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emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
I know this book came out a bit ago, and I know it had a lot of hype, and I know I put it off for a long time, but man, this book was good. As usual, I decided to wait a bit on a book that was getting rave reviews when it first came out. As often happens, it dropped off my radar. Quite honestly, I was on Libby and looked for an “available now” audiobook in romance and saw this one there. So glad I did!
Not only is Helen Hoang a new-to-me author, but this was also her debut. Her debut! When a debut author has such an awesome first showing, I get a bit scared for them. I really hope this wasn’t a one-off and I’ll have many more books to look forward to from her.
This is a case of me having so much to say, there’s nothing I can say. I loved the connection between Michael and Stella. I love how sex work is represented in this story. I love how in tune Michael is with Stella and all of the others around him. I love how well fleshed out Stella’s character is, especially since she’s autistic. (Warning: there is use of some outdated terms for the type of autism Stella has, but this was published just as the terminology was changing, so I’m going to assume the author didn’t do it intentionally.)
There is a scene where Stella goes to Michael’s family’s house for dinner and I was dying. It was so well written that I could feel everyone’s emotions. It was brutal, yet so necessary for character development and understanding.
I was not aware the author had turned this world into a series so I’m excited to see how well the other books hold up to this one. Fingers crossed!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual harassment
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment
Minor: Infidelity, Rape, Classism
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment
emotional
funny
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
I DONT LIKE INSTA LOVE AND I LIKED THIS
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Medical content
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:
Complicated
The characters were *waaaaaaay* too clueless and at some point it made me mad. And the sex got too much at some point (though I'm not the target demographic for that, of course)
But I liked the characters. And the portrayal of autism was pretty clearly done by an autistic woman herself, so that's nice. Also the vietnamese family was cool to see. Anyways, it deserved the 4 stars.
But I liked the characters. And the portrayal of autism was pretty clearly done by an autistic woman herself, so that's nice. Also the vietnamese family was cool to see. Anyways, it deserved the 4 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i cannot believe how fast i read this book. extremely readable. i forgot how spicy contemporary romance is it threw me off guard 🫣 the main conflict in this book could have been solved with both mcs if they had just had one (1) heartfelt conversation. other then that and one forgotten plot line, i really enjoyed the story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual harassment
funny
lighthearted
tense
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
Algunes coses m’han semblat una mica icky, però no podia parar de llegir i, en general, m’ho he passat molt bé! Això sí, m’he quedat tiesa amb la quantitat inesperada de contingut explícit!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
Minor: Infidelity, Vomit, Stalking
funny
hopeful
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:
Yes
Quick read and very charming. Has a classic romance novel trope of poor communication that keeps the couple apart but I loved both main characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Infidelity, Mental illness, Stalking, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Classism
Minor: Violence, Medical content, Grief
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Classism