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caties_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Medical content, Blood, Death, Mental illness, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Vomit, Pregnancy, Grief, Infidelity, Alcohol, Self harm, and Sexual content
mels_reading_log's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Pregnancy
justinekorson's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Besides that though I love, love, LOVED this novel. The chemistry between Jason and Sloan right off the bat was incredible. They were so damn funny together and when they finally met up I about damn near cried. I did not expect the book to take the very emotional turn it does in the latter half. I did not like Lola throughout the whole novel and then ended up wanting to BURN THE WORLD DOWN FOR HER. She was a product of the situation she was put in and I don't blame her at all for what she did/said.
Anyways, I'm endlessly glad that my friend bought this for me to read!!!
Graphic: Self harm, Death, Alcoholism, Grief, Alcohol, Blood, Drug use, Addiction, Car accident, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, and Vomit
amateur_bookworm's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Sexual content and Cursing
Minor: Stalking, Drug abuse, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, and Addiction
carebearmoseley's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Addiction
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
As this was an older Jimenez book, I can see she's grown more sensitive of trauma. Sloan's attitude towards therapy and recovery is... Not surprising, but also not healthy. Also,why repeat that she has tattoos but never tell us what her sleeve consists of?! Other than her ex fiance's name.
Moderate: Mental illness, Addiction, and Death
kelly_e's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Author: Abby Jimenez
Series: The Friend Zone #2
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: April 14, 2020
T H R E E • W O R D S
Entertaining • Enchanting • Heartwearming
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Artist Sloan Monroe just can't seem to get her life on track. But one trouble-making pup who randomly jumps into her car with a "take me home" look in his eyes is about to change everything. With Tucker by her side, Sloan finally starts to feel more like herself. Then, after weeks of unanswered texts, Tucker's owner reaches out. He's a musician on tour in Australia. And bottom line: He wants Tucker back.
Well, Sloan's not about to give up her dog without a fight. But what if this Jason guy really loves Tucker? As their flirty texts turn into long calls, Sloan can't deny a connection. Jason is hot and nice and funny. There's no telling what could happen when they meet in person. The question is: With his music career on the rise, how long will Jason really stick around? And is it possible for Sloan to survive another heartbreak?
💭 T H O U G H T S
My heart ached for Sloan in The Friend Zone, so I was excited to learn I'd be getting to read her story in The Happy Ever After Playlist. With such a personal connection to this book, I was anticipating another deeply emotional reading experience. Unfortunately, this one didn't have the same emotional punch, which left me slightly disappointed.
The beginning was so good! I absolutely adored the meet-cute (despite being on the dramatic side); the banter between Sloan and Jason was top notch; and getting to know Jason was delightful. And of course, there is Tucker (and I'm not even a dog person)! Yet everything I loved so much through the first third, slowly faded. For instance, Tucker played such a big part role, yet he kind of got left by the wayside as it went on. Their story somehow got bogged down through the middle, making in longer than necessary. Additionally, the fun, light hearted banter, which made their connection so believable, slowly dissipated.
A few other positives. I couldn't help me be entertained by Kristen's entertaining cameos. She was hilarious and I am so glad Sloan had her in her court. Everyone needs a Kristen in their lives. I also adored Sloan's relationship with her MIL. It was all heart-warming.
One last thing, while I typically like when author's include notes on their inspiration, in this case, I have issues with the concept of 'making people better' or 'fixing people' in the face of life-alternating death. It's a reminder of western society's inability to sit with grief and uncomfortableness, even though I know the importance of continuing to live. Grief is a lifelong journey and there is no getting over it, rather moving forward with it.
For me, 2023 has certainly been the year of Abby Jimenez (this was my fourth), and while The Happy Ever After Playlist is my least favourite, I still love how she writes banters and creates realistic romance with depth. I will continue to read everything she writes, and I'm looking forward to continuing with Life's Too Short, while I await her upcoming 2024 release.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Abby Jimenez devotees
• readers who like dogs
• fans of the second chance romance trope
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Sometimes the hardest place to live is the one in-between. And sometimes in-between is all you'll ever get."
"This was just a season, and there's beauty in all seasons."
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Car accident, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Stalking
Minor: Cursing, Drug abuse, Pregnancy, Self harm, Vomit, Drug use, Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, and Mental illness
death of partnerxwritingstoriesx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Moderate: Addiction, Grief, Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Drug abuse
aleroness's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Car accident, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Blood, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, and Vomit
kristiesbooknook's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Grief and Death
Minor: Addiction and Alcohol