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sharebear431's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
Moderate: Pedophilia and Child death
saeruh's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I really loved the slow burn romance in this novel! It maybe should not have that high of a score but I continually kept swooning and giggling and kicking my feet whenever Jamie something romantic so I had a lot of fun reading this.
However, I felt like the first 100ish pages should have been edited down a bit because the plot kinda dragged there and didn’t really fully begin until like past page 120. I just didn’t need that much focus on Dan when the story was supposed to be about Laurie and Jamie falling in love. It made the first quarter of the book feel like a contemporary on divorce and marriage instead of love and romance. Also, I’m not a huge fan of the way that McFarlane used SO much British slang and also text speech out loud when characters were talking, like the “lol” that they would constantly somehow say irl. Maybe this style would have worked better for an audiobook but I felt it did not translate well to written prose.
However, I felt like the first 100ish pages should have been edited down a bit because the plot kinda dragged there and didn’t really fully begin until like past page 120. I just didn’t need that much focus on Dan when the story was supposed to be about Laurie and Jamie falling in love. It made the first quarter of the book feel like a contemporary on divorce and marriage instead of love and romance. Also, I’m not a huge fan of the way that McFarlane used SO much British slang and also text speech out loud when characters were talking, like the “lol” that they would constantly somehow say irl. Maybe this style would have worked better for an audiobook but I felt it did not translate well to written prose.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Racism
Moderate: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Child death
Minor: Pedophilia
volunteerpyromancer's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
At 18 chapters in the love interest has featured in 3 of them. It feels like less of a romance story and more of an bitter breakup revenge fantasy, which I can get into if the story really leans into that going forward (otherwise all the time spent on the break up is going to feel over wrought.) The author writes it so you feel for the main character, you want to see her ex break from her scheme. Only time will tell how much I end up liking this book.
Ok finished. I liked this book. Still maintain that it's a break up revenge story with some self discovery. There was a heavy focus into friendships and family that I enjoyed. The relationship really fast tracked at the end there. Especially when the story was about breaking down the walls the main character built up more than falling in love. I liked seeing them build a solid friendship. I didn't feel sparking chemistry, but I also didn't need it. It was hard to see the changing feelings of the love interest, he gave this big speech against relationships in the beginning and I never really knew where his views started to change.
Ok finished. I liked this book. Still maintain that it's a break up revenge story with some self discovery. There was a heavy focus into friendships and family that I enjoyed. The relationship really fast tracked at the end there. Especially when the story was about breaking down the walls the main character built up more than falling in love. I liked seeing them build a solid friendship. I didn't feel sparking chemistry, but I also didn't need it. It was hard to see the changing feelings of the love interest, he gave this big speech against relationships in the beginning and I never really knew where his views started to change.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Sexism
Minor: Child death, Child abuse, and Sexual harassment
haddy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
I enjoyed most of the book, and read it quite quickly.. but what the hell was that ending?? Kind of ruined it for me ngl.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexism
Moderate: Cancer and Sexual assault
angelfireeast24's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Infidelity, Racism, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Terminal illness
kelseyjameson's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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: Abandonment, Infidelity, Racism, Death, Pregnancy, Sexism, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Grief, Misogyny, and Pedophilia
booksofbells's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Gaslighting, Racism, and Bullying
Minor: Self harm
em97's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Cancer, Child abuse, and Sexism
elatedbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
“Laurie thought this was only a surprising turn of events if you’d never met a man with lots of options and nothing at stake before.”
I absolutely loved this book. It was genuinely hilarious & gave you that indulgent fluffy romance without having to leave your feminist morals at the door.
The only think that gave me kinda mixed feelings was the very beginning + end (not great for first or last impressions lmao). It’s a little slow to start (get ready for a whole load of sad backstory) which I totally understand the reason for but it’s still a little heavy going (for example there are some emotional moments throughout but by then you’re swept up in the characters & the world so it doesn’t drag at all).
And then the end. It’s one of those moments. Let’s just say it kinda deflated my happiness balloon a bit.
For overall enjoyment though, this book is so beautifully written and a million times worth it - excited to read some of her other books :)
“Comedy was tragedy plus time”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Death
Moderate: Sexism
katkinslee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
5.0
This book was so great! Really easy to get into!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy and Sexism
Minor: Pedophilia