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witcheep's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
This is a beautiful love story where two people find each other and by doing so also find themselves – even through past baggage/trauma, self doubt, and fear of new things . There's a lovely (and bossy) community around them, as well as a mystery put on a back burner to simmer thoughout the book to cook up the plot twists in the end into a bigger soup of intertwining reveals.
I'm surprised in how quickly I've adjusted to this 'I'm in love' revelation. It's like picking up a coat in a thrift store and shrugging it on: it fits, I don't need to look in the mirror to know it. Now I just carry on wearing it.
There's many kinds of representation in this book: different ages of characters (early 20s to late 80s with flahbacks/reminiscing of teenage years), lesbian side characters
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Sexual content, Grief, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Abandonment, Bullying, Classism, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, and Death
readandfindout's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
Style/writing: 3.5 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 3.5 stars
Plot: 3 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 3.5 stars
Plot: 3 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Death, Body shaming, Homophobia, Gaslighting, Bullying, and Infidelity
mishaps's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, and Religious bigotry
whackettreading's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Gaslighting, Bullying, and Death
naysia_reads's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
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
Minor: Gaslighting
_thelitlibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
5.0
TW: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Bullying, Gaslighting
5.0 stars
-
I picked up this book based solely on the setting of the plot, a retirement villa. As someone who has spent their life working in retirement homes, I felt drawn in immediately. I'm so glad I picked this up on a whim, as I need more Teddy and Ruthie in my life. I love the hilarious banter that turns into a solid friendship, my heart was swooning the entire time, I was rooting for these two characters to end up together, but at one point it just didn't seem as if it were an option.
Our two main characters are nothing alike, Ruthie has dedicated most of her life to taking care of the villa and the residents, and it's often joked that she'll never move out and just end up retiring into the cottage she's currently in, Ruthie often forgets that she's supposed to be a young, beautiful, and single woman. Teddy Prescott is known for partying, sleeping in late, tattooing his body, and not taking anything in life seriously. After a few too many mess-ups in life, Teddy's father, and the owner of the villa agree to let him stay in one of the cottages as long as he earns his keep. When a spot working for two of the wealthiest and most eccentric residents in the villa opens up, Ruthie knows that Teddy is the perfect person for the position.
I loved watching Teddy prove to himself and everyone else that he's much more and deserves a lot more credit. Although this seems like a light book on the surface, my heart broke as we got more of a backstory both for Ruthie and Teddy. Watching the two of them grow as characters as they spent time together was refreshing, I love how they each taught each other a lot and helped their personalities grow and come to life. Listening to Teddy describe everything he wanted in a woman and it describes Ruthie to perfection made my heart swoon.
5.0 stars
-
I picked up this book based solely on the setting of the plot, a retirement villa. As someone who has spent their life working in retirement homes, I felt drawn in immediately. I'm so glad I picked this up on a whim, as I need more Teddy and Ruthie in my life. I love the hilarious banter that turns into a solid friendship, my heart was swooning the entire time, I was rooting for these two characters to end up together, but at one point it just didn't seem as if it were an option.
Our two main characters are nothing alike, Ruthie has dedicated most of her life to taking care of the villa and the residents, and it's often joked that she'll never move out and just end up retiring into the cottage she's currently in, Ruthie often forgets that she's supposed to be a young, beautiful, and single woman. Teddy Prescott is known for partying, sleeping in late, tattooing his body, and not taking anything in life seriously. After a few too many mess-ups in life, Teddy's father, and the owner of the villa agree to let him stay in one of the cottages as long as he earns his keep. When a spot working for two of the wealthiest and most eccentric residents in the villa opens up, Ruthie knows that Teddy is the perfect person for the position.
I loved watching Teddy prove to himself and everyone else that he's much more and deserves a lot more credit. Although this seems like a light book on the surface, my heart broke as we got more of a backstory both for Ruthie and Teddy. Watching the two of them grow as characters as they spent time together was refreshing, I love how they each taught each other a lot and helped their personalities grow and come to life. Listening to Teddy describe everything he wanted in a woman and it describes Ruthie to perfection made my heart swoon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Death, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders
mengzhenreads's review against another edition
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
2.5
Ruthie is definitely one of the most annoying/bland main character's I've read in a while, the fact that she's so scared of the outside world that she never leaves the retirement home, dresses like an old person, and needs everyone around her to constantly validate her existence and actions gets tiring very fast.
Generally the romance is enjoyable, but it definitely runs on the weirder side and at times was unbearably embarrassing. Also the main love interest really didn't have any boundaries at the beginning of the book and it was really uncomfortable to read about so yikes.
Generally the romance is enjoyable, but it definitely runs on the weirder side and at times was unbearably embarrassing. Also the main love interest really didn't have any boundaries at the beginning of the book and it was really uncomfortable to read about so yikes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Religious bigotry, Homophobia, and Gaslighting
kaytrain's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Gaslighting
ashylibrarian's review against another edition
lighthearted
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? Yes
This is a cute New Adult/Adult romance between Ruthie and Teddy (and maybe a few more) with exploration of careers, self-identity, family, and past traumas. I enjoyed this book for what it was - for the most part. One thing that really rubbed me the wrong way, however, was Ruthie's invasion of Teddy regarding why he was going to therapy. Multiple times she asked him bluntly to tell her why he was seeing a therapist and not until after about the third (3rd) or fourth (4th) time did he tell her. I just feel like that is not an appropriate way to have a conversation with someone about therapy, no matter how close you think you are to them.
I just have to say that I am so happy for Aggie and Renata. I had my suspicions that they were not sisters, and once Renata started talking about her tattoo I was pretty convinced that they were in a relationship together. It did not take away from the reveal of the moment or the dance floor scene! Fresh, new love encouraged by strong, consistent love.
I also just have to say that I was SHOCKED in the end to read that Renata was the one who passed before Aggie. Every time something would happen to Aggie in the story, my heart would get really sad, so I was definitely expecting her to be the one who passes. Either way, the love they showed for each other is beautiful, and I am so glad they were able to make peace with what they were forced to miss in high school.
Overall, I am satisfied with this book and would be interested in listening to more of Sally Thorne's books.
I also just have to say that I was SHOCKED in the end to read that Renata was the one who passed before Aggie. Every time something would happen to Aggie in the story, my heart would get really sad, so I was definitely expecting her to be the one who passes. Either way, the love they showed for each other is beautiful, and I am so glad they were able to make peace with what they were forced to miss in high school.
Overall, I am satisfied with this book and would be interested in listening to more of Sally Thorne's books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Classism and Grief
daisychainreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Death