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mariebrunelm'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
5.0
Grace Porter has always had a plan and now she has accomplished it. PhD in hand, she’s ready to take on the next part of her journey. But what will that part look like? And how hard will she have to work to earn her father’s pride and respect from her white coworkers? When she celebrates in Las Vegas with her closest friends, ending up married to a stranger was definitely not part of the plan. But can it be?
This heartfelt novel was tender and full of yearning. I fell head over heels for Grace and her found family. True, I sometimes thought “having so many endearing characters is not like real life”. But none of these characters is without flaws - they are all painfully human. Grace Porter’s journey struck a chord deep within me. Of course, I cannot compare to the hardships she has to face as a Black, queer woman in a scientific environment filled with white men. But I know something of feeling lonely and lost, almost done with a PhD at 29 and with the gnawing feeling that people have had time to figure things out and get started with life while you’re deep in theoretical work.
The poetry within Morgan Rogers’s prose utterly charmed me. As a reader who tends to stay as far away from romances as possible, this one felt both messy and sweet, and the willingness of those two girls to make this marriage work somehow touched me. Who knew a contemporary romance would end up as one of my favourite books of the year?
Rep: queer, lesbian MC. Asian, lesbian love interest. Diverse & queer cast of characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Racism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Self harm
beebeewin'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
4.5
This is sapphic love story and a story of finding yourself, that is moving, funny, cute, and poignant. While I can't identify with everything Grace is going through, I can deeply relate to her emotional and mental journey in this book. Being the "perfect" child is impossible and Morgan Rogers captures how painful it is to learn that for yourself. Grace is a well written character, who's flaws are relatable and raw. Rogers writes stunning inner monologues, something you can really appreciate in this novel. I was drawn in by Grace and her friends who are so full-bodied and alive; I stayed for the simmering romance that was incredibly cute. The ending felt so true to the rest of the novel and all loose ends were tied up, if not full resolved. I appreciate how nothing is glossed over or mysteriously resolved, but instead we are left with an ending that feels true to life. It is messy, imperfect, and beautiful. My only critique is Grace's friends got much more attention and care than Yuki's friends, and I want to know Yuki's friends. This is the kind of novel where I almost want a sequel from Yuki's perspective. For the fullness in character for everyone else, it made Yuki's friends seem like props instead of full-fledged characters. I recommend this to anyone wanting a little romance mixed with mental health journey.
My favorite quote (apologies for any errors, I transcribed it from the audiobook ;]) "Here's the thing about the tar, the sludge, the inky black poison. Once it starts its ascent out of your body, there is nothing you can do to stop it. It tastes like volcano ash and fire, and you must taste it and gag on it, and ultimately you must spit it out. There comes a time when you cannot swallow it down any longer. Everything that is buried will be unburied. Everything that is pushed down will find its way out. It's the way of the universe." Did this quote hit me like a ton of bricks? Why, yes it does.
My favorite quote (apologies for any errors, I transcribed it from the audiobook ;]) "Here's the thing about the tar, the sludge, the inky black poison. Once it starts its ascent out of your body, there is nothing you can do to stop it. It tastes like volcano ash and fire, and you must taste it and gag on it, and ultimately you must spit it out. There comes a time when you cannot swallow it down any longer. Everything that is buried will be unburied. Everything that is pushed down will find its way out. It's the way of the universe." Did this quote hit me like a ton of bricks? Why, yes it does.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Misogyny
yohhhanna's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
3.5
how can there be such beautiful friendships and yet everyone feels lonely
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcohol
chasingpages1's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Racism, Abandonment, Sexism, Mental illness, Alcohol, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Death of parent, Drug use, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Blood, Cursing, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness
seekittyread's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Medical content
Minor: Alcohol, Abandonment, and Racism
novella42's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
3.75
This book has a lot going for it. The main character kept making choices that I couldn't fathom making myself and that made it hard for me to connect with her, but I think it was good for me to practice empathizing with her perspective.
I assumed I would connect with her more because I also burned out as an overachiever trying to be the best version of myself. I know what it's like to feel like there's one true plan that you have to follow to stave off disaster. To desperately want to make a parent proud of you.
I think my therapist would point to the differences in our core motivations. I'm fairly certain Grace Porter is an Enneagram 8w7 who goes to 5 in stress, and as an Enneagram 2w3 who goes to 8 in stress, I see some of my most frustrating qualities in Grace's personality. As frustrating as that was, and as baffling as her core motivations were to me, I still think it was good to read it and sit with that discomfort. And to remember that just because I have similar goals, experiences, and struggles as someone, doesn't mean I can read their mind, know what they want, or predict their behavior.
Anyway. This was an interesting read and has some lovely moments with good character development.
I assumed I would connect with her more because I also burned out as an overachiever trying to be the best version of myself. I know what it's like to feel like there's one true plan that you have to follow to stave off disaster. To desperately want to make a parent proud of you.
I think my therapist would point to the differences in our core motivations. I'm fairly certain Grace Porter is an Enneagram 8w7 who goes to 5 in stress, and as an Enneagram 2w3 who goes to 8 in stress, I see some of my most frustrating qualities in Grace's personality. As frustrating as that was, and as baffling as her core motivations were to me, I still think it was good to read it and sit with that discomfort. And to remember that just because I have similar goals, experiences, and struggles as someone, doesn't mean I can read their mind, know what they want, or predict their behavior.
Anyway. This was an interesting read and has some lovely moments with good character development.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Ableism, and Mental illness
kickitupanotch7's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
The narrator has a slight lisp, that initially made it hard for me to get into the book. I stuck with it and the lisp became less noticeable as the story progressed.
This story is super diverse with characters of many colors, cultures, and sexualities. Though the main character has a somewhat traditional family, she and Yuki also form several found families. The relationships she has with each of them are dynamic and interesting.
This story is super diverse with characters of many colors, cultures, and sexualities. Though the main character has a somewhat traditional family, she and Yuki also form several found families. The relationships she has with each of them are dynamic and interesting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Self harm
Minor: Abandonment, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
etoilexlune's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.5
I really love it
- I identify with the mc
- triple found family
- astronomy theme
- DEVELOPED side characters
- mental health issues representation
- it has the “mine” factor
however
what parents force their 29-year-old children to fulfill their grand plan for them
it would makes sense if she was a teen, early 20s TOPS
but almost 30?
it’s not realistic
her father acts as if she owes him sharing her whereabouts, career plans and even stupid phone calls
it feels like she stopped when time went on, stayed in her bubble and doesn’t realise she is a grown adult making her own decisions about her own life
quotes
“maybe there is not a specific half destined for us. maybe we have to keep trying to fit ourselves together until we find the pieces that fit”
“you spent 11 years ignoring that your mind and body said «stop, breathe, be kind to yourself» and you punished yourself for even thinking it”
🙋🏻♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Self harm
paigeisinabook's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
Once I figured out this book was not just about the whirlwind Las Vegas marriage to a stranger but Grace's descent into depression and a quarter-life crisis, I was all in.
Once I learned that Grace had a terminal degree and was lost as to what her next steps were to be, I was sold.
Once Grace broke down and caved to hiding and then finding herself, I felt seen.
I think many people should read this book and they may find themselves.
But all I know is, this book was for me.
Once I learned that Grace had a terminal degree and was lost as to what her next steps were to be, I was sold.
Once Grace broke down and caved to hiding and then finding herself, I felt seen.
I think many people should read this book and they may find themselves.
But all I know is, this book was for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm and Mental illness
Minor: Racism
sugarcainn's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Mental illness