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azkabanslibrary's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Addiction, Bullying, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship
addythebookbat's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Sexual harassment
roget's review
emotional
funny
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
The first 25% of this book is a brutal, ripping betrayal. The piling on of a thousand, horribly unexpected and yet completely believable developments in the end of an 18 year relationship. She’s completely thrown and the absolute breakdown of her trust is gutting to witness and experience.
(I had to process through a long, emotional talk with my partner—that’s how impactful this girl’s breakup is.)
But then, slowly, you start to see the cracks in the former relationship as she does. A breakup that seemed to come from nowhere shifts into seeming something inevitable, given the quality of the relationship, which eventually turns into relief that she got out of it.
You grow to accept and hope better things for her as she does. I cried and laughed multiple times, and the dialogue is often excellent. Superb voice, and a generally incredible read that does not shy from angst in an often-fluffy genre. Hurt-comfort is top notch. Not lighthearted, but a satisfying close.
So poignant, you’d think it was really fantastic fanfiction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Infidelity, Abandonment, and Misogyny
Moderate: Cancer, Bullying, Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Classism, Drug use, Child death, Racism, and Sexual content
Racism is mostly depicted in brief microaggressions; adult/child relationship is tagged for a short but impactful repressed memory of a dangerous interaction the protagonist had with a predator as a child.volunteerpyromancer's review
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
reefofchaos's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia and Child abuse
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
thisisadri's review
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Child abuse
Minor: Pedophilia
shannahtan's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
I was really drawn into this book, and I wanted to know what would happen. I admit I didn’t read the “back of the cover” before borrowing it from the Libby app. I was looking for a romance novel for the beach. I thought the last 5 or so chapters were a whirlwind. The whole book was such a slow burn until then. I appreciated that Laurie is 36, and Jamie is like 31 or something. I don’t love the “you’re not like other women” type of content, but I appreciated the way Laurie moved through the feelings of her breakup. I also loved her friendship with Emily.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Child abuse, and Pedophilia
Minor: Drug abuse and Child death
editoryalizing's review against another edition
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
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting and Pregnancy
Minor: Pedophilia, Child abuse, and Rape
bookdsolid's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.5
Slow pacing and not my idea of a traditional romance. Gets pretty depressing in the early pages. Wonderful messages about self-love and the importance intimate friendships. But there just didn't seem to be enough chemistry between the two MCs for me
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse