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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Thanks to NetGalley & publisher for early access.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There were actually quite a few aspects of this book I liked but unfortunately I realized pretty early that I just did not care that much and then I spent much of the rest of the book oscillating between being bored and actively hating it.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While I thought this book was okay, I wanted to like it more than I did. And since I’m not into comic books, I couldn’t appreciate the comic book tie-in as much as others might.
Quick summary: Sam is a 26 year old who, after getting a degree in art history, struggled during the pandemic and is now feeling stuck in her life. She hasn’t committed to much in the last five years under the guise she will be leaving for grad school at some point. That is until she meets 39yr old Nick, a man who used to be a free spirit but now is separated and has shared custody of his 9yr old daughter. Relationship drama ensues, Sam also finally takes steps to further her life including learning to face some hard truths from her childhood and getting back into art.
While I liked the premise and writing, the pacing was inconsistent - resulting in a lot of the story that felt like it dragged on while other parts could have used more focus to give depth (e.g., Sam getting into drawing and her experience in NY was really compressed).
As I said, I never read comics so I didn’t appreciate the sections written like comics that reference other comic-like things. That said, I thought it was a cool idea and I wish I could have gotten it a bit more!
Thank you to Kate Goldbeck, Dial Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Quick summary: Sam is a 26 year old who, after getting a degree in art history, struggled during the pandemic and is now feeling stuck in her life. She hasn’t committed to much in the last five years under the guise she will be leaving for grad school at some point. That is until she meets 39yr old Nick, a man who used to be a free spirit but now is separated and has shared custody of his 9yr old daughter. Relationship drama ensues, Sam also finally takes steps to further her life including learning to face some hard truths from her childhood and getting back into art.
While I liked the premise and writing, the pacing was inconsistent - resulting in a lot of the story that felt like it dragged on while other parts could have used more focus to give depth (e.g., Sam getting into drawing and her experience in NY was really compressed).
As I said, I never read comics so I didn’t appreciate the sections written like comics that reference other comic-like things. That said, I thought it was a cool idea and I wish I could have gotten it a bit more!
Thank you to Kate Goldbeck, Dial Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Oh this was SO GOOD! Kate Goldbeck writes characters that are so earnest and real and I love every word of her books because of this.
This is romance without any unnecessary drama or dragging out of a resolution - it’s the story of two separate humans with their own separate gifts and struggles and joys and sadness - and how they grow as individuals and together.
I was so moved by so many beautifully simple but impactful moments - the gift from Kira?? The family drawing and note from Kira?? Ok as someone who does not want children apparently the communication from the kid in this book was very impactful for me 😂
It is such a gift to get to read books where an author puts some of their own experience or inspiration into the story, and I loved the two essays following the end of the book that got into this more deeply. I felt how genuine the emotions were throughout and the validation of a romance story as real and inspired was refreshing and such a gift.
This was funny, fun, silly, earnest, emotional and everything in between. I had such a great time bingeing it all in less than 24 hours 😂
Thanks to Dial Press and NetGalley for the ARC!
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I devoured this book. I quite literally just finished it so let’s see if I can get my swirling, twirly thoughts in order.
An emotional and relatable read on so many levels. This story takes place post pandemic and follows Sam whose life is completely different than she imagined. Living in her mom’s apartment in her late twenties - she’s 27, has no money, no prospect vibes (iykyk). Which relatable!!! Insert the kind, honest, just what she needs, single dad. This is sooo much more than a single dad, trope filled romance novel. It’s about someone who lost their way and is finally coming out of the haze and Groundhog Day of life when you have no idea what is coming next.
Potential spoiler AHEAD
I do wish, however that the dad was already divorced. that felt like such an unnecessary issue? His relationship with her was the catalyst for filing but also he should have just done that before. But I also feel like it was sooo beyond clear that they were not getting back together and/or a chance of reconciliation throughout the entire book.
I loved the comic aspect of the book. As someone who doesn’t read comics, I was so enthralled by the way it was added to the story.
The dynamic between Sam and her mom was also devastatingly honest. The guilt, shame and all the other feelings Sam was experiencing were written about with such openness.
In short, I loved this.
I received an arc, but as usual these are my honest opinions😘
An emotional and relatable read on so many levels. This story takes place post pandemic and follows Sam whose life is completely different than she imagined. Living in her mom’s apartment in her late twenties - she’s 27, has no money, no prospect vibes (iykyk). Which relatable!!! Insert the kind, honest, just what she needs, single dad. This is sooo much more than a single dad, trope filled romance novel. It’s about someone who lost their way and is finally coming out of the haze and Groundhog Day of life when you have no idea what is coming next.
Potential spoiler AHEAD
I do wish, however that the dad was already divorced. that felt like such an unnecessary issue? His relationship with her was the catalyst for filing but also he should have just done that before. But I also feel like it was sooo beyond clear that they were not getting back together and/or a chance of reconciliation throughout the entire book.
I loved the comic aspect of the book. As someone who doesn’t read comics, I was so enthralled by the way it was added to the story.
The dynamic between Sam and her mom was also devastatingly honest. The guilt, shame and all the other feelings Sam was experiencing were written about with such openness.
In short, I loved this.
I received an arc, but as usual these are my honest opinions😘
This was honestly quite disappointing. I was really excited for it because of the snippets the author had shared, the title, and the cover. It looked like it would be something romantic, intimate, and emotionally engaging. Instead, it turned out to be utter shit.
The writing style didn’t work for me. The constant chattering about irrelevant things made it hard to stay connected. The book kept digressing and dragging itself into directions that didn’t add anything to the characters or the romance. It’s not that I have any problem with the monologues, they can be enjoying, if done right (this wasn’t done right). It was the fact that the narrative felt scattered and exhausting. It would drift into topics that’s got nothing to do with either romance or the plot. I get it that heroine’s got daddy issues but constantly and mindlessly going rounds and rounds to talk about it was getting on my nerves, plus honestly idc. Girl, move on.
The characters were flat. The heroine’s attraction to the hero felt hollow. The “dad body” is the sole basis for attraction 🫤 There was no build-up, no chemistry, no emotional weight. The attraction seemed to exist because the author said so, not because it was shown or developed. It felt robotic. Every romantic beat came across as lifeless.
The only part that felt remotely real was the heroine feeling lost in her twenties. The ending felt rushed. They just get back together (after third end breakup), and the book ends. There’s no epilogue, no closure, no glimpse of how they plan to make it work. She’s living in one city, he’s in another, how’s she going to be a stepmother- none of that is addressed. There’s no emotional payoff, no clarity, nothing to hold onto. It left me feeling unsatisfied. There was no arc, no growth, no real intimacy.
In short, this wasn’t a good romance and it completely failed as a single parent romance. It lacked depth, development, and emotion. Nothing worked.
Ending: hfn
