Scan barcode
turnthepages_nl's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I LOVE this book. With all my heart. I already was a fan of Madison's work. But this book exceeded all my expectations.
I was so invested in these characters. I have never read a book with the single parent trope. And it's never my fav in movies. But I absolutely loved it in this story. It works so well!
June was adorable and she really added to the story. Her relationship with Holden, her growing love for Wren. I loved it.
Holden has been hurt in the past. He is not a single parent by choice. June's mom left them when June was an infant. They got married when Mia fell pregnant. Out of duty, not love. And it just didn't work. They were never meant to be partners in this capacity. And I love the messaging around this. Marriage doesn't always work. A marriage born out of duty doesn't always work. And people should not feel forced to get married just because they are expecting a baby. Co-parenting can be beautiful, and be more beneficial to the child too! Because everyone knows where they stand and there is no awkward tension or forced closeness.
I love how the dynamic between Holden and Mia changes. His perception of her, her actions, her responsibility. Holden wants what's best for June but he learns and grows in what that looks like. And I love that for them!
Now. Wren. I ADORE her. She is sunshine incarnate. She is energetic, gives love so freely, is warm, gentle, kind. But also funny and a tease. She loves to get on Holdens nerves hahaha. And she is a curly girl! We love to see it!
Wren & Holden are neighbours. And the most interaction they have is when she deliberately gets her mail delivered at his house so he has to bring it to her. It drives him up the wall. But as their relationship develops, his attitude toward the packages changes too, lol.
Also this book has text messages!!! More specifically, anonymous texts on a dating app. This is how Wren & Holden grew close without knowing it was their neighbour. It really was a fun bonus to this already amazing story!
I can keep on rambling about this book. But let me finish with this. As a child of divorce, I really appreciate the messaging around marriage here. It doesn't always work. Forced marriage causes hurt. Some people are not meant to be together and that's okay. I also loved how protective Holden is over June and how much care he took in introducing a new person into her life. He takes care of his little girl. And later on he takes care of Wren too. And she let him. Because she knows he will catch her when she falls, console her when she's sad, rub her back when she's tired and hold her when she is scared. He is there for her. And she is there for them. Together.
I was so invested in these characters. I have never read a book with the single parent trope. And it's never my fav in movies. But I absolutely loved it in this story. It works so well!
June was adorable and she really added to the story. Her relationship with Holden, her growing love for Wren. I loved it.
Holden has been hurt in the past. He is not a single parent by choice. June's mom left them when June was an infant. They got married when Mia fell pregnant. Out of duty, not love. And it just didn't work. They were never meant to be partners in this capacity. And I love the messaging around this. Marriage doesn't always work. A marriage born out of duty doesn't always work. And people should not feel forced to get married just because they are expecting a baby. Co-parenting can be beautiful, and be more beneficial to the child too! Because everyone knows where they stand and there is no awkward tension or forced closeness.
I love how the dynamic between Holden and Mia changes. His perception of her, her actions, her responsibility. Holden wants what's best for June but he learns and grows in what that looks like. And I love that for them!
Now. Wren. I ADORE her. She is sunshine incarnate. She is energetic, gives love so freely, is warm, gentle, kind. But also funny and a tease. She loves to get on Holdens nerves hahaha. And she is a curly girl! We love to see it!
Wren & Holden are neighbours. And the most interaction they have is when she deliberately gets her mail delivered at his house so he has to bring it to her. It drives him up the wall. But as their relationship develops, his attitude toward the packages changes too, lol.
Also this book has text messages!!! More specifically, anonymous texts on a dating app. This is how Wren & Holden grew close without knowing it was their neighbour. It really was a fun bonus to this already amazing story!
I can keep on rambling about this book. But let me finish with this. As a child of divorce, I really appreciate the messaging around marriage here. It doesn't always work. Forced marriage causes hurt. Some people are not meant to be together and that's okay. I also loved how protective Holden is over June and how much care he took in introducing a new person into her life. He takes care of his little girl. And later on he takes care of Wren too. And she let him. Because she knows he will catch her when she falls, console her when she's sad, rub her back when she's tired and hold her when she is scared. He is there for her. And she is there for them. Together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Abandonment
Closed door, no spice.
More...