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alenka's review
emotional
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
4.0
TJ Alexander is great - I didn't realize this one was gonna be about dudes about to turn 40! I appreciated that it was an older romance. There are some moments of conflict that feel a little dialogue light and thus maybe underdeveloped? But I think they work - it's romance, if people actually just communicate there's not much story.
ellie_egg's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
3.75
joensign's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, and Transphobia
Minor: Death of parent, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Car accident
khradil's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
kaitlynpalmer's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
3.0
danwyn's review
4.0
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review: 3.5/5 stars
Content warning for some transphobia from one of the MC’s mother-in-law, also for Florida politics in general. This was my first book by TJ Alexander, and overall, I really liked it! Importantly for a romance, the relationship was very compelling. There’s a bit of spice that I thought was both sexy and well done in regard to depicting sex with a transmasculine person. I appreciated that the characters were slightly older than I usually see in romance novels (both around 40). Especially with the trans man MC, it’s always nice to have stories about people who transition as an adult. The other MC goes through his own queer discovery storyline in the novel that I also enjoyed, and his daughter is so cute! I honestly wish there had been more of her. There’s a lot towards the beginning and then a lot less in the second half.
On the other side of things, I did find the writing a little slow at times and a lot of tension relied on miscommunications and the characters just straight up walking away from each other, which is not the most compelling relationship storyline in my opinion, hence the slight bump down in rating to what I might have given it.
Content warning for some transphobia from one of the MC’s mother-in-law, also for Florida politics in general. This was my first book by TJ Alexander, and overall, I really liked it! Importantly for a romance, the relationship was very compelling. There’s a bit of spice that I thought was both sexy and well done in regard to depicting sex with a transmasculine person. I appreciated that the characters were slightly older than I usually see in romance novels (both around 40). Especially with the trans man MC, it’s always nice to have stories about people who transition as an adult. The other MC goes through his own queer discovery storyline in the novel that I also enjoyed, and his daughter is so cute! I honestly wish there had been more of her. There’s a lot towards the beginning and then a lot less in the second half.
On the other side of things, I did find the writing a little slow at times and a lot of tension relied on miscommunications and the characters just straight up walking away from each other, which is not the most compelling relationship storyline in my opinion, hence the slight bump down in rating to what I might have given it.
meigothic's review
4.0
Disclaimer: I received a review copy for via NetGalley, and am voluntarily and happily sharing my honest thoughts. Many thanks to the publisher, Atria Books, for the opportunity!
3.5 rounded up. I really enjoyed the setup of this one, and loved the way that TJ approached the situation overall. There were some great moments with both sides of the MC's families here, and I adored Eli's parents for trying their best. The relationship that Nick had with his ex-wife and daughter was also an interesting one, and it was nice to see healthy divorced family dynamics. Nick's dad was also a great addition, and I felt so much for Laurie as the small dose of unhealthy familial ties with Kay was well-depicted (and I'm glad it was just a pinch because I could not handle more right now
3.5 rounded up. I really enjoyed the setup of this one, and loved the way that TJ approached the situation overall. There were some great moments with both sides of the MC's families here, and I adored Eli's parents for trying their best. The relationship that Nick had with his ex-wife and daughter was also an interesting one, and it was nice to see healthy divorced family dynamics. Nick's dad was also a great addition, and I felt so much for Laurie as the small dose of unhealthy familial ties with Kay was well-depicted (and I'm glad it was just a pinch because I could not handle more right now
emmettotter's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5