Scan barcode
hflh's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book was fine. I liked most of the twist as a concept, but the characters felt a bit one-note and the book revolves around a trope that I have no interest in.
Big spoilers:This is the messy platonic love story of two old friends after one gets diagnosed with cancer
Big spoilers:
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Animal death, Infidelity, and Vomit
theinstabookworm's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Starting a book with stats is a surefire way to throw me off, and that's how this book starts. Thankfully, though, it got much better as the story went on. I just read an ARC of Serle's newest book, releasing on the 19th, and knew I had this one on my shelf. I had tried starting this a few times and never got very far. I was beginning to think that Serle was not an author for me.
I'm so glad I stuck with this, though. It starts as a romance but quickly turns into a women's fiction story about the friendship between our MC, Dannie, and her best friend, Bella. I loved their dynamic and I loved that Serle showed the hardships in their friendship in addition to the support they showed each other. I think their friendship was written well and accurately portrayed a long-term friendship. Unlike in EXPIRATION DATES, I feel like the loose ends were tied up nicely in this book and the reader does learn why the time jump happens. I do feel like some parts were overly descriptive and Serle seemed to have a pattern of mentioning characters' ages but then saying, "You'd never know though," which got old very quickly. I'm interested in picking up ONE ITALIAN SUMMER by Serle and I'm curious to see how I like it.
I'm so glad I stuck with this, though. It starts as a romance but quickly turns into a women's fiction story about the friendship between our MC, Dannie, and her best friend, Bella. I loved their dynamic and I loved that Serle showed the hardships in their friendship in addition to the support they showed each other. I think their friendship was written well and accurately portrayed a long-term friendship. Unlike in EXPIRATION DATES, I feel like the loose ends were tied up nicely in this book and the reader does learn why the time jump happens. I do feel like some parts were overly descriptive and Serle seemed to have a pattern of mentioning characters' ages but then saying, "You'd never know though," which got old very quickly. I'm interested in picking up ONE ITALIAN SUMMER by Serle and I'm curious to see how I like it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Animal death, and Cancer
daybreakreads's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I read the synopsis and it bought it might be similar to “The Midnight Library”. After getting about halfway through and realizing that wasn’t the case, I almost gave up on this entirely. I would say I didn’t like the first 75% of this book. The characters were flat and not very likable; you had a Type A Jewish lawyer nerd (seemed a bit stereotypical) and a carefree ditzy blonde dullard who lives entirely “in the moment” at the whims of daddy’s credit card. There were random details that didn’t make sense (I could’ve sworn early on David’s eyes were said to be brown, but later on it said they were green, and after it said Aaron had green eyes…)
The ending was a bit different than I anticipated. No major plot twists, but I thought it was ended nicely.
Seemed a bit oversexualized for women in their 30s though
The ending was a bit different than I anticipated. No major plot twists, but I thought it was ended nicely.
Seemed a bit oversexualized for women in their 30s though
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Pregnancy, Animal death, Child death, Death, and Alcohol
Minor: Abortion
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
5.0
“How much is in our control and how much is going to happen regardless of what we do?”
This novel was not at all what I expected based on the synopsis (or so I thought when I was first starting). However after finishing In Five Years, the synopsis makes sense and reflects the plot perfectly; It is an unexpected love story.
The writing was beautiful and held my attention the entire time. Serle had me sobbing the last 30-40 pages so be prepared for tissues if you read this! The characters were complicated and perfectly imperfect. I loved the friendship between Bella and Dannie ❤️ Their relationship is a perfect example of chosen family and just how much of an impact one person can have on your life. And the ending was extremely well done. I think this might be my favorite read for May, just….✨wow✨
TW/CW: death of sibling, gore (brief), cancer, death, grief
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Grief
Minor: Gore and Animal death
internationalreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cancer, Car accident, Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Infidelity, Infertility, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Terminal illness
More...