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meroree's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This book contains characters with serious mental health issues as magically healed because they found true love. No one seems to care or suggest anything actually helpful like therapy maybe? Wtf.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Mental illness
onefineelephant's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
9/10. I really enjoyed this book. I liked the character growth that both mcs go through during the span of their relationship. Love the dual POV. The only reason that I am not giving 10/10 is because while I love this book, I'm not obsessed with it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Alcohol, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Ableism
carefulfearanddeaddevotion's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
didnt realize this book was X rated when I picked it up, and it's the first of its kind ive read so maybe im just not familiar with the genre, but the writing and characters (especially Julian) were really...weird? idk how to describe it, very stilted, immature, and oftentimes difficult to like. the best character was by far Natalie, so even though im not sure i liked this book or Tessa's writing, i might read hers just to spend more time with her (plus it has my favorite trope: fake relationship). maybe the author was just unsuccessful at portraying someone with anxiety/panic attacks/ptsd? idk.
i also hated the lack of communication. like i get miscommunication is a big trope in romance, but this was a bit much. like?? you're 30 years old, it's very clear you're into each other (especially after themutual masturbation like hello???) just make an effort to say like one (1) sentence instead of...walking away?? hard to believe they'll last with those kinds of communication skills.
also, and i've tried to think of a better way to word it, but it's just this: Julian gave me the ick SO often. Just when i was like "heheh cute" he'd be like "the world will end if i dont see an Hallie Smile tm" and i'd need to go rushing to the nearest trash can. nasty. like just so weird. the constant simultaneous infantilization and objectification of Hallie was a bit much. but maybe im the weird one idk.
edit: the secret admirer letters are so marginally relevant to the story that i even forgot to include them in this review. Hallie, as the secret admirer, writes a total of 3 letters. Julian responds once. And im supposed to believe that it's a central part of story? it's not. they got to know each other wayyyyyyyy more in person than they did through the letters. the only purpose they served was the, frankly senseless, final conflict.like getting Hallie out of the house to have Julian have a panic attack over it could have been accomplished by any other mean .
ALSO! and this is a small thing butHallie barelyyyy knows Natalie, she had no right to offhandedly tell her to get her drinking and sleeping in under control?? especially in context.
i also hated the lack of communication. like i get miscommunication is a big trope in romance, but this was a bit much. like?? you're 30 years old, it's very clear you're into each other (especially after the
also, and i've tried to think of a better way to word it, but it's just this: Julian gave me the ick SO often. Just when i was like "heheh cute" he'd be like "the world will end if i dont see an Hallie Smile tm" and i'd need to go rushing to the nearest trash can. nasty. like just so weird. the constant simultaneous infantilization and objectification of Hallie was a bit much. but maybe im the weird one idk.
edit: the secret admirer letters are so marginally relevant to the story that i even forgot to include them in this review. Hallie, as the secret admirer, writes a total of 3 letters. Julian responds once. And im supposed to believe that it's a central part of story? it's not. they got to know each other wayyyyyyyy more in person than they did through the letters. the only purpose they served was the, frankly senseless, final conflict.
ALSO! and this is a small thing but
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Ableism, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism
lakinglaze's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This book was not my cup of tea. I had problems with the characters, the characters’ actions, and the ideals presented in this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexism
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual content, Stalking, Ableism, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexism, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, and Cursing
thebookpaiges's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Ableism, and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Stalking
nicole_defran's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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? Yes
2.25
Sorry this isn’t much of a review just comments to remind myself what happened
- Schizophrenic comment about wearing different patterns; probably should have been edited out…
- Liked the side characters
- Anxiety rep: but like not the best I’ve read
- A little bit of dealing with grief after loss of family member
- Overall, it was okay (meh maybe is a better way to describe it) it’s an easy read and I didn’t love it or hate it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Ableism is self focusedthepoieszedlife's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Minor: Ableism
One of the outfits that Hallie wears is mixed patterns (because of her indecisiveness). It’s described as schizophrenic. The depiction of Julian’s anxiety is done in such a way that isn’t exactly flattering & I’ve seen that done better in other books.
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