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meeklovestoread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Spice Rating:🌶️🌶️.5/5
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Cancer
jimins's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Emotional abuse
ndmngz's review against another edition
- 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
Quan and Anna were an amazing match of characters as love interests. The love that grew between them was a bit fast, but it didn't feel like unrealistic insta-love, it more so felt like two people who understood each other and fit right together finding each other at the right time. I wish I got more development of Quan's backstory, but it was certainly a plot focused on Anna's struggles. Quan wasn't a flat character by any means though (I just loved him and wanted more), he stood firm and fought for his relationship with Anna and understood his place as a new partner in her family struggles, but still advocated for himself when things were pushed too far.
I will say, this is not the rom-com it appears to be. Though the other books in the series tackle serious and emotional topics in parallel with the romance, this book is even more of a heavy hitter. Huang tackles a lot of topics that are reflective of her own experiences, more so than any other of the books she's written (according to her Author's Note), and because of this the writing is even more poignant, intentional, and impactful. It was more of a contemporary fiction with a subplot of romance, and though it wasn't what I expected, I truly loved it and was moved to tears at the end. Huang beautifully articulates the painful struggle of being poorly treated and regarded by family, while still loving them and feeling the need to adhere to family obligations. As well as a very rough and real portrayal of mental health, grappling with diagnoses and adjusting your world view as an adult, and how family fits into that picture.
Please note some trigger warnings include emotional abuse from family members, familial illness and death, caregiver burnout, and suicidal ideation.
Moderate: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Death of parent
gartimar'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: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Cancer
Minor: Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
literary_laur's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Cancer, Mental illness, and Ableism
kelsimitchell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Gaslighting and Emotional abuse
teatunesandtales's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Cancer, Classism, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
Trigger Warnings: Caretaker burnout, Autistic burnout.jillkaarlela'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
4.0
Age rating: 17+ (3 brief steamy scenes, 1.5/5🌶️)
This was a fairly emotional romance where the fmc has to cope with her autism spectrum diagnosis and unlearning her habits of masking. Please read with care and check the TW. This deals with pretty heavy topics. She has spent her whole life living for other people, doing only what everyone else wants, and it’s eating away at her. I love the journey of her finding the one person who never makes her feel like she has to put on a show. Quan is the one person who sees and loves Ana for her, and the only one who she doesn’t have to “mask” with. Their love is so tender and healing for both of them. I love the “failed” one night stand trope, where they plan to have a one night stand, but can’t seem to let each other go. They hold each other through truly dark times. They are just so perfect for each other!!
The way that Ana’s family treats her makes me want to scream. They always tell her what to do, and treat her with “tough love”, which is actually just bulldozing her wants and needs. It truly hearts my heart. This novel was definitely heavier than Hoang’s other novels, and it wasn’t my favorite, but it was still really great!
“When I realize I’m going south on the 101, I’m not surprised that I’m going straight to her. My compass always points to her.”
TW: emotional abuse, cancer (testicular), ableism, gaslighting, “tough love” very unsupportive family, terminal illness/end of life care, grief, death
Moderate: Terminal illness, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Grief, Death of parent, Cancer, and Death
marleens's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Ableism, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Cancer
Minor: Infertility and Infidelity
saraavowlerr's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Cancer, Cursing, Grief, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse