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Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'
The Happily Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez
28 reviews
kelly_e's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Author: Abby Jimenez
Series: The Friend Zone #2
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: April 14, 2020
T H R E E • W O R D S
Entertaining • Enchanting • Heartwearming
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Artist Sloan Monroe just can't seem to get her life on track. But one trouble-making pup who randomly jumps into her car with a "take me home" look in his eyes is about to change everything. With Tucker by her side, Sloan finally starts to feel more like herself. Then, after weeks of unanswered texts, Tucker's owner reaches out. He's a musician on tour in Australia. And bottom line: He wants Tucker back.
Well, Sloan's not about to give up her dog without a fight. But what if this Jason guy really loves Tucker? As their flirty texts turn into long calls, Sloan can't deny a connection. Jason is hot and nice and funny. There's no telling what could happen when they meet in person. The question is: With his music career on the rise, how long will Jason really stick around? And is it possible for Sloan to survive another heartbreak?
💭 T H O U G H T S
My heart ached for Sloan in The Friend Zone, so I was excited to learn I'd be getting to read her story in The Happy Ever After Playlist. With such a personal connection to this book, I was anticipating another deeply emotional reading experience. Unfortunately, this one didn't have the same emotional punch, which left me slightly disappointed.
The beginning was so good! I absolutely adored the meet-cute (despite being on the dramatic side); the banter between Sloan and Jason was top notch; and getting to know Jason was delightful. And of course, there is Tucker (and I'm not even a dog person)! Yet everything I loved so much through the first third, slowly faded. For instance, Tucker played such a big part role, yet he kind of got left by the wayside as it went on. Their story somehow got bogged down through the middle, making in longer than necessary. Additionally, the fun, light hearted banter, which made their connection so believable, slowly dissipated.
A few other positives. I couldn't help me be entertained by Kristen's entertaining cameos. She was hilarious and I am so glad Sloan had her in her court. Everyone needs a Kristen in their lives. I also adored Sloan's relationship with her MIL. It was all heart-warming.
One last thing, while I typically like when author's include notes on their inspiration, in this case, I have issues with the concept of 'making people better' or 'fixing people' in the face of life-alternating death. It's a reminder of western society's inability to sit with grief and uncomfortableness, even though I know the importance of continuing to live. Grief is a lifelong journey and there is no getting over it, rather moving forward with it.
For me, 2023 has certainly been the year of Abby Jimenez (this was my fourth), and while The Happy Ever After Playlist is my least favourite, I still love how she writes banters and creates realistic romance with depth. I will continue to read everything she writes, and I'm looking forward to continuing with Life's Too Short, while I await her upcoming 2024 release.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Abby Jimenez devotees
• readers who like dogs
• fans of the second chance romance trope
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Sometimes the hardest place to live is the one in-between. And sometimes in-between is all you'll ever get."
"This was just a season, and there's beauty in all seasons."
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Car accident, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Stalking
Minor: Cursing, Drug abuse, Pregnancy, Self harm, Vomit, Drug use, Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, and Mental illness
death of partnerlaurensalisbury's review against another edition
1.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Alcohol
nicolesbookreviews's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
Graphic: Car accident and Death
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Eating disorder, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug use
baileyjanetee's review against another edition
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Minor: Alcoholism, Car accident, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Addiction, Alcohol, Death, and Grief
kll_msh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death
Minor: Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
a_sprinkling_of_books's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Moderate: Death and Mental illness
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Stalking
jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Strangers to lovers, second chance after strains on a relationship. This book is so well written. The romance itself so wholesome.
Dealing with themes of grief and also lying to protect others are dealt with alongside developing communication to be good together as a couple. I love this book and would definitely reccomend
Graphic: Drug use, Stalking, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Drug abuse, Addiction, Death, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
annahamburger's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
In this book we get to see Sloan's character be fleshed out as well as meet Jason. Kristen continues to be a central character and I was happy to see her and peak into her life after her "happily ever after". Josh unfortunately sort of faded to a side character, I was hoping to get to know him better from the outside since their book really focused on Kristen.
I enjoyed Sloan and Jason's character development and complicated and nuanced reactions to real relationship barriers (not everyone is a rockstar but jobs have been known to transfer people or require travel).
This book got emotional reactions out of me such as- smiling, laughing, and crying.
Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, Abandonment, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Cursing, and Self harm
Minor: Addiction, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Drug use, Pregnancy, Car accident, Drug abuse, and Sexual assault
courtneyfalling's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Car accident, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
jackiepreston's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
Graphic: Pregnancy, Death, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Car accident