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avery_hutchinson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.75
This book had me literally annoyed when I had to put it down. The only reason that it is not 5⭐️ is because of the third act conflict, as it felt like a mildly stupid argument which did get resolved in a cute way. Very good main characters with strong backstories and motives, and side characters were very lovable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
marianaribeiro's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Death of parent
chelseazhao's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Mariana Zapata is really the Queen of Slowburn Romance, and I've missed reading her books.
I loved the characters that we got to follow in this book. Both Aurora and Rhodes felt like real people. And because of that, I still really enjoyed it even though the romance didn't feel as prevalent as I would have liked it. I did like that it felt realistic and you could see their feelings grow.
However, this felt more like a plain contemporary story or a character study for at least two-thirds of the book.
I did really like the exploration of grief and unconventional families.
But I think I just wish that I liked the conclusion more. It felt like it wrapped up too quickly.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the characters that we got to follow in this book. Both Aurora and Rhodes felt like real people. And because of that, I still really enjoyed it even though the romance didn't feel as prevalent as I would have liked it. I did like that it felt realistic and you could see their feelings grow.
However, this felt more like a plain contemporary story or a character study for at least two-thirds of the book.
I did really like the exploration of grief and unconventional families.
But I think I just wish that I liked the conclusion more. It felt like it wrapped up too quickly.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Mental illness and Pregnancy
takarakei's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
2.75
Unfortunately I didn't realize going into this that it's a 600 page romance, or I would probably not have read it. No romance needs to be that long imo. MZ writes slow burn, but there's slow burn and then there's... whatever this is. The two main characters barely interacted or talked for like the first 30% of this book (which is like 200 pages). The first HALF of this book could have been severely edited down in terms of content because I was just reading too many mundane details that my brain was shutting down.
Which honestly sucks because the last 20% of this book is really good! Once you *actually* start to see the tiniest spark (aka they have conversations) between the main characters I enjoyed it. I really liked the development of the relationship between Aurora and Tobias' son Amos (tbh she has more interactions in the first half of the book with Amos than Tobias). There's a hard hitting part at the end regarding Aurora's grief over her mom that got me a bit misty.I'm not sure that I needed her ex to come back begging for her, I felt that was extraneous.
Overall I'm not sure I really vibed with Aurora as a main character and she made some really dumb ass decisions in this book that irked me (hello hiking on your own when you are clearly not an experienced hiker and your mom disappeared while hiking??? please make it make sense). Also this is a self published book moving to traditional publication and the arc I read had some super repetitive parts and several typos that I hope are fixed before it's published...
I have some other books by this author on my list that I will read, but I'll be checking the page count before I do.
🌶️3/5
Which honestly sucks because the last 20% of this book is really good! Once you *actually* start to see the tiniest spark (aka they have conversations) between the main characters I enjoyed it. I really liked the development of the relationship between Aurora and Tobias' son Amos (tbh she has more interactions in the first half of the book with Amos than Tobias). There's a hard hitting part at the end regarding Aurora's grief over her mom that got me a bit misty.
Overall I'm not sure I really vibed with Aurora as a main character and she made some really dumb ass decisions in this book that irked me (hello hiking on your own when you are clearly not an experienced hiker and your mom disappeared while hiking??? please make it make sense). Also this is a self published book moving to traditional publication and the arc I read had some super repetitive parts and several typos that I hope are fixed before it's published...
I have some other books by this author on my list that I will read, but I'll be checking the page count before I do.
🌶️3/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content and Mental illness
Minor: Pregnancy
Aurora's ex and his mother are vile and the horrible things they did to her are brought up several times. Tobias' mother struggled with mental illness and as a result he had a rough childhood. There is one explicit spicy scene. Pregnancy happens as part of the HEA (not a surprise).cathyo_113's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicide and Mental illness
Minor: Medical content and Pregnancy
flor3nce17's review
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Liked the writing. Loved the characters and the growth of the relationships.
This is a slow burn which I like but the pacing was a bit too slow for my liking. I sometimes didn't feel like reading it.
This is a slow burn which I like but the pacing was a bit too slow for my liking. I sometimes didn't feel like reading it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content and Mental illness
emilyfrenchie's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infertility, Sexual content, and Blood
Minor: Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Mental illness, and Child abuse
onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Toxic relationship
Minor: Mental illness and Child abuse
ashleycmms's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Terminal illness, Abandonment, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
Minor: Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
ashley_1206's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-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
5⭐️ (lengthy review for a lengthy book)!
guys i loved this book so much. and im not one to complain about a slow burn so let’s start with that. i don’t mind lengthy books especially if they’re good, have plot, and characters i love. which is exactly what this book was.
the characters really sold this book for me. aurora, rhodes, and amos became my favorite people. they’re dynamics and how they interacted with eachother was everything my heart needed.
let’s talk about a slow burn done right bro. when they first met the dynamic between rhodes and aurora was my personal favorite a grumpy sunshine. then they became friends and became partners. BRO IT WAS SO GOOD. there’s only one smutt scene btw.
quick mention of the tropes! grumpy x sunshine, small town romance, single dad, slow burn
honorable mentions to clara and yuki they’re my favs bro. i’m just saying clara, yuki, and aurora would’ve been an amazing trio!
okay one last thing the epilogue was everything i wanted in an epilogue. i’m sorry but i can’t get over how healthy the relationship between rhodes and aurora is. so yeah i love marianna zapata and i’m so in love with my first book written by her <3
guys i loved this book so much. and im not one to complain about a slow burn so let’s start with that. i don’t mind lengthy books especially if they’re good, have plot, and characters i love. which is exactly what this book was.
the characters really sold this book for me. aurora, rhodes, and amos became my favorite people. they’re dynamics and how they interacted with eachother was everything my heart needed.
let’s talk about a slow burn done right bro. when they first met the dynamic between rhodes and aurora was my personal favorite a grumpy sunshine. then they became friends and became partners. BRO IT WAS SO GOOD. there’s only one smutt scene btw.
quick mention of the tropes! grumpy x sunshine, small town romance, single dad, slow burn
honorable mentions to clara and yuki they’re my favs bro. i’m just saying clara, yuki, and aurora would’ve been an amazing trio!
okay one last thing the epilogue was everything i wanted in an epilogue. i’m sorry but i can’t get over how healthy the relationship between rhodes and aurora is. so yeah i love marianna zapata and i’m so in love with my first book written by her <3
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief, Blood, Medical content, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Mental illness