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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
whatbeccareadnext's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.75
I really enjoyed this story overall, I went expecting a pretty light-hearted romance, but it was quite an emotional rollercoaster. The characters were easy to like and I especially loved that Hannah Bonam-Young took the time to really flesh out the families of the MMC/FMC as well.
I wish the story had spent a bit more time with the bus, I think it would have been interesting to have some more scenes involving the renovation. I also felt that the first 20-30% of the book moved quite slowly, and I struggled to get into the plot. However, after this, it really picked up, and I whizzed through the last half in less than a day.
** Thank you to the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own. **
I wish the story had spent a bit more time with the bus, I think it would have been interesting to have some more scenes involving the renovation. I also felt that the first 20-30% of the book moved quite slowly, and I struggled to get into the plot. However, after this, it really picked up, and I whizzed through the last half in less than a day.
** Thank you to the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own. **
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, Infertility, Mental illness, Car accident, Classism, and Grief
Moderate: Biphobia and Homophobia
Minor: Pregnancy and Toxic relationship
mollyalex's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Toxic relationship
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
infjkiki's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Mental illness, Grief, and Biphobia
Minor: Toxic relationship
erinrachelreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I don’t know how to put into words how much I loved this book; I’m going to try but long story short, this was perfect, I’m obsessed, I have so many highlights and I will never stop talking about it.
Lane and Matt share a perfect NYE kiss but decide to stay friends instead; Lane introduces Matt to essential popular culture with movie nights and they bond over their love – with a little envy – of their friends love.
Lane suffers with a lot of guilt after the death of her father and her grief is palpable. She is bold, she is anxious and deals with agoraphobia, she cries easily and often and she is wildly relatable. All of this is written with such care but parts are raw and emotional and I soaked my sleeves numerous times.
Matt is the dream book boyfriend; he’s sweet and strong, HE LOVES TO READ, he loves his family and friends fiercely. I will never recover from this man.
Together they are beautiful, they compliment each other, the care they have for each other is very evident and the sexual chemistry is *chefs kiss* - there are a few more sex scenes in this than in Next of Kin and they are all perfect.
In summary, READ THIS BOOK.
Lane and Matt share a perfect NYE kiss but decide to stay friends instead; Lane introduces Matt to essential popular culture with movie nights and they bond over their love – with a little envy – of their friends love.
Lane suffers with a lot of guilt after the death of her father and her grief is palpable. She is bold, she is anxious and deals with agoraphobia, she cries easily and often and she is wildly relatable. All of this is written with such care but parts are raw and emotional and I soaked my sleeves numerous times.
Matt is the dream book boyfriend; he’s sweet and strong, HE LOVES TO READ, he loves his family and friends fiercely. I will never recover from this man.
Together they are beautiful, they compliment each other, the care they have for each other is very evident and the sexual chemistry is *chefs kiss* - there are a few more sex scenes in this than in Next of Kin and they are all perfect.
In summary, READ THIS BOOK.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Biphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
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