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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
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
🌶️🌶️ I loved this book and the chemistry between Raine and Jack from page 1. Their relationship reminded me everything about what I love about a relationship where your partner inherently knows you snd your needs without having to ask.
What I love even more about the book is it can be read in sequence with Grunder-Ruiz's other books or as a standalone, and somehow it has a completely different feel of emotion and adventure than her other books -- in a good way. Usually a book or genre by an author has this connecting or repetitive feel but i didnt feel that at all which is so different /refreshing. I equally loved this dtory as much as another of hers even though the moods and storytelling structure snd pacing were completely different. They are independently strong books of strong character.
What I love even more about the book is it can be read in sequence with Grunder-Ruiz's other books or as a standalone, and somehow it has a completely different feel of emotion and adventure than her other books -- in a good way. Usually a book or genre by an author has this connecting or repetitive feel but i didnt feel that at all which is so different /refreshing. I equally loved this dtory as much as another of hers even though the moods and storytelling structure snd pacing were completely different. They are independently strong books of strong character.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This is the most unflinching and affirming representation of OCD I've ever seen on page in fiction, and I am so grateful for a story where two neurospicy people can navigate a happily-ever-after with all of the appropriate accommodations. Our MMC, Jack, has OCD and is managing heightened symptoms during the narrative. He experiences (on page) obsessions about self-harm (sharp objects), losing bodily control (fear of shouting or writing things he doesn't mean), and harm toward others (fear he's hurt someone and doesn't realize it, etc.). His compulsions include rumination, "just right" repetition, mental scripts and magical thinking, and seeing his cyclical obsessions and compulsions - all of which are largely mental/invisible to others - on page feels significant in a space where OCD representation is typically narrowly focused on contamination obsessions/hygiene compulsions. Jack's loved ones consistently resist reinforcing his compulsions (specifically when he is seeking reassurance), and encourage him to continue his exposure therapy, and we LOVE seeing true OCD therapy repped on page! I am so appreciative of the research and sensitivity reviews that clearly went into this character.
ENTER RAINE, adventure-seeking wanderer and med-school drop-out with ADHD, who is, most importantly, earnest and soft-hearted and curious. I cannot speak to the accuracy of the ADHD representation, but I so appreciated the author's openness about her own ADHD diagnosis and her desire to write a character through which she could show herself some grace. Raine's ADHD is never a superpower and it's never an obstacle to her love story, but it is something she manages and navigates in her day-to-day life to a degree she needs others to understand and accommodate (and they DO).
I just loved how well these two saw one another, how insistent they were on supporting one another, and how committed they each were to their own wellbeing, first. And the author truly sticks the landing on the happily-ever-after, resisting a spiral into codependency and giving each character space to grow and heal independently before choosing partnership. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time.
ENTER RAINE, adventure-seeking wanderer and med-school drop-out with ADHD, who is, most importantly, earnest and soft-hearted and curious. I cannot speak to the accuracy of the ADHD representation, but I so appreciated the author's openness about her own ADHD diagnosis and her desire to write a character through which she could show herself some grace. Raine's ADHD is never a superpower and it's never an obstacle to her love story, but it is something she manages and navigates in her day-to-day life to a degree she needs others to understand and accommodate (and they DO).
I just loved how well these two saw one another, how insistent they were on supporting one another, and how committed they each were to their own wellbeing, first. And the author truly sticks the landing on the happily-ever-after, resisting a spiral into codependency and giving each character space to grow and heal independently before choosing partnership. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5 stars rounded up for neurodiversity/representation. Was there any plot here…?
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Semi-believable love story with a great cast of characters and really strong setting. Solid mental health representation but a little repetitive with the writing of it. The book overall is feel good and easy to read, but it's nothing too new.
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Yes
It's refreshing to have a romance where the main characters have such compelling and realistic flaws and insecurities. A couple with ADHD and OCD, making room for each other and supporting one another. Charming, lovely little romance.