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diana_reads_and_reads's review against another edition
dark
sad
2.0
I hate that this was my first book of 2024. In 2023, I cleaned up my digital library and chose the top 10
books I wanted to get to in my Kindle. This was one. Im sure I downloaded it on one of Amazon’s world reading days when you can get books in translation for free. My main issue with this book is truth in advertising. The cover and title make it look like a lighthearted romcom. Even the blurb makes one think they’re getting a cozy little read. THIS IS NOT THAT. Halfway through (when I was too invested to stop reading), one of the main characters boyfriend commits suicide because he knows he has cancer and he doesn’t want her to go through what his mom went through. Then she falls into a crippling depression. Lighthearted enough for you yet? The other main character is a man who is learning how to be a human being with feelings through the year long guide the female main character intended for her boyfriend.
On top of all that, the male main character’s full name is almost always used—maybe to emphasize that his last name is grief?—and it doesn’t even follow the HEA rule of romance, so I’m not sure what category of book this is supposed to be. Before the female main character falls into her depression, she has a healthy dose of toxic positivity.
Probably this should be one star, but I added one on because maybe this was better in German or there are things about German culture I don’t understand.
books I wanted to get to in my Kindle. This was one. Im sure I downloaded it on one of Amazon’s world reading days when you can get books in translation for free. My main issue with this book is truth in advertising. The cover and title make it look like a lighthearted romcom. Even the blurb makes one think they’re getting a cozy little read. THIS IS NOT THAT. Halfway through (when I was too invested to stop reading), one of the main characters boyfriend commits suicide because he knows he has cancer and he doesn’t want her to go through what his mom went through. Then she falls into a crippling depression. Lighthearted enough for you yet? The other main character is a man who is learning how to be a human being with feelings through the year long guide the female main character intended for her boyfriend.
On top of all that, the male main character’s full name is almost always used—maybe to emphasize that his last name is grief?—and it doesn’t even follow the HEA rule of romance, so I’m not sure what category of book this is supposed to be. Before the female main character falls into her depression, she has a healthy dose of toxic positivity.
Probably this should be one star, but I added one on because maybe this was better in German or there are things about German culture I don’t understand.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Addiction
ecahilly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Terminal illness, Alcohol, Addiction, and Grief
Minor: Cancer, Dementia, Car accident, and Death of parent
faerybookish's review
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This is not a romantic comedy. I read it because the description made it sound like a rom-com. Something sweet and light and inspiring. I loved the idea of a diary filled with suggestions for a "perfect year". Instead, I got a dark, challenging read, filled with subjects that really needed a TW. This is also a translated novel and that may have contributed to the disconnect.
This story isn't really about a man who goes out for a run and finds a mysterious diary with daily prompts for a "perfect year. Yes, that happens, but that's the least of it. This story is about a very privileged man, white, cishet, wealthy, healthy, attractive. Who is also deeply disconnected from his own emotions and treats most people around him poorly. I can read unlikable characters and sometimes even enjoy them. But I had a hard time rooting for or emotionally investing in Jonathan's personal growth because I kept thinking about all the harm he had done. His motivation was also very focused on him enjoying his life more, with only the last minute conflict with his love interest addressing the harm he had caused others. And the resolution to that conflict did not feel satisfying.
The pace was odd, most of the book takes place in january, and then when we start moving out of january we jump huge chunks of time to get to the end of the year before the end of the book. It felt rushed and disconnected in the last third because of this. It also left the romance feeling quite rushed, especially considering what Hannah (the love interest) had been through. In fact there was some of the most awkward insta-love I've read in this book, more than once! And the plot twists, which there were a few, felt both predictable and out of nowhere. I could tell where a few of these reveals were going, but we got there so quickly with almost no build up that it was jarring.
Is there anything I did enjoy? I did enjoy reading a book set in Germany, I don't know that I've read very many and I felt very immersed in the setting which worked well to support the characters and the story. A couple side characters, Leopold and Sarasvati were pretty interesting and I would have enjoyed spending more time with them.
This story isn't really about a man who goes out for a run and finds a mysterious diary with daily prompts for a "perfect year. Yes, that happens, but that's the least of it. This story is about a very privileged man, white, cishet, wealthy, healthy, attractive. Who is also deeply disconnected from his own emotions and treats most people around him poorly. I can read unlikable characters and sometimes even enjoy them. But I had a hard time rooting for or emotionally investing in Jonathan's personal growth because I kept thinking about all the harm he had done. His motivation was also very focused on him enjoying his life more, with only the last minute conflict with his love interest addressing the harm he had caused others. And the resolution to that conflict did not feel satisfying.
The pace was odd, most of the book takes place in january, and then when we start moving out of january we jump huge chunks of time to get to the end of the year before the end of the book. It felt rushed and disconnected in the last third because of this. It also left the romance feeling quite rushed, especially considering what Hannah (the love interest) had been through. In fact there was some of the most awkward insta-love I've read in this book, more than once! And the plot twists, which there were a few, felt both predictable and out of nowhere. I could tell where a few of these reveals were going, but we got there so quickly with almost no build up that it was jarring.
Is there anything I did enjoy? I did enjoy reading a book set in Germany, I don't know that I've read very many and I felt very immersed in the setting which worked well to support the characters and the story. A couple side characters, Leopold and Sarasvati were pretty interesting and I would have enjoyed spending more time with them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Chronic illness, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Dementia
Moderate: Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
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