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starlitpage's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual harassment, Vomit, Medical content, and Violence
ladylaurenexplorer's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Although it’s a two on the spice scale, I truly loved this book. It gave me all of the feels and angst that I needed without being too emotionally invested, or having an emotional reaction to some thing from the past if you get what I mean.
This kept me so engaged even though most of the time actually I think 80% of the time they weren’t together. I just saw you’re trying to wrap your head around the past in them first thing in together in their presence when they’re not together at all and they are teaming up to be planning this wedding.
So, I was so invested because I’m trying to figure out how this couple who said that they were a couple before came to be and how they were going to be a couple now. This also had me giddy about what made him break up and not speak to each other for almost 3 years.
When it came to that part, I was shook us for a minute, because I thought that it would’ve went a different way then why they break up happened. And maybe I should’ve saw it coming but I didn’t. I thought it was gonna be completely different than what it was.
This kept me so engaged even though most of the time actually I think 80% of the time they weren’t together. I just saw you’re trying to wrap your head around the past in them first thing in together in their presence when they’re not together at all and they are teaming up to be planning this wedding.
So, I was so invested because I’m trying to figure out how this couple who said that they were a couple before came to be and how they were going to be a couple now. This also had me giddy about what made him break up and not speak to each other for almost 3 years.
When it came to that part, I was shook us for a minute, because I thought that it would’ve went a different way then why they break up happened. And maybe I should’ve saw it coming but I didn’t. I thought it was gonna be completely different than what it was.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
tamsterdam_reads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The MC, Elliott was a great leading man who was a great grumpy/sunshine leading man who had no issue falling head first in love with Ama. Both leading characters were successful, career-oriented people, which was something I really enjoyed about the story. The forced proximity was perfect for Ama and Elliot’s growing feelings and steamy attraction for one another. Also, the dual POV was done so well and really contributed to the loveliness of the story overall.
The narration by Callie Dalton and Teddy Hamilton was perfect and engaging.
Thank you Hachette Audio for the alc. Thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Bullying
jstanothermillenial's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A super sweet second chance romance.
I liked the writing style and pace a lot. For e debut novel this was definitely excellent and the negative points I had did not really impact the reading experience for me. I'll definitely be looking out for Julie's next book.
More detailed review including spoilers:
I really liked both Ama and Elliot, though Elliot did not endear himself to me at the beginning. He was needlessly hostile and mean to Ama when she comes to his flower shop and a bit immature (giving her the silent treatment because she says he has a man bun). He becomes sweeter during the book, but his rude behaviour is never really explained - he just seems to be a bit of a dick at the start which is absolutely fine since he was also the sweetest and oh the pining 🥰. Makes up for that for sure.
I like the way the duo pov was handled with all the stuff in the past from Elliot's perspective and everything in the present from Ama's perspective.
I didn't like the fact that they didn't use condoms. That her having an IUD settled things which disregards the existence of STI's. There are soooooo many ways to make the use of condoms sexy, it felt unnecessary to not have them in my opinion.
Lots of horny scenes though which was neither too much nor too little. Spice level was top notch.
The break up was well done, though I personally disagree with Elliott that the next step in a relationship has to be marriage after exchanging I love you's. You can be in a relationship that is fulfilled and happy without having to be married. But I know that's just my opinion and a lot of people put a lot more importance on marriage. He did realise this in the end as well and I love how they resolved this at the end.
The drama of the wedding was amazing, loved all the components - I thought at one point it was getting too much, but it all worked really well I thought and added a lot of content to the book.
Overall a very lovely second chance, grumpy & sunshine love story.
I liked the writing style and pace a lot. For e debut novel this was definitely excellent and the negative points I had did not really impact the reading experience for me. I'll definitely be looking out for Julie's next book.
More detailed review including spoilers:
I really liked both Ama and Elliot, though Elliot did not endear himself to me at the beginning. He was needlessly hostile and mean to Ama when she comes to his flower shop and a bit immature (giving her the silent treatment because she says he has a man bun). He becomes sweeter during the book, but his rude behaviour is never really explained - he just seems to be a bit of a dick at the start which is absolutely fine since he was also the sweetest and oh the pining 🥰. Makes up for that for sure.
I like the way the duo pov was handled with all the stuff in the past from Elliot's perspective and everything in the present from Ama's perspective.
I didn't like the fact that they didn't use condoms. That her having an IUD settled things which disregards the existence of STI's. There are soooooo many ways to make the use of condoms sexy, it felt unnecessary to not have them in my opinion.
Lots of horny scenes though which was neither too much nor too little. Spice level was top notch.
The break up was well done, though I personally disagree with Elliott that the next step in a relationship has to be marriage after exchanging I love you's. You can be in a relationship that is fulfilled and happy without having to be married. But I know that's just my opinion and a lot of people put a lot more importance on marriage. He did realise this in the end as well and I love how they resolved this at the end.
The drama of the wedding was amazing, loved all the components - I thought at one point it was getting too much, but it all worked really well I thought and added a lot of content to the book.
Overall a very lovely second chance, grumpy & sunshine love story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
takarakei's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
4.5
- he owns a flower shop
- she's a wedding planner that doesn't believe in marriage
- dual pov,
- dual timeline, second chance romance
- narration *chefs kiss* Teddy Hamilton is 🔥
Since this book is told in past/present, I would've liked a bit more of the present in terms of the second chance part of the romance. Elliot has my whole heart.
you may think everything ends one day, but you haven’t had everything with me
*Note on diversity* side characters are diverse. MCs are planning a gay wedding for the whole book.
3.5/5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent, Cancer, Medical content, and Sexual harassment
sariereads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Toxic relationship
juffnstuff's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Vomit, and Emotional abuse
singingshooter's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Really enjoyed the different character perspectives and the jumping between timelines and the spice.
Things I didn’t like are a spoiler though
I did think the end where they got back together was rushed and I didn’t like that Ama was now giving Elliot a hard time about not wanting to get married. Also really not sure how she eats doughnuts all the time, but good for her 😂
I am glad that Ama was able to realize that she isn’t her mother and what we got Elliot’s POV on how much he loved her and wanted to commit
Things I didn’t like are a spoiler though
I am glad that Ama was able to realize that she isn’t her mother and what we got Elliot’s POV on how much he loved her and wanted to commit
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Minor: Medical trauma and Vomit
esthersshelf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
4/5 spice rating. This is the best romance book I’ve read in awhile. I loved how half the book was told in backstory so this second-chance-romance felt like the stakes were high and the couple was realistic. I don’t love wedding themed books I still thought this book was so enjoyable. The writing style is perfect, with intriguing metaphors and realistic dialogue.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Bullying