Scan barcode
catsandmetaphors's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Medical content
jennp28's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was much deeper, darker and more emotional than I expected from a “romance” novel. The narrator especially brought a lot of emotion and depth to the character of Anna that made it almost painful to listen to in a few parts. I certainly felt Anna’s pain in my gut and hated her family on her behalf! Her relationship with Quan was at times secondary to the plot but was a sweet and solid underpinning to the whole thing. I liked him a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Medical content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
helfire124's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Sexual content, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Cancer
matcha_pages's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
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
3.0
If you're looking for a light hearted romance don't read this book. It deals with some heavy topics, which is fine...but not something I want in romance books.
It starts off fun and exciting but quickly becomes Anna's journey with her autism diagnosis, family acceptance, and learning how to standup for herself. It gets really heavy and dark at points, especially with how Anna's family views her neurodivergence as weak and lazy character flaws. There's also a fair amount of family gaslighting going on. These experiences were incredibly raw and left me angry, emotionally drained, and appreciative of Hoang's vulnerability.
Given the above it felt wrong trying to enjoy the hot smutty scenes. And it didn't gave space for Quan to make mistakes, he felt stifled being perfectly patient and even keeled for Anna. I was really hoping we'd get other sides of him or learn what it was like being Khai's older brother.
I feel like Anna's story was strong enough to stand on its own.
It starts off fun and exciting but quickly becomes Anna's journey with her autism diagnosis, family acceptance, and learning how to standup for herself. It gets really heavy and dark at points, especially with how Anna's family views her neurodivergence as weak and lazy character flaws. There's also a fair amount of family gaslighting going on. These experiences were incredibly raw and left me angry, emotionally drained, and appreciative of Hoang's vulnerability.
Given the above it felt wrong trying to enjoy the hot smutty scenes. And it didn't gave space for Quan to make mistakes, he felt stifled being perfectly patient and even keeled for Anna. I was really hoping we'd get other sides of him or learn what it was like being Khai's older brother.
I feel like Anna's story was strong enough to stand on its own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
takarakei's review against another edition
emotional
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
(Reread on audio) MY GOD THIS BOOK!!!! Helen Hoang I am in your walls.
This is not a lighthearted romance (jail to anyone using that tag here???). Anna deals with a LOT of really hard things throughout the book. But everything that happens, while difficult to read, is handled with such raw realness. Quan is everything and I will protect him bodily forever.
4/5🌶️
This is not a lighthearted romance (jail to anyone using that tag here???). Anna deals with a LOT of really hard things throughout the book. But everything that happens, while difficult to read, is handled with such raw realness. Quan is everything and I will protect him bodily forever.
4/5🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Ableism, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Racism
I really don't know why 'cancer' has been tagged because Anna's father is unwell due tolost_windsock's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-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
5.0
This book. This book had me so full of feels. I was absolutely furious for Anna. The way her family treated her, and the way she felt trapped in her own mind, unable to say no, was devastating to sit through. I wanted to jump into the pages and shout NO for her! It was truly heartbreaking to see that no one would listen to her. Except Quan. Sweet, loving, caring Quan. What a journey he'd been through between the second book and this one. Quan was always one of my favorite characters, and while his story had a painful tinge in this book, it was still just perfectly him to be there for Anna and learn to trust himself again. This book made me feel so many things, and I just could not have loved it more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Ableism, Cancer, Death of parent, Excrement, Medical content, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
jadejade's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
The final book in this series is noticeably less light-hearted from the first two books but I loved it all the same. In particular, I appreciated the portrayal of the incapacitation or death of the head of the family leading to a permanent change to the family dynamic, potentially even destroying family relationships. I'm glad I read this now, when I needed an exploration of this subject, when I needed reassurance that it's not just in my head.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Bullying, and Grief
Minor: Infertility, Excrement, Infidelity, and Medical content
abitbetterbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.5
I loved this book. It was heart wrenching and painful but also sweet and romantic. The development of Anna and Quan’s relationship over time was well-crafted and felt unbelievably real. My heart broke for the both of them as they struggled to reckon with their own baggage and tried and failed to open up to each other, until they finally did.
While technically a romance, I think this book is so much more. It dealt with ableism and the crushing weight of expectation to conform to neurotypical standards and familial obligation; the depth of sorrow and grief of caregiving for an ailing family member; the isolation of one’s own mind the barriers to communication; healing from past trauma and trying to see yourself as whole again, trying to be the person you once were again; the constant uphill battle of inadequacy, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and shame; being able to love yourself as much as you love another person; choosing to love a person who allows you to show up as your full, true self.
I loved this book and tore through it in a matter of days. Definitely my favourite of the trilogy; I hope for more like this from Helen Hoang!
While technically a romance, I think this book is so much more. It dealt with ableism and the crushing weight of expectation to conform to neurotypical standards and familial obligation; the depth of sorrow and grief of caregiving for an ailing family member; the isolation of one’s own mind the barriers to communication; healing from past trauma and trying to see yourself as whole again, trying to be the person you once were again; the constant uphill battle of inadequacy, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and shame; being able to love yourself as much as you love another person; choosing to love a person who allows you to show up as your full, true self.
I loved this book and tore through it in a matter of days. Definitely my favourite of the trilogy; I hope for more like this from Helen Hoang!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Medical content, Ableism, Cancer, Death of parent, and Mental illness
Minor: Classism and Suicidal thoughts
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-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
3.5
This was what I needed in my current reading mood, with the book being fast paced! I had read other reviews that it was a bit different than the first 2 books and it is definitely more serious. For the second half of the book, the romance takes a major back seat. But I did still enjoy it! Mostly because I love Quan's character.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Vomit
Toxic family relationshipsloquitacass's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Medical trauma, Medical content, Ableism, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Excrement
Minor: Vomit