1.47k reviews for:

Truly Madly Deeply

L.J. Shen

3.77 AVERAGE

fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Not the author for me. Little chemistry between MCs, plot all over the place, cringe smut scenes, had to increase audio speed to get through it.

Book Deets 📖
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Emotional Damage:💧
Genre: Romance 
Format Read: 🎧
emotional hopeful medium-paced

3.5 ⭐️

I cringed at the intro and my heart broke a little but seeing them as adults working through their issues made it easier to get into. Dot was insufferable every bit of the way. Row was an amazing MMC, even through his broody, grumpy, asshole moments. He was super protective, cared about her so much he knew her tics without her having to even say as much. He was deliciously attentive, patient and gentle.

3

I loved Row but Cal just really irritated me … I get trauma and all but he professed his love to you and you still couldn’t see it until 90%(ish) of the way through the book …? How ?
I loved his sarcastic comments and humor but I also loved how raw he was with Cal when it came to telling her how he felt .

Not my favorite romance. But it wasn’t bad either. There was character growth and development. While the background story was good, it still was your typical grumpy-sunshine trope. The writing is easy to follow/read, but still entertaining.
emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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
adventurous challenging dark emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I really enjoyed this book but it’s getting 4 stars because of 2 things:

Gravity? Really I thought it was a joke when I read it 

AND 

I will never look at a zucchini or a candy cane the same way again 

This book is tailor-made for readers who revel in the slow-burn allure of grumpy-sunshine romances, where the gradual blossoming of love is intertwined with witty banter and heartwarming moments. The story's charm is further amplified by its cast of quirky and endearing characters, each contributing their unique flavor to the narrative. Beneath the surface, the book delves into profound themes of second chances, self-discovery, and the intricate dance of love and relationships, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences.

With a deft hand, the author masterfully weaves together these elements, creating a tapestry of emotions that captures the complexities of human connection. The grumpy-sunshine dynamic adds a delightful tension, as the protagonists navigate their contrasting personalities and find unexpected common ground. The infusion of humor provides levity and balance, ensuring that the story remains engaging and enjoyable even as it explores deeper emotional terrain. Through its nuanced portrayal of characters and relationships, the book offers a poignant reminder that love is a journey of growth and understanding, where second chances can lead to profound transformation.
challenging dark emotional funny slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

While there were funny moments, this book should have been 200 pages shorter. 
emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes