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hapalyn's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
slow-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
I'd say this is one of Mariana's best build-ups when it comes to character relationship. The scenes where the FMC and MMC interact have such a nice slow, realistic tension. You clearly see the MMC go from tough to soft, and I'd say there were plenty(!!!) of interactions between the two characters that made the relationship seem realistic and REAL.
The backstories of both characters were so real and raw, I think Mariana did such an excellent job fleshing out realistic characters with real problems/trauma and making them so special to watch grow.
I will say, that if you are a person uncomfortable with age gaps, I'd skip this one. Similar to Kulti's age gap, the FMC is 26 or 27 (can't remember) and MMC is 41. It's not awful, it made me scratch my head a few times, personally, but I think it can be looked past. I think unlike some of her other works, the dynamic didn't seem uncomfortable (No "old man" jokes.. like Hands Down... ick for me personally).
I think all side characters were super interesting and fun when they made appearances. The sisters, Mr. Cooper, and Miguel were all some of my favorites.
For others interested in the Mariana-verse, spoilers in case you want to skip: We had a reference to the Reapers from Under Locke, and the Maio house from Hands Down.
Overall, I'd really recommend this book to those who love these tropes:
-Age gap
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-(Adoptive) father figure
-Independent, successful FMC
The backstories of both characters were so real and raw, I think Mariana did such an excellent job fleshing out realistic characters with real problems/trauma and making them so special to watch grow.
I will say, that if you are a person uncomfortable with age gaps, I'd skip this one. Similar to Kulti's age gap, the FMC is 26 or 27 (can't remember) and MMC is 41. It's not awful, it made me scratch my head a few times, personally, but I think it can be looked past. I think unlike some of her other works, the dynamic didn't seem uncomfortable (No "old man" jokes.. like Hands Down... ick for me personally).
I think all side characters were super interesting and fun when they made appearances. The sisters, Mr. Cooper, and Miguel were all some of my favorites.
For others interested in the Mariana-verse, spoilers in case you want to skip:
Overall, I'd really recommend this book to those who love these tropes:
-Age gap
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-(Adoptive) father figure
-Independent, successful FMC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Bullying, and Alcoholism
Minor: Addiction and Death of parent
teardropsonmypaperback's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Abandonment, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
amy_sutt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Child abuse
Minor: Addiction, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Physical abuse, and Violence
Most of the triggers are related to the FMC’s upbringing and some in the behavior of the oldest sister (next oldest to FMC). Occurs mostly off pagebaylakressi's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
slow-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
Man, the way my eyes bug out of my head when Mariana slips in a “baby girl” half way (or more) through the book. Gets me every time.
I really liked this one! This has a lot of god tropes: grumpy x sunshine, workplace romance, enemies to friends to lovers, touch her and you die, age gap. The list goes on. Slow burn though which isn’t my favorite, but only Mariana could make me read a ~500+ page book where I wait until about 90% in for them to bang.
I really liked this one! This has a lot of god tropes: grumpy x sunshine, workplace romance, enemies to friends to lovers, touch her and you die, age gap. The list goes on. Slow burn though which isn’t my favorite, but only Mariana could make me read a ~500+ page book where I wait until about 90% in for them to bang.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse and Child abuse
Minor: Physical abuse, Abandonment, Death of parent, Addiction, Drug use, Car accident, and Alcoholism
belenn's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
mariana zapata is one of my favourite authors, i read her books once in a while so i don't finish her backlist too quickly.
i really liked this! i've been in a reading slump, so it wasn't easy for me to be captured in a book, but from the very first page i fell in love with luna. i'll admit, at some point of the book her romance with rip felt like a subplot and i was fine with it. one thing about mz is that her characters inner dialogues are amazing. im always highlighting a lot of things and i loved luna and i learned a lot of thing from the way she views life. i related a lot to her so seeing the way she copes with things felt very familiar.
rip... wasn't my fav mz man but also wasn't the worst. at first i was just okay with him because he just felt like the usual grumpy man that says two words (im not hating, that's literally my fav trope). until half in the book when his character really develops. he really won me over, im not gonna lie!
family dynamics are SO complex and not everything is black and white. this did a really great job highlighting that.
luna my beloved i'd go to war for you <3
i really liked this! i've been in a reading slump, so it wasn't easy for me to be captured in a book, but from the very first page i fell in love with luna. i'll admit, at some point of the book her romance with rip felt like a subplot and i was fine with it. one thing about mz is that her characters inner dialogues are amazing. im always highlighting a lot of things and i loved luna and i learned a lot of thing from the way she views life. i related a lot to her so seeing the way she copes with things felt very familiar.
rip... wasn't my fav mz man but also wasn't the worst. at first i was just okay with him because he just felt like the usual grumpy man that says two words (im not hating, that's literally my fav trope). until half in the book when his character really develops. he really won me over, im not gonna lie!
family dynamics are SO complex and not everything is black and white. this did a really great job highlighting that.
luna my beloved i'd go to war for you <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
melissalivanos's review
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
milesofkiles's review
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Violence, and Drug use
Moderate: Death of parent and Car accident
cariam's review
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It’s no secret I love Mariana Zapata books. Ugh.
Of course it was a glorious slow burn, but it was so satisfying because the plot and the characters were necessary to get to know before the love really kicked you in the gut. Rip and Luna were so wonderful!
Definitely a recommend read!
Of course it was a glorious slow burn, but it was so satisfying because the plot and the characters were necessary to get to know before the love really kicked you in the gut. Rip and Luna were so wonderful!
Definitely a recommend read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Drug abuse, Abandonment, and Death of parent
charm0nix's review
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, and Child abuse
Minor: Drug abuse and Death of parent
ava_mussell's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
The saving grace of this book was how good the romance was. Like, that's the whole point, but the plot itself was really stupid at times and I didn't feel like I got closure with so much that was going on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Acephobia/Arophobia, Abandonment, and Drug use