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mbichaela's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ENG
I found it slightly dramatic. The relationship between the two main characters was alright.
(fmc is black)
I found it slightly dramatic. The relationship between the two main characters was alright.
(fmc is black)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Minor: Cancer
offbrandclubsoda's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Cancer, and Bullying
Minor: Ableism
sultrytartreviews's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
This was a sweet story from Hibbert. I loved that we once again get a tough looking guy who's a huge marshmallow on the inside. And to be gifted with a wonderfully grumpy FMC on top was of that was a lovely surprise.
This, however, was not my favorite book I've read by Hibbert. It has a lot of her trademark story pieces, but the emotional growth for Ruby felt left to the very end and then rushed. I wanted her history to be doled out more throughout the book. Without this, the story fell a little flat to me, even though I liked both MCs. I'm still looking forward to checking out the rest of the series since there is some amazing rep included in this series.
This, however, was not my favorite book I've read by Hibbert. It has a lot of her trademark story pieces, but the emotional growth for Ruby felt left to the very end and then rushed. I wanted her history to be doled out more throughout the book. Without this, the story fell a little flat to me, even though I liked both MCs. I'm still looking forward to checking out the rest of the series since there is some amazing rep included in this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent and Cancer
town outcastskaurgo's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Pregnancy
Minor: Stalking, Terminal illness, Rape, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Ableism, Toxic relationship, Racism, and Sexual harassment
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
toffishay's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I enjoyed the characters and the bones of this story, but the plot felt a little rushed to me. Evan also feels a little flat as a love interest and the romance feels like it develops really quickly. I love how Ruth grows through the book and the love that Evan has for her, really bolsters her too which is beautiful to see. We don't have to heal alone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Stalking
Minor: Classism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Racism, Body shaming, and Alcohol
downsophialane's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Talia Hibbert's book are so readable, but I think this remains my favourite. Town pariah Ruth is endlessly sympathetic, and romantic hero Evan is an example of a sweet cinnamon roll hero who also has a legitimate character arc (not always a given). While this is a sweet, sexy small town romance, it does involve a coersive relationship (mostly in the heroine's past, but it does rear its ugly head on page too, so readers be aware of that). With consideration of that content warning, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a sexy small town romance.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
🍎 TO TEACH?
I love Talia Hibbert's narrative voice so much, I wish I could get away with using excerpts in class, but I fear everything is way too sexy to use in a high school!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
🍎 TO TEACH?
I love Talia Hibbert's narrative voice so much, I wish I could get away with using excerpts in class, but I fear everything is way too sexy to use in a high school!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Medical content, Cancer, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Fatphobia
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
jourdanicus's review
funny
hopeful
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
Wow! Steamy, fun, and clever. Great, realistic representation. The author manages to make a light read out of a pretty serious topic (relationship abuse was an aspect of the plot) by handling it gently and with wisdom. I loved the characters, very believable and relatable. The sex scenes were realistic (and super hot). Can't wait to read more by this author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Stalking
Minor: Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Racism
brianaisgoingplaces's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
3.5
I liked this book as it was light and fluffy. Not a lot of substance (which of course I love), but at the same time, nothing to phone home about.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship