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what_karla_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
4.25
4.25/5 stars
1/5 spice
This book surprised me. I thought with the fun cover, I'd get a romcom with a hint of conflict, but this book packed a punch. Some heavy topics were discussed, and I loved how the author was very realistic about the MCs healing process with similar losses.
Tropes:
Strangers to friends to lovers
Close proximity
Teacher FMC
NP/Medic MMC
BIPOC characters
Indian culture & family dynamics
Trauma/healing
3rd act break up
Dual POV
Daniel and Annika had some great chemistry. Even with the fade to black scenes, there was plenty of tension that built up between them. The Indian culture was very prominent and clear within the story. I'm glad I listened to the audiobook so I could hear how everything was pronounced. I could understand the strictness of the culture but was very happy to see that the family was more accepting of Daniel and Annika's relationship when it was clear how much they loved each other.
Since there was a lot going on internally with both characters, you do have to suffer through the 3rd act break up angst. But I liked how the author resolved it in a realistic way. With these heavy topics, please make sure to read the trigger warnings below and take care of your mental health.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for fans of angsty romances with great family dynamics and drama. It's a fun read despite the heavy topics.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Miscarriage (off page), death of a child (off page), grief, depression, alcoholism, racism, injury details, violence/hate crime, school shooting/gun violence
1/5 spice
This book surprised me. I thought with the fun cover, I'd get a romcom with a hint of conflict, but this book packed a punch. Some heavy topics were discussed, and I loved how the author was very realistic about the MCs healing process with similar losses.
Tropes:
Strangers to friends to lovers
Close proximity
Teacher FMC
NP/Medic MMC
BIPOC characters
Indian culture & family dynamics
Trauma/healing
3rd act break up
Dual POV
Daniel and Annika had some great chemistry. Even with the fade to black scenes, there was plenty of tension that built up between them. The Indian culture was very prominent and clear within the story. I'm glad I listened to the audiobook so I could hear how everything was pronounced. I could understand the strictness of the culture but was very happy to see that the family was more accepting of Daniel and Annika's relationship when it was clear how much they loved each other.
Since there was a lot going on internally with both characters, you do have to suffer through the 3rd act break up angst. But I liked how the author resolved it in a realistic way. With these heavy topics, please make sure to read the trigger warnings below and take care of your mental health.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for fans of angsty romances with great family dynamics and drama. It's a fun read despite the heavy topics.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Miscarriage (off page), death of a child (off page), grief, depression, alcoholism, racism, injury details, violence/hate crime, school shooting/gun violence
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Hate crime, and Grief
Minor: Child death, Mass/school shootings, Miscarriage, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, and Gun violence
ariana_m's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
DNF at 58%
Though I am DNFing this, I will give this 2.5 stars. I'm pretty sure this book is okay but I just felt like for a majority so far of the book I felt like I was either forcing myself to push through or skimming most of the book. I just couldn't connect to characters. It's just feels like never ending trauma. Annika and Daniel seem like a good couple especially given what they've gone through but I just couldn't keep forcing myself to keep reading because I wasn't enjoying it that much. No hate to the author or anything though.
Though I am DNFing this, I will give this 2.5 stars. I'm pretty sure this book is okay but I just felt like for a majority so far of the book I felt like I was either forcing myself to push through or skimming most of the book. I just couldn't connect to characters. It's just feels like never ending trauma. Annika and Daniel seem like a good couple especially given what they've gone through but I just couldn't keep forcing myself to keep reading because I wasn't enjoying it that much. No hate to the author or anything though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Blood, Child death, Gun violence, and Alcoholism
Minor: Racism
amishadlima's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Mass/school shootings, and Miscarriage
Minor: Violence
bookwormbullet's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Child death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Medical content
Minor: Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, and Miscarriage
librarybookscene's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Child death, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Mass/school shootings, Racism, and Alcoholism
100_pages_hr's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
I read Shroff's first book because I loved the cover. I enjoyed it and was excited to see a second book. This book blew me away with it's depth.
I absolutely fell in love with both Annika and Daniel. Neither were perfect, but I really enjoyed getting to know them.
As a teacher I obviously related to Annika's love for her students and her dedication to her job. And I love reading Own Voices characters because they are some of the best written characters. Her struggles with racism were open and honest and she way she handled it was impressive and strong.
Daniel was a very raw character. I fell in love with him and it was hard to read as he dealt with his internal flaws, but oh so worth it. Shroff did an excellent job with him.
The romance in this book was great! It got fairly steamy but stayed closed door. I appreciate stories that focus more on the story than the bedroom while still delivering exceptional romance and swoon worthy moments.
I enjoyed continuing to learn more about Indian culture in this book. I love that Shroff included wedding culture. It was fascinating to learn more about the ceremony and celebration.
If you enjoy Own Voices I highly recommend her books.
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
I absolutely fell in love with both Annika and Daniel. Neither were perfect, but I really enjoyed getting to know them.
As a teacher I obviously related to Annika's love for her students and her dedication to her job. And I love reading Own Voices characters because they are some of the best written characters. Her struggles with racism were open and honest and she way she handled it was impressive and strong.
Daniel was a very raw character. I fell in love with him and it was hard to read as he dealt with his internal flaws, but oh so worth it. Shroff did an excellent job with him.
The romance in this book was great! It got fairly steamy but stayed closed door. I appreciate stories that focus more on the story than the bedroom while still delivering exceptional romance and swoon worthy moments.
I enjoyed continuing to learn more about Indian culture in this book. I love that Shroff included wedding culture. It was fascinating to learn more about the ceremony and celebration.
If you enjoy Own Voices I highly recommend her books.
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Grief, and Racism
Minor: Alcoholism, Blood, Cursing, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Murder, Pregnancy, and Violence
storiesbyalexis's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
It was a sweet story. I appreciated that a message that was revealed in the book was that a person has to fight for themselves and get help for themselves; that no person can “fix” another person. The characters were good leads and I cared about them and their problems.
I give it four stars because I’m not sure if it particularly stood out to me as a favorite. And there was a section with a side characters that kind of made me annoyed because I felt like the way she felt wasn’t completely built up previous to the particular moment I’m thinking of. But it didn’t hinder my overall enjoyment of the book. Would recommend and I will read other books published by this author.
I give it four stars because I’m not sure if it particularly stood out to me as a favorite. And there was a section with a side characters that kind of made me annoyed because I felt like the way she felt wasn’t completely built up previous to the particular moment I’m thinking of. But it didn’t hinder my overall enjoyment of the book. Would recommend and I will read other books published by this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Medical content, and Death
Minor: Alcoholism
signediza's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Miscarriage, Child death, Violence, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Grief, and Alcoholism
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