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marippe's review
4.5
After the dumpster fires that were Rhythm, Chord & Malykhin and Under Locke, I'm so excited to say I enjoyed the book. Diana wasn't really that pick me and a woman hater. When Diana compliments women in her narration, I get so much joy. (suck it Gaby)
Diana and Dallas were cute. The romance didn't completely burn me or leave me longing for more but I did like them.
I really liked the resolution to Josh's storyline with his birth mother, it was very open ended and it allows Josh to figure out what he wants to do. Speaking of Josh, the found family elements was cute af.
Some things in this book was a little bit silly, I didn't mind it too much thought because I did enjoy the book overall.
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Suicide
lauraelovesbooks's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide, Sexual content, and Addiction
n_malin_p's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Vomit, and Suicide
bellllssbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Suicide
luchikreads's review
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
🌶️🌶️🌶️definitelyatlas's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Minor: Suicide, Physical abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
emilyfrenchie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
apolen's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Death, Death of parent, Racial slurs, and Sexual content
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
smuttymcbookface's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Suicide and Racism
amanda_reads13's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Diane is a 29 year old hairstylist who is raising her two nephews (5&10). Her little family has endured so much and she is doing everything she can to give her boys the best life possible. When they move into a new house, she meets Dallas, a 41 year old retired from the navy. Not only is he her neighbor, but he also becomes her oldest nephew's baseball coach. As their friendship flourishes, so do their feelings for each other.
Diane is so incredibly strong and determined. She has taken on such a huge responsibility in raising her 2 nephews and will do anything for them. She is fierce, speaks her mind, and loves her family more than anything. Her boys are her whole world and she will fight anyone who tries to hurt them. As much as she worries and stresses about not being a good enough guardian for them, she is raising some incredibly smart and sensitive boys. Her relationship with them comes first and is more important than anything else in her life. She is very hesitant to let anyone in due to her past truama and the fear of her boys being hurt.
Dallas is grumpy and a bit closed off, but as he warms up to Diane, we see that there is so much more to him. He is generous, protective, and so caring. He takes care of his grandmother and even takes in his asshole brother. He loves Diane and her boys so fiercely and wants nothing more than to take care of them. He takes his time and truly gets to know her. He is honest and open with her. He takes a while to tell her how he feels, but he shows it in everything he does throughout their entire friendship.
I love that we get a peek into the characters from Kulti and Wall of Winnipeg. Vanessa is Diane's best friend and Sal is her cousin. I also really liked all the side characters.
Yes, it is a SLOW burn, but I love how much we get to see their relationship grows and their feelings develop. Their relationship develops slowly, but it makes sense considering their respective backgrounds. Neither would jump into something quickly, it wouldn't make sense for their characters.
That epilogue... Perfect ending.
My only issue is that I think that large age gap wasn't necessary, 12 years is a pretty big gap.
Tropes: slow burn, age gap, grumpy/sunshine, single parent
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicide and Domestic abuse