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gracescanlon'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
3.75
Compared to a character like Julian, who though he had wrong ideas about himself and needed therapy (nothing to be ashamed of), functioned as a respectful, professional adult, Hallie looked even more immature, rude, and inconsiderate. The disparity in their maturity levels also made their non-physical attraction and compatibility improbable.
Hallie’s friend and her friend’s husband were lovely, funny, and interesting. I wish they’d gotten more “screen time” — the two of them and Natalie (Julian’s sister) were the most intriguing characters besides Julian!
I did greatly appreciate the mid- to plus-sized representation in the book. Specifically, I loved that multiple other characters besides Julian found Hallie attractive. I think my favorite part of this was that although Hallie wasn’t a thin woman, her desirability was a matter of fact to the people around her. Additionally, they never mentioned her weight in relation to her looks, which was delightful and a breath of fresh air. (An aside: Julian saying that the parts of her body she’s insecure about are what turn him on was, to me, sweet as well as sexy.)
Julian’s dirty talk did seem to begin out of nowhere, but I didn’t find it unbelievable for a character like him. After all, he can’t be straight-laced in every way. A person’s got to have some method of blowing off steam — especially one as uptight as Julian! So I thought his using dirty talk in bed was definitely within the realm of possibility. However, his transition from Mr. schedules-jerking-time to filthy-mouthed lover could’ve been more natural and gradual.
Also, I found the whole dirt thing incredibly off-putting. I don’t mean to shame — honestly, it just confused me.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death
mrsmishler's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
hapalyn'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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, and Cursing
Moderate: Grief and Death
bzliz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Fans of “opposites attract” tropes will love this. For me, the pacing was a little weird and I kept backtracking to see if I’d missed a point where the characters had real chemistry. The first spicy scene made me laugh but it did feel fun. I can’t get over the second spicy scene where they
Trigger warnings:
Alcohol- lots of wine drinking throughout, some general drunkenness
Alcoholism- side character regularly drinks to a blackout state, is not a main focus
Fire- past event, led to family fallout
Panic attacks/disorders- main character suffers from panic attacks and occasionally shuts down and loses time as a result
Sexual content- it’s a Tessa Bailey book
Graphic: Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism and Fire/Fire injury
coco78337'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
5.0
Moderate: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Cursing
saraavowlerr'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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Fire/Fire injury
katelynnreads's review
5.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief and Fire/Fire injury
kaybob_0708's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, and Cursing
poati's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
shaemaguffee's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Mental illness, Cursing, Death, and Fire/Fire injury