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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Maggie makes a pact with her ex to get married if they’re both still single at 35…with two different guys. I mean, how can you NOT be drawn in by that premise?! While this may be a second chance love triangle romance at its core, it has so much depth to it - that’s just one part of the story. Maggie is such a firecracker, and I loved the behind-the-scenes of the music industry with Maggie’s career as a singer-songwriter who is finally making her big break. This book is about growing up, overcoming trauma, and figuring out who you are and what you want in life. Told in past/present back and forth chapters through the lens of the two love interests, I loved seeing Maggie try/fail/repeat her way through love and life. And I loved the casual Jewish rep peppered throughout, as always.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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:
Yes
It’s rare that in a love triangle, a reader roots for all the parties, but that’s what happened in my case. Maggie is in love with two different people: Garrett who she has pined for for the last 12 years, and Asher her first love. The reader is introduced to Garrett first and while their relationship is far from perfect (I mean, Garrett is engaged to someone else!), it’s easy for the reader to feel their chemistry and want their love story to find a happy ending. Then we meet Asher, and we learn about their young love story. Asher is presented as such a good guy, it’s hard not to want them to have a happily ever after too. I became just as invested in Asher/Maggie as I was Garrett/Maggie.
This is where I think the author did a phenomenal job in forming the story. I couldn’t decide who I wanted Maggie to be with, and that’s what kept me devouring chapter after chapter. When her decision was made, part of me applauded it and part of me mourned the match that could have been, and I don’t think I’ve felt that way about any other love triangle story I’ve ever read. It’s that rarity in character formation that would have me recommend this book to anyone who would listen.
The ending was a bit rushed and a bit clumsy, especially after all the detail placed in the rest of the storytelling. It felt like it was a contrived twist to add drama where none was needed. At first I thought this would ruin the story for me, but the author fixes this mistake at the last moment. With that said, a few pages of messiness doesn’t take away from how great the rest of the story reads. If you are a fan of romance, you won’t go wrong picking up this book.
**A big thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. I truly appreciate the opportunity!**
This is where I think the author did a phenomenal job in forming the story. I couldn’t decide who I wanted Maggie to be with, and that’s what kept me devouring chapter after chapter. When her decision was made, part of me applauded it and part of me mourned the match that could have been, and I don’t think I’ve felt that way about any other love triangle story I’ve ever read. It’s that rarity in character formation that would have me recommend this book to anyone who would listen.
The ending was a bit rushed and a bit clumsy, especially after all the detail placed in the rest of the storytelling. It felt like it was a contrived twist to add drama where none was needed. At first I thought this would ruin the story for me, but the author fixes this mistake at the last moment. With that said, a few pages of messiness doesn’t take away from how great the rest of the story reads. If you are a fan of romance, you won’t go wrong picking up this book.
**A big thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. I truly appreciate the opportunity!**
Many of the turns of phrase that didn't make sense took me out of the story. The writing style felt very overdramatic and YA-like.
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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:
Yes
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
No
Going into this I was interested in the concept of the story. How did the main character, Maggie, come to the idea that she has to be married by 35 and why did she feel the need to cover her bases by asking two of the closest men in her life, Asher and Garrett, to marry her if she was still single by then? It was definitely a unique twist on a second chance romance, but felt confusing due to the constant flashbacks that take you all over Maggie’s life starting at age 14. Listen, I already have enough going on in my life that I do not feel the need to create a corkboard timeline to keep up with homegirl’s life and love story. Also don’t even get me started on the third act break-up, it was one page and completely unnecessary.