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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't know why I won't let myself DNF a book this year, but if I was - THIS ONE would have been it!! The plot was just meh, yet so predictable. The characters were flat and completely unrealistic, as were a lot of the scenarios. The ending was too abrupt and even though things were tied up in the Epilog- it was all over the place and too long.
I have never sped read through a book so fast!
I have never sped read through a book so fast!
3.5 This book was cute—it felt a bit like a love letter to Indiana and that was nice. I loved that it had so much depth to it while remaining light and fun, without either pushing the scale too far.
only negative thing i have to say is that i wish it was longer. i loved all of the characters, but adored wren and anders. i appreciate, in a way, that their relationship is complicated for reasons. You got me with the tears. i also felt like i was living on a farm in small town indiana, which is cool. i’ve never been. man, i loved this. wish i could go back to hours ago and read it for the first time.
thanks to NetGalley and publishers for this ARC!
thanks to NetGalley and publishers for this ARC!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
lighthearted
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
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I hate when I actually like a book itself, but have to write it down because I can’t stand the main character.
I enjoyed the concept of this book. I always think that when a story starts off with heartbreak or a major life change and the main character try something new and evolves, meeting friends and becoming closer to people along the way, it makes for a very touching journey. That’s what we have in this book, with our FMC Wren living with her dad and stepmom in Indiana during the summer after her fiancé breaks up with her. She spends the majority of her summer with her half sister, Bailey, along with Jonas and Anders, both of whom she meets while in town.
The story focuses a lot on her relationship with Anders as well as Anders is past with his wife. We find out what happened about 75% through the book and it’s very traumatic and heartbreaking. Anders’s POV at the end really stood out to me and helped me connect very deeply with his moral dilemma.
I won’t spoil that any further, but I will say that what brought this book down to a three star read for me was Wren. For some reason, I just felt like she had a superiority complex, despite reassuring readers that she was an insecure person (or maybe because of that insecurity?). She struck me as a character who was waiting for people to love her back rather than truly experiencing her life and adventures. It just felt like she constantly put her happiness in the hands of other people. And while she did make growth in terms of her connections to others, I didn’t see much personal growth in her.
I think I will probably pick up another Paige Toon book because the writing, side characters, and emotionality of the book were enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Infidelity, Grief