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iconicavocado's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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
(read via audiobook)
Book 📖: 4/5 stars
Audiobook 🎙️: ⭐⭐⭐
Three takeaways:
Three takeaways:
• A nice representation of female autism for this being a romance book
• You don't need to read the 2nd book (The Bride Test) in order to enjoy the story
• If you're looking for a feel-good story, think again.
• If you're looking for a feel-good story, think again.
Boy, was this book unexpected. This book went beyond a simple, sweet romance book. While I actually connected a lot with Anna in the later half of the book and what she goes through I was really taken back by the dramatic turn the story took. I have a love-hate feeling towards this change up and ultimately dock a star because the switch up is so strong that I think other readers would be really jarred when they read it. It's a nice book, but I do caution you to read trigger warnings before you start this book.
To read more spoiler notes of mine see below:
I wish there was more of Quan and Anna's relationship within the book. The book takes a major turn midway that overtakes the whole story from romance to self discovery through massive hardship. The love story definitely takes a backseat the rest of the book. Which I didn't mind because the themes that come out of it connected to me personally. I just don't think this serious emotional twist is "for everyone" especially in this kind of genre.
This is not a book you read to cheer yourself up, that is for sure!
I also didn't think it was totally necessary for Quan to have had cancer. I personally felt that was a bit unnecessary to have that much sadness between both main characters considering where the last half of the story goes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Terminal illness, Ableism, and Medical content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
0live_tr33's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Mental illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
ghostsversion's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Okay, so maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned the fact that I wasn’t 100% emotionally invested in the previous one. I feel like Mrs heard me and was like “Oh really? Well here’s an entire book about two people pleasers falling in love and also about how tiring it is to try and be what others want you to be.” Like, ma’am, I’m already dead, stop stomping on me. And maybe I related a bit on the masking autism part but whatever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, and Death of parent
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Ableism, and Vomit
bettysbookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
this was such a perfect ending to this wonderful series !! quan and anna's story is one that i will hold in my heart for a very long time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Infertility, Cancer, and Gaslighting
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
annabananadel's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
2.75
“Just because something isn't perfect doesn't mean we need to throw it away.”
Okay this book I definitely forgot was a part of an interconnected stand-alone series. I did read The Kiss Quotient, which I looooove so much and would definitely need a reread. So it was a shock for me and immediately thought - "Hmmmm. This guys sounds familiar."
This book is a quick read but definitely not for me. I don't really love insta-love and this book screams that. I would have loved to see a bit more falling in love or simply just liking one another. Especially for Quan, it was like he just fell so deeply without looking back. One moment they were textmates - then met up - then immediately can't stop thinking about her and would do everything for her.
I did love the story of Anna (lowkey I forgot we have the same name lol) and her family. It shows how people doubts your condition. It was so hard for her to tell them about her diagnosis so when she actually did tell them, they simply chose not to believe her. I can't relate to her but Helen Hoang wrote it in a way that I felt it with Anna. You really can't blame her for being her because nobody diagnosed you at a young age so you thought what you were doing was the right thing - but the right thing was for you to just be yourself. Helen really wrote this book just to show that and if you want to understand more, this would be a good read. I would read it for the additional knowledge but not for the romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Cancer, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief and Toxic relationship
Minor: Bullying
caitlinemccann's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.0
The romance is almost the background to Quan and Anna's personal journies with grief and identity, but that makes everything about this story more personal and poignant. Yes, you still get the tender moments and the spice that the other books in the series do so well. But it's really a romance for readers who love character development and self-reflection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Bullying, Gaslighting, Medical content, Ableism, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Cancer, Classism, Suicidal thoughts, and Misogyny
meggy_b14's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? No
5.0
I was honestly very determined to not give this trilogy another chance, but my "fomo" would not allow me and I'm very gals! It was definitely the best book e, even tho it looks like and easy to read romance, that not exactly how it goes. Family drama and weird dynamicsare very notorious and they make the reader hurt, a LOT. The romance is not the main focus of the book but it is has an important role in Anna's mental health and stability, which is portrayedin a realistic without being too heavy. Once more, the main character is autistic and the diagnosis arises in a very difficult period of her life, in which everything changes. I really enjoyed the book, being one of my favourite romance reads of this year. It's a great recommendation for anyone looking for a different romance and it's good that the trilogy does not have a strong bond in between books, making it possible to read this one without reading the previous ones.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Infertility
absofsteel77's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
Moderate: Ableism, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Vomit and Suicidal thoughts
skbat'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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Ableism, Sexual content, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Grief, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, and Body horror
Minor: Car accident, Vomit, and Infertility
tibbarasden's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Anna is very different from me, but I connected so strongly to her struggles. I loved how the author highlighted autism along with family expectations and the struggles of being a caregiver. I really thought all these things combined in a really impactful way. I loved Anna and Quan together. Quan's openness and patience are something I really gravitated to. I also liked how he struggled and had insecurities of his own after his illness and surgery. Even though the romance was not as much on the forefront, I thought the author did a great job incorporating it with the heaviness of the rest of the plot. Definitely check the trigger warnings, but it's a great one to pick up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Cancer, Medical content, and Death of parent