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bekacrook's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Hannah Bonam-Young knows how to write complex, realistic and loveable characters with interesting and often difficult backstories. Lane and Matt were wonderful together, they had such a strong foundation of friendship and they both put in the work towards developing themselves in order to be the kind of partner the other needed and deserved. They didn't just go for the quick fix either, Lane reached a pivotal moment for her and changed when she was ready and gave herself the time to do that and it wasn't unrealistically fast. Matt was so patient and so kind but also needed to do some work on himself to make sure that he got a partner who wouldn't let him give all of himself away. Together they were beautiful. I loved reading their journey together and their relationship was the backbone of the story but there was enough of a plot happening to keep me interested and entertained.
The grief was palpable throughout the book and I liked that it was shown in different ways through the different characters: Lane, her mum and sister as well as Matt's mother and the impact this had on his family both growing up and now. The difference cultural views surrounding death also really emphasised why they had grieved differently.
Honestly just a brilliantly written book.
The grief was palpable throughout the book and I liked that it was shown in different ways through the different characters: Lane, her mum and sister as well as Matt's mother and the impact this had on his family both growing up and now. The difference cultural views surrounding death also really emphasised why they had grieved differently.
Honestly just a brilliantly written book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
jillkaarlela's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
Taylor Swift songs: “Champagne problems”, “you are in love (tv)”
Age rating: 17+ (4 spicy scenes, 1.5/5🌶️)
THIS BOOK OMG. I’m at odds for which is my favorite HBY book between this one and “Out on a limb” because I love them so much!!! This was such a great emotional friends-to-lovers romance with such a good MMC, like I love this man with my whole heart. I love the representation with the FMC being pansexual, agoraphobic, and having anxiety! She is such a relatable character. And BIG dad bod appreciation with Matt, the 6’3” ish Samoan teddy bear. Matt is the definition of he falls first and falls harder like COME ON!!! If you want to read about a man who will live the FMC UNCONDITIONALLY and FIERCELY, read this book!!
I am a sucker for a grumpy FMC X sunshine MMC and this was everything.
There were so many parts in this that made me so emotional (please mind the trigger warnings!) but I loved it so much. It made my heart break and then ten times fuller!! Ugh, I cannot say enough great things about her books, for real!!!
To someone who is not familiar with Samoan culture, it seems like HBY did so much research to make Matt’s character and Matt’s whole family very authentic!
Trigger warnings: Major grief and PTSD discussion, death of parent, commitment issues, emotionally abusive and manipulative family members
Age rating: 17+ (4 spicy scenes, 1.5/5🌶️)
THIS BOOK OMG. I’m at odds for which is my favorite HBY book between this one and “Out on a limb” because I love them so much!!! This was such a great emotional friends-to-lovers romance with such a good MMC, like I love this man with my whole heart. I love the representation with the FMC being pansexual, agoraphobic, and having anxiety! She is such a relatable character. And BIG dad bod appreciation with Matt, the 6’3” ish Samoan teddy bear. Matt is the definition of he falls first and falls harder like COME ON!!! If you want to read about a man who will live the FMC UNCONDITIONALLY and FIERCELY, read this book!!
I am a sucker for a grumpy FMC X sunshine MMC and this was everything.
There were so many parts in this that made me so emotional (please mind the trigger warnings!) but I loved it so much. It made my heart break and then ten times fuller!! Ugh, I cannot say enough great things about her books, for real!!!
To someone who is not familiar with Samoan culture, it seems like HBY did so much research to make Matt’s character and Matt’s whole family very authentic!
Trigger warnings: Major grief and PTSD discussion, death of parent, commitment issues, emotionally abusive and manipulative family members
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Cursing, Death, and Death of parent
headinthepages's review
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Car accident, Death of parent, Infertility, Sexual content, Alcohol, Death, Emotional abuse, and Grief
soobooksalot's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
Author Hannah Bonam-Young has a great way with fictional people!
Just finished Next To You, the novel after Next Of Kin that intertwines some characters but also stands alone.
The story of Lane and Matt charmed me just as much as that of Chloe and Warren. The building of relationships and emotion among realistically flawed characters, just pulls a reader in. Some steamy spice doesn't hurt either.
Lane's character experiencing the long-supressed feelings of guilt related to the loss of her father adds depth. (No tears here. Nope!)
Recommended!
Just finished Next To You, the novel after Next Of Kin that intertwines some characters but also stands alone.
The story of Lane and Matt charmed me just as much as that of Chloe and Warren. The building of relationships and emotion among realistically flawed characters, just pulls a reader in. Some steamy spice doesn't hurt either.
Lane's character experiencing the long-supressed feelings of guilt related to the loss of her father adds depth. (No tears here. Nope!)
Recommended!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, Alcohol, Grief, and Infertility
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