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joensign's review
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Homophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism and Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit
jennireadz's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so millennial (in a good way) and really encapsulates this late-20s experience of still not having your life together when (seemingly) everyone else does, and being a bit of a disaster bi.
Taking place at Charlotte's 5 year college reunion, she goes back on campus, a tomb of sorts, for her job. Her boss, a "thought-leader," podcaster, etc etc, was chosen to speak at graduation, which falls over reunion weekend. Charlotte is there to make sure everything goes smoothly and to live-tweet his commencement speech, hoping this'll finally lead to that promotion to the art department. It's still a far cry from the art's passionate about, but she'd be out from under her boss and at least be art-adjacent.
Being back at school means old wounds open, open wounds gape, and trying to just survive this weekend. She's lost touch with her friends, work's gotten too busy, and she needs financial security. She only has herself - she has no one to fall back on. But being back on campus means old ghosts come to haunt again. Worrying so much about seeing her ex-boyfriend, she forgets about her other male ex, Reece. A FWD, for lack of a better word, and a redeeming part of her senior year after an abusive relationship. The 3Ds support group is back together again, after 5 years, and nothing is the same anymore. Who they were in college is just a part of the past, they're scattered all over the country, and Charlotte's lost touch with almost all of them. This weekend is supposed to be about work for her, but it becomes so much more.
This book encapsulates so much of a queer college experience - finding a safe space at a queer-friendly organization, being best friends with your ex-girlfriend, creating a found family, etc etc. It felt like warm hug and reminded me of my days interning for the LGBTQIA+ Center at my old school, and the nostalgia felt like a warm hug. Reading this book during the month of my 5 year graduation anniversary (a coincidence!) hit even harder than expected.
I loved the way this book touched on queerness, college hookup culture, capitalism, abuse (of various kinds), found family, and healing. Charlotte goes through it, but through it all, she has so much love and support from the people she knows, even if she doesn't know how to ask for help.
Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Taking place at Charlotte's 5 year college reunion, she goes back on campus, a tomb of sorts, for her job. Her boss, a "thought-leader," podcaster, etc etc, was chosen to speak at graduation, which falls over reunion weekend. Charlotte is there to make sure everything goes smoothly and to live-tweet his commencement speech, hoping this'll finally lead to that promotion to the art department. It's still a far cry from the art's passionate about, but she'd be out from under her boss and at least be art-adjacent.
Being back at school means old wounds open, open wounds gape, and trying to just survive this weekend. She's lost touch with her friends, work's gotten too busy, and she needs financial security. She only has herself - she has no one to fall back on. But being back on campus means old ghosts come to haunt again. Worrying so much about seeing her ex-boyfriend, she forgets about her other male ex, Reece. A FWD, for lack of a better word, and a redeeming part of her senior year after an abusive relationship. The 3Ds support group is back together again, after 5 years, and nothing is the same anymore. Who they were in college is just a part of the past, they're scattered all over the country, and Charlotte's lost touch with almost all of them. This weekend is supposed to be about work for her, but it becomes so much more.
This book encapsulates so much of a queer college experience - finding a safe space at a queer-friendly organization, being best friends with your ex-girlfriend, creating a found family, etc etc. It felt like warm hug and reminded me of my days interning for the LGBTQIA+ Center at my old school, and the nostalgia felt like a warm hug. Reading this book during the month of my 5 year graduation anniversary (a coincidence!) hit even harder than expected.
I loved the way this book touched on queerness, college hookup culture, capitalism, abuse (of various kinds), found family, and healing. Charlotte goes through it, but through it all, she has so much love and support from the people she knows, even if she doesn't know how to ask for help.
Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Suicidal thoughts
kerryamchugh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.0
Bisexual rep, young adults coming of age and reliving college years at their five-year-reunion, found family. Spot-on depictions of anxiety/panic attacks. Major tw for narcissistic ex/emotional abuse/controlling relationship, and parental abuse specifically for being queer. All handled with grace in a really lovely sorry that grants happy endings in ways that feel believable and not too pat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Biphobia and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Vomit, and Addiction
emkplatts's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I found this to be delightful! I liked the multi-media aspect of the messages throughout the story. I have not read a second chance romance before and this was a good first one to start with. I like how queerness is woven into this story. It's not like a big statement or discourse, just a general thread that runs through the steps and the characters loves naturally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Homophobia
Minor: Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Grief, Vomit, and Suicide
nattymomo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Format: Digital / Kindle
Genre: Women's Fiction, LGBTQIA+, Romance, Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Penguin Group Dutton
Publish Date: 6/3/2024
Page Count: 274
Tropes: Chosen Family
Content Warnings: Toxic relationships, PTSD, Anxiety Attacks
Summary: Twenty-seven year old bi-sexual Charlotte Thorne is back at her Alma Mater, Hein University, for what’s supposed to be a work trip/5 year class reunion, but she’s dreading all the memories and people she left behind after graduation. Everyone around her seems like their lives are success stories while hers seems, well…not. Her job isn’t great, she hasn’t talked with her best friend in months nor has any idea what’s new with her chosen family from ACRONYM (her college LGBTQIA+ program house), but most of all, she doesn’t know what she’ll do when she‘s forced to go back in time for seventy-two hours. Will Charlotte spend the weekend dodging questions about her life or will she let loose a little and explore a second chance at a past love?
Review: I really liked this book. I felt that the author did an incredible job of expressing through Charlotte the very human craving to be known and loved despite feeling broken, undesirable, and unloved by past people and experiences. We’ve all held space in our lives where we felt stuck in a dead end job, the friends we once held dear are now more acquaintances, and each day feels like a fight to make it to tomorrow. Charlotte’s struggles felt so real and I think that resonated deeply with me. Another thing that I thought was wonderful was the use of color to describe feelings - yellow relief, sea foam green pride, vein blue blood, neon pink of freedom, radiant orange or excitement - it made this book pop and come alive. I could see and taste the story in such a compelling way. Ella Dawson’s representation of the LGTBQIA+ community is vibrant, steady, and subtle, all mixed together in a beautiful blend of humanity. And as with any good romance, there is spice for those that are down for that!
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the ARC. All opinions in this review are my own and in no way reflect that of the author, publisher, or other readers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit
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