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readandfindout'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
mishaps's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, and Religious bigotry
_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
mengzhenreads's review against another edition
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
2.5
Ruthie is definitely one of the most annoying/bland main character's I've read in a while, the fact that she's so scared of the outside world that she never leaves the retirement home, dresses like an old person, and needs everyone around her to constantly validate her existence and actions gets tiring very fast.
Generally the romance is enjoyable, but it definitely runs on the weirder side and at times was unbearably embarrassing. Also the main love interest really didn't have any boundaries at the beginning of the book and it was really uncomfortable to read about so yikes.
Generally the romance is enjoyable, but it definitely runs on the weirder side and at times was unbearably embarrassing. Also the main love interest really didn't have any boundaries at the beginning of the book and it was really uncomfortable to read about so yikes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Religious bigotry, Homophobia, and Gaslighting
hampshark's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
Neither excellent nor awful. It was fine. Thorne’s writing style came through clearly, but the relationships didn’t feel fleshed out enough for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Religious bigotry
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
ashylibrarian's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
This is a cute New Adult/Adult romance between Ruthie and Teddy (and maybe a few more) with exploration of careers, self-identity, family, and past traumas. I enjoyed this book for what it was - for the most part. One thing that really rubbed me the wrong way, however, was Ruthie's invasion of Teddy regarding why he was going to therapy. Multiple times she asked him bluntly to tell her why he was seeing a therapist and not until after about the third (3rd) or fourth (4th) time did he tell her. I just feel like that is not an appropriate way to have a conversation with someone about therapy, no matter how close you think you are to them.
I just have to say that I am so happy for Aggie and Renata. I had my suspicions that they were not sisters, and once Renata started talking about her tattoo I was pretty convinced that they were in a relationship together. It did not take away from the reveal of the moment or the dance floor scene! Fresh, new love encouraged by strong, consistent love.
I also just have to say that I was SHOCKED in the end to read that Renata was the one who passed before Aggie. Every time something would happen to Aggie in the story, my heart would get really sad, so I was definitely expecting her to be the one who passes. Either way, the love they showed for each other is beautiful, and I am so glad they were able to make peace with what they were forced to miss in high school.
Overall, I am satisfied with this book and would be interested in listening to more of Sally Thorne's books.
I also just have to say that I was SHOCKED in the end to read that Renata was the one who passed before Aggie. Every time something would happen to Aggie in the story, my heart would get really sad, so I was definitely expecting her to be the one who passes. Either way, the love they showed for each other is beautiful, and I am so glad they were able to make peace with what they were forced to miss in high school.
Overall, I am satisfied with this book and would be interested in listening to more of Sally Thorne's books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Classism and Grief
isotope_s's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.0
Teddy and Ruthie are so sweet and endearing. You can’t not love them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
jenkneebee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Religious bigotry
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
ashleycmms's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Infidelity
Minor: Addiction, Homophobia, Death, Religious bigotry, and Racism
A tortoise gets stepped on accidentally but survives.