dealt with some bad stuff but doesn't make it an excuse. I love her journey throughout the book. She found her own self worth and it was really beautiful to read that.
She is a character I would love to be friends with in real life.
I also loved that the secondary characters all had personalities of their own that got explored. Emily was a big part of the story and I really like her. So often the beat friends are just there so the mc can vent to them or give us more info about what's happening or their past. Emily was so much more than that.
So many romance authors make the main character seem quite shallow probably in an attempt to have the reader see themself in their place. Often I just don't get why the love interest falls for her at all. It's always because she is so 'special' but we don't get to see any of that.
I had the exact opposite feeling while reading this book. I totally understand their journey and even though it is romanticised it also seemed so real. I was so mad for her when Dan left her.
I listened to the audiobook which was certainly an experience. I loved the accent but I had to listen to it slower that usual to actually understand anything. (Usually I listen on 2x speed)
I'm glad though that that wasn't the main conflict.
I also loved that Laurie got the promotion in the end. Since we know she always had a tendency to help her boyfriend get ahead and not herself it's good to see that even though she fell back to old routines she is now rewarded as well. It was a very cathartic ending. :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, Blood, Cursing, Grief, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
angelfireeast24's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Infidelity, Racism, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Terminal illness
kelseyjameson's review
emotional
hopeful
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Infidelity, Racism, Death, Pregnancy, Sexism, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Grief, Misogyny, and Pedophilia
katkinslee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
This book was so great! Really easy to get into!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy and Sexism
Minor: Pedophilia
editoryalizing's review against another edition
reflective
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
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting and Pregnancy
Minor: Pedophilia, Child abuse, and Rape
peachani's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Blood
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, Death, and Pedophilia
Minor: Cancer, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
mommarex1221's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I don't normally read these types of books but when I do I always think, why don't I? I clearly enjoy them despite predictability, as one enjoys a chick flick ever so often. Especially with one that offers much more depth, such as this. I'll be looking into more of McFarlane's novels in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
laurawoods13's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death, Pedophilia, Car accident, Cancer, and Blood