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enneirda07's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
First of all, the narrator NARRATED. She did a great job of conveying all the emotions and the *sound effects*. I loved the FMC, she was funny and smart and advocate for herself. Shep is the perfect golden retriever book boyfriend. I also love there is no miscommunication trope or third act breakup
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit and Pregnancy
Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
Minor: Abortion
juliaegreene's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
i am usually a pregnancy trope hater. i've put books down because of it, i have not picked up books that i otherwise think would be perfect for me. but the bring your own pod girlies recommended this one and i just had a feeling that it would be good for me (thank you brandi/kendra/kayla ily). and honestly? i deeply enjoyed this book. it's a perfect romantic comedy - a balance between earnest and comical, with funny banter and musings on love in all forms. eve's narration is full of life and her journey through pregnancy and figuring out her relationships with her loved ones, baby daddy, job, herself and her child was so thoughtfully done. she is passionate and goofy and considerate and indecisive and strong. the love story is the perfect amount - it doesn't take over but the book is still solidly a romance. and SHEP. i love this man. golden retriever, long-time friend, best friend's older brother who loves to take care of her and has loved her for his whole life. the haircut? the bike seat? oh my god.
i read this on audio and i LOVED it. alex finke is amazing as eve - her voice holds every emotion and puts it right in your heart. i laughed so many times i lost count. her voices for the other characters are distinctive without feeling silly. the only thing i struggled a bit with were the sex scene and the labor because she was Acting them out and i lowkey could not handle it. (this is why i normally try to have a phys/dig copy when i'm listening lol.) i deeply enjoyed this story and will not be surprised if this ends up 1) purchased and 2) on my favorites of the year list. read it! and can someone make this into a 2000s style rom com film!!
sincerely,
a (reformed? maybe?) pregnancy trope hater
i read this on audio and i LOVED it. alex finke is amazing as eve - her voice holds every emotion and puts it right in your heart. i laughed so many times i lost count. her voices for the other characters are distinctive without feeling silly. the only thing i struggled a bit with were the sex scene and the labor because she was Acting them out and i lowkey could not handle it. (this is why i normally try to have a phys/dig copy when i'm listening lol.) i deeply enjoyed this story and will not be surprised if this ends up 1) purchased and 2) on my favorites of the year list. read it! and can someone make this into a 2000s style rom com film!!
sincerely,
a (reformed? maybe?) pregnancy trope hater
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy and Alcohol
Minor: Miscarriage, Vomit, and Death of parent
rachelshubin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Pretty sure I will never read a pregnancy trope better than Ready or Not! I was blown away by how much I enjoyed it and couldn’t wait to find out what happened. It explored a different side of pregnancy that most romance books don’t have the time to get to because they throw it in at the end.
Eve is an absolute mess but not for just any reason. I think her story was strong because of her being an unexpected pregnancy herself and dealing with the fallout of having an older brother who was old enough to be her dad and losing her parents at a young-ish age. That gave her character complexities.
Willa and Shep were amazing. Their mother Corinne was a huge part of Eve’s life too, which really bound them all together. And Shep, oh Shep. He was male perfection (except sometimes I did wanna shake him by the shoulders to have him confess he was into Eve). Because yeah, best friend’s brother will never not be an elite trope. Ethan was a complexity that also added more layers to the story.
What I enjoyed the most was that the unexpected pregnancy started on page one so you knew what you’re getting yourself into. Eve’s inner molecule annoyed me sometimes but it was mostly just the beginning of her reactions I’m like okay…sure. I think the book really nicely portrayed being pregnant, accepting that, dealing with grief in a real way and also finding/making your own family. Nontraditional families aren’t even just unmarried couples but the friends who become your family for whatever reason.
And this review is coming from someone who really doesn’t have a desire to have kids or to experience pregnancy. So, I think that speaks for itself. Don’t miss the authors note at the end behind writing the book.
The cover is also one of the most stunning ones I’ve ever laid my eyes on. I think this book will be in my top 10 for 2024. Also, I have heard the audiobook is great and I’d definitely consider listening to it.
Eve is an absolute mess but not for just any reason. I think her story was strong because of her being an unexpected pregnancy herself and dealing with the fallout of having an older brother who was old enough to be her dad and losing her parents at a young-ish age. That gave her character complexities.
Willa and Shep were amazing. Their mother Corinne was a huge part of Eve’s life too, which really bound them all together. And Shep, oh Shep. He was male perfection (except sometimes I did wanna shake him by the shoulders to have him confess he was into Eve). Because yeah, best friend’s brother will never not be an elite trope. Ethan was a complexity that also added more layers to the story.
