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onefineelephant's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Alcohol, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Ableism
amyteurhour's review against another edition
1.25
This was not good, I did not have a good time. So much cringe. I'm starting to realize that Tessa Bailey's style of dirty talk and smut is NOT for me lol. I read It Happened One Summer last month because a friend recommended it. I didn't love it, but the hinted-at pairing got me interested enough in the sequel, which I actually did enjoy (I think mostly because there wasn't as much smut in it lol).
I found Julian to be super creepy; his inner monologues where he totally objectifies Hallie (from basically the moment he lays eyes on her) and how he hypersexualizes the concept of Hallie's virginity was super gross. I also just had a hard time rooting for Hallie, especially during the third act conflict.
I debated back and forth on whether I should DNF or not at multiple points throughout, but ended up finishing it because I've gotten into the mindset of really wanting to finish the last few books I started in 2023 and have had "open" for weeks (which I know is nonsensical and stubborn-minded). I didn't love the audiobook, but ended up powering through that because I've lately been so tired to the point where it's painful/hard for my eyes to focus when I read with my eyes and not my ears so I couldn't even skim this easily :(
Note to future me - after one meh book, one good (by comparison) book, and two total duds, take this as a sign that Tessa Bailey is not for me.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Abandonment
charminggoats's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
carefulfearanddeaddevotion's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
i also hated the lack of communication. like i get miscommunication is a big trope in romance, but this was a bit much. like?? you're 30 years old, it's very clear you're into each other (especially after the
also, and i've tried to think of a better way to word it, but it's just this: Julian gave me the ick SO often. Just when i was like "heheh cute" he'd be like "the world will end if i dont see an Hallie Smile tm" and i'd need to go rushing to the nearest trash can. nasty. like just so weird. the constant simultaneous infantilization and objectification of Hallie was a bit much. but maybe im the weird one idk.
edit: the secret admirer letters are so marginally relevant to the story that i even forgot to include them in this review. Hallie, as the secret admirer, writes a total of 3 letters. Julian responds once. And im supposed to believe that it's a central part of story? it's not. they got to know each other wayyyyyyyy more in person than they did through the letters. the only purpose they served was the, frankly senseless, final conflict.
ALSO! and this is a small thing but
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Ableism, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism
callidoralblack's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Death, and Grief
meganmershon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
alexcooper88's review
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Panic attacks/disorders
thaliareads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Julian is also interesting because he is working through his own form of anxiety. Sticking to his strict regimen, keeping things in order, and generally avoiding doing things outside of the way he planned to.
Overall a fun story and a great re-read!
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Death
kristinallard's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Panic attacks/disorders
linnea_tornblom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, and Death