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beate251's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for this ARC.
Samantha works in marketing for a mustard brand in Minnesota and tall and frowny Xavier is a vet with his own practice. They meet over an impossibly cute stray cat that has an unusual and costly medical problem. They have one perfect date that mainly takes place in a locked escape room and then Sam is forced to move miles away. Their relationship has no future - and yet they both can't forget each other.
The story is told in alternating dual POV, so both Samantha and Xavier get their say. Both have baggage due to their parents. Xavier's parents are abusers, emotionally as well as physically, and Samantha has to move back home to California due to her mother's deteriorating health condition.
This book nearly broke me. There are two big topics that I have personal experience with: dementia and long-distance relationships. Both are described incredibly realistically and both suck. Especially caring for someone with dementia is exhausting and heartbreaking and you can only really appreciate it once you've done it yourself and you realise it's not just about memory loss. For some people, just reading about it will be too much, as well as learning about those caricature villains that are Xavier's parents. The relationships within Samantha's family are a bit more complex and revolve around how to best care for her mother.
Abby Jimenez' books seem to have many similarities to each other. They all deal with difficult topics, there is always a cute pet or two with a ridiculous name, a bearded man, the desire to have children, big feelings that border on obsession, and a couple of mentions of Nadia Cakes, the author's own business. There is always one apparent reason why two people who are incredibly perfect for each other can't be together. This time it is "we live too far from each other and we can't move, at all, ever". I get it, long distance is frustrating, tiring and expensive, but it usually has an end date.
The book is eminently readable and the big feelings will have many readers swoon, although everyone's problems seem to get solved a little too neatly and quickly at the end, but I adored lovely Dr Hank and his selflessness. Abby Jimenez means quality, and even though I would have liked a little less dementia drama I thoroughly enjoyed this and read it in one sitting. Also, the cover is utterly gorgeous.
"Love is the brightest color in a gray world."
Samantha works in marketing for a mustard brand in Minnesota and tall and frowny Xavier is a vet with his own practice. They meet over an impossibly cute stray cat that has an unusual and costly medical problem. They have one perfect date that mainly takes place in a locked escape room and then Sam is forced to move miles away. Their relationship has no future - and yet they both can't forget each other.
The story is told in alternating dual POV, so both Samantha and Xavier get their say. Both have baggage due to their parents. Xavier's parents are abusers, emotionally as well as physically, and Samantha has to move back home to California due to her mother's deteriorating health condition.
This book nearly broke me. There are two big topics that I have personal experience with: dementia and long-distance relationships. Both are described incredibly realistically and both suck. Especially caring for someone with dementia is exhausting and heartbreaking and you can only really appreciate it once you've done it yourself and you realise it's not just about memory loss. For some people, just reading about it will be too much, as well as learning about those caricature villains that are Xavier's parents. The relationships within Samantha's family are a bit more complex and revolve around how to best care for her mother.
Abby Jimenez' books seem to have many similarities to each other. They all deal with difficult topics, there is always a cute pet or two with a ridiculous name, a bearded man, the desire to have children, big feelings that border on obsession, and a couple of mentions of Nadia Cakes, the author's own business. There is always one apparent reason why two people who are incredibly perfect for each other can't be together. This time it is "we live too far from each other and we can't move, at all, ever". I get it, long distance is frustrating, tiring and expensive, but it usually has an end date.
The book is eminently readable and the big feelings will have many readers swoon, although everyone's problems seem to get solved a little too neatly and quickly at the end, but I adored lovely Dr Hank and his selflessness. Abby Jimenez means quality, and even though I would have liked a little less dementia drama I thoroughly enjoyed this and read it in one sitting. Also, the cover is utterly gorgeous.
"Love is the brightest color in a gray world."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Dementia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Medical content, Grief, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
dbr3168's review
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ARC Review - Overall it was a cute story. The chemistry between the two leads was funny and easy to enjoy.
One thing I've consistently enjoyed about Abby's books is the realistic and complicated life scenarios she writes for her characters. A long distance relationship is hard. Long term family member care is hard. Determining what to do next in your life when you have desires that conflict with your financial obligations. All topics are well handled in this book!
I'll say though, there is an infidelity plotline that I think didn't add to the story at all. I kept waiting for it to be addressed or mentioned in a more meaningful way, but it wasn't. I also found myself somewhat jolted at times by some abrupt parts of the book (Samantha moving to CA instead of just "traveling", Xavier reconnecting with Hank after all those years, as examples). All that said, I'll read the final copy once it's published!
One thing I've consistently enjoyed about Abby's books is the realistic and complicated life scenarios she writes for her characters. A long distance relationship is hard. Long term family member care is hard. Determining what to do next in your life when you have desires that conflict with your financial obligations. All topics are well handled in this book!
I'll say though, there is an infidelity plotline that I think didn't add to the story at all. I kept waiting for it to be addressed or mentioned in a more meaningful way, but it wasn't. I also found myself somewhat jolted at times by some abrupt parts of the book (Samantha moving to CA instead of just "traveling", Xavier reconnecting with Hank after all those years, as examples). All that said, I'll read the final copy once it's published!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, and Infidelity
ktdakotareads'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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Child abuse
sydniesreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Not your “average” romance book, but like in a good way? The story of two people who against all the odds make it work. Two people who meet at the worst time, making it work and showing up for each other. Abby writes in a way that pulls at your heart and makes you feel things so deeply. Don’t expect to come out of this one unscathed, you’ll be in your feelings, you may cry, you’ll probably relate to a plot point or two. No “third act break up” spice level at like a jalapeño, HEA, animals who get rescued and saved. I dare you to not shed a tear for this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, and Physical abuse
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Gaslighting