Scan barcode
naysia_reads's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Racism, and Sexual harassment
bookishllly's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
This is a brilliant debut novel and the cover is beautiful. I loved how the past and present were mixed but yet distinct.
It was beautifully written and the author brilliantly captured the issues of race, gender and privilege and I connected with Kal on some level.
The story within the story (Danny’s parents’ love) was very good and interesting. The supporting characters were amazing, especially Bella and Neha and I hope they get their own stories.
As interesting as this was, I felt it was dragging on in some parts and all over the place. Both main characters were all over the place- blowing both hot and cold at the same time never quite reaching the temp to set the story on fire. Also, I would have loved Danny’s point of view.
If you love second chance romance, workplace romance with Hollywood background then you will enjoy this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, and Bullying
Minor: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Grief
imanadero's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed this! Maybe it's because I love a second chance romance. I loved the backdrop of the film industry. In some ways, it reminded me of Kennedy Ryan's "Reel" (which is my FAVE), but it was still pretty fresh and felt believable. Sometimes, the characters' decisions did not feel like those in their late 20s/early 30s and the "evil ex" felt stereotypical. Nonetheless, i really enjoyed the movie production aspects including the hero's parents' romance.
This Is medium spiced with just enough tension so that their reunion felt just right.
Overall, it's a quick and enjoyable read!
This Is medium spiced with just enough tension so that their reunion felt just right.
Overall, it's a quick and enjoyable read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Racism
sdupont's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
I feel like this book could make a good limited series with all the drama and backdrop of the movie industry. I found Danny to be frustrating at times, he seemed so wishy washy and often did not think out how his actions or lack thereof would impact Kaliya. Equally as frustrating was the third act breakup. It was lengthy (unnecessarily) with quick resolution. I needed to see more work put in towards resolution as a couple so that it didn’t feel so rushed. That being said I did still enjoy reading this book. It is a solid romance by a debut author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Racism
Moderate: Classism, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual harassment
arireadsitall's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
This was a sweet and steamy second chance romance in the world of Hollywood. A little too much miscommunication for my liking but I did really enjoy the characters and the story building!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
Minor: Death of parent
thisreadingcorner's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
When Kaliya and Danny meet, she is a freshman at Tisch and he is a senior. A chance run in on the street makes way to a shared class, and a tender friendship blossoms into love at an imperfect moment. Right as their relationship is beginning to blossom, Danny’s father dies. Kaliya does her best to support him when he returns to school but for reasons unknown to us for the first half of the book, their relationship falls apart later that year.
Present-day Kaliya is an underemployed admin while Danny has made the best of his film school education and nepo-baby legacy handed down by his father to become an acclaimed artist. Danny offers Kal a job and so begins the second chance, with many bumps along the way.
If you caught my stories, I was having a great time with this book. Danny’s nervous excitement was palpable, Kaliya’s reluctance and resentment honest and fair. All of that made it odd to think they would have ever broken up at all, but then again, grief is a multifaceted monster. The creation of Danny’s film made perfect sense as a vehicle for a message of justice against bigotry in entertainment.
Once the double whammy of the breakup was revealed though, my stomach sank and continued to sink through the third act breakup. It feels to me like nothing was ever Danny’s fault, and the simple acknowledgement of all the ways he was set up for success is enough to erase all the ways he literally and metaphorically abandoned this woman. With the weight of the world on her shoulders, prying eyes scrutinizing her, and no safety net to fall back on, she manages to solve all of her problems (but only after solving his!). Then after all that, SHE APOLOGIZES for choosing herself despite his failure to live up to “I got you”!! I kid you not, I screamed. That doesn’t include the fact that she inititates all their difficult conversations, prompts him for understanding on where they stand, weathers multiple humiliations in service of his dream, and accepts without reservation that he was simply too overwhelmed to be there for her (or make amends in seven years).
