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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
This book was a total surprise and delight. I had way different notions of what the book was going to be like based on the illustrated cover (which PS can we just stop those??), but it was far more thoughtful and emotional than it let on. I mean, a male main character who is thoughtfully reflecting on his emotional labor failings? Yes, please!
At 50% of the way in, I actually thought this was going to be a closed-door romance, which would have been fine because the story was great. But that changed in the last half of the book.
At 50% of the way in, I actually thought this was going to be a closed-door romance, which would have been fine because the story was great. But that changed in the last half of the book.
emotional
funny
fast-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:
Yes
Excellent book. Read it in practically two sittings, so a five star for me. Holiday writes dual POV first person in a way that works for me, since the setting and supporting characters are still fully fleshed out and realized and present on the page, as opposed to spending 85% of the book in the protagonists' heads.
The obligatory third act breakup I saw coming a mile away, and I wish she would have written it in a way that subverts the third act breakup, but she didn't, so that's my .25 off my rating.
Holiday expertly balances weighty emotional plot points—off-page death of spouse, anxiety disorder, eating disorder— with charm, sensitivity, and humor for a well rounded story.
The obligatory third act breakup I saw coming a mile away, and I wish she would have written it in a way that subverts the third act breakup, but she didn't, so that's my .25 off my rating.
Holiday expertly balances weighty emotional plot points
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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:
No
First, I’d like to thank Net Galley and Forever for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Let me start of by saying, I was hooked from the beginning. Please read trigger warnings, as the book does discuss some serious topics. Hockey player MMC and Ballerina FMC. You can’t help but fall in love with both Aurora and Mike. I absolutely loved Mike & Aurora’s story, how they had met in the beginning of the book and fast forward to 14 years later and them crossing paths again. Olivia, Mike’s daughter being in Aurora’s dance class. Then Aurora and Olivia’s bond was the cutest thing. They all had to overcome lots of trauma, they helped each other through it. I would definitely recommend this book, it was such a quick read, and definitely makes you fall in love with the characters.
Let me start of by saying, I was hooked from the beginning. Please read trigger warnings, as the book does discuss some serious topics. Hockey player MMC and Ballerina FMC. You can’t help but fall in love with both Aurora and Mike. I absolutely loved Mike & Aurora’s story, how they had met in the beginning of the book and fast forward to 14 years later and them crossing paths again. Olivia, Mike’s daughter being in Aurora’s dance class. Then Aurora and Olivia’s bond was the cutest thing. They all had to overcome lots of trauma, they helped each other through it. I would definitely recommend this book, it was such a quick read, and definitely makes you fall in love with the characters.
I really liked the premise of the book, as a loner child who lost my mother young there is a lot. that I related to. Also, never knew i needed to hear my own childhood boyfriend Joshua Jackson narrating a hockey romance, but here we are...Downside honestly, while i grasp the device, calling him Mike Martin for the entire book even while attempting to reconcile what she already intellectually knows was a little maddening and did take me out of the story often.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It’s a sweet book. Cute & creative story with a little emotional depth. I think if the author expanded more on the future of our two main characters rather than just them finally coming together, it would’ve been more impactful, especially with the amount of time focused on the dead wife & her birth control.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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:
Complicated