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language_loving_amateur's review against another edition
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
4.75
This is a rom-com that did not give me second hand embarrassment. It is funny and sweet, and she had it bad from like chapter 3. It is all from Ruthie's POV, but readers get to know Teddy very well too. There was something that I saw coming from the very beginning, and something else that I only started hoping for about half way through, but it was so very satisfying.
Sex: basically one sex scene with euphemistic language. While technically open door, it is more like the door is cracked. There is general horny-ness throughout. Not granny approved, but not graphic.
Mental health topics, are brought up and I think they are handled well. The book doesn't give the characters diagnoses, but you can expect anxiety and difficulty leaving the property. Ruthie is a reverend's daughter and doesn't believe anymore, so there is some churchy stuff, but the prospective offered in the novel is interesting.
Sex: basically one sex scene with euphemistic language. While technically open door, it is more like the door is cracked. There is general horny-ness throughout. Not granny approved, but not graphic.
Mental health topics, are brought up and I think they are handled well. The book doesn't give the characters diagnoses, but you can expect anxiety and difficulty leaving the property. Ruthie is a reverend's daughter and doesn't believe anymore, so there is some churchy stuff, but the prospective offered in the novel is interesting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Bullying and Sexual content
Childhood neglect, emotional neglectreadandfindout's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
Style/writing: 3.5 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 3.5 stars
Plot: 3 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 3.5 stars
Plot: 3 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Death, Body shaming, Homophobia, Gaslighting, Bullying, and Infidelity
whackettreading's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Gaslighting, Bullying, and Death
_thelitlibrarian's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
TW: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Bullying, Gaslighting
5.0 stars
-
I picked up this book based solely on the setting of the plot, a retirement villa. As someone who has spent their life working in retirement homes, I felt drawn in immediately. I'm so glad I picked this up on a whim, as I need more Teddy and Ruthie in my life. I love the hilarious banter that turns into a solid friendship, my heart was swooning the entire time, I was rooting for these two characters to end up together, but at one point it just didn't seem as if it were an option.
Our two main characters are nothing alike, Ruthie has dedicated most of her life to taking care of the villa and the residents, and it's often joked that she'll never move out and just end up retiring into the cottage she's currently in, Ruthie often forgets that she's supposed to be a young, beautiful, and single woman. Teddy Prescott is known for partying, sleeping in late, tattooing his body, and not taking anything in life seriously. After a few too many mess-ups in life, Teddy's father, and the owner of the villa agree to let him stay in one of the cottages as long as he earns his keep. When a spot working for two of the wealthiest and most eccentric residents in the villa opens up, Ruthie knows that Teddy is the perfect person for the position.
I loved watching Teddy prove to himself and everyone else that he's much more and deserves a lot more credit. Although this seems like a light book on the surface, my heart broke as we got more of a backstory both for Ruthie and Teddy. Watching the two of them grow as characters as they spent time together was refreshing, I love how they each taught each other a lot and helped their personalities grow and come to life. Listening to Teddy describe everything he wanted in a woman and it describes Ruthie to perfection made my heart swoon.
5.0 stars
-
I picked up this book based solely on the setting of the plot, a retirement villa. As someone who has spent their life working in retirement homes, I felt drawn in immediately. I'm so glad I picked this up on a whim, as I need more Teddy and Ruthie in my life. I love the hilarious banter that turns into a solid friendship, my heart was swooning the entire time, I was rooting for these two characters to end up together, but at one point it just didn't seem as if it were an option.
Our two main characters are nothing alike, Ruthie has dedicated most of her life to taking care of the villa and the residents, and it's often joked that she'll never move out and just end up retiring into the cottage she's currently in, Ruthie often forgets that she's supposed to be a young, beautiful, and single woman. Teddy Prescott is known for partying, sleeping in late, tattooing his body, and not taking anything in life seriously. After a few too many mess-ups in life, Teddy's father, and the owner of the villa agree to let him stay in one of the cottages as long as he earns his keep. When a spot working for two of the wealthiest and most eccentric residents in the villa opens up, Ruthie knows that Teddy is the perfect person for the position.
I loved watching Teddy prove to himself and everyone else that he's much more and deserves a lot more credit. Although this seems like a light book on the surface, my heart broke as we got more of a backstory both for Ruthie and Teddy. Watching the two of them grow as characters as they spent time together was refreshing, I love how they each taught each other a lot and helped their personalities grow and come to life. Listening to Teddy describe everything he wanted in a woman and it describes Ruthie to perfection made my heart swoon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Death, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders
daisychainreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Death
kenziewol's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Infidelity
wts_tiffany's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Bullying and Lesbophobia
sam_h's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Emotional abuse, and Sexism
Minor: Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Bullying, and Child abuse
decklededgess's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-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
3.0
trigger warnings: religious trauma, sex and nudity, alcohol, infidelity, emotionally abusive and manipulative family, gaslighting, death of loved ones, wounded animals
This was a super sweet book and I enjoyed reading about the entire cast of characters. Teddy was fkn adorable and Ruthie is such a sweetheart. Melanie might need a bit of an ass whooping for being insensitive but I loved her as well. Aggie and Renata are delightful.
As usual I was deeply disappointed by the existence of one singular sex scene in which it was mostly fade to black. I mean it was cute but details would be nice since this is a whole as ADULT book.
This was a super sweet book and I enjoyed reading about the entire cast of characters. Teddy was fkn adorable and Ruthie is such a sweetheart. Melanie might need a bit of an ass whooping for being insensitive but I loved her as well. Aggie and Renata are delightful.
As usual I was deeply disappointed by the existence of one singular sex scene in which it was mostly fade to black. I mean it was cute but details would be nice since this is a whole as ADULT book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Death
Minor: Bullying and Homophobia
samchase112's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Sally Thorne's cute, quirky characters worm their way into my heart every. single. time. I mean how could you not love a guy named Teddy who acts like the personification of an actual teddy bear?! And Ruthie, sweet girl, so sheltered but ultimately willing to step outside her little world and take a chance. The fantastic cast of characters around these two were so much fun: Melanie (caring little firecracker) and the Parlonis (A D O R A B L E) were just angels. I had so much fun reading this book and following the romance, and I could not put it down. My biggest issue with it -- and the reason I dropped it down a half star -- is that the end wrapped up so quickly, it was like whiplash. Even if this book was 50 pages longer to give space for the ending to breathe and for us to sit with the ramifications of each action a bit longer, I would be giving this such a higher rating. Even so, I freaking loved this book, and am definitely going out to buy myself a copy asap. A reread soon coming to a StoryGraph review near you......
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Bullying
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