Present-day Kaliya is an underemployed admin while Danny has made the best of his film school education and nepo-baby legacy handed down by his father to become an acclaimed artist. Danny offers Kal a job and so begins the second chance, with many bumps along the way.
If you caught my stories, I was having a great time with this book. Danny’s nervous excitement was palpable, Kaliya’s reluctance and resentment honest and fair. All of that made it odd to think they would have ever broken up at all, but then again, grief is a multifaceted monster. The creation of Danny’s film made perfect sense as a vehicle for a message of justice against bigotry in entertainment.
Once the double whammy of the breakup was revealed though, my stomach sank and continued to sink through the third act breakup. It feels to me like nothing was ever Danny’s fault, and the simple acknowledgement of all the ways he was set up for success is enough to erase all the ways he literally and metaphorically abandoned this woman. With the weight of the world on her shoulders, prying eyes scrutinizing her, and no safety net to fall back on, she manages to solve all of her problems (but only after solving his!). Then after all that, SHE APOLOGIZES for choosing herself despite his failure to live up to “I got you”!! I kid you not, I screamed. That doesn’t include the fact that she inititates all their difficult conversations, prompts him for understanding on where they stand, weathers multiple humiliations in service of his dream, and accepts without reservation that he was simply too overwhelmed to be there for her (or make amends in seven years).
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This is a second-chance romance between Kaliya and Daniel, as they reunite seven years after their college romance crashed and burned as quickly as it began. Daniel gives Kaliya a job on the set of his new film, as he is Hollywood's newest up-and-coming director-writer darling. Just as their romance crashed, this attempted job crashes too due to nepotism this time (yay Hollywood /sarcastic), so Daniel scrambles to find her another job since she already submitted her resignation to her current production company as their receptionist.
Daniel also has a celebrity girlfriend Celine, so as Kaliya confronts their painful past, she also must push aside any feelings as she knows Daniel is no longer a romantic option anyway! However, with close proximity, PR relationships, miscommunications, public pressures, and more, there may just be something simmering leftover from all those years ago!
I loved the writing and narrative voice of this book - it flowed really well, the pacing was perfect (to me), and I had so much fun getting to know the cast of characters. I giggled while reading this, and also felt like these characters were so real! MA fleshed out these characters' motivations, backgrounds, and dynamics with each other, that it was so easy to follow along and understand why these exes made certain decisions or where their anxieties stemmed from. I think Myah Ariel is such a talented writer, and I will absolutely be seeking out more of her work!
steam rating: 3 out of 5
This is a second-chance romance between Kaliya and Daniel, as they reunite seven years after their college romance crashed and burned as quickly as it began. Daniel gives Kaliya a job on the set of his new film, as he is Hollywood's newest up-and-coming director-writer darling. Just as their romance crashed, this attempted job crashes too due to nepotism this time (yay Hollywood /sarcastic), so Daniel scrambles to find her another job since she already submitted her resignation to her current production company as their receptionist.
Daniel also has a celebrity girlfriend Celine, so as Kaliya confronts their painful past, she also must push aside any feelings as she knows Daniel is no longer a romantic option anyway! However, with close proximity, PR relationships, miscommunications, public pressures, and more, there may just be something simmering leftover from all those years ago!
I loved the writing and narrative voice of this book - it flowed really well, the pacing was perfect (to me), and I had so much fun getting to know the cast of characters. I giggled while reading this, and also felt like these characters were so real! MA fleshed out these characters' motivations, backgrounds, and dynamics with each other, that it was so easy to follow along and understand why these exes made certain decisions or where their anxieties stemmed from. I think Myah Ariel is such a talented writer, and I will absolutely be seeking out more of her work!
steam rating: 3 out of 5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Grief, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Sexism, Bullying, and Racism
Minor: Death of parent
befthhh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
*I received an eARC of this book from Berkeley via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
My jaw (and tissues) are on the floor from how much I enjoyed (and cried over) this book. The emotional depth of Kaliyah and Danny’s relationship was so breathtaking. The way the kept losing then finding and fighting their way back to each other was heartbreaking and mending all at the same time.
