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kb33's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I’m all for diverse books representing characters with mental illnesses, but not when a huge character in the book is a therapist/best friend and the authors have clearly not researched therapy for these conditions or had a therapist read the book and offer advice. He read more like the best girl friend encouraging the mfc to go for it over and over. This book contains advice by a “therapist” character that would be dangerous in real life. PSA: if you think someone might be considering suicide, please ask them about it but don’t ask leading questions like “you’re *not* considering suicide, are you?” In the USA 988 is a free crisis help line that anyone can call or text, 24 hours a day.
In addition, the mmc takes advantage of her anxiety and hesitation and pushes her to do things she’s stated she isn’t comfortable with. She says “no sex, let’s take it slow,” and he fills a bathtub for her and pushes her to let him join her in the bath. Honestly he wasn’t a good character and was written like a teenager might imagine a relationship before they know better.
In addition, the mmc takes advantage of her anxiety and hesitation and pushes her to do things she’s stated she isn’t comfortable with. She says “no sex, let’s take it slow,” and he fills a bathtub for her and pushes her to let him join her in the bath. Honestly he wasn’t a good character and was written like a teenager might imagine a relationship before they know better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Abandonment, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent, Infidelity, and Cancer
lilhappyhermit's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was such a cute book. Following Griffin and Luca’s story from when they met as pen-pals in their childhood until present day as they rekindle, was such a heartfelt journey. Watching all that unfolds as they learn what they have missed in those years without contact was adorable and vulnerable. Through all that is brought to light, they love and accept one another no matter what.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death, Cancer, and Death of parent
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
allingoodtime's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
I borrowed this audiobook from KU because it sounded interesting. Then I sat on it for more than a month because, as I’ve mentioned many times, I have issues when the MMC has the same name as one of my kids. Adding in the factor that I was going to consume this via audiobook so I would be hearing the name made it harder. I finally bit the bullet and I’m not upset that I did. I learned I was right, it is much harder to ignore the name thing when it’s being said in my ears over and over. Yet I mostly enjoyed this book.
The first bit of this book had me fully engrossed. It’s not that I wanted Luca and Griffin never to meet in person, but some of the magic was lost when they met. They get it back, but the middle part was a rough transition. I expected some awkwardness even though Griffin and Luca knew each other very well. It wasn’t really there in the way I had expected, but Griffin came across as a bit more aggressive than I expected. Once the story progressed beyond those first couple of days of the characters meeting face to face, Griffin won me over. He is very loving and non-judgmental throughout this book.
As I said, overall I’m glad I read this story. These are both new-to-me authors and I’d like to delve a bit deeper into their libraries because I have a feeling their books will be a good fit for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Drug use
sappleton12's review
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Cancer
marybsimp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent, Cancer, and Fire/Fire injury
_bookswithkam_'s review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This took me longer than I want to admit. However, it’s okay. There are moments I loved. The letters were some of my favorite parts. meeting each other was a little anticlimactic.<\spoiler> Luca and Griffin meet when they're children as pen-pals. Luca is in the USA and Griffin is in the UK, but through their letters, they become close friends and sort of grow up together. After experiencing tragedy Luca stops writing to Griffin. After almost ten years Luca finds the "last" letter Griffin wrote to her and decides to respomd, even if its almost a decade too late. Honestly it’s a beautiful story of one person who struggles to deal with debilitating mental health issues and find love. BUT it also shows that if you have the right people around; you can get through anything.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual content
taelorslibrary's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Cancer
bookswithatlas's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
tiggerreads's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
CW: death of a friend, death of a parent, cancer, panic attack, agoraphobia
I liked Luca and Griffin. I liked that they dealt with Luca's mental issues and that their love wasn't a magic bandaid. I loved that this all started by them becoming elementary school pen pals. I really liked that Griffin understood how he felt and that he didn't it want to take precedence over Luca's happiness. That he was willing to listen to her and step back to make sure that she would be happy and healthy.
I liked Luca and Griffin. I liked that they dealt with Luca's mental issues and that their love wasn't a magic bandaid. I loved that this all started by them becoming elementary school pen pals. I really liked that Griffin understood how he felt and that he didn't it want to take precedence over Luca's happiness. That he was willing to listen to her and step back to make sure that she would be happy and healthy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
Minor: Cancer
m_autumnqueen's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Cancer
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