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beca_reads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.25
This was such a nice surprise. I picked this up on a whim and I loved it. It took a while to get into the book as the first 100 pages are about Laurie's relationship breakdown, but once Laurie and Jaimie get stuck in the lift the pace picks up a lot. Laurie was such a loveable character, she was flawed, but she was also a strong independent women which I loved. Your definitely not meant to like Jaimie at the beginning but by the end it's hard not to love him. I loved the inclusion of a strong group of supportive friends, and also how the microaggressions where dealt with in relation to Laurie being black.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Cancer, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Pedophilia, and Sexual harassment
mommarex1221's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
I don't normally read these types of books but when I do I always think, why don't I? I clearly enjoy them despite predictability, as one enjoys a chick flick ever so often. Especially with one that offers much more depth, such as this. I'll be looking into more of McFarlane's novels in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
kates_books's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Honestly 2 stars feel generous. I absolutely LOVE romcoms and was excited to read this one but it was so slow and dull. I'm happy to read cliche romances but this one fell so flat. It felt like the author had a list of tropes she wanted to include and was just checking them off that list without really fitting them into the plot. (Spoiler and next sentence may be triggering) For example, her dad's negligence as a child almost lead to her being molested by a pedophile and the only outcome from this was her being comforted by the love interest and played a small (!!!) part in her decision to end her relationship with her father eventually. And there was the scene when the love interest saves the day when this guy passes out from cutting his arm. Like it wasn't relevant AT ALL! Not only that, but these trope-y cliche scenes didn't even add any spice or drama or excitement or swoon-worthy moments. Additionally, I feel like the author was trying to include a message about female friendships which I usually LOVE having in books but it wasn't developed enough and her best friend didn't feel like a complex enough character. Moreover, the main character also at times felt unlikable and didn't seem to have the highest EQ. There was some character growth but not really. ALSO at the end the love interests decide to get married and it is done so flippantly, does not fit either of the characters' personalities, and was so boring even though that should have been the feeling of "wow happily ever after" . Finally, the main character is a Black woman and the author is not. I am all for having diverse characters, but it definitely did not feel authentic nor did I always feel like it was a great story of representation. It had the cliche "Oh where are you ~really~ from" and "can I touch your hair" moments but didn't go deeper than that, even though these micro-aggressions were something that main character seemed to struggle with. Overall, that aspect just felt very surface-level. All in all, it was a very disappointing read and I kept waiting for something to kick in, but it never happened. Ok, rant over.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Car accident, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, and Sexism
thetruthatallhazards's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Infidelity
Minor: Child abuse
drewlessard's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- 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: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Infidelity, Cancer, and Child death
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
aliceloyallaleon's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Amazing book. Modern and diverse. I loved how the main character was mixed race and it showed her experience of micro aggression. Also loved how the character was in her mid thirties and a successful woman! Male characters are flawed and I liked how it showed men could be vulnerable too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Blood, Cancer, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
nemaria's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, and Infidelity
Minor: Blood, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Pedophilia
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