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gxab's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
misthios_pat's review against another edition
5.0
Almost 3 years late to this party, but I'd like to add my 2 cents too.
Brilliant! I thought the book would be heavy on angst and such but it wasn't, it doesn't mean there wasn't some sort of tension just bellow the surface, and that's what made me love it even more. It was basically a couple's journey trough grief and self acceptance. A really beautiful reading.
380 pages felt like 10 with how engrossed I felt. 10/10 recommend
Brilliant! I thought the book would be heavy on angst and such but it wasn't, it doesn't mean there wasn't some sort of tension just bellow the surface, and that's what made me love it even more. It was basically a couple's journey trough grief and self acceptance. A really beautiful reading.
380 pages felt like 10 with how engrossed I felt. 10/10 recommend
brencoombs's review against another edition
4.0
This was a a nice slow burn love story and it addressed mental health, therapy, grief, and healing honestly and accurately.
One thing that that bugged me, though, was about 3/4th of the book in, when Cam is asked if she and Ella are "Official" and she says "not yet, but I’m going to be her date at the premiere," even though a few pages back we had the cute moment when they did make things official: "She hesitated. 'Are we dating?' Cam chuckled. 'Do you want me to make it official?' She put her glass down and pulled Ella close. 'Because I’d be very happy to call you my girlfriend.' Ella blushed even harder now as she brushed her lips against Cam’s. 'I like girlfriend.'
One thing that that bugged me, though, was about 3/4th of the book in, when Cam is asked if she and Ella are "Official" and she says "not yet, but I’m going to be her date at the premiere," even though a few pages back we had the cute moment when they did make things official: "She hesitated. 'Are we dating?' Cam chuckled. 'Do you want me to make it official?' She put her glass down and pulled Ella close. 'Because I’d be very happy to call you my girlfriend.' Ella blushed even harder now as she brushed her lips against Cam’s. 'I like girlfriend.'
momodesu's review against another edition
5.0
I intentionally picked this book after reading another by the same author and really enjoying it. This one starts out HEAVY, and it touches on themes of suicide/attempted suicide, grief, and major depression throughout, especially early on, but man I just really loved the characters. Their development felt real and the love story was so nice, not too slow but not too rushed, and I really appreciate these romance stories that get deep without contrived interpersonal drama.
I will admit that I debated a lower rating because, at least in the Kindle version, there were some errors that were a bit frustrating. You don’t hope an injured toe “heels quickly”, you hope it heals quickly, and as was the case in the other book there were several places where the punctuation was off, mostly evidenced in quotation marks being omitted or in the wrong place in the text. I really wish a proofreader or editor had caught those because it made the read a bit choppy at a few points in the story. I also think she would have benefitted from an American proofreader since the story is set in California. There were multiple references to “toy boys,” which is the British term, in North America we call them boy toys, and there were a few other phrasing differences that stood out to me. It may seem like a small technicality, but as an American reading the book it felt awkward and out of place. Despite those issues I enjoyed the story and the characters immensely, so I decided to go with the 5-star rating.
I will admit that I debated a lower rating because, at least in the Kindle version, there were some errors that were a bit frustrating. You don’t hope an injured toe “heels quickly”, you hope it heals quickly, and as was the case in the other book there were several places where the punctuation was off, mostly evidenced in quotation marks being omitted or in the wrong place in the text. I really wish a proofreader or editor had caught those because it made the read a bit choppy at a few points in the story. I also think she would have benefitted from an American proofreader since the story is set in California. There were multiple references to “toy boys,” which is the British term, in North America we call them boy toys, and there were a few other phrasing differences that stood out to me. It may seem like a small technicality, but as an American reading the book it felt awkward and out of place. Despite those issues I enjoyed the story and the characters immensely, so I decided to go with the 5-star rating.
annaavian's review against another edition
2.0
Although the book sends a nice message regarding mental health it ended up being a lot lighter than the premise warranted. I personally found it quite boring and transparent in general. There was no real tension and no struggle to overcome any mental or social obstacles whatsoever.
The plot just dragged along and everything was just magically working out without any bumps on the road..
The plot just dragged along and everything was just magically working out without any bumps on the road..
underfelt's review against another edition
2.0
Echoing the other reviews before me but I’m just getting to this one and yeah, it was just ok. The book has a great start and I really like the first few chapters and then it just kinda…went along? It was just kind flat. I guess I was expecting a bit more based on how it started. I’m a big fan of Lisa Gold and I recognize this an older body of work so maybe that’s why I was feeling it as much.
netgyrl's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars - audible version
Lise Gold is always a solid author for me. I pretty much like or love every book of hers I have read. I liked this one and I am not sure if it would have tipped more into the "loved it" side if I had read it on my own instead of listened to it. The narrator was very good, however, I did not enjoy the voice she used for the yoga teacher. It was not annoying or anything (and I kinda hate to say this cuz how shallow can I get) but just wasn't very sexy. I am not even sure if that is the right word, but, I mean, we all love Abby Craden because she has a very appealing speaking voice and all her characters have a certain sex appeal in the way they are voiced. What's funny is the voices she used for ever other character were fine. Even the other love interest, the actress. It was just something about the delivery of the yoga teacher that did not work for me. Oh well. The story itself was good and if you are a Lise Gold fan and love a good celebrity romance and I can recommend.
Lise Gold is always a solid author for me. I pretty much like or love every book of hers I have read. I liked this one and I am not sure if it would have tipped more into the "loved it" side if I had read it on my own instead of listened to it. The narrator was very good, however, I did not enjoy the voice she used for the yoga teacher. It was not annoying or anything (and I kinda hate to say this cuz how shallow can I get) but just wasn't very sexy. I am not even sure if that is the right word, but, I mean, we all love Abby Craden because she has a very appealing speaking voice and all her characters have a certain sex appeal in the way they are voiced. What's funny is the voices she used for ever other character were fine. Even the other love interest, the actress. It was just something about the delivery of the yoga teacher that did not work for me. Oh well. The story itself was good and if you are a Lise Gold fan and love a good celebrity romance and I can recommend.
gbhcool12's review against another edition
4.0
Romantic and well written
I've read a few romances that include an imagined "star" character - both
M/F and F/F. They are difficult to bring off, but Lise Gold does nicely with Living. Cam and Ella are appealing, believable characters and their romance is well-placed and credible. Difficult subjects are sensitively handled and never get in the way of a touching story. As usual with Lise Gold, background characters are more than mere window dressing and help to drive the story. A good read.
I've read a few romances that include an imagined "star" character - both
M/F and F/F. They are difficult to bring off, but Lise Gold does nicely with Living. Cam and Ella are appealing, believable characters and their romance is well-placed and credible. Difficult subjects are sensitively handled and never get in the way of a touching story. As usual with Lise Gold, background characters are more than mere window dressing and help to drive the story. A good read.