The central plot of Danny trying to make a movie about his parents’ story was unique and beautifully told! I was just as sold on their relationship and am desperately seeking a prequel!
Kaliyah as a main character was compelling, relatable, strong, gorgeous, and so so lovable. I was rooting for her like she was my best friend!
When I Think of You is a beautiful, honest, and raw depiction of loving someone when the timing is wrong, right, and all the moments in between. I absolutely loved it!
My jaw (and tissues) are on the floor from how much I enjoyed (and cried over) this book. The emotional depth of Kaliyah and Danny’s relationship was so breathtaking. The way the kept losing then finding and fighting their way back to each other was heartbreaking and mending all at the same time.
The central plot of Danny trying to make a movie about his parents’ story was unique and beautifully told! I was just as sold on their relationship and am desperately seeking a prequel!
Kaliyah as a main character was compelling, relatable, strong, gorgeous, and so so lovable. I was rooting for her like she was my best friend!
When I Think of You is a beautiful, honest, and raw depiction of loving someone when the timing is wrong, right, and all the moments in between. I absolutely loved it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent and Racism
imtashamonet's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Disclaimer: I received a free advance review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. (Releases April 16, 2024)
When I Think Of You by Myah Ariel is a second chance romance between two former college flames who have not seen or spoken to each other for seven years. Kaliya Wilson has been working reception at a big film studio, though she has “paid her dues” to move on to something more directly related to movie making (which is her dream since studying at NYU) rather than making coffee and copies. Danny Prescott, her former college lover, is a director who reappears in her life and offers her a job on his newest production. It’s an opportunity for Kaliya to finally get from behind the reception desk, but it requires trusting Danny again. Allowing herself to leap out on faith, she agrees to the job. Yet “Hollywood politics and scandal” could damage both Kaliya’s career and the production, so she has to decide if she’s going to do what’s right — even if it means she’ll miss out on this second chance at love.
I am well aware that this is a romance novel, and I know that romance is the focus of this book. However, I cared about nearly everything else in this story way more than the romance. This is not to say that I do not believe this book should be classified as a romance novel because it is. Rather, I just think the story was so rich with other elements outside of the romance that it really didn’t matter to me whether Kaliya ended up with Danny. I may be in the minority on that thought, but the excitement of Kaliya finally getting her chance to work on a film and advancing her career was the more compelling storyline for me. I wanted to see her win professionally. If she also won romantically that was just an added bonus.
The book is an easy read and I did not feel at any point I was laboring to finish. I was engaged from beginning to end, even without caring about the romance. In other romance books I’ve read, I was deeply bothered by not being invested in the romance plot of the book because oftentimes, it is the only part of the book that has substance. With When I Think Of You, this was not the case because all of the other subplots were so richly detailed, interesting, and compelling. This is a testament to Myah Ariel intimately knowing the backdrop of her novel, movie production in Hollywood.
My favorite thing about this book is that Kaliya was very aware of her own feelings and when she realized what she needed, took the time to take care of herself. It was very empowering to read about a woman who understands that taking care of yourself is just as important as being in and having love.
This is likely just a thing that happens in a lot of romance stories, but the end portion of the book felt like it flew by. The last 20% of the book advanced a lot timewise and things I wish I could have seen the character go through would have made the ending more satisfying for me. I felt I was not given enough time to see how the FMC and MMC were dealing with the things before I was getting to the end of the book. It felt like a summary of things that happened in an “in-between” time. In particular, I would have loved to see more on the process of Kaliya creating the professional life she wanted for herself. Having said this, the ending was also somewhat satisfying for me because of getting some closure for the other subplots of the book that I felt more connected to than the romance.
People who enjoy medium-burn (is that even a thing?) second chance workplace romance would love this book. I’d gladly read other works by Myah Ariel in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Racism
bosslady2at's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent