Reviews

It's hard to rate this book as I mostly enjoyed reading it but at the same time I was also often frustrated with it. The main issue comes from the abundance of lack of communication not only between the two main characters but also the group of friends. This issue becomes more relevant in the second half of the book.
First of all I have loved other books by her and overall I enjoy her writing and how her books are always a mix of funny moments, a nice relationship development (usually with really good banter) and exploration of other personal conflicts that the main characters go through. This is still true in this case but perhaps I just related less with the characters or maybe because it felt a bit surreal I didn't enjoy it as much.
Especially in the second half it felt almost like watching a train wreck as there was so much miscommunication up to that point that it felt weird to read it. At some point I took it more as a cautionary tale of what might happen if you just live in your head instead of communicating what you think with others.
I also have some issues with how the things got resolved between Wyn and Harriet so I wasn't really satisfied with the ending.

In particular I didn't like how in the end the only way for them to be together was for her to change her life. I get it that it wasn't what she really wanted, and this was kind of subtly implied throughout the story, but it felt awfully convenient (especially for the timing of her revelation). It also irks me a little bit because it is the only way they could have resolved their problem and it is something she might regret later on in her life. I would not consider it an happy ending, but again it might be because I didn't fully relate with her character. (I also think it might have been less drastic, like for example becoming a professor instead or moving to a less stressful field in the medicine profession but I get the point that the book is trying to make, even though it would make for a terrible financial decision).

I am still going to give it a fairly high rating though as most of my complaints are more about the life choices made by the characters rather than some issues with the book itself. It was still well written, easy to read and with complex character work that made them feel alive (although perhaps not people I would agree with) and overall it was also kind of realistic (in that people sometimes make dumb decision kind of way).

adpatla's review against another edition

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lighthearted relaxing 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

4.0

cait_don's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

cute but i felt nothing lol

coleerexx's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This is my least favorite of EmHen’s books so far (before Funny Story!), but I still liked it. Unlike her other male characters, I felt like Wyn was too underdeveloped for me to understand their love story. I do appreciate that it was more “real life” focused than a fairy tale ending, but overall I wanted more.

jordanmvickers's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-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

5.0

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