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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
book_worm_mama_bear's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
5.0
This is underrated and not talked about enough.
I will forsure be talking about this book on tiktok and in my book groups. This book was sad, funny and just overall emotional. I did listen to it on audiobook with KU so that may be why it was so amazing for me. I didn't want to put this book down/ stop listening to it. I personally did have a guy penpal from the U.K and to think of getting a letter from him today and something like what happens in this book going down is like a fairytale. This book deals with some mental health issues. The spice was at a 3/5 for me. Detailed but also not super focus on the spice. I loved all the characters and the plot, character development, emotional rollercoaster, and the part that really made me LOL. This is a book I will remember and give as rec. I will be checking out these authors in the future.
I will forsure be talking about this book on tiktok and in my book groups. This book was sad, funny and just overall emotional. I did listen to it on audiobook with KU so that may be why it was so amazing for me. I didn't want to put this book down/ stop listening to it. I personally did have a guy penpal from the U.K and to think of getting a letter from him today and something like what happens in this book going down is like a fairytale. This book deals with some mental health issues. The spice was at a 3/5 for me. Detailed but also not super focus on the spice. I loved all the characters and the plot, character development, emotional rollercoaster, and the part that really made me LOL. This is a book I will remember and give as rec. I will be checking out these authors in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Grief
nvargas's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
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
lexi_fragola's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
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
kathrinellis's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is not just another steamy romance. It contains many clichés, but there are important parts about mental health as well. I enjoyed the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Cursing, Animal death, Grief, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Pregnancy and Stalking
naaytaashreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“Once you see that people you love and trust accept you for who you are and don’t judge you, you’ll be more likely to take some risks that could result in others outside of your network seeing your panicked state.”
This was so good. I cried my heart out. My eyes are swollen and red, my heart is feeling so many emotions.
I didn't expect for this read to be so emotional and tugging everything in my heart.
In the first few chapters, I was just okay we getting a plotline of pen pal letters from kids now they are adults. I guess their topics are about sex. okay cool.
But over time, the subject gets even deeper, and the plotline has so much depth in it.
We follow Luca who suffers from PTSD, anxiety and agoraphobia.
Touching on these realistic happenings is already raw, honest and relatable.
The solely focused on Luca's journey with what she goes through and how it is affecting and in the long run will affect her life and her relationship with people and Griffin.
We feel everything she felt, all the highs and lows, good days and bad days.
With Griffin, we follow along a perspective of someone who is new to the environment of what Luca goes through and is trying to adapt and be the help he can.
It was difficult, not a straightforward road, but so so beautiful.
Their relationship chemistry is hearts, rainbows, rainy and thunderstorm days.
It was so beautiful reading every single world and chapter that sometimes it's so heartbreaking.
Griffin was OMG, God bless his sweetness. Everything that pours out of his mouth is pure perfection.
How sweet he was, everything speech he made and he should be a therapist, HAHAHHA.
I enjoyed reading Luca's journey, which was completely no filter, and her relationship with Doc was so heartwarming.
It's totally reliable on her anxiety and her relationship with grief.
This read was filled with so much love, warmth and sadness.
Every sentence was a quote itself that I love even more.
“Our fears are temporary—they come and go throughout life. But regret is permanent—we carry it with us forever.”
This was so good. I cried my heart out. My eyes are swollen and red, my heart is feeling so many emotions.
I didn't expect for this read to be so emotional and tugging everything in my heart.
In the first few chapters, I was just okay we getting a plotline of pen pal letters from kids now they are adults. I guess their topics are about sex. okay cool.
But over time, the subject gets even deeper, and the plotline has so much depth in it.
We follow Luca who suffers from PTSD, anxiety and agoraphobia.
Touching on these realistic happenings is already raw, honest and relatable.
The solely focused on Luca's journey with what she goes through and how it is affecting and in the long run will affect her life and her relationship with people and Griffin.
We feel everything she felt, all the highs and lows, good days and bad days.
With Griffin, we follow along a perspective of someone who is new to the environment of what Luca goes through and is trying to adapt and be the help he can.
It was difficult, not a straightforward road, but so so beautiful.
Their relationship chemistry is hearts, rainbows, rainy and thunderstorm days.
It was so beautiful reading every single world and chapter that sometimes it's so heartbreaking.
Griffin was OMG, God bless his sweetness. Everything that pours out of his mouth is pure perfection.
How sweet he was, everything speech he made and he should be a therapist, HAHAHHA.
I enjoyed reading Luca's journey, which was completely no filter, and her relationship with Doc was so heartwarming.
It's totally reliable on her anxiety and her relationship with grief.
This read was filled with so much love, warmth and sadness.
Every sentence was a quote itself that I love even more.
“Our fears are temporary—they come and go throughout life. But regret is permanent—we carry it with us forever.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders