Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

De repente tú by Jessica Joyce

5 reviews

kshertz's review against another edition

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emotional reflective 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? No

5.0

I love the love story of the grandparents and how it brings this couple together. I’m a sucker for a guy who has always been in love with the girl. Plus the road trip. Plus every time I thought it would turn predictable it didn’t because they communicated like adults. I just wanted to keep reading and rooting for them so I did. Definitely one to recommend to anyone who loves a second chance romance trope and a happily ever after ❤️

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bookishmillennial's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial 

I did not know what to expect as I started reading this but it pleasantly surprised me! The premise of Noelle discovering old letters and photos of her late grandmother with a past lover hooked me right from the start🥹 Noelle makes a TikTok video sharing this and puts a call out if anyone knew her grandma’s “Paul” from the letters. She connects with Paul’s grandson Theo first, only to find out he is Noelle’s past academic rival from their school days. The three of them agree to go on a roadtrip to further explore Noelle’s grandma’s past and to read more and more of the letters that Paul shares with Noelle. Gosh, this was absolutely precious 😭

Amidst her grief, Noelle was also let go from her job a few months ago that only deepens her existential crisis and she is at a bit of a loss lately. This trip was just what she needed, and I loved how she learned more about her grandma before her grandma became a mom and grandmother! Noelle’s story inspired others on TikTok to reach out to their parents and grandparents while it brought solace to those who were grieving, just like her. Loss and grief is one of the few universal experiences all humans will endure, and the way Joyce wrote this was clearly with so much tenderness and care. I teared up reading about Noelle and her grandma’s traditions of “tell me a secret” and watching Noelle unpack her intangible grief. 

I also was so moved by Noelle’s uncertainty of what comes after death, but her absolute confidence that she could still feel her Gram, in both small and big moments, all around her. Noelle’s grief completely enveloped her which could feel insurmountable, but to me, that showed me just how deeply she loved her grandma and how special it is to share a love that strong. I think many of us can relate to this aching feeling of loss and devastation. 

As far as the romance between Theo and Noelle, I loved the forced proximity and the softening of their banter as they got to know each other and their grandparents’ stories more. It’s a major reason I adore romance; the fact that people can begin with such disdain towards another and with a bit of bravery, vulnerability, and empathy, that they have the power to change their minds about that person. That’s just so staggeringly human and not to be a total sap, but it honestly takes my breath away. 

On the steamy side, I was giggling so much because the fact that they had to restrain themselves so much during this road trip (since his grandpa Paul was down the hall lol) was so painful but also just so real. Idk we’ve all been there😅 I thought it was so authentic that both of them were so concerned over how the other viewed their “success” - we all talk a big game of how we can each define what a fulfilling, successful life means to us and validating others, but sometimes we are our hardest, cruelest critics. 

Overall, this was a stunning romance and I would absolutely recommend it. I can’t wait to read what Joyce writes next! 

steam rating: 3/5 

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rickireadss's review against another edition

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  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

this broke me into a million pieces, but god, it was so worth it. i knew from some of my friends who have read this that i would cry but damnnnnn, this hurt my heart. grief plots usually hurt and make me cry, but this one just hit a little closer to home for me. i loved noelle and theo so much. the book was amazing beginning to end - like i was absolutely hooked. if i had not read a good chunk of this at work, i would have cried WAY more than i did, but alas, i didn't want to be caught boo-hooing on the job lol. i honestly just LOVED this book in its entirety. the 3rd act breakup part hurt, but i loved how it played out.
it was honestly just like handled so maturely and realistically. like i really appreciate how jessica wrote their interaction at theo's house after noelle found out he left the company. the way that noelle realized that how theo reacted and how she reacted were different but that was okay as long as they both remembered that and worked on interacting with each other in a healthy way >>>>> like i just felt like this was realistic because it wasn't just a "okay, you hurt me with your reaction but lets just move on and live happily ever after" moment that is way too common in romance novels.
i would 1000% recommend this book and i cannot wait to read more of jessica's books in the future!!!

⚠️: grief, death, sexual content, emotional abuse, blood

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dianaschmidty's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional inspiring relaxing 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? Yes

4.75

Wow, was this book good! First of all, the writing was amazing! I will read anything that Jessica Joyce writes. I loved her descriptions of the picturesque places they visited, but my favorite was the dialogue. I absolutely fell in love with Theo and that was because of both his dialogue and the expressions that the author paired with each thing he said.

The rivals to lovers was done so well! Even though they haven’t competed for anything in a decade, they kept that spark of competition alive, and that spark led to great romantic chemistry for Theo and Noelle. This couple really has soulmate energy.

I think seeing their grief made the book feel so much more real. I thought that going on a road trip to grieve a grandma was a really unique plot for a romance book and I think it was done very well.

Beyond Theo and Noelle, I loved their families. I want Thomas and Sadie to have a prequel, because I want to see how they got together. I also loved the grandparents’ storylines. I had a grandma that I was very close to too, and this book made me wish to find letters or a journal that would let me get to know her again years after she’s died. I also think that Paul was a great addition, because anyone can take a role like a grandparent in your life.

Now, go read this book! Especially if you read in on a road trip like I did.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Berkley, and Jessica Joyce for providing me access to this book.

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rachelshubin's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-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

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! For sure going to be in my top reads of 2023 and I think one of the books to beat for my fave of the year. 

Anyone who has dealt with the loss of a loved one (specifically a grandparent) will relate to this story. Grandparents are like magic and as you lose them, part of that childhood magic dies with them. That’s no lie for our FMC Noelle, who recently lost her grandma. The discourse of grief through this novel is super poignant and well done, and really emphasizes how it can hit you at any time and in little or big ways. 

I loved the chemistry and build up of Theo and Noelle’s story. I wish we had gotten to see or hear a bit about their competitive streak in high school, but I enjoyed their 28 year old vibes. 

I’m also really pleased with how TikTok is a focal point but not overdone or corny in any way. It’s the equivalent of any book in the last few years that mentioned Twitter or Instagram. 

Noelle’s family, specifically Thomas, are great. All the side characters of her family are well written. And then there is Paul, which what can I say? He’s the best! I loved how he slowly unraveled his and Kathleen’s story to both Noelle and Theo. 

Jessica Joyce is an amazing and vivid writer. The visuals of this book were so easy to picture and it felt like watching a movie as I was reading it. I love a good road trip book. Perfect for fans of Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson. I can’t wait to read another book by Joyce. 

What you get in You, With A View:

📱 TikTok that went viral
🎾 High school rivals
📝 Love letters
🚗 Road trip
😂Many LOL worthy moments
📸 Photography talk
🧪 Serious chemistry
🌶️ Open door spicy scenes (3/5)

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