Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
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
Overall great, but it unfortunately contained some tropes I really don’t like in romance novels (or any novels tbh) aka a Christmas setting (couldn’t we communicate this through the cover or something?) and a public love confession (my absolute nightmare)
I have a confession to make, I added this book to my Goodreads TBR solely because of the title. I didn’t even read the blurb to see what it was about. And I’m pleased to say I ended up enjoying it anyway.
Alison was a complex FMC, but a well-explored one. The experiences she had, as they do with most people, shaped who she was (more on that in a bit), and it made her all the more sympathetic.
I wasn’t sure if I’d like Adam at first. He seemed like a self-important jerk. But after some time, I remembered why I love the grumpy x sunshine trope. When the grump starts to soften and show signs of humanity, it’s too precious for words. Additionally, there’s something about the way a grumpy MMC grows to feel (protective) toward a sunshiny FMC that’s very romantic, more so than a non-grumpy MMC.
There’s also representation for something I don’t see much of: Alison is a carrier of the BRCA1 gene mutation and has had both of her breasts removed, resulting in some survivor guilt and insecurities. I thought this was tastefully and thoughtfully handled, and I appreciated getting a chance to see what that experience might be like.
Also, Sam may just be my favorite character-who’s-not-actually-a-character-because-he’s-dead. What brought me to that conclusion? The reveal that he was planning to introduce Alison and Adam, even though they found each other anyway.
TW: history of breast cancer and mastectomy, brief mention of a fatal car accident
Alison was a complex FMC, but a well-explored one. The experiences she had, as they do with most people, shaped who she was (more on that in a bit), and it made her all the more sympathetic.
I wasn’t sure if I’d like Adam at first. He seemed like a self-important jerk. But after some time, I remembered why I love the grumpy x sunshine trope. When the grump starts to soften and show signs of humanity, it’s too precious for words. Additionally, there’s something about the way a grumpy MMC grows to feel (protective) toward a sunshiny FMC that’s very romantic, more so than a non-grumpy MMC.
There’s also representation for something I don’t see much of: Alison is a carrier of the BRCA1 gene mutation and has had both of her breasts removed, resulting in some survivor guilt and insecurities. I thought this was tastefully and thoughtfully handled, and I appreciated getting a chance to see what that experience might be like.
Also, Sam may just be my favorite character-who’s-not-actually-a-character-because-he’s-dead. What brought me to that conclusion? The reveal that he was planning to introduce Alison and Adam, even though they found each other anyway.
TW: history of breast cancer and mastectomy, brief mention of a fatal car accident
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love books that tell REAL stories. Where not everything is perfect, there isn't a solution for every situation, emotions are real and palpable, and things get messy. This book gave me all of that in the most beautiful way.
Dealing with death, grief, cancer diagnosis (not a main character), possible future cancer diagnosis and preventative treatments (FMC), feelings of insecurities, trauma, depression, anxiety, etc. Palmer made these characters and this story so real and I loved every second of the journey these flawed, messy, sometimes annoying, characters went on. I laughed, I cried, I giggled, and I swooned. I rolled my eyes and scoffed. This book made me FEEL.
*SPOILER BELOW*
Dealing with death, grief, cancer diagnosis (not a main character), possible future cancer diagnosis and preventative treatments (FMC), feelings of insecurities, trauma, depression, anxiety, etc. Palmer made these characters and this story so real and I loved every second of the journey these flawed, messy, sometimes annoying, characters went on. I laughed, I cried, I giggled, and I swooned. I rolled my eyes and scoffed. This book made me FEEL.
*SPOILER BELOW*
Spoiler
Alison and Adam falling in love while battling their own traumatic things in their lives, their grief over the friend they shared, the miscommunication and preconceived notions that they had about each other was incredible and I was rooting for them the entire time. When Adam mentioned Sam wanting to set him up with someone I was hoping with my entire being that that someone was meant to be Alison. And of course things didn't work out that way, but they were brought together all the same. Almost like fate, some would say.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ARC Review⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5’s
What a stunning and wonderful debut novel. I truly loved and enjoyed this book. It has While you Were Sleeping Vibes and I just love that movie! The biggest trigger warning for this book is breast cancer. There is a lot of mention of breast cancer and the BRCA1 gene. The main character is positive for this gene and is on a journey of prevention. There is survivors guilt and many other struggles associated with this. While this is such a serious topic it was incorporated into the book so well and it truly did nothing but enhance the story.
I loved being a part of Alison’s journey and the insight into her mind and soul. Adam was such a great character too, he brought a different perspective and energy to the book. Alison + Adam was an excellent combo their relationship started in such a humorous/serious way but it was so beautiful and full of charm. Also the storing female friendships in this book were so beautiful and inspiring, and yet they were very humorous. The nicknames and the trivia had me laughing out loud so much! Also the swooniest grand gesture of all was one of my favorite scenes.
QUOTE: "You don't need to prove you deserve your life to me or anyone.
You deserve it, because everyone does.
When they die or get sick or have to get a mastectomy, it's not because they deserve it. It's not fair, and it's random.
There's nothing we can do other than live how we want to live."
Enjoyable content:
What a stunning and wonderful debut novel. I truly loved and enjoyed this book. It has While you Were Sleeping Vibes and I just love that movie! The biggest trigger warning for this book is breast cancer. There is a lot of mention of breast cancer and the BRCA1 gene. The main character is positive for this gene and is on a journey of prevention. There is survivors guilt and many other struggles associated with this. While this is such a serious topic it was incorporated into the book so well and it truly did nothing but enhance the story.
I loved being a part of Alison’s journey and the insight into her mind and soul. Adam was such a great character too, he brought a different perspective and energy to the book. Alison + Adam was an excellent combo their relationship started in such a humorous/serious way but it was so beautiful and full of charm. Also the storing female friendships in this book were so beautiful and inspiring, and yet they were very humorous. The nicknames and the trivia had me laughing out loud so much! Also the swooniest grand gesture of all was one of my favorite scenes.
QUOTE: "You don't need to prove you deserve your life to me or anyone.
You deserve it, because everyone does.
When they die or get sick or have to get a mastectomy, it's not because they deserve it. It's not fair, and it's random.
There's nothing we can do other than live how we want to live."
Enjoyable content:
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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