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noellegrace8's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A great romance read! The two main characters have serious chemistry and make one another better people. The writing is fantastic; their relationship comes to life on the page. And Jimenez really gets you to laugh with some of the depictions of scenes and characters' actions. She writes chronic anxiety well, what with the characters' constant mentioning of it and efforts to overcome issues in that area of their relationship. Plus, there are many quotable lessons learned within the course of the book, which I appreciated. I also felt interested by the big family that the main male love interest has, because larger families are kind of rare and I am 1 of 9.
I knocked off .25 for just a couple reasons. The first is that there is some contemporary language & concepts usage that is already not aging well. They're not offensive phrases or anything, but they're going to be considered cringey or dated after they stop being popular in a couple years. (Ex., using "epic" in drama talk)
I also thinkBriana's pregnancy toward the end is random and used a little too obviously as a plot device to create just another conflict for the new lovers, especially since Alexis and Kelly both are also pregnant. It seems as if the author is sort of saying that a relationship is actually at its most complete status, and most thrilling, when the couple gets pregnant, and I simply disagree with that blanket statement. Seeing the ex could have been a big enough issue on its own without that extra piece of backstory thrown in, especially one that is incredibly traumatic and therefore needed a building up throughout the novel if included at all.
And then, I'm also a bit mad that his ex-girlfriend and the younger brother didn't get more of what they deserved for their backstabbing behavior, even though Jacob got over it easily enough in the end and said he hadn't necessarily ever actually loved her. There are just some boundaries you don't cross, and they each could have chosen other people. And the family seemingly wanting to be okay with it was odd.
I don't factor audiobook performance into my star reviews, but I give both Kyla Garcia and Zachary Webber 5/5 easily. They are unique, not annoying, and did plenty of inflection without overdoing it.
I knocked off .25 for just a couple reasons. The first is that there is some contemporary language & concepts usage that is already not aging well. They're not offensive phrases or anything, but they're going to be considered cringey or dated after they stop being popular in a couple years. (Ex., using "epic" in drama talk)
I also think
And then, I'm also a bit mad that his ex-girlfriend and the younger brother
I don't factor audiobook performance into my star reviews, but I give both Kyla Garcia and Zachary Webber 5/5 easily. They are unique, not annoying, and did plenty of inflection without overdoing it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Medical content, Abandonment, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Cultural appropriation, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Animal cruelty, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Death, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Addiction, Classism, Sexism, Eating disorder, and Blood
The content warnings are given at the beginning of the book, actually. General things to know are: a main character has anxiety, both main characters work at a medical facility and have come out of toxic relationships.callie_castle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
For me this was a story that started off strongly but in the third half went completely off the rails. It felt like Abby forgot it was a romantic comedy, and the last third of the book suffers greatly for it. I completely hated a character I started off liking and ruined any affection I had for her.
I am well aware that trauma changes the brain. I’m a person who has faced their own trauma in life -but everything Brianna did in the last third is completely inexcusable. She was beyond cruel and quite frankly how Jacob handled the way she treated him has me worried for his wellbeing.
I’m so disappointed that this book ruined everything it had built and destroyed its own story. A single book should not manage to jump the shark like this.
I am well aware that trauma changes the brain. I’m a person who has faced their own trauma in life -but everything Brianna did in the last third is completely inexcusable. She was beyond cruel and quite frankly how Jacob handled the way she treated him has me worried for his wellbeing.
I’m so disappointed that this book ruined everything it had built and destroyed its own story. A single book should not manage to jump the shark like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Infertility, Medical content, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Terminal illness, Abandonment, Cursing, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Classism, Infertility, Infidelity, Medical trauma, and Blood
Minor: Vomit and Injury/Injury detail
cathyo_113's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
This is my second read of the book. I had just read the friend zone series and was so disappointed with the books. I wanted to come back to this book and reread, like - did I really enjoy this book? YES.
I freaking love this book. The audio book is so well-performed by the narrators. But the story, overall is great and I still felt good and loved the reread.
If you’ve read any of AJ’s books before this, yes, there is the miscommunication trope all over this book. However, those issues are resolved and do not lead to a 3rd act break up - which is what really turned me off from the Friend Zone series.
The FMC - Dr. Briana Ortiz. She is a Latina (Salvadoreña) doctor and complex character that, for sure, needs therapy but surprisingly did not receive any; which is an interesting choice to make for the FMC considering she is a practicing ER Doc in the book. Not to mention the trauma of her recent divorce and past relationship with men. My concern is that character doesn’t receive such support until the epilogue. But that’s par for the course with AJ’s books.
Now the MMC - Dr. Jacob Maddox. I love his character so much! He is one of my favorite MMCs I’ve read and the best MMC from any of the books I’ve read by AJ. I think that as a character his development in this book is probably better than Briana’s.
I think this is, by far, Abby Jimenez’s best book and I really loved all the characters and the overall plot for the book.
I freaking love this book. The audio book is so well-performed by the narrators. But the story, overall is great and I still felt good and loved the reread.
If you’ve read any of AJ’s books before this, yes, there is the miscommunication trope all over this book. However, those issues are resolved and do not lead to a 3rd act break up - which is what really turned me off from the Friend Zone series.
The FMC - Dr. Briana Ortiz. She is a Latina (Salvadoreña) doctor and complex character that, for sure, needs therapy but surprisingly did not receive any; which is an interesting choice to make for the FMC considering she is a practicing ER Doc in the book. Not to mention the trauma of her recent divorce and past relationship with men. My concern is that character doesn’t receive such support until the epilogue. But that’s par for the course with AJ’s books.
Now the MMC - Dr. Jacob Maddox. I love his character so much! He is one of my favorite MMCs I’ve read and the best MMC from any of the books I’ve read by AJ. I think that as a character his development in this book is probably better than Briana’s.
I think this is, by far, Abby Jimenez’s best book and I really loved all the characters and the overall plot for the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, and Infidelity
Moderate: Chronic illness, Miscarriage, and Abandonment
Minor: Classism
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