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reminiscences's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Cancer, Classism, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Domestic abuse, and Infidelity
hennie's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
How is it that every Talia Hibbert book has me giggling and kicking my feet? Now I also want someone to cook for me and read the books I give them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Fatphobia, Racism, and Domestic abuse
pinesandpages's review
3.5
This was fine! I don’t really enjoy the plot device where a woman’s mysterious and abusive past is hinted at obliquely for the bulk of the book, and then in one pivotal dramatic scene it all comes out. This book wasn’t as funny or snarky as Hibbert’s usually are, so I missed that aspect. Certainly spicy enough tho. I do wish Evan had a personality other than being extremely good looking, loving to cook for Ruth, and a slight savior complex. We brushed by most of his background, as he was mostly there to be the perfect partner.
Again, this was not bad, but probably my least favorite of Hibbert’s work that I’ve read thus far.
Again, this was not bad, but probably my least favorite of Hibbert’s work that I’ve read thus far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
Minor: Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Cancer
annelihghh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Grief, Classism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
Minor: Racism
nitya's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
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
4.0
Spent my entire day reading this, no regrets
Although knowing about Trevor's racism has me side-eyeing his redemption in Damaged Goods.
Also Evan Miller is the BEST book boyfriend, fight me
Although knowing about Trevor's racism has me side-eyeing his redemption in Damaged Goods.
Also Evan Miller is the BEST book boyfriend, fight me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Stalking, and Domestic abuse
cat_demon's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
bisexualwentworth's review
emotional
reflective
relaxing
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
Talia Hibbert continues to be the only valid writer of cishet contemporary romance. I honestly have no idea how she does it. Her books are full of things that I would not normally enjoy. In this case, there's the massive, super muscular man and the tiny, delicate woman he's obsessed with. Usually I find the genre's obsession with that dynamic to be super weird, but it was actually okay here.
I would call Evan a himbo, but he's not dumb. He's just big and strong and really, really gentlemanly. Ruth is a lovely main character with heartbreaking trauma. Her autism is written with a lot of sensitivity. Her relationship with her sister was super compelling.
But why did Evan have to be ex-military? And so proud of it too. Oh well.
Anyway, fuck Daniel Burne, and I WILL be continuing with the series.
I would call Evan a himbo, but he's not dumb. He's just big and strong and really, really gentlemanly. Ruth is a lovely main character with heartbreaking trauma. Her autism is written with a lot of sensitivity. Her relationship with her sister was super compelling.
But why did Evan have to be ex-military? And so proud of it too. Oh well.
Anyway, fuck Daniel Burne, and I WILL be continuing with the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Racism and Violence
marylinaris's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
5.0
I just adore the way Talia Hibbert crafts her stories. The third-act conflict in this book was not a romantic one but a personal one. That not only made sense, but it also was amazing to see the main character overcome it and show her growth.
The romance between Ruth and Evan in this was adorable, I liked their friendship and how Ruth got more and more comfortable with him resulting into fun banter between them. That was a great base for them to grow into a romantic relationship, based on pure trust, willingness to give grace and understanding.
CW: ableist language; domestic abuse; toxic relationship; rape (past, non-graphic); cancer (side character)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cancer, Rape, Ableism, and Sexual violence
Minor: Rape
weelasswithabook's review
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
CW: Racial microaggressions, cancer, palliative care, death of a parent, ableism, slut shaming, grief, implied rape, previous àbúsívé relationship, harassment/stalking
⭐ Friends to lovers
⭐ Cinnamon roll hero
⭐ Interracial romance
🌈 Black FMC
🌈 ASD representation
Oh. My. God. I absolutely adored this 😭 Cinnamon roll heroes and prickly heroines are like catnip. I couldn't get enough of this, genuinely.
This was just so wholesome to watch unfold, although the darker aspects came as a surprise. Ruth is recovering from an abusive relationship, which has led to struggles with trust and the ability to make herself vulnerable.
We see through her flashbacks, racial microaggressions and ableism from others, so people around her (aside from her sister and her mum) have had a hugely negative impact on her sense of self and her self esteem. This is slowly chipped away at throughout the course of the book and we see her defense mechanisms start to falter as she realises that she's actually managed to meet a good person who wants to spend time with her as a person, as opposed to just a potential sexual partner.
Evan is struggling with grief and trauma from his mum passing away, this manifests itself as him wanting to do everything for everyone else, and just being a pure and wholesome angel. We get to see the impact that palliative care can have on the loved ones of those in palliative care and how it can affect their future interpersonal relationships.
I was 100% invested in these two, adored them both. I loved the sisterly bond between Ruth and her sister, especially the protectiveness from her sister which doesn't veer onto controlling, but remains solidly at concern.
I genuinely believe, if you're looking for something sweet, with a sprinkling of spice, then this is 100% the book for you. As far as my experience goes up until this point, Talia Hibbert has never missed yet, so yeah, pick this up.
⭐ Friends to lovers
⭐ Cinnamon roll hero
⭐ Interracial romance
🌈 Black FMC
🌈 ASD representation
Oh. My. God. I absolutely adored this 😭 Cinnamon roll heroes and prickly heroines are like catnip. I couldn't get enough of this, genuinely.
This was just so wholesome to watch unfold, although the darker aspects came as a surprise. Ruth is recovering from an abusive relationship, which has led to struggles with trust and the ability to make herself vulnerable.
We see through her flashbacks, racial microaggressions and ableism from others, so people around her (aside from her sister and her mum) have had a hugely negative impact on her sense of self and her self esteem. This is slowly chipped away at throughout the course of the book and we see her defense mechanisms start to falter as she realises that she's actually managed to meet a good person who wants to spend time with her as a person, as opposed to just a potential sexual partner.
Evan is struggling with grief and trauma from his mum passing away, this manifests itself as him wanting to do everything for everyone else, and just being a pure and wholesome angel. We get to see the impact that palliative care can have on the loved ones of those in palliative care and how it can affect their future interpersonal relationships.
I was 100% invested in these two, adored them both. I loved the sisterly bond between Ruth and her sister, especially the protectiveness from her sister which doesn't veer onto controlling, but remains solidly at concern.
I genuinely believe, if you're looking for something sweet, with a sprinkling of spice, then this is 100% the book for you. As far as my experience goes up until this point, Talia Hibbert has never missed yet, so yeah, pick this up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexual content, Terminal illness, Cancer, Death of parent, Stalking, Death, Grief, and Physical abuse
Minor: Ableism, Rape, Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
emmreads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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: Ableism
Minor: Domestic abuse and Racism