What I enjoyed the most was that the unexpected pregnancy started on page one so you knew what you’re getting yourself into. Eve’s inner molecule annoyed me sometimes but it was mostly just the beginning of her reactions I’m like okay…sure. I think the book really nicely portrayed being pregnant, accepting that, dealing with grief in a real way and also finding/making your own family. Nontraditional families aren’t even just unmarried couples but the friends who become your family for whatever reason.
And this review is coming from someone who really doesn’t have a desire to have kids or to experience pregnancy. So, I think that speaks for itself. Don’t miss the authors note at the end behind writing the book.
The cover is also one of the most stunning ones I’ve ever laid my eyes on. I think this book will be in my top 10 for 2024. Also, I have heard the audiobook is great and I’d definitely consider listening to it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Miscarriage
measlibrary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Gosh, I absolutely loved this book. It pulled on my heart strings in the best way possible, made me cry, and it just made me so happy. This book literally gave me hope for the world!
This book was such a joy to read. From the very first sentence I was smiling. The writing is so witty and hilarious and sets such a great tone for the story. Eve is such a likable character and is just so much fun to have as a MC. I loved hearing her inner monologue, reactions, and thoughts about things as they happened. I also loved seeing her learn about motherhood and accept the changes that were happening to her life.
The love story between Shep and her was immaculate. I did not read too much into the premise before I picked up this book, so I actually was not expecting them to get together, I thought she would end up with well…her baby daddy haha. However, when I read her feelings for Shep start to develop and saw her falling for him, I was ecstatic. He is there for her in the best way possible, but never in an overwhelming manner. He is kind, thoughtful, so sweet, and just genuinely such a great man.
Then when she fell in love with her baby? Cue my tears, ladies and gentlemen! I was so overwhelmed with emotions during all of the baby scenes.The first kick scene was so beautiful, and the birthing scene had me crying my eyes out. It literally made me excited to be a mother myself one day.
I also loved reading the author’s story behind writing the book, as that was also beautiful, and so amazing and inspiring to read about.
Overall, this book is definitely one that I am going to be thinking about for a long time after finishing it. I can already see myself thinking about it when the time comes for me to have a baby as well. It seriously was that beautiful, inspiring, and made me excited for a time full of so much love and happiness. I rate this book 5/5 stars! 🌟
This book was such a joy to read. From the very first sentence I was smiling. The writing is so witty and hilarious and sets such a great tone for the story. Eve is such a likable character and is just so much fun to have as a MC. I loved hearing her inner monologue, reactions, and thoughts about things as they happened. I also loved seeing her learn about motherhood and accept the changes that were happening to her life.
The love story between Shep and her was immaculate. I did not read too much into the premise before I picked up this book, so I actually was not expecting them to get together, I thought she would end up with well…her baby daddy haha. However, when I read her feelings for Shep start to develop and saw her falling for him, I was ecstatic. He is there for her in the best way possible, but never in an overwhelming manner. He is kind, thoughtful, so sweet, and just genuinely such a great man.
Then when she fell in love with her baby? Cue my tears, ladies and gentlemen! I was so overwhelmed with emotions during all of the baby scenes.
I also loved reading the author’s story behind writing the book, as that was also beautiful, and so amazing and inspiring to read about.
Overall, this book is definitely one that I am going to be thinking about for a long time after finishing it. I can already see myself thinking about it when the time comes for me to have a baby as well. It seriously was that beautiful, inspiring, and made me excited for a time full of so much love and happiness. I rate this book 5/5 stars! 🌟
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Vomit
fireflyhollow's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit
taliafranks's review against another edition
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
This book is exquisite and while the main characters are all cishet passing the text is careful to use relatively gender neutral language regarding pregnancy and includes brief representation of a nonbinary pregnant person and uses gender neutral pronouns for them, and when discussing the sex of the baby makes reference to how while they may learn the sex of the child at birth they won’t know the child’s gender until they are old enough to tell people themself. It’s very refreshing. The romance was super cute and overall it was just a really thoughtful book about an unexpected circumstance that turns out well for everyone involved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage and Sexism
The main character gives birth on-screen so to speak, but it is not described in extreme detail. One of the characters is in an emotionally abusive and manipulative relationship for a significant portion of the book.brittanylee0302's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
I really enjoyed this book. It was like a cute & cozy friends to lovers romance. I loved Eve's character & I feel like her anxiety & will to persevere was well balanced to make her quirky character. (That sounds weird but if you read this I think you'll understand). I loved Shep & Willa & the love they all have for each other & the family dynamic between them & Eve. The loss in this book was so heart breaking & I really felt for all of the characters who had to deal with it. Despite how great this book was, it definitely fell flat in some areas. The timeline always felt kind of off & I was never quite sure when everything was happening besides around the holidays. When Eve's brothers are introduced, their political backgrounds are introduced with them which you would think in a book like this that would be a huge topic that maybe Eve would have to maneuver but it's so glazed over that it wasn't even worth mentioning. I also felt like Willa should have played a little more of a role in this story because of what she was dealing with when Eve got pregnant but her appearance is very choppy throughout. Overall, I thought this book was really good & I think I fell for Eve & Shep as much as they fell for each other.
I really enjoyed this book. It was like a cute & cozy friends to lovers romance. I loved Eve's character & I feel like her anxiety & will to persevere was well balanced to make her quirky character. (That sounds weird but if you read this I think you'll understand). I loved Shep & Willa & the love they all have for each other & the family dynamic between them & Eve. The loss in this book was so heart breaking & I really felt for all of the characters who had to deal with it. Despite how great this book was, it definitely fell flat in some areas. The timeline always felt kind of off & I was never quite sure when everything was happening besides around the holidays. When Eve's brothers are introduced, their political backgrounds are introduced with them which you would think in a book like this that would be a huge topic that maybe Eve would have to maneuver but it's so glazed over that it wasn't even worth mentioning. I also felt like Willa should have played a little more of a role in this story because of what she was dealing with when Eve got pregnant but her appearance is very choppy throughout. Overall, I thought this book was really good & I think I fell for Eve & Shep as much as they fell for each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
Minor: Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Abortion
hazelgirl21's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Vomit and Death of parent
Minor: Abortion
srivalli's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
3.5 Stars (rounded up for the author’s note)
One Liner: An entertaining read but slow
Eve Hatch has a cozy life in Brooklyn with her steady job and best friend Willa (and her brother Shep). An unexpected one-night stand leads to a surprise pregnancy, and Eve doesn’t know what to do. The baby’s father is conflicted and not sure what to do. Willa is battling her own issues and isn’t that helpful when Eve needs her the most.
However, Shep turns out to be a blessing. He is there by her side, helping her throughout. It doesn’t take long for Eve to see him as something more than a friend. But things are complicated, and she needs time to figure it out. Maybe her family can grow in unexpected ways!
The story comes in Eve’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
I admit I requested it mainly for the cover. The story is lighthearted enough yet deals with some serious themes.
Eve’s first-person narration borders on talking to the readers. It doesn’t break the fourth wall but comes close to it. This aspect is okay, but it took me a while to get used to her POV. She initially seems all over the place. Luckily, things get better as other characters support from the sides. She does grow through the book.
The pregnancy parts seem quite realistic without making it all goody and easy. The delivery part is frantic and vaguely detailed, just as how someone in that position might share her experience.
There are funny moments, so the ‘com’ of romcom is justified. The romance is a slow burn, which makes 100% sense considering the situation (even if I don’t get the vibes much).
I rather like Willa. She is a force and super confident but has her vulnerabilities. She balances Eve well (no wonder they are besties from childhood). Her conversation with Eve in the last quarter is a highlight.
Shep (I hate that name, and how do you pronounce it?) is this adorable gangly guy who is happy to see others (Eve) happy. I’d have loved his POV. Even otherwise, his emotions are easy to interpret. Ethan is much like Eve (possibly why they got attracted to each other). His character grows, too, which is good to see. I like how all of them managed to find common ground and appreciate the importance of their changing relationships.
The bond between Willa and her brother Shep is so good. They don’t have many conversations on-page, but we see how they are always there for each other and will do what it takes to protect their sibling.
The family relationships are done well without getting overly dramatic. Eve is dramatic, but it suits her personality. However, I don’t know why the book has to be 400 pages long and slow. That’s 50 pages extra. Maybe if we cut down some of Eve’s ramblings…?
Moreover, we get an HFN-ish ending with no epilogue. Come on, you can’t make me read a longer rom-com only to not give a proper, rounded ending (the fam is mentioned but doesn’t meet the baby).
The author’s note is lovely and feels straight from the heart. I’ve decided to round up the rating as it made me smile.
To summarize, Ready or Not is a decent read with some great moments, even if it is slow and drags in the middle. There’s an open-door scene in the last quarter. You may want to skim that part if it’s not your thing.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group (Dial Press Trade Paperback), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #ReadyOrNot
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit and Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent