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katjayorke's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Do not read if you’ve just been through a breakup! Very triggering
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Dementia, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Vomit, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
laurineco's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol and Drug use
alexisgarcia'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this book came to me at perfect time in my life. dolly alderton writes some of the some realistic characters i’ve ever read. her characters are flawed and just so human. the themes of ghosts and self contentment are so well done. i love how the story actually revolves around the main character, rather than the main character AND the love interest. it involved the main characters whole life, her romantic relationships, friendships, family, and even her relationship with herself. i just adored this book and will read anything dolly alderton writes till the end of time <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Dementia, Gaslighting, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Cursing
cerilouisereads's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Pregnancy
raelong12's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
Minor: Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Grief, and Medical content
kathabooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Vomit, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Terminal illness
bexrebeccaboo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Gaslighting
ellereadsbookslike's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
~Short Synopsis~
Nina George Dean is in her early thirties. She's a successful food writer, she has a new flat in central London and she is surrounded by her loving friends and family. But as she watches her friends get married, start families and move to the suburbs, she can't help but feel like she's getting left behind. Nina is confronted with a whole host of new challenges she wasn't expecting - dating apps, drifting away from her friends and her Dad's worsening health. Maybe her 30s won't be as fun and carefree as she expected.
~Review~
I definitely didn't expect to like this book as much as I did but that being said, I also had some issues with it.
Nina is a fairly relatable protagonist (if not a bit pessimistic but aren't we all) and I feel Alderton really captures the essence of a woman that feels something is missing from her life. There were times when I had a literal knot in my stomach because I was really feeling Nina's pain. I think that is a sign of a successful protagonist. I also have personal experience with watching someone decline from dementia so I could definitely relate to what Nina was going through with her dad. I've seen a few reviews that criticise Nina for wallowing in her pain and to be honest that was one of the most realistic things about the character for me - we all wallow in self pity, no matter how self-actualised we are.
Some of the plot was fairly predictable and I was hoping that Alderton was going to shock me by not going in the direction I expected, but alas. I especially felt this with the neighbour arc, I knew it would go in that direction but there was some part of me that hoped I was wrong. But call be professor Trelawney because I was spot on. I felt there was just no need for it to resolve like that (I won't spoil but if you've read it, you'll know). I am also yet to read a book that shows dating apps in a positive light...although, personally, I do despise dating apps with my entire being so that might have something to do with it.
I would put this in the category of 'if you like Bridget Jones then you'll like this'. It's not as funny or as warm hearted as the Bridget Jones books, but it is definitely the first book, that I have read, that I think deserves to be in that category.
Overall an enjoyable read but I don't think I'll read it again (3.5/5)
Nina George Dean is in her early thirties. She's a successful food writer, she has a new flat in central London and she is surrounded by her loving friends and family. But as she watches her friends get married, start families and move to the suburbs, she can't help but feel like she's getting left behind. Nina is confronted with a whole host of new challenges she wasn't expecting - dating apps, drifting away from her friends and her Dad's worsening health. Maybe her 30s won't be as fun and carefree as she expected.
~Review~
I definitely didn't expect to like this book as much as I did but that being said, I also had some issues with it.
Nina is a fairly relatable protagonist (if not a bit pessimistic but aren't we all) and I feel Alderton really captures the essence of a woman that feels something is missing from her life. There were times when I had a literal knot in my stomach because I was really feeling Nina's pain. I think that is a sign of a successful protagonist. I also have personal experience with watching someone decline from dementia so I could definitely relate to what Nina was going through with her dad. I've seen a few reviews that criticise Nina for wallowing in her pain and to be honest that was one of the most realistic things about the character for me - we all wallow in self pity, no matter how self-actualised we are.
Some of the plot was fairly predictable and I was hoping that Alderton was going to shock me by not going in the direction I expected, but alas. I especially felt this with the neighbour arc, I knew it would go in that direction but there was some part of me that hoped I was wrong. But call be professor Trelawney because I was spot on. I felt there was just no need for it to resolve like that (I won't spoil but if you've read it, you'll know). I am also yet to read a book that shows dating apps in a positive light...although, personally, I do despise dating apps with my entire being so that might have something to do with it.
I would put this in the category of 'if you like Bridget Jones then you'll like this'. It's not as funny or as warm hearted as the Bridget Jones books, but it is definitely the first book, that I have read, that I think deserves to be in that category.
Overall an enjoyable read but I don't think I'll read it again (3.5/5)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content and Gaslighting
courtsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Abandonment
auteaandtales's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Dementia